Bento Box: Issue 25

Hello everyone! A lot has been going on with the team this week! We were at Anime NYC and had such a great time meeting and talking with so many people. It was actually my first time attending a convention and working at a booth, so it was a completely new experience for me, but I had a lot of fun!

From there, I had to come straight back to Japan, and now I’m back in Tokyo experiencing probably some of the worst heat I’ve felt this summer! NYC had such nice weather while we were there, but Tokyo welcomed me back with extreme heat and humidity, so that was definitely a big change.

But now we’re ready to get things started again! I’ll be heading to Sapporo soon to check on how some of our renovation projects are going, and hopefully I’ll also have a few house tours while I’m there. I’m excited to see the progress in person and, of course, find more interesting houses to share with all of you!

Anyways, let’s start with this week’s properties!

Ingredient #1

• 📍 Location: Otaru City, Hokkaido
• 💰 Price: ¥5,500,000 (~$34,021 USD)
• 🏠 Type: Detached House
• 🛏 Layout: 5SLDK
• 📐 Building Size: 93.55 m² (1,007 sq ft)
• 🌿 Land Size: 154.56 m² (1,664 sq ft)
• 🚍 Access: 2-minute walk to Tenjinchō Bus Stop

Learn more here: Live Listing!

This house is at a really good price considering the amount of space and some of the renovations that have already been done! It is located in the Tenjin area of Otaru, in a quieter residential neighborhood but with a bus stop only a 2-minute walk away, making it easier to get around even if you don't always want to use a car.

The house has five bedrooms plus an additional storage room, a spacious living area, a balcony, and parking space for up to three cars. There is also additional storage space on the basement level, which I think is always useful for skis, winter equipment, luggage, or anything else you don’t want taking up space inside the house.

One of the biggest advantages is that quite a lot of renovation work has already been done. In 2016, the kitchen, bathroom, washroom, water heater, flooring, walls, ceilings, interior doors, windows, and wallpaper throughout the house were renovated. Even better, the toilet was renovated again in 2025, so some of the most expensive areas of an older Japanese house have already been updated.

Another feature I really like, especially for Hokkaido, is the floor heating in the living room! It also has an air conditioner, a counter-style system kitchen with an IH stove, plenty of storage throughout the house, and a snow-friendly roof.

Ingredient #2

• 📍 Location: Iizunamachi, Kamiminochi District, Nagano Prefecture
• 💰 Price: ¥12,800,000 (~$79,176 USD)
• 🏠 Type: Detached House
• 🛏 Layout: 4DK
• 📐 Building Size: 116.37 m² (1,253 sq ft)
• 🌿 Land Size: 407.78 m² (4,389 sq ft)
• 🚍 Access: 30-minute walk to Mure Station on the Kita-Shinano Line

Learn more here: Live Listing!

This house is a little different from the properties I normally show, as it is a one-story house, which I actually think is really nice! It has four rooms and sits on a really large piece of land, so even though the house itself is not huge, you have plenty of outdoor space and a garden where you can create your own project.

The house was built in 1982 and has that more traditional Japanese countryside feeling. From the photos, I do think some renovations would be needed, especially if you want to give the interior a more modern look, but overall there is a lot to work with. Being a one-story house also makes the layout quite practical, especially if you’re looking for something simpler as a vacation home.

Another thing I really like is the amount of sunlight. The house is south-facing and located on a corner lot, so it should receive plenty of natural light throughout the day. The surrounding area is also quite open and residential, which gives you that peaceful Nagano countryside atmosphere that many people are looking for.

Another big advantage of this property is the location if you love skiing! Iizuna Resort is nearby, and by car you also have access to several other ski areas including Togakushi Ski Resort, Kurohime Kogen Snow Park, Madarao Mountain Resort, and Tangram Ski Circus. You can even reach the Myoko area and resorts like Myoko Suginohara if you want even more options.

Overall, I think this is a really interesting option for someone who wants a more peaceful vacation home in Nagano with a LOT of outdoor space. It might need some renovations to make it your own, but for the amount of land, the one-story layout, and the location surrounded by nature, I think there is a lot of potential here!

Ingredient #3

• 📍 Location: Miyazaki, Miyazaki Prefecture
• 💰 Price: ¥18,800,000 (~$116,290 USD)
• 🏠 Type: Detached House
• 🛏 Layout: 2LDK
• 📐 Building Size: 112.39 m² (1,210 sq ft)
• 🌿 Land Size: 206.67 m² (2,225 sq ft)
• 🚍 Access: 21-minute walk to Minami-Miyazaki Station on the JR Nippo Main Line

Learn more here: Live Listing!

This house is definitely a little more on the expensive side compared to some of the properties I usually show in Miyazaki, especially considering that it only has two bedrooms. However, I still wanted to include it because I think the house itself is really beautiful and offers a lot of living space!

Even though it is only a 2LDK, the building is actually quite spacious, with over 112 m² of interior space, so the rooms are much larger than what you might expect from a two-bedroom house. It was built in 1989 and has a really nice Japanese-style design with natural materials, giving it more character than some of the newer houses that all tend to look very similar.

The location is also really convenient for everyday life. You have a drugstore, a convenience store, a supermarket, as well as a hospital, park, and bank nearby. Minami-Miyazaki Station is around a 21-minute walk away, so you still have train access without being directly in the busiest part of the city.

The property also comes with parking for one car and sits on a good-sized piece of land, so there is still some outdoor space to enjoy. Overall, I think this is a really nice option for someone who wants a more spacious Japanese-style home in Miyazaki and doesn’t necessarily need many bedrooms.

And that’s all for this week! I hope you enjoyed this week’s selection.

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!

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

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.