Procedures Required for a Hotel Business Permit
更新日：2025年4月7日
To apply for a Hotel Business Permit (Ryokan / Hotel Operation), there are certain procedures that must be completed in advance.
This includes obtaining documents that confirm compliance with laws such as the Building Standards Act, City Planning Act, and Fire Service Act.
At our firm, we support clients from the preliminary research and consultation stage with local government offices—such as civil engineering departments and fire departments—to ensure a smooth and successful hotel business permit application.
Does the Building Comply with the Building Standards Act?
To apply for a Hotel Business Permit (Ryokan / Hotel Operation),
you must submit copies of the Building Confirmation Certificate and the Building Inspection Certificate for the accommodation facility.
For buildings constructed in the Showa era or early Heisei era, the inspection certificate may not exist.
If you cannot provide this document, it is generally not possible to obtain a hotel business permit.
Does the Building Comply with Fire Safety Regulations?
To apply for a Hotel Business Permit (Ryokan / Hotel Operation),
you also need to submit a Certificate of Compliance with Fire Safety Regulations.
This includes a review of submitted documents and an on-site inspection.
The certificate is issued only when all required equipment, safety standards, and prior notifications for the building meet fire safety laws.
For example, the required width of pathways in restaurant seating areas may vary depending on local ordinances,
so it’s important to check in advance.
＊Examples of required prior notifications include:
Fire Safety Plan Notification, Appointment of Fire Prevention Manager
(The specific requirements vary depending on the size and type of facility.)
For Hotel Business Permit Applications,
Contact SG Administrative Legal Services
At SG Administrative Legal Services, we provide support for hotel business permit applications and offer expert consulting services—both for new entrants to the hotel and ryokan industry, and for existing operators looking to expand or update their operations.
Hotel business permits are managed by local public health centers, and each center may have its own specific rules and procedures.
Our team has application experience across all prefectures in Japan.
Feel free to contact us for a consultation.
Example of Support Provided
【Major Foreign Hotel Chain Entering Japan for the First Time】
This project involved a hotel operator entering the Japanese market for the first time.
Some operational practices that were permitted in their home country could not be applied under Japanese laws and local regulations.
After carefully listening to the client’s preferred hotel style, we proposed suitable building designs and operational methods.
As a result, the hotel successfully opened its first location in Japan.
Since our team can handle multilingual communication, we also coordinated with the local subsidiary in English.
Permits and Notifications Obtained
Hotel Business Permit／Restaurant Business Permits (3)/Late-Night Alcohol-Serving Restaurant Notification/Public Bathhouse Permit Application/Swimming Pool Operation Notification/Laundry Service Notification/General Alcohol Retail License
Location
Kyoto
【Luxury City Hotel】
This large-scale hotel had multiple departments—such as accommodation, dining, spa, and fire safety—each managed by different teams.
In addition to preparing for permit applications, each department also had to continue its core tasks, such as staff training and menu development.
By joining the hotel’s opening team, our firm became the single point of contact with government authorities for all permits.
This allowed each department to stay focused on their work while we efficiently handled all licensing procedures.
Permits and Notifications Obtained
Hotel Business Permit/Restaurant Business Permits (7)/Late-Night Alcohol-Serving Restaurant Notifications (2)/Public Bathhouse Permit Application/Swimming Pool Operation Notification/Laundry Service Notification
Location
Osaka
【Large Resort Hotel】
This project was delayed due to typhoons and other factors, which pushed back the original construction schedule.
However, the planned opening date could not be changed.
Despite the tight timeline, we carefully scheduled the application submissions and on-site inspections.
As a result, the hotel successfully opened on the originally planned date.
Permits and Notifications Obtained
Hotel Business Permit/Restaurant Business Permits (3)/Late-Night Alcohol-Serving Restaurant Notification/Public Bathhouse Permit Application/Swimming Pool Operation Notification/Laundry Service Notification/General Alcohol Retail License
Location
Okinawa
【Fully Unmanned Hotel】
This project involved a client who wanted to operate a completely unmanned hotel in response to rising labor costs.
While in-person check-in is typically required, we reviewed and applied the relevant regulatory exemptions.
By incorporating these rules into the hotel’s design and operations, we helped make a low-labor operation possible.
Permits and Notifications Obtained
Hotel Business Permit/Restaurant Business Permit
Location
Ise City
