Travel/Accommodation | Support Administrative Scrivener Corporation

In Shibuya Ward, the "Shibuya Ward Hotel Business Act Enforcement Ordinance" and its detailed regulations were amended with the aim of maintaining a good living environment and ensuring the proper operation of lodging facilities. This amendment was promulgated on March 26, 2026. With this amendment, the hurdles for procedures will be raised considerably for new license applications from July 1, 2026 onwards, including the mandatory installation of signs and the holding of public information sessions. Businesses planning to operate a hotel business (hotels, inns, guesthouses, etc.) in Shibuya Ward need to prepare early. This article summarizes the main points of the amendment below. 1. Strengthened procedures (applicable to facilities applying from July 1, 2026 onwards) When applying for a new hotel business license, the following measures must be taken before applying: Installation of signs (Notice of Hotel Business Plan) Period: From at least 60 days before the date of application until the date of license is granted. Installation location: The part of the facility site that is adjacent to the road (approximately 1 meter from the ground to the bottom of the sign). 1. Notification: You must submit a "Notification of Sign Installation" within 7 days from the date the sign is installed. (*This does not apply in cases such as when obtaining succession approval.) Mandatory holding of explanatory meetings for neighboring residents, etc.: It is mandatory to hold explanatory meetings for neighboring residents before applying. Public notification: You must notify them of the date, time, and location at least 7 days before the date of implementation by posting on the sign or distributing documents. Reporting: You must submit an "Explanatory Meeting Report" within 7 days from the date of implementation. 2. Strengthening of compliance requirements for business operators Mandatory on-site presence of business employees (applies to facilities applying on or after July 1, 2026) Location: Within the facility, on the same premises, or on an adjacent premises. Requirements: A room large enough to allow entry and exit without passing through the guest rooms, and a dedicated toilet must be provided. Time: In principle, during business hours. Mandatory display of emergency contact information, etc. (applies to existing facilities as well) Target: All facilities that do not have a front desk. Items to be displayed: Name of the facility, address, emergency contact information, type of business, etc. Method: The sign must be posted in a location easily visible to the public, using a material that can withstand wind, rain, and ultraviolet rays. 3. Implementation Date and Transitional Measures Implementation Date: July 1, 2026. Transitional Measures: The revised ordinance will apply to applications submitted on or after July 1, 2026, but the obligation to display emergency contact information will also apply to facilities that applied for before the implementation date. Expert Advice This revision by Shibuya Ward is strongly focused on preventing troubles with neighboring residents, and the requirement to "install signs 60 days prior to application" will have a significant impact on the business schedule. It is expected that there will be an increase in situations where accurate judgments based on the law will be required, such as "what matters should be explained at the briefing session" and "whether the requirements for a permanent location are met." Support Administrative Scrivener Corporation offers expert consulting on hotel business license applications. Please feel free to contact us from the planning stage. Author: Junpei Tsukamoto, Consultant [Source] Summary of Amendments to the Shibuya Ward Residential Accommodation Business Ordinance and Regulations Comparison Table of Old and New Versions of the Shibuya Ward Residential Accommodation Business Ordinance Comparison Table of Old and New Versions of the Shibuya Ward Residential Accommodation Business Regulations Related services can be found here: https://www.shigyo.co.jp/search_post/travel-accommodation/ryokan-hotel/ https://www.shigyo.co.jp/search_post/travel-accommodation/minpaku/