Bento Box: Issue 27

Hello everyone! What a hectic week it has been for me! I spent part of the weekend checking out some properties for our clients in the Nagano area, and we also have two properties near Tokyo that are almost finished with renovations. I went to check on one of them this week, and I’ll probably be going back again next week to see how everything is coming together.

I’ll also be heading to Sapporo soon to visit several of our clients’ properties, which I’m really excited about! I haven’t been to Sapporo in over a year, and I honestly miss it so much after living there for five years. I’ll also get to meet some of our team members while I’m there, so I’m really looking forward to the trip and, of course, seeing the progress on all of the properties we’ve been working on.

Everything has been going really well with our renovation projects lately, and I honestly can’t tell you enough how impressed I am with the work our contractors have been doing. Some of these houses look completely different from when we first saw them! And it’s not always about doing a huge renovation either. Sometimes changing the flooring, wallpaper, lighting, or just a few small details can completely change the atmosphere of a house and make it feel much more modern and welcoming.

That actually brings me to this week’s properties! Today I have two houses that I think could be really interesting renovation projects. If you’re looking for a very affordable house and have some extra budget to put toward renovations, I really think this can be a great way to create something that feels completely different from what you originally purchased. You can always contact us and let us know what you’re looking for, your budget, and what you would like to do with the property, and we can help you figure out the possibilities.

Anyways, let’s get started with this week’s bento box!

Ingredient #1

• 📍 Location: Otaru City, Hokkaido
• 💰 Price: ¥1,500,000 (~$9,278 USD)
• 🏠 Type: Detached House
• 🛏 Layout: 5LDK
• 📐 Building Size: 120.69 m² (1,299 sq ft)
• 🌿 Land Size: 153.22 m² (1,649 sq ft)
• 🚍 Access: 8-minute walk to Otaru-Chikkō Station on the JR Hakodate Main Line

Learn more here: Live Listing!

On the really affordable side, this house is only ¥1.5 million, which I think is a great price considering the size and location! Of course, this is definitely a house for someone who is willing to do renovations and give it a new life, but I think that’s also what makes these properties interesting. At this price, you have more room in your budget to renovate it exactly how you want and potentially turn it into a really nice vacation home or rental property.

The house is a 5LDK with around 120 m² of interior space, so you actually have quite a lot of room to work with. It has five bedrooms, a living room, kitchen area, traditional Japanese rooms, and a bathroom with a window, which is always nice for natural ventilation. The house was built in 1973, so I would definitely expect some renovations and upgrades, but I think the layout gives you plenty of possibilities.

One of the biggest advantages for me is the location. Otaru-Chikko Station is only about an 8-minute walk away, and you can also access the Minami-Otaru area pretty easily. This makes the house really convenient for getting around without always needing a car. You also have a convenience store really close by, and being around Otaru-Chikko gives you access to supermarkets, shopping, and other daily amenities.

Another advantage is that the Otaru IC is nearby, so if you do have a car, getting in and out of the area is also really convenient. The only downside is that the property itself does not have a parking space, so you would need to look into renting one nearby if you plan to have a car.

Something important to keep in mind is that the property is being sold as-is, meaning the seller will not be making repairs to the house or its equipment before handing it over. Because of the age and condition, I would definitely recommend doing an inspection and understanding what needs to be repaired before deciding how much you want to invest into the renovation.

Ingredient #2

• 📍 Location: Otaru City, Hokkaido
• 💰 Price: ¥4,800,000 (~$29,691 USD)
• 🏠 Type: Detached House
• 🛏 Layout: 7LDK
• 📐 Building Size: 196.83 m² (2,119 sq ft)
• 🌿 Land Size: 480.89 m² (5,176 sq ft)
• 🚍 Access: 22-minute walk to Otaru Station on the JR Hakodate Main Line

Learn more here: Live Listing!

This house is also on the more affordable side, and for ¥4.8 million, you are actually getting a LOT of space! It is around a 22-minute walk from Otaru Station, or only about 4 minutes by car, which I still think is a really good location considering the size of the house and the amount of land that comes with it.

The house is a 7LDK with seven bedrooms, a living room, a spacious dining-kitchen area, and plenty of storage throughout the property. The building itself is almost 197 m², sitting on a huge 480 m² piece of land, so this is definitely one of those houses where you have a lot of space to work with. There is also a garden, which gives you even more possibilities if you want to create a nice outdoor area.

One thing I really like is that the rooms themselves are quite spacious and the house has a lot of natural light. Some of the original Japanese details are also still there, including tatami rooms, traditional woodwork, and some really interesting retro features. I think with the right renovations, you could keep some of that character while modernizing the rest of the house.

Of course, just like the previous property, this house would need renovations if your plan is to turn it into a vacation home or rental property. But because the purchase price is relatively low, you could potentially put more of your budget toward renovations and really transform the space.

Ingredient #3

• 📍 Location: Oaza Kosaka, Iizuna Town, Kamiminochi District, Nagano Prefecture
• 💰 Price: ¥4,480,000 (~$27,712 USD)
• 🏠 Type: Detached House
• 🛏 Layout: 2LDK
• 📐 Building Size: 53.37 m² (574 sq ft)
• 🌿 Land Size: 791 m² (8,514.95 sq ft)
• 🚍 Access: only by car

Learn more here: Live Listing!

I actually went to see a house close to this area last weekend, and I definitely think this is a great location if you’re looking for that cozy cabin atmosphere surrounded by nature. This house has that same feeling, and I think it works perfectly with the area!

The house itself was built in 1980 and has a really interesting layout. Because it is built on a gentle slope, you actually enter the property from the second floor using a small bridge from the road, while the bathroom and toilet are located downstairs. It definitely has that unique Japanese mountain cabin feeling that I think could become really cozy with the right interior design.

Another big advantage is the location. You’re in the Iizuma area with access by car toward several ski areas around northern Nagano, as well as Myoko a little further away. For someone looking for a ski or vacation home, I think having so many different mountain areas within driving distance makes this location really interesting.

And something particularly important if you’re looking at this from an investment perspective: the listing specifically mentions that this is an area where minpaku is possible. Of course, you would still need to confirm the licensing and requirements for the property itself, but I think that’s definitely a positive compared to buying somewhere where short-term rentals are more restricted.

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!

If your ready to buy a house: Book a call here

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

We’re always looking to partner with great travel + ski brands.

If you’d like to be featured on our perks page or partner with us, reach out here:

Partner Here!

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.