Not Niseko. These 8 “hidden gem” ski homes are for sale across Japan

Niseko may be the most famous ski resort in Asia, but Japan has plenty to offer from around the country.

Niseko gets all the attention. It’s the one everyone’s heard of, the one that shows up in glossy magazines and influencer reels – Japan’s headline act. But while Niseko’s busy polishing its powdery crown, the rest of Japan’s ski scene is quietly killing it. From the backstreets of Nozawa Onsen to the wide-open slopes of Rusutsu, there are plenty of resorts where the snow is just as deep, the food just as good, and sometimes the real estate prices are a lot less… Niseko.

This list isn’t about taking anything away from Hokkaido’s golden child – it’s about giving the rest of Japan their well-deserved turns on the chairlift. Whether it’s a ready-to-be-renovated pension in Nozawa, a slick apartment in Hakuba, or a rustic lodge in Madarao that feels like your own secret base, these eight properties prove there’s a lot to love (and invest in) beyond the usual hype. What’s more, they are all priced below the magic $1m mark and starting at only $140k!

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Top Floor 1 Bedroom Apartment in La Vigne Hakuba

Resort: Hakuba
Price: ¥117,000,000 (~USD $760,000)

Top Floor 1 Bedroom Apartment in La Vigne Hakuba. View more images

Perched on the top floor of the chic La Vigne complex, this one-bedroom apartment in Hakuba gives you luxe alpine comfort with views over the mountains and easy access to the slopes. Ideal if you want to invest with style (and skip the Niseko crowds for something high-end but still under ¥120 m).

Ski In/Ski Out Studio Apartment

Resort: Nozawa Onsen
Price: ¥47,400,000 (~USD $300,000)

Nozawa Ski-in Ski-out Studio Apartment. View more images

A compact, ski-access studio tucked into the slopes of Nozawa Onsen — perfect for investors or ski-enthusiasts who want true lift-side convenience without breaking the bank. With one of Japan’s most charming winter villages outside the Hokkaido buzz, this listing stands out as a smart pick for value plus lifestyle.

Fenix West 205

Resort: Furano
Price: ¥58,000,000 (~USD $380,000)

Fenix West 205 Furano. View more images

A well-designed 1-bedroom condominium right in the heart of Furano’s ski-village zone. For under ¥60 m you get mountain-village convenience and strong value — perfect for someone who wants “Japan ski home” without the top-tier price tag.

The Vale Rusutsu – Unit 121

Resort: Rusutsu
Price: ¥71,000,000 (~USD $460,000)

The Vale Rusutsu 121. View more images

A slick 1-bedroom (48 sqm) ski-in/ski-out unit at the luxury Vale Rusutsu resort. With full resort amenities, mountain views and a strong rental play built in, this is one of the best value options in Hokkaido beyond the hype.

Malu Lodge

Resort: Madarao
Price: ¥128,000,000 (~USD $840,000)

Malu Lodge. View more images

A full-lodge building with 8+ bedrooms and 2 baths (~547 sqm on a large plot) in Madarao Kogen. This is the kind of property for someone who’s thinking “let’s own a boutique alpine operation” rather than just a single unit. Big picture here.

Shiki at Tangram – Madarao Kogen

Resort: Tangram Ski Circus / Madarao
Price: ¥70,000,000 (~USD $460,000)

Shiki at Tangram. View more images

A stand-alone townhouse/residence about 250 m from the lifts at Tangram/Madarao — 4 bedrooms, stylish interior, ski access and mountain views. A “cool-parents get-away” or multi-family investment opportunity.

Charming Renovated Alpine Home

Resort: Myōkō
Price: ¥22,000,000 (~USD $140,000)

Charming Renovated Alpine Home. View more images

A renovated alpine house in Myōkō that blends traditional character with updated comforts. If you like the idea of a home with soul rather than a condo block, this property suits perfectly.

Yunosato Airbnb House

Resort: Moiwa
Price: ¥38,800,000 (~USD $250,000)

Yunosato AirBnB House. View more images

A house in the quieter Moiwa area, set up as an Airbnb-friendly property. If you’re looking for something slightly off the radar — less “resort spectacle” and more “ski-home-gets-booked” — this is compelling.
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If you can’t see anything above that floats your powder skis, head to Uchi now to search over 1,200 properties from across Japan.