Hokkaido village plans land purchase to block megasolar project near protected wetlands
A village near Kushiro, Hokkaido, is acquiring a 7.5 hectare land parcel adjoining the Kushiro Shitsugen National Park in an effort to block a proposed megasolar project that could damage the ecosystem of the protected wetlands. The wetlands are home to more than 600 species of plants and the rare red-crowned crane. Over the past decade, a number of solar farms have been built around the wetlands, drawing concern and criticism over their potential environmental impact.Read more
Daiwa adds three properties to condo-hotel line up
Developer and home builder Daiwa House Industry has launched its third short-term or ‘minpaku’-friendly condo projects in Japan as it seeks to offer investors a way to capitalize on the inbound tourism boom.Read more
Niseko developer faces court-issued bankruptcy order
A developer of a 200+ room luxury condo-hotel in Niseko was issued an order of commencement of bankruptcy proceedings by the Tokyo District Court on April 8. Creditors have until May 13 to file proofs of claims.Read more
1200-person staff accommodation to be built in Niseko
To address a severe housing shortage, a Kutchan real estate company is planning to develop a 30-block estate of apartments for a 2.7-hectare site in the town.Read more
Hoshino REIT acquires KAI Poroto in Hokkaido
On January 8, Hoshino Resorts REIT acquired the Hoshino Resorts KAI Poroto hotel in Hokkaido for 3.06 billion Yen (approx. US$19.8 million). The 42-room luxury hot spring ryokan opened in March 2020.Read more
Rents have doubled in this Hokkaido city
The real estate market in Chitose City, Hokkaido, is going through a sudden and drastic change with residential rents and land prices doubling and vacancy rates plummeting.Read more
Sapporo skyscraper to shrink as project costs skyrocket
The Hokkaido Railway Company (aka JR Hokkaido) is revising its plans for a skyscraper in front of Sapporo Station. Rising construction costs have seen the estimated project budget to reach the mid-300 billion Yen (US$2 billion) range, 100 billion Yen more than anticipated.Read more