Renting an apartment on Airbnb is great for both parties: you get some extra income, they get to stay in a home and explore the local area. Making sure your apartment is fully kitted out for visitors can be more complicated than you might think though. It's easy to forget which items need explanations, how complicated the bins are and what makes a Japanese apartment special. While anyone can rent an average apartment, making it an enjoyable part of the experience will make the difference when it comes to reviews and future bookings. The best way to move from standard to rave reviews is to keep in mind why people book an Airbnb. Some want to save money, some want to explore a new area, and most are on holiday. Tune your apartment to meet these needs and you'll be onto a winner. 

Splitting your space

Depending on whether you are renting out your private home or have an apartment purely for guests, there are some things you might want to do a little differently. If you are planning on keeping some (or all) of your belongings in your apartment, you may want to invest in a couple of locks you can place on certain cupboards to store your valuables in. As apartments are often small but have decent cupboard space, storage boxes can be a good way to keep your bedding and clothing clean and separate, with a visual sign that it is a private storage area. 

Trial run

If the space you're renting out is purely for guests, then you don't have to worry about this so much, but might have to put a little more thought into ensuring they will have everything they need. It can be easy to forget the little things when you are looking at a house rather than living in it, so it can be a good idea to spend a few nights in the apartment yourself when you first set up. Use the bathroom, cook a meal and try the electronics — this way you can be sure it has everything a guest would need and you can work out if the layout suits too.  

Wifi

Wifi is basically an necessity along with water and electricity to most travellers these days, so ensure your apartment has a good connection, especially as some people will be working while staying there. Alternatively, many hosts now offer guests portable wifi that they can use both in the house and take out sightseeing. This is a really practical option as it reduces costs in terms of installing new lines, and is a great bonus for guests.

Nice neighbour

Having an Airbnb property with guests coming and going can make you unpopular with the neighbours, so this is something to keep in mind when deciding whether to rent out your home. Having a note reminding guests to keep noise down, explaining that Japanese walls can be thinner than they're used to can help — as can speaking to neighbours beforehand. Having an agreement in which they call you and not the police when noise levels get too high can be a lifesaver, especially as confrontation is so keenly avoided here. Small items like furniture socks can stop chair-scraping noises and putting time limits on washing machines can help too, especially in older buildings. 

Decor

When it comes to decorations, it's good to keep things simple, but that doesn't mean you have to be boring. Apartments with character are much more attractive to potential guests and while bright cushions, colourful towels and pretty duvets may seem frivolous, they really stand out in photographs. These items don't have to be expensive, but if you get a decent quality you can keep them for longer -— shops like Ikea have great ranges in fun designs that will brighten up your apartment in no time, without costing a fortune. 

Practical information and personal recommendations

One sure-fire way to make sure guests get more than just a bed is to provide them with information about the local area. Many people enjoy staying in Airbnb properties because it gives them the chance to experience local areas they wouldn't normally see. Rather than listing distances to big attractions, focus on the information they won't be able to find online, like your favourite local restaurants and nearby produce shops or markets.

If you have any secret spots like shrines, cafes or onsen you think people would enjoy, don't hesitate to write them down, as you will be sure to have a real mix of guests. A great bonus, especially if you are further away from a train station, is to offer a bike for guest use. This is a popular option as guests can explore and sightsee. Be sure to have it registered and ideally insured, with a small explanation in Japanese about its ownership attached, as foreigners are occasionally stopped by police and asked to prove ownership of the bike they are using.

Practical advice is equally as important for guests, and contact details and/or directions to the nearest dentists, doctors, pharmacies or hospitals which ideally speak English can be really useful. Although people hopefully won't need this, it can be vital when they do and also reduces the chances of you getting unexpected phonecalls with urgent questions when you're out or at work. Keeping items like a Pasmo or Suica card can facilitate their travels, as well as providing directions to the nearest train or station. One absolute necessity is to provide up-to-date information on what to do in an emergency, including evacuation points, public speaker alert systems, and any emergency kits you might have on the property. 

Sell the "Japanese experience"

While your apartment might feel pretty boring to you, it probably has a whole feast of Japanese elements guests from abroad will appreciate — so make the most of them! Starting with the genkan (traditional Japanese entryway) and tatami floors (if you have them), provide indoor slippers for guests and provide a small note explaining the tradition and its purpose. While it may seem like an inconvenience, many people are happy to comply when they know it has a real purpose — like protecting your tatami.

If you're providing futons rather than Western-style beds, explain the airing process for those staying longer and highlight the perks like waking up to that tatami smell, and make it part of the Japanese experience. Items like mattress protectors can save money in the long run; and don't forget a supply of simple cleaning products that guests can use in an emergency.

Bathroom amenities 

Guests might include foreigners on their travels, but also Japanese visitors to the area, so you might want to stock your bathroom with some additional options that are seen as standard in Japanese hotels. Items like earbuds, a hairdryer, toothpicks and spare toothbrushes and little toothpastes are expected amenities, along with the standard shampoo, conditioner and bodywash for the shower. While this is pretty basic, there are some perks you can add that will step up your game — why not add a couple of Japanese sheet masks and encourage guests to try them. If you have a traditional deep bath, provide some bath salts and a short guide on how to have a traditional Japanese bath. Most people aren't aware that Japanese baths are for soaking, not washing, and may enjoy the process as a novelty, especially in the colder months. Bonuses like these can make all the difference, leading to better reviews and more bookings. 

Kitchen comforts

In your kitchen, keep in mind that many people book apartments so they can cut costs and cook for themselves, so try to keep some basics in stock. Simple non-perishable items like cooking oil, seasonings, sauces, tea and coffee can make guests' lives a lot easier. It also means you won't end up with countless mini-packs of the above to dispose of each time people stay. Having cooking utensils and enough dinner/serve/flatware is a given, but adding table mats and coasters can help protect your furniture too. Provide clear bin labels and a simple guide on what to do with waste, as the Japanese rubbish system can be mystifying to many. If you have a dishwasher or washing machine, be sure to provide a guide and ideally the necessary tablets or powder to go with it. Be specific in your info and know people are using the machines correctly. 

Taking Airbnb a little more seriously can really make a difference to bookings, and having a reliable income is a great perk if you have your own property in Tokyo.

By Lily Crossley-Baxter 

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