Tokyo Families Embrace Dual Residency with Million-Yen Niigata Vacation Homes
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 4 hours ago4 MIN
Summary
High Tokyo property prices are driving families to buy affordable vacation homes in Yukijuraku Town, Niigata Prefecture. A 43-year-old accountant purchased a two-bedroom unit for 1.18 million yen, enjoying hotel-style amenities and convenient Shinkansen commutes. The trend marks nine consecutive years of population growth in this former "negative asset" ski resort area.
Key Points
- Komine (小峰), a 43-year-old accountant at a Nihonbashi firm, bought a 34-year-old, 700-sq-ft unit in Yukijuraku Town for 1.18 million yen (approximately 600,000 HKD)
- The property includes hotel-style management, hot springs, an indoor heated pool, an outdoor summer pool, and direct access to ski slopes
- Komine commutes to Tokyo by Shinkansen one to two times weekly; his monthly pass costs 150,000 yen, with net personal expense of roughly 50,000 yen after subsidies
- Two young entrepreneurs named Itoi and Koseki purchased a 300-sq-ft unit to launch a restaurant serving the growing "dinner refugee" tourist crowd
- Yukijuraku Town has recorded nine consecutive years of net population inflow, transforming former bubble-era "negative assets" into viable second residences
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong buyers, Yukijuraku properties offer an accessible entry point to Japanese real estate, though experts caution that stable rental income should not be the primary expectation—these units suit skiers and holidaymakers seeking affordable lifestyle purchases rather than investment vehicles .
For Hong Kong buyers, Yukijuraku properties offer an accessible entry point to Japanese real estate, though experts caution that stable rental income should not be the primary expectation—these units suit skiers and holidaymakers seeking affordable lifestyle purchases rather than investment vehicles .