Bento Box
8 min read

Bento Box: Issue 10

Written by
Michelle Flores
Published on
June 18, 2026

This week, we have been submitting many offers for our clients, but not only that, we are also currently working on renovations and selecting furniture for one of our customers! Of course, we want to continue supporting our clients even after they purchase their house, helping throughout the entire process, which means not only finding a property, but also with renovating and furnishing it exactly as they want. The house turned out amazing and Derek will be doing a newsletter about it in the future!

So, let’s get started, as today we have some amazing houses in Otaru, an area where many of our clients have recently been purchasing properties!

Ingredient #1

  • 📍 Location: Otaru, Hokkaido
  • 💰 Price: ¥9,900,000 (~$62,702 USD)
  • 🏠 Type: Detached House
  • 🛏 Layout: 4LDK+S
  • 📐 Building Size: 137.53 m² (1,480 sq ft)
  • 🌿 Land Size: 317.46 m² (3,417 sq ft)
  • 🚍 Access: 7-minute bus ride to Otaru-Chikko Station on the JR Hakodate Main Line

Learn more here: Live Listing!

The house has been built relatively recently and features four bedrooms, two toilets (which is very rare in Japan), and a spacious living room. It also has a front garden that could potentially be turned into a vegetable garden, as well as parking space for two to three cars, which is great, as several ski resorts are located really close to the property.

The house is ready to move in, but it could also benefit from renovations tailored to your own style and preferences. With so many rooms and flexible spaces, there are plenty of possibilities for customization as needed. Located close to a school and a park, it is situated in a very quiet and pleasant neighborhood, making it a great option for a vacation home or even as a rental property.

Ingredient #2

  • 📍 Location: Nojiri, Shinano-machi, Kamiminochi-gun, Nagano Prefecture
  • 💰 Price: ¥25,000,000 (~$158,211 USD)
  • 🏠 Type: Detached House
  • 🛏 Layout: 2LDK+S
  • 📐 Building Size: 88.79 m² (956 sq ft)
  • 🌿 Land Size: 446.02 m² (4,801 sq ft)
  • 🚍 Access: 36-minute walk to Kurohime Station on the Shinano Railway Kita-Shinano Line

Learn more here: Live Listing!

This house is amazing. While it may be on the more expensive side, it is located close to several ski resorts and just a 5-minute drive from Lake Nojiri. It is also only around a 20-minute drive to Myoko, which is one of the reasons why properties in this area tend to be priced higher. In addition, both Iiyama and central Nagano are within convenient driving distance, giving easy access to restaurants, shopping, and transportation.

The house has been completely renovated and features two bedrooms plus a loft area. Vacation rentals are allowed, which is a huge advantage, as the location is ideal both for personal use during ski season and for short-term rental potential throughout the year.

The property also includes space for up to three cars, making it very convenient for those flying into Japa as you could easily arrive at either Narita or Haneda Airport, rent a car, and drive approximately 3.5 hours to the house.

Overall, I think this property will sell very quickly, as it is located in a highly desirable area with excellent access to both nature and ski resorts.

Ingredient #3

  • 📍 Location: Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture
  • 💰 Price: ¥5,500,000 (~$34,834 USD)
  • 🏠 Type: Detached House
  • 🛏 Layout: 5DK
  • 📐 Building Size: 112.25 m² (1,208 sq ft)
  • 🌿 Land Size: 176.4 m² (1,899 sq ft)
  • 🚍 Access: 34-minute walk to Miyazaki Station on the JR Nippo Main Line

Learn more here: Live Listing!

I am adding a house in Miyazaki because this property is incredibly affordable, and the beach is basically right in front of the house! The Miyazaki area is really beautiful and perfect for those looking for a beach lifestyle, especially if you enjoy surfing while still having the convenience of being close to the city center. I also wanted to balance things out a little from all the ski resort properties and include more of a summer house vibe in this week’s selection! The property is conveniently located close to train stations and also near Miyazaki Airport.

The house features five bedrooms, a kitchen area, and one bathroom. It also includes one parking space, and the kitchen was replaced in 2022. While some renovations are still needed in several of the rooms, one room has already been remodeled, so it would mainly be a matter of updating the remaining spaces.

Overall, I think this is a very convenient beachside property at a great price, especially considering that most houses in the area are priced well above USD 100,000.

That’s all I have for this week! Are there any areas you are interested in exploring properties in? Let me know in the comments!

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

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We’ve been building out a solid list of travel + ski partnerships lately.

If you’re gearing up for a trip and need things like luggage, Goggles, insurance and much much more there are some really good deals below.

YukiHomes Perks

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

If you’d like to be featured on our perks page, reach out at: Grant@yukihomes.com

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.

Michelle Flores
May 15, 2026

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Derek Cirillo
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Derek has been working in the Airbnb space for the past 10+ years and recently purchased a home in Japan. He is excited to bring this investment opportunity to others in the States & abroad.

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Nick has a passion for adventure and has always dreamed of owning a property in Japan. His dreams finally came true when Derek brought him in on a deal of a lifetime in Hokkaido, Japan - one of Nick's favorite places on Earth.