Niseko Real Estate & Property

Big things are happening in Izumi-Kyo II…

The entrance to Izumi-Kyo II is marked by the area management center, Restaurant Maru, and the Swiss-German styled Graubunden (well known for its sandwiches and cake).

Dotted with cabins and cottages, Izumi-Kyo is a managed community, complete with an organization that requires property owners to pay dues, keep their yards neat, and take turns making sure people observe some of the world’s strictest trash separation rules (there are literally scores of categories to divide your garbage into).

Izumi-Kyo has long been more popular in summer with domestic tourists looking for a slice of nature faw away from the big city, and there is no escaping the large groups from Sapporo and elsewhere sitting around a BBQ and lighting off small, safe, and mildly entertaining fireworks. Other popular summer activities in Izumi-Kyo include Fishing, Archery, and Tennis.

Until recently Imuzi-Kyo had missed out on the large-scale development and constant construction occurring in Hirafu, closer to the lifts. But Izumi-kyo is but a 3 minute drive from the lifts, and the boom has finally spilled from Hirafu into Izumi-Kyo in a big way. Construction surrounds this correspondent, waking him daily at 7:55am.

One large project is the two 3-floor townhouse buildings taking shape across from Okanda Rental Cottages: Shiki and Koyuki. Each building will have 2 townhouses. The developer states that, “Shiki and Koyuki Townhouses offer luxuries and space in harmony with japanese design sensitivities”. Maybe so, however they tower over Okanda, across the street (pictured below).

These signs are omnipresent throughout Niseko-Hirafu and indicate that the project underway complies with all relevant local laws and has been checked by the proper authorities.

This is Shiki: progressing nicely. Interior work well under way.

This is Koyuki: Foundation laid, scaffolding erected, all systems “Go”.

The area to the right of the Shiki & Koyuki project. It has been cleared as well, presumably for more development.

You won’t find any information online about “Stolt Holdings Pty Ltd”, as on the sign, but rumor has it some well-to-do Australian accountants with experience in Niseko-development are behind this project… best of luck to them.

The question on everybody’s minds is: are properties in Izumi-kyo II viable as luxury rental properties? It is a 30-minute walk in the snow from the lifts, along a road with a curved section with no sidewalks, menacingly referred to as “Death Alley” by last year’s winter staff, who had the fortune of traversing that section of road daily on their ways to and from work.

Certainly Shiki & Koyuki would be amazing for long stays, provided a car rental was included in the package (again: Shiki & Koyuki are but a 3-minute drive from the lifts). An extraordinarily convenient shuttle bus runs through Izumi-kyo II, but skiers paying upwards of $500 nightly for quality accommodation can be very difficult to please, and foreign tourists have higher expectations of the transportation infrastructure than the local foreign community or Japanese visitors in general. The jury is out on rental income, but there is no doubt that these properties would be amazing year-round dwellings or vacation homes.

Niseko property continues to be developed at a phenomenal rate on the backs of foreign investors and developers flocking to Niseko to play the property market. We hope some of them stick around to enjoy the world’s finest powder snow which is on its way in just a few short months. One of the more prominent properties under development in Niseko-Hirafu this summer is The Setsumon. Located between the Sencho Izakaya / Demo building and the Big Cliff Yakiniku restaurant on the main road across from the recently deserted Waza’s Cafe / Hokkaido Real Estate building (where rumor has it another big property will be under way soon).

The Setsumon is slated to have 10 fully furnished luxury apartments. With this village location you can’t really go wrong. On the main road leading up from the Seico Mart. You could probably ski right down the hill to your apartment if you were of a mind to ignore all of the mammoth signs lining the main street instructing you not to do so.

Like with all upper village properties close on this side of the village, each morning you’ll walk downhill to the Ace Family Pair Lift which whisks you up to the Ace Quad Lift near the Alpen Hotel. Then when you’re done skiing you just ski down to the Ace Quad again and walk down to your accommodation. No uphill trekking.

Here’s some raw data we came across on the NakayamaGumi website: Plottage 599.4 m² (181.319 Tsubo), Building Area 233.87 m² (72.258 Tsubo), Deferred floor space 1523.1 m² (460.738 Tsubo). Project will be 6 stories with a basement. First floor to include commercial space. Nakayama is also the head contractor for the Freshwater project taking shape near the base of the road that leads to the Niseko-Hirafu Gondola.