Bento Box: Issue 24

Hello everyone! I’m writing this week’s bento box a little earlier than usual because I’ll be leaving for New York City! We’ll be attending an anime convention in NYC with the team and representing YukiHomes, so if you’re attending, don’t hesitate to stop by our booth and say hello!

I think this will actually be the first conference we attend as a team, so hopefully it will be the first of many! I’m also really curious to see which areas of Japan people are most interested in buying property in. Maybe we’ll discover some new locations that I can feature in future bento boxes!

I’m really excited and a little nervous at the same time, but I love New York City. There is always so much to see and do, so I’m really looking forward to being back!

Anyways, enough about New York. Let’s start with this week’s houses!

Ingredient #1

• 📍 Location: 3-chome Irifune, Otaru City, Hokkaido
• 💰 Price: ¥5,000,000 (~$30,928 USD)
• 🏠 Type: Detached House
• 🛏 Layout: 4LDK
• 📐 Building Size: 262.26 m² (2,823 sq ft)
• 🌿 Land Size: 247.57 m² (2,665 sq ft)
• 🚍 Access: 21-minute walk to Minami-Otaru Station on the JR Hakodate Main Line

Learn more here: Live Listing!

This house has a lot of space and, more importantly, a lot of flexibility to create something completely your own. The rooms are quite spacious, giving you plenty of possibilities depending on what you have in mind, whether you want to turn it into a vacation home, a rental property, or create different spaces for guests.

Of course, the house does need quite a bit of repairs and renovations, so this is definitely a property for someone who can see the potential behind its current condition. After seeing so many of our clients’ houses completely transform through renovations, I honestly think this could become an amazing rental property with the right vision and design.

The main downside is that the property does not have its own parking space. However, being close to Minami-Otaru Station definitely helps compensate for that, and you can always look into renting a parking space nearby if needed. You can even walk to Otaru Station, which gives you really convenient access to the rest of the city.

The surrounding area is another positive, with temples, convenience stores, local shops, and other daily amenities nearby. Overall, I think this is one of those houses where you really have to look past its current condition and imagine what it could become. With the right renovations, there is so much potential here!

Ingredient #2

• 📍 Location: Myoko City, Niigata Prefecture
• 💰 Price: ¥8,990,000 (~$55,609 USD)
• 🏠 Type: Detached House
• 🛏 Layout: 7DK
• 📐 Building Size: 195.66 m² (2,106 sq ft)
• 🌿 Land Size: 355.1 m² (3,822 sq ft)
• 🚍 Access: 7-minute walk to Arai Station on the Myōkō Haneuma Line

Learn more here: Live Listing!

This house is at a really good price, especially considering that it is in the Myoko area! Of course, it would need quite a bit of renovation depending on what you want to do with it, whether that is turning it into an inn, pension, hostel, or simply a vacation home. But I always think there is so much potential in these larger houses, especially when you have this many rooms to work with.

The house offers seven bedrooms, two toilets, garage space for up to two cars, and even a separate storage shed that could potentially be transformed into whatever you have in mind. A sauna, additional storage, a hobby space, or something completely different!

The location is also really convenient. It is close to the train station, and within less than a 10-minute walk you have both a 7-Eleven and a supermarket, which is always a big advantage for a property in a ski area.

Another thing I really like is that some important maintenance work has already been taken care of in recent years, including termite prevention treatment, a roof leak inspection, equipment inspections, and an expansion of the parking area. The termite prevention work also comes with a five-year warranty, which gives you a little more peace of mind when buying an older property.

And of course, one of the biggest advantages is the access to skiing! Several ski resorts are within around a 30-minute drive, making this a really interesting location if you are thinking about using the property as a rental during the winter season. Overall, I think there is a lot of work to be done, but for the price, size, and location, there is also a lot of potential!

Ingredient #3

• 📍 Location: Takada, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture
• 💰 Price: ¥12,800,000 (~$79,176 USD)
• 🏠 Type: Detached House
• 🛏 Layout: 4DK
• 📐 Building Size: 109.74 m² (1,181 sq ft)
• 🌿 Land Size: 180.85 m² (1,947 sq ft)
• 🚍 Access: 23-minute walk to Nagano Station on the Nagano Line

Learn more here: Live Listing!

This is definitely the type of traditional house you often find in the Nagano area, and one of my favorite features is the large living space facing the garden. I can already imagine just sitting there, looking out at the garden and enjoying the fresh air, especially during summer. It has that peaceful Japanese countryside feeling while still being really close to the city.

The location is actually one of the strongest points of this property. It is close to Nagano Station, so you have plenty of coffee shops, convenience stores, supermarkets, restaurants, pharmacies, and other daily necessities nearby. Being close to the station also makes it really convenient if you are using the house as a vacation home or rental, as you can simply take the bullet train from Tokyo to Nagano and be at your property without having to travel much further.

At the same time, you still have access by car to many of the ski areas around Nagano. Even the Myoko ski resorts can be reached in less than an hour, so I think you get a really nice balance between having city convenience and still being able to enjoy the mountains and ski season.

The house offers four bedrooms, a large living area, a beautiful garden, and parking space for two cars. Another big advantage is that the property has been recently renovated, so you shouldn’t need to invest much in renovations if you want to start using it as a vacation home or prepare it as a rental. Overall, I think this is a great move-in-ready option, especially for someone who wants that traditional Japanese feeling without giving up the convenience of being close to a major station.

And that’s all for this week! I hope you enjoyed this week’s selection. We had some houses that need quite a bit of imagination and renovation, but also properties like this one that are basically ready to enjoy. I always think it’s interesting to see how different your options can be depending on your budget, location, and how much work you’re willing to put into a house.

As always, if there is a specific area you want me to search next, let me know in the comments! And if one of these houses caught your attention, don’t wait too long because some of the good ones can disappear really quickly. See you next week!

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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.