Hey guys! We started a podcast. Episode 3 is all about our buying process, from purchasing to renovation, to Airbnb-ing, EVERYTHING. Listen to Episode 3- YukiHomes Presents
Hey everyone! Another week has flown by, which means it’s time for another bento box issue!
We recently finished putting together our renovations map, and it’s really exciting to see everything we’ve accomplished so far. At the moment, we have 19 renovation projects! Some are already completed and we’re just waiting for their ryokan licenses to be approved, while others are still in the middle of construction. On top of that, we’ve just added three new properties to our renovation projects, so we’re really looking forward to seeing how they turn out.
One thing I love about working with our team is that if you buy a house through us, we can also help with the renovation process and furnish it with the help of our amazing interior designer. We’ll also be sharing some before-and-after transformations soon, and I honestly can’t wait to show you how these houses have changed.
It’s also been really fun seeing where our clients are choosing to buy. Besides Hokkaido, we’ve been helping customers in places like Osaka, Niseko, and the Myoko area, and every project is completely different. That being said, Otaru continues to be one of the most popular locations, so a lot of our work is still centered around Hokkaido.
Looking ahead, I’m also hoping we can start working on more properties in Fukuoka. I think it’s a really exciting area with a lot of potential, especially as it continues to grow in popularity with digital nomads and international buyers.
Anyways, let’s see what properties we have for this week!
Ingredient #1
- 📍 Location: Otaru City, Hokkaido
- 💰 Price: ¥8,900,000 (~$55,052 USD)
- 🏠 Type: Detached House
- 🛏 Layout: 4LDK
- 📐 Building Size: 109.30 m² (1,177 sq ft)
- 🌿 Land Size: 203.8 m² (2,194 sq ft)
- 🚍 Access: by car only
Learn more here: Live Listing!
This house was built in 1997 and renovated in 2002, and overall it looks like it has been really well maintained. It is located in a quieter residential area of Otaru and, based on the listing, it is mainly accessible by car (unless there is a local bus route that isn’t shown on the website).
The house offers four bedrooms, two toilets, and parking space for up to two cars. The neighborhood is known for being peaceful with very little traffic, making it a great option. According to the listing, the house also has mountain views and great natural sunlight. The living room has an open-concept layout with high ceilings, which makes the space feel much larger and allows plenty of natural light and airflow throughout the home.
Overall, I think the house is in great condition and looks ready to move in. If you wanted to give it a more modern feel, I would probably update the tatami rooms and renovate the kitchen, but those are more cosmetic changes than anything else.
The only downside I see is that having a car is almost essential because of the location. That being said, I don’t think it’s a major issue, as most people visiting or living in this part of Otaru tend to drive anyway. Overall, I think this is a really nice family home with a lot of potential.
Ingredient #2
- 📍 Location: Asahikawa, Hokkaido
- 💰 Price: ¥6,500,000 (~$40,207 USD)
- 🏠 Type: Detached House
- 🛏 Layout: 5LDK
- 📐 Building Size: 143.78 m² (1,548 sq ft)
- 🌿 Land Size: 474.12 m² (5,103 sq ft)
- 🚍 Access: 28-minute walk to Asahikawa Station on the JR Hakodate Main Line
Learn more here: Live Listing!
This house was built in 1966, and it has five bedrooms, parking space for four or more cars, a large green yard, and one feature that I think makes it really unique: two fully equipped kitchens, one on each floor.
From the layout, it looks like the house was previously used as two separate living spaces, with the upstairs and downstairs functioning independently. I actually think this is a huge advantage, as it gives you a lot of flexibility. You could renovate it into a large family home, keep it as two separate units for rental income, or even live on one floor while renting out the other.
The location is also really convenient. It is only a one-minute walk to a 7-Eleven and close to Don Quijote, supermarkets, and other everyday amenities, so you won’t have to travel far for shopping.
Another feature that really stood out to me, and something I honestly don’t see very often, is that the house comes with a snow-melting tank. In Hokkaido, that’s a really nice bonus to have and can make winter much easier to manage.
Overall, I do think the house would benefit from some renovations, but with the amount of space it offers and the flexibility of having two kitchens, I think it has a lot of potential for either a family home or an investment property.
Ingredient #3
- 📍 Location: Joetsu, Niigata Prefecture
- 💰 Price: ¥13,000,000 (~$80,413 USD)
- 🏠 Type: Detached House
- 🛏 Layout: 4LDK
- 📐 Building Size: 155.26 m² (1,671 sq ft)
- 🌿 Land Size: 225 m² (2,422 sq ft)
- 🚍 Access: 15-minute walk to Minami-Takada Station on the Myoko Haneuma Line
Learn more here: Live Listing!
This house is much more on the modern side, as it was built in 1994, and overall it looks to be in really great condition. It is located close to the city center, making it a really convenient place to live with supermarkets, restaurants, and other daily amenities all within easy reach. The nearby train station also provides convenient access to the bullet train, making it easy to travel to other prefectures whenever you want.
The house offers four bedrooms and parking space for up to three cars, which is always a great feature if you have a family or plan to host guests. It doesn’t currently have a second toilet upstairs, but that’s something that can always be added later if needed, and of course, we can also help with those kinds of renovations.
One thing I really like about this property is its location. It sits in the upper part of Myoko, where you can enjoy a quieter atmosphere while still having easy access to some of the area’s best ski resorts. I think it offers a really nice balance between convenience and being close to nature.
Overall, I think this house is a great option if you’re looking for something that is move-in ready. It doesn’t look like it needs any major renovations, so you could start enjoying it right away, whether as a family home, a vacation property, or even an investment near one of Japan’s most popular ski destinations.
That’s all for this week! If there is a specific prefecture or area you would like me to feature in a future newsletter, 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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Our team
Meet the founders.
Derek has been working in the Airbnb space for the past 10+ years and recently purchased a home in Japan. He is excited to bring this investment opportunity to others in the States & abroad.
Nick has a passion for adventure and has always dreamed of owning a property in Japan. His dreams finally came true when Derek brought him in on a deal of a lifetime in Hokkaido, Japan - one of Nick's favorite places on Earth.