Bento Box: Issue 26

Hello everyone! I hope you’re having a nice week! Today I went to one of our clients’ houses to start getting everything ready for a long-term rental and to take some photographs as well. I still have to go back to finish setting everything up and take the final photos, but I’m really excited to see everything come together!

September is going to be a really busy month for me, as I have several houses to visit in different regions of Japan, which I’m actually really looking forward to! It’s always exciting to see our clients’ properties in person and help get everything ready for their next step.

If you’re interested in our long-term rental services, don’t hesitate to contact us! We can help you get your property ready and support you through the process.

Anyways, for today I found two beautiful houses near the Myoko area and one in Otaru. I honestly think these might sell really fast, so let’s get started!

Ingredient #1

• 📍 Location: Kashiwabara, Shinano-machi, Kamiminochi-gun, Nagano Prefecture
• 💰 Price: ¥14,800,000 (~$91,547 USD)
• 🏠 Type: Detached House
• 🛏 Layout: 3LDK
• 📐 Building Size: 96.05 m² (1,034 sq ft)
• 🌿 Land Size: 1,370 m² (14,746.56 sq ft)
• 🚍 Access: 29-minute walk to Kurohime Station on the Shinano Railway Kita-Shinano Line

Learn more here: Live Listing!

This house was built in 2002, which is quite new compared to many of the properties we normally find in this area, and honestly, it looks like it is in perfect condition! I don’t think this one will stay on the market for very long, especially considering the price and its amazing location for anyone looking for a ski or mountain vacation home.

One of the biggest advantages is that the property is literally only a 1-minute walk from the Kurohime Mountain trail entrance, so you are surrounded by nature and mountains right outside your door. During winter, you also have really convenient access to Kurohime Kogen Snow Park, and you can easily drive toward other popular ski areas around Myoko and Madarao, giving you plenty of options instead of being limited to just one resort.

The interior is covered with beautiful wooden paneling, which gives the entire house that cozy mountain cabin feeling that I think is perfect for winter. It has three bedrooms, a spacious living area, and a really large green outdoor space where you can basically create whatever you want. You could build your own sauna, create a garden, add a garage, or simply keep the open space and enjoy having a large yard surrounded by nature.

Another thing I like is that even though the house has that secluded mountain feeling, you are not completely isolated. There is a bus stop around a 10-minute walk away, and the train station can be reached in less than 30 minutes on foot, which gives you another option if you don’t always want to rely on a car.

Overall, I think this is such a great find for the area. You get a relatively newer house, a beautiful wooden interior, plenty of outdoor space, and an amazing location for skiing, hiking, and enjoying the mountains throughout the year. I really think this would make such a cozy vacation home or rental property!

Ingredient #2

• 📍 Location: Nojiri, Shinano Town, Kamiminochi District, Nagano Prefecture
• 💰 Price: ¥19,500,000 (~$58,763 USD)
• 🏠 Type: Detached House
• 🛏 Layout: 4LDK
• 📐 Building Size: 75.00 m² (807 sq ft)
• 🌿 Land Size: 666.00 m² (7,168.76 sq ft)
• 🚍 Access: 39-minute walk to Kurohime Station on the Shinano Railway Kita-Shinano Line

Learn more here: Live Listing!

Another great find in the Nojiri area, and this one is actually even cheaper than the last property! It is a little smaller, but you still get plenty of indoor and outdoor space, which I think makes it a really interesting option for the price, especially in an area where good properties can go quickly.

The house was built in 1978 and offers four bedrooms, but one of my favorite things about it is that everything is on one floor. One-story houses are not something I find that often, and I think they are really comfortable and practical, especially for a vacation home where you don’t necessarily want to be going up and down stairs all the time.

The location is another big advantage. Being in the Nojiri area means you are surrounded by nature while still having access by car to several ski resorts around Kurohime, Myoko, and Madarao. This makes it a really nice base if you want to explore different mountains throughout the winter instead of being limited to just one ski area.

The house itself looks to be in really good condition considering its age. I would probably renovate the bathroom, as it is a little outdated, and maybe make a few cosmetic changes depending on your style, but apart from that, I don’t see the need for a huge renovation project.

And then you have all the outdoor space! The green area around the house gives you so many possibilities. You could add your own sauna, build a garage, create a large garden, or even add another space for guests if possible. There is really a lot you could do here depending on your plans and imagination.

Overall, I think this is another property that might not stay on the market for very long. For such a low price in the Nojiri area, you are getting four bedrooms, a one-story layout, plenty of land, and access to several ski areas. With a few renovations and some creative ideas for the outdoor space, I think this could become an amazing little mountain getaway!

Ingredient #3

• 📍 Location: 2-chome Inaho, Otaru City, Hokkaido
• 💰 Price: ¥12,500,000 (~$77,320 USD)
• 🏠 Type: Detached House
• 🛏 Layout: 7LDK
• 📐 Building Size: 198.34 m² (2,135 sq ft)
• 🌿 Land Size: 119.99 m² (1,291.56 sq ft)
• 🚍 Access: 5-minute walk to Otaru Station on the JR Hakodate Main Line

Learn more here: Live Listing!

This is honestly one of the best houses I’ve seen in Otaru City in a while! Not only because it has seven bedrooms, but mainly because of its location. It is only about a 5-minute walk from Otaru Station, and I honestly haven’t seen many houses this large and this close to the station since I started writing this newsletter. Because of that, I really wouldn’t be surprised if this one sells within this week or the next. If you’ve been waiting for a good opportunity to buy in central Otaru, I think this is definitely one to look at!

The house was built in 1960 and offers seven bedrooms, a living room, and parking space for up to two cars. For a house this close to Otaru Station, having parking for two cars is already a huge advantage. And of course, being so close to the station means you also have restaurants, supermarkets, convenience stores, shops, and everything you need for daily life nearby.

There are a couple of things to keep in mind. The property is being sold as-is, so there are no guarantees regarding its condition. However, you can always arrange a home inspection before moving forward to better understand what repairs or renovations might be needed. The furniture and other items currently inside the house will also remain with the property, as the seller will not be disposing of them.

Apart from that, I think this is a really rare opportunity. A seven-bedroom house with parking and only five minutes from Otaru Station gives you so much potential, whether you want a large vacation home or are looking at it from an investment perspective. Of course, I would want to check the condition of the house first, but just based on the size and location, I think this is one of the most interesting Otaru properties I’ve seen recently!

That’s all for this week! I honestly think we had some really good finds this time, especially with the two houses near the Myoko area and this last one in Otaru. Properties with good locations and this much potential can move really quickly, so if any of them caught your attention, don’t hesitate to contact us and we can help you with the process!

As always, let me know in the comments which house was your favorite or which area you would like me to search next. 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.