Are you planning a Tokyo vacation soon and wondering whether to rent an Airbnb or not? As an Airbnb host of four years here are my tips for finding the Best Tokyo Airbnbs for Families.

Here are my two Family Airbnbs in Minami Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo! Pictures also below. (Unit 102 and Unit 103)

We also offer Japanese cooking and Art & crafts classes in our licensed studio in Unit 101. Please join us for a fun class while in Tokyo – class details and schedule here.

Airbnb is subject to new Japanese “minpaku” short stay rules in Japan as of June 2018, See what that means.

To Rent an Airbnb or Not?

I had my first Airbnb experience four summers ago when backpacking with the kids in Europe. We visited Venice in mid-summer when hotels were packed and prices high. Instead of a hotel, we rented the cutest Airbnb apartment tucked amongst the canals. The experience was wonderful – the host met us and escorted us to the apartment, the kitchen was well-appointed, and it had a washing machine! We loved being able to shop for fresh food, make our breakfasts, and feel like we had a home in Venice for a few days. On our return to Japan, I became an Airbnb host in Tokyo, renting out a few units in the building we own and live. The experience had a very steep learning curve and took quite a bit of work, but overall has been worth it. In four years, we have hosted over 250 groups of people (over 800 people) from over 20 countries. Everyone has been gracious and very interested to learn about Japan. My kids are learning about sweat equity by being involved in meetings and supporting guests and helping to keep the space in tip-top shape. Through this experience, I have also learned what makes Airbnb guests happy and not. Read on to learn why Airbnb has excellent benefits and how you can find the best Airbnb for your family.

Four years of being a Airbnb hosts has taught me what makes Airbnb guests happy and not. Read on to learn why Airbnb has excellent benefits and how you can find the best Airbnb for your family.

What are the benefits of renting an Airbnb over a hotel room?

1. You will have more space for your kids. Typically you can get a two-bedroom Airbnb for the cost of one hotel room.
2. Most Airbnb units have a kitchen with proper cooking equipment (pots pans, toaster, dishes, fridge).
3. Most places offer a television and sofa area, which is way better than watching TV from your bed. Not all TVs have cable, so bring your iPad or PC to hook-up for your favorite movies.
4. Many apartments are in residential areas where you can enjoy parks, supermarkets, and family-friendly restaurants.
5. Many Airbnb places have washers and dryers, which are a must with kids. Make sure you filter search results for units with washers.

Top 10 Hints to Find a Great Airbnb in Tokyo For Families

• Search Airbnb by filtering on the exact number of people in your party and “Entire Place”. I would never consider renting a room within someone’s place for my family. I would be too worried every moment that that kids are touching something they should not be.
• Book a few months in advance to get the highest rated places in the location you want. Note: Airbnb charges the full amount on booking, so you need to be able to pay the month you book, not the month you stay. If you cancel, depending on the cancellation policy, you will be refunded the money.
• Find places that have good reviews and a Host profile that appeals to you.
• Review all the costs per Airbnb. The list price may be low, but the per-person fee or cleaning fee can be high. The average professional cleaning fee is USD 40-100, depending on the size of place and location.
• Pick 3-4 places you want to stay, which have the availability you want and ask all the same questions before you book. Filter out the Hosts that do not answer quickly or in detail.
• Contact the Host and ask some questions if they do not respond within a few hours and answer your questions, move on to the next option. You need to consider time zones, but a good host will answer very quickly and in detail.
• Ask the exact address via email before you book. Once you have the address, look at Google maps using street view to “virtually” walk around the building area and neighborhood to make you like what you see. If a host does not give you an exact address until you book, do not book.
• Ask if the Host lives in the neighborhood and if you have questions about the area and sites when staying at the location if he or she will be available for questions and support.
• See if consumables are included and stocked, such as laundry soap, dish soap, paper towels, coffee, tea, sugar, etc. If these are included, the Host is thinking about his guest’s experience, not just the money.
• Review all the photos in detail and ask detailed questions. Most Airbnb photos are shot with a wide-angle lens, so spaces will look larger than they may be. Ask about measurements of rooms or square meters to understand the size of what you are renting.

The key to a successful Airbnb rental is to have your expectations in line with the space you are renting, get to know your Host before the visit, and understand you are borrowing someone’s home, not a hotel room.

 

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To Rent an Airbnb or Not?