Guesthouses and hostels are becoming increasingly common in Japan. However, this social trend has never been studied on the basis of a scientific investigation. In this study, we conducted a questionnaire survey. The survey results reveal the elements of the guesthouse managers' motives for opening. This paper suggests two points regarding the background of the increase in guesthouses in Japan：（1） the increase in foreign tourists visiting Japan has increased the need for accommodations, and（2） the domestic accommodation system faces challenges and growing dissatisfaction.
