New data from Airdna shows that short-term rentals in Japan in Hakuba bring on average over $60,000 a year.
Oscar Wong | Moment | Getty Images
Starting a short-term rental business is extremely advantageous if done correctly. One of the biggest first hurdles is choosing the right market to buy your property. This can play a major role in the return potential of your investment.
Short-term rental analytics platform Airdna has broken the Asian market, which can provide top returns for vacation rentals.
The data focuses on 10 Asian countries in non-order short-term rentals: Japan, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, India, Indonesia, South Korea, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam and Saudi Arabia, and includes only over 20,000 short-term rental markets.
Here are 10 Asian markets that offer top returns ranked by average annual revenue.
1. Japan, daytime
Average annual revenue: $61,813
Average daily rate: $413.12
Annual overview: 50.9%
Located in the Japanese Alps, Hakuba is a popular winter sports destination. The village is home to the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics and remains famous for its ski resorts, mountain scenery and hot springs.
2. Onna, Japan
Average annual revenue: $44,737
Average daily rate: $248.90
Annual overview: 54%
Onna is a village located on the coastline of Okinawa Island. The village is known for its gorgeous seaside resorts, beaches and coral reefs.
3. Kyoto, Japan
Average annual revenue: $43,882
Average daily fee: $181.28
Annual estimate: 69.7%
Kyoto is one of Japan’s most popular tourist destinations. Located on Hongsch Island, the city is famous for being Japan’s capital for over 1,000 years until the mid-19th century. The city is also frequently visited due to temples, shrines, palaces and other historical structures.
4. Samui, Thailand
Average annual revenue: $43,465
Average daily fee: $311.44
Annual overview: 58.9%
Samui, also known as Ko samui, is a popular tourist destination. Located in the Gulf of Thailand, the island is widely known for its resorts, white sand beaches and cultural attractions.
5. Tokyo, Japan
Average annual revenue: $42,829
Average daily fee: $160.09
Annual overview: 78.2%
Tokyo, Japan’s capital, is also the world’s most populous city with over 37 million residents as of 2025, according to data from the World Population Review. The city is also one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world and is renowned for its cultural and historic sites, food and restaurants and shopping.
6. hakata-ku, Japan
Average annual revenue: $35,842
Average daily fee: $140.81
Annual overview: 72.6%
hakata-ku is a ward in Fukuoka, Japan. The ward has several major festivals, including the annual Hakata Dontaku Festival, one of Japan’s largest festivals, attracting around 30,000 participants and over 2 million people. This ward houses one of Japan’s oldest Zen temples and is famous for its ramen, Hakata Tonkotsu ramen.
7. Chuok, Japan
Average annual revenue: $31,642
Average daily fee: $153.18
Annual overview: 61.1%
Chuo-Ku, or Chuo City, is a special ward in Tokyo. It is also home to the Tokyo Stock Exchange and is known for its shopping, nightlife, luxury real estate and lively business districts.
8. Phuket, Thailand
Average annual revenue: $28,381
Average daily rate: $223.05
Annual overview: 59.6%
Phuket is Thailand’s largest island and one of the southern provinces of the country. It is famous for its beaches, resorts, spas, restaurants and lively nightlife.
9. Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Average annual revenue: $27,798
Average daily rate: $205.57
Annual overview: 59.5%
Dubai is the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates and is becoming a global hub for tourists and digital nomads. The city is home to iconic landmarks such as Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. It is known for its luxurious shopping and lively nightlife.
10. Morning Glove, India
Average annual revenue: $26,696
Average daily fee: $224.52
Annual overview: 45.5%
Morning Glove is an inland village in Goa, India. The village is known for its shops, restaurants and colonial villas.
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