A neighborhood in Tokyo, known for its popularity among foreign tourists, will soon restrict the use of thousands of short-term rental properties after a surge in complaints about visitor behavior. Shinjuku ward, which includes the famous Kabukicho entertainment district and the world's busiest train station, plans to ban private accommodations—called minpaku—in residential areas, near schools, and around important cultural sites. This move highlights a growing concern in Japan about the impact of mass tourism on local communities and signals that the country may be becoming less tolerant of high visitor numbers. Shinjuku has the highest number of minpaku properties in Japan, with over 3,775 such rentals. While tourism has boosted Japan's economy and global profile, it has also caused tensions in cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, where residents report being disrupted by tourists. The ward says the new rules will affect up to 2,000 of these rentals, nearly half of the total, according to the Mainichi Shimbun. The number of minpaku properties in Shinjuku has nearly tripled since 2022, and local officials say they have received over 1,300 complaints from residents in the past year. Issues cited include improper disposal of trash, excessive noise, smoking in prohibited areas, and trespassing. Officials in Shinjuku believe cracking down on specific operators won't solve the underlying problems. "Even if we punish poorly behaved renters, the number of complaints stays the same," a local official told the Japan Times. "So we decided it's better to change the rules." The new ordinance will not specifically target any companies, but it may affect popular platforms like Airbnb. The ward will seek public feedback on the proposal in the coming months and plans to reduce the number of days per year that minpaku can be rented in residential areas from 180 to 120. Other regions in Japan are also taking steps to manage tourism. In Kyoto, where visitors come to see temples, shrines, and traditional performances, minpaku rentals in residential areas are limited to 60 days a year, typically during the off-season. Kyoto's mayor has said that increased oversight of rental operators has not been enough to address community concerns. Meanwhile, record numbers of tourists—42 million in 2023—have led to spending of nearly ¥9.5 trillion, but some critics fear that the government's goal of 60 million visitors by 2030 could worsen overcrowding and environmental strain. Some areas, like those near Mount Fuji, have already introduced visitor caps and fees to manage crowds, while others, like Fujiyoshida, have canceled events to protect local living conditions.