Bento Box: Issue 21

Hey guys! We started a podcast. Had our good friend Austin on for Episode 4 — experienced trip planner and backcountry guide, and he’s running some awesome trips in the Hokkaido backcountry this winter. We got into how he plans a day out there, plus a pretty funny story about a wild day me and Grant had in the backcountry. Episode four of YukiHomes Presents.

It has been incredibly hot here in Japan lately. I always tell people that, as much as I love Japan, summer is definitely not a season to visit. The humidity can be intense, and at least here in Tokyo, we’ve been getting a lot of rain too. The weather has honestly been all over the place, we’ve had heavy rain, hail, and then just a few hours later it’s sunny and extremely hot again. Even my Japanese colleagues in Kyoto have been saying that this year’s weather is pretty unusual and much hotter than normal.

So, if you’re planning to come to Japan to tour houses, definitely come prepared for the heat!

One of the reasons I love Hokkaido so much is that the summers are much more comfortable. It still gets warm, but nowhere near as hot or humid as Tokyo, and before you know it, autumn arrives. Autumn is honestly one of my favorite seasons in Hokkaido, and I’m really looking forward to it.

I’m also excited because many of our renovation projects are getting close to completion. We’re finishing renovations, applying for ryokan licenses, and preparing several properties to go live before the end of the year. It’s going to be a busy few months, but I can’t wait to share all of the before-and-after transformations with you!

Anyways, let’s see what houses we have for this week!

Ingredient #1

• 📍 Location: Nakano, Nagano Prefecture
• 💰 Price: ¥15,000,000 (~$92,784 USD)
• 🏠 Type: Detached House
• 🛏 Layout: 3LDK
• 📐 Building Size: 78.95 m² (850 sq ft)
• 🌿 Land Size: 302.92 m² (3,261 sq ft)
• 🚍 Access: 45-minute walk to Shinshunakano Station on the Nagano Line

Learn more here: Live Listing!

This house is on the newer side, as it was built in 1994, and it is in great condition! It is located near the Myoko area, only about 35 minutes from one of Myoko’s ski resorts and around 20 minutes by car to Madarao Ski Resort.

The house is on the smaller side, but I think it offers great value, especially for this area. It has three bedrooms, parking space for up to two cars, a garden, a wooden deck, and is located in a quiet residential neighborhood. Another great advantage is that the property comes with a building inspection certificate, so you don’t have to worry about arranging an inspection yourself after purchasing.

Overall, I don’t think this house needs any major renovations. Maybe you would want to update the wallpaper in the bathrooms or laundry area if you prefer a more modern look, but other than that, it looks to be in great condition and ready for Airbnb or to move into right away!

Ingredient #2

• 📍 Location: Otaru City, Hokkaido
• 💰 Price: ¥13,000,000 (~$80,413 USD)
• 🏠 Type: Detached House
• 🛏 Layout: 3LDK
• 📐 Building Size: 176.49 m² (1,900 sq ft)
• 🌿 Land Size: 249.74 m² (2,688 sq ft)
• 🚍 Access: 11-minute walk to Minami-Otaru Station on the JR Hakodate Main Line

Learn more here: Live Listing!

There are no interior photos available for this house, which is a little unfortunate, but I still think it is a property worth touring. If you’re interested, don’t hesitate to contact us and we can arrange a viewing for you!

According to the listing, this is a custom-built home by Sekisui House, one of Japan’s largest homebuilders and residential developers. Homes built by Sekisui House are generally known for their quality construction and long-term durability.

The house offers three bedrooms, two toilets, parking space, a garden, and a large balcony, giving you plenty of outdoor space to enjoy. From the floor plan, it also looks like the rooms are quite spacious, making it a comfortable family home.

The location is another great advantage. It is close to downtown, making it really convenient for daily life, with a supermarket only about a 10-minute walk away. It is also close to the train station and provides easy access to the nearby ski resorts.

I apologize in advance that there are no interior photos available for this property, but I still think it's a really nice house and definitely one that's worth taking a look at!

Ingredient #3

• 📍 Location: Asahikawa, Hokkaido
• 💰 Price: ¥11,000,000 (~$68,042 USD)
• 🏠 Type: Detached House
• 🛏 Layout: 2LDK+S
• 📐 Building Size: 190.45 m² (2,050 sq ft)
• 🌿 Land Size: 289.76 m² (3,119 sq ft)
• 🚍 Access: 14-minute walk to Shin-Asahikawa Station on the JR Soya Main Line

Learn more here: Live Listing!

This house is an incredible value for both the building size and the amount of land that comes with it. It is also located really close to Shin-Asahikawa Station, making it a very convenient option.

One feature really stood out to me because I honestly almost never see it in Japanese homes. Not only does this house have two toilets (which is already a great bonus) but it also has two bathtubs. Many of our clients ask if it’s possible to add a second bathroom or shower upstairs, but that’s usually one of the most difficult and expensive renovations because of the plumbing. The fact that this house already has two full bathrooms makes it incredibly rare and, in my opinion, one of its biggest selling points.

The house offers around five bedrooms, as well as two living rooms that could easily be converted into additional bedrooms or other flexible spaces if needed. From the layout, it also looks like it could work really well as two separate living units, with one floor rented out while living on the other, making it a great option for anyone looking for rental income.

It also has parking space for three cars, and the listing mentions that some parts of the house have already been renovated, although it doesn’t specify exactly which areas. I do think it would benefit from some additional updates if you plan to turn it into a full-time home or an Airbnb, but overall I think this is a really rare opportunity. It’s not often that you find a property with this much space, this kind of layout, and two full bathrooms at this price in the Asahikawa area.

Anyways, that’s all I have for you this week! We have lots of new properties coming up, and some of them don’t stay on the market for very long because buyers are ready to move quickly when the right opportunity comes along. If there’s a specific area you’re interested in, it’s definitely worth keeping an eye on the listings, as the most popular properties can disappear surprisingly fast!