Bento Box: Issue 12

I hope many of you have had a great week! I am writing this while riding the bullet train back to Tokyo after touring a house in Iwate Prefecture. It was my first time visiting this city, and the house I toured was beautiful. Of course, many renovations are needed, but it had so many charming details inside that simply cannot be missed. Houses like this always remind me how much potential many properties across Japan still have, and we are always happy to help throughout the renovation process as well.

What surprised me the most was actually the neighborhood. Many of the houses looked incredibly well maintained and even on the newer side, which honestly was not something I expected from the northern part of Japan’s main island. Statistics and population trends show that northern Japan, along with Hokkaido, is experiencing some of the fastest depopulation in the country. While this is true for many areas, there are still communities where younger families are choosing a more rural lifestyle over city living, creating neighborhoods that feel vibrant and welcoming.

I definitely recommend visiting the northern part of Japan if you have the chance. There are so many wonderful cities with their own unique charm, including Morioka, Aomori, Sendai, Iwate, and Fukushima.

Anyways, enough from me for today, let’s get started with this week’s top houses!

Ingredient #1

• 📍 Location: Zenibako 2-chome, Otaru City, Hokkaido
• 💰 Price: ¥9,500,000 (~$59,584 USD)
• 🏠 Type: Detached House
• 🛏 Layout: 6LDK
• 📐 Building Size: 134.04 m² (1,443 sq ft)
• 🌿 Land Size: 188.52 m² (2,029 sq ft)
• 🚍 Access: 15-minute walk to Zenibako Station on the JR Hakodate Main Line

Learn more here: Live Listing!

This house is located in a really strategic area between Otaru and Sapporo, which I think is one of its biggest advantages. You get the quieter atmosphere and charm of Otaru while still having easy access to Sapporo for shopping, restaurants, and city life. It is also a great location for winter lovers, with ski resorts such as Kiroro and Sapporo Teine within driving distance, making it a strong option for both personal use and rental potential. Zenibako is an area that we recommend to our customers as it is a good area to be located in.

This house has been expanded to 6 rooms in 1996 and looks in really good condition. The kitchen looks like it has been renovated and has space for 2 cars as well. Overall, I think this is a property with a lot of flexibility and potential in a location that offers both convenience and a slower seaside lifestyle.

Ingredient #2

• 📍 Location: Otaru City, Hokkaido
• 💰 Price: ¥2,600,000 (~$16,307 USD)
• 🏠 Type: Detached House
• 🛏 Layout: 6LDK
• 📐 Building Size: 125.86 m² (1,355 sq ft)
• 🌿 Land Size: 167.07 m² (1,798 sq ft)
• 🚍 Access: 17-minute walk to Otaru Station on the JR Hakodate Main Line

Learn more here: Live Listing!

This house looks to be in really good condition and honestly feels almost move-in ready. Some renovations are needed but it is overall good. However, the only downsize is that there is no parking space but you can always rent a space nearby and the house is closed-by to the station.

The house offers six bedrooms and two toilets, which is a huge advantage and something not always easy to find in Japan. The location is also excellent, just a 17-minute walk from Otaru Station with a bus stop nearby for added convenience. The neighborhood has great daily amenities, including shopping centers and a hospital, making it practical for both long-term living and vacation use. Another great feature is that the property sits on a southeast corner lot, allowing for excellent natural sunlight throughout the day. Overall, I think this is a fantastic opportunity, whether you are looking for an investment property, a vacation home, or simply a place to stay while enjoying ski season in Hokkaido.

Ingredient #3

• 📍 Location: Myoko, Niigata Prefecture
• 💰 Price: ¥9,990,000 (~$62,658 USD)
• 🏠 Type: Detached House
• 🛏 Layout: 5DK
• 📐 Building Size: 149.04 m² (1,604 sq ft)
• 🌿 Land Size: 129.89 m² (1,398 sq ft)
• 🚍 Access: 19-minute walk to Arai Station on the Myoko Haneuma Line

Learn more here: Live Listing!

This house is located in the Myoko area, which is a fantastic location for ski lovers thanks to the many nearby resorts and year-round mountain atmosphere. Properties in this area continue to attract attention, making it a strong option both for personal use and investment potential.

The house offers five bedrooms and parking space for up to three cars when parked side-by-side, which is always a great feature for families or guests visiting during ski season. Another big advantage is that the property has already received several important maintenance updates, including termite prevention treatment, professional cleaning, unit bath replacement, lock replacement, roof leak inspection, and equipment inspections. Those improvements already take care of many of the larger concerns buyers often have with older homes.

That’s all I have for this week! Are there any areas you are interested in exploring properties in? Let me know in the comments!

Browse opportunities yourself: Check out current listings at Nipponhomes.com

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This content is for informational and educational purposes only and reflects my personal opinions and experience. I am not a licensed financial advisor, tax advisor, or attorney. Readers should conduct their own due diligence and consult qualified professionals before making any investment decisions.

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