Hi All! I am booking a trip to Japan and staying at a airbnb. The host is asking for an image of my passport to confirm booking. Is this a common practice and have you been ask before? Thanks in advance for your advice.

Yes as an airbnb host- it is one way you can ask to verify your guest. If you’re not comfortable message them and ask if you can submit an alternative form of identification

As far as alternative, possibly your drivers license with the number blocked out.

You can also verify your passport as part of your airbnb identity verification. Is that what they’re asking? If you’re not comfortable sharing directly with your host, that should be a more secure way to prove your identity, yet protect it.
We ask our guest to verify through airbnb with an official government ID.

Yes, I thought this step (through airbnb not direct with homeowner) was standard practice? I did it knowing homeowner would know I am who I claim to be while my personal info was kept secure by airbnb. Win-win.

unusual i wd not risk it. i have used Abnb ask them they wd reply

You can verify your identity through airbnb when you register, that's part of the guarantee the host receives....I've hosted for many years and have never asked for that....

Likewise. I expect airbnb to do the verifying. I don’t want to get involved with people’s ID/privacy.

Giving someone a copy of your passport isn't safe (people can steal your identity). I would suggest another piece of ID with ur address or ID number blocked out.
Below is what the Canada Government website says:
Protect your personal information
Protect your personal information, including the information in your travel document at all times.
Always store your travel document in a safe, dry and secure place.
Never give out personal information from your passport or your passport application unless you’re sure it is for a trusted organization or individual. This includes photocopies. You take all responsibility for giving information in your passport to a third party.

You should be able to verify your identity through the airbnb profile settings.

Yes.

any hotel they need a photocopy of your passport

yes in person but in advance?

Yes I was asked too , apparently it the law there

Check japan laws

call Japan embassy

I just booked airbnb in Rome. The app asks for proof using passport, the numbers are blocked out. Just photo & date of birth are visible. Then app has you take a selfie where app compares the passport photo to your selfie. Again, the numbers on the passport are blacked out. I doubt the info goes to host, airbnb confirms to them your identity.

In Japan it's the law. We have to show our passports to hotels for photocopying every time we check in. Don't worry about it.

Thank you. I read that it is the law. I appreciate everyone's help

I don’t know the rules in Japan but while in China I was required to give my passport for them to photocopy.

I think here issue is different unless i read it wrong. The copy is needed from here not in person.

We used airbnb in Japan back in April. We did not have to provide a copy of our passports

I've used airbnb 3x in Japan, and I have never had to show my passport, however, I am verified with airbnb, which I believe is much safer and convenient

Yes, in Croatia we were asked for copies but only after we had arrived.

airbnb verifies your ID. Do not send people your personal information, this is in airbnb’s terms of service! Contact airbnb for this issue ASAP

Verify your ID with airbnb. Don't share your passport details with a stranger.

In certain countries the “landlords” are required by their municipal laws to report anyone staying just as a hotel does.

Yes i had to do this and it is Japanese law - link sent by my host here http://www.mhlw.go.jp/bunya/kenkou/seikatsu-eisei26/01.html (however you can produce upon arrival in person, your host is likely asking upfront because it is self check in)
MHLW.GO.JP
日本国内に住所を持たない外国人宿泊者に係る旅券の呈示及びコピーに関する案内（外国語）｜厚生労働省

yes my son had to do that he blocked his passport number from them

Thank you everyone for your assistance.