5 large, affordable plots of land for Japan’s next big ski resort development

In the last couple of newsletters Chris, owner and founder of Uchi, has been explaining the pros and cons of buying houses versus apartments in Japan’s top ski resorts. Previously he’s told us why picking up land is also a great option, but today he’s introducing us to something a bit bigger and way more exciting!

“First and foremost it is worth noting that almost all land for sale on Uchi is freehold,” states Chris. “As an international investor you have exactly the same rights as a Japanese investor and 100% ownership – no need for local partners. This also extends to tax, there is no extra stamp duty or capital gains tax to pay as a foreigner. And talking about tax, one of the great points of picking up land in resort areas is that the taxable value of the land is usually very low. Often there is actually zero cost to hold the land which means land banking is an inexpensive and low risk pursuit.

“As with houses, interest in land opportunities has definitely risen during and post pandemic. But rather than introducing individual plots of land today, I wanted to bring some really exciting development opportunities that are still present in and around Japan’s top resorts. Pick up one of these listings and you could be developing the next Odin Hills or Kaba Niseko yourself! Or you can sit and wait for the next big wave of investment to come and turn a tidy profit in a few years time.

“Odin Hills and Kaba Niseko are beautiful projects with amazing plots for sale right now, but with pricing in those completed developments at around 150,000 JPY per sqm and upwards, you can see the potential of picking up one of the plots below at 10,000 JPY per sqm and creating your own estate for sale!”

Moiwa Onsen Development Land

Location: Niseko-Moiwa, Hokkaido
Price: 488m JPY ($3.7m USD)
Size: 44,293 sqm
Price/sqm: 11,017 JPY

Moiwa Onsen Development Land. View more images

Niseko Onsens rarely come up for sale, making this a unique opportunity. Over 4.4 hectares large, the land is a quick 5 minute drive from Annupuri and Moiwa Resorts, offering total privacy with easy resort proximity.

Lake Toya Stunning Development Land

Location: Lake Toya, Hokkaido
Price: 880m JPY ($6.6m USD)
Size: 80,081 sqm
Price/sqm: 10,988 JPY

Lake Toya Stunning Development Land. View more images

Lake Toya is the next big thing in Hokkaido, with the incredibly beautiful lake a perfect destination for summer but also within 20 minutes of Rusutsu Resort and with excellent access to the airport and Sapporo. This piece of land is simply stunning and would make an epic location for 8-10 top-end villas.

Stone Circle Forest Land

Location: Niseko-Higashiyama, Hokkaido
Price: 519m JPY ($3.9m USD)
Size: 23,545 sqm
Price/sqm: 22,022 JPY

Stone Circle Forest Land. View more images

This massive land plot of over two hectares offers a natural setting, privacy, and a central location between Niseko Village and Annupuri ski resorts – both just a five-minute drive away.

Rusutsu Golf Course Land

Location: Rusutsu, Hokkaido
Price: 340m JPY ($2.6m USD)
Size: 35,781 sqm
Price/sqm: 9,502 JPY

Rusutsu Golf Course Land. View more images

Bordering one of the Rusutsu golf courses, this large plot of land is only a 3 minute drive from Rusutsu Resort, multiple-winner of Japan’s Best Ski Resort in the World Ski Awards.

Onsen Development Land Moiwa

Location: Niseko-Moiwa, Hokkaido
Price: 580m JPY ($4.4m USD)
Size: 38,624 sqm
Price/sqm: 15,016 JPY

Onsen Development Land Moiwa. View more images

This land is bordered and intersected by two dramatic rivers with 3 active onsen wells and is only a 5-minute drive from the ski slopes at the Niseko United Resort. Excellent views of Mt. Annupuri and quick access to operating onsen hotels characterize the site.

And for something completely different?!

Awajishima Beachfront Land

Location: Awajishima, Hyogo
Price: 400m JPY ($3m USD)
Size: 20,000 sqm
Price/sqm: 20,000 JPY

Awajishima Beachfront Land. View more images

OK, so it’s not in the mountains but perhaps you’re more of a beach bum than a ski bum? This beachfront land in Awajishima is located on a picturesque coast in Setonaikai National Park. Setonaikai is Japan’s inland sea and a very popular tourist destination with some of the best and most famous cycling paths in Japan.

Head to uchijapan.com to search for the best land, house, apartment, penthouse, commercial and development options in Japan’s top resorts!