Boutique ryokan developer and operator Hoshino Resorts has taken over a bankrupt hotel in Otaru, Hokkaido, with plans to re-open it this winter under their OMO brand.
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Hokkaido sees 12% more offshore investors between 2019 and 2020
A survey by public broadcaster NHK has found that the there were 4,406 buildings and land parcels in Hokkaido owned by foreign funds and corporations as of January 2020. This is a 12% increase from 2019. Even with the international travel bans, some industry experts say acquisitions have continued throughout 2020 as foreign investors are confident that things will return to normal post-covid.
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Yubari Resort to file for bankruptcy citing pandemic-induced tourism downturn
Only a year after purchasing the resort and related hotels, the owner-operator of the Yubari Mount Racey Ski Resort is filing for bankruptcy. The closure of the city’s only ski resort and the only three hotels nearby have devastated the local tourism industry.
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Quick real estate news summary for the week
Homebuyer preferences change as pandemic continues, Nikko-branded hotel for Niseko, and Singapore funds see value in Japan’s logistics market. Below is a quick weekly summary of some of the recent goings-on in the Japanese real estate market.
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US$600million+ resort condo development for Niseko
Another week, another multi-billion Yen project announced for Niseko. Singapore-based Shenning Investments is developing a luxury Capella-branded resort in Niseko’s Hanazono district with a planned opening in 2024 ~ 2025. The total cost of the project has not been disclosed but some have estimated it to be over 70 billion Yen (approx. 664 million USD).
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100-room condo resort planned for Niseko
A large-scale condominium and resort-style project is planned for the winter ski town of Niseko. Construction is scheduled to start next year, with completion expected in winter 2023.
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Hakodate City looking to sell former Russian Consulate
Hakodate City in Hokkaido is looking to sell the 112-year old former Russian Consulate within the year but has met strong opposition from local historians. The building has been sitting vacant for the past 24 years.
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Aussie tourists turn their back on Niseko
Australians have been a long staple of Niseko’s winter crowd. But, recent tourist numbers show a shifting trend as Aussies shun the slopes of Niseko for the ski fields in Honshu.
In 2018, foreign tourists spent a total of 465,000 nights in Niseko. Visitors from Hong Kong, Singapore and other countries in Asia are up, while visitor numbers from Australia are down by much as 20% since 2015.
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Hokkaido gives up on integrated resort bid
On November 29, Hokkaido Governor Naomichi Suzuki announced that the prefecture is backing out of the race for Japan’s first integrated resort (IR). The decision was made due to environmental concerns.
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Is Furano the next Niseko?
As land values in Niseko skyrocket, investors have been shifting their attention to more affordable ski locations around Hokkaido. One of those destinations is Furano which is seeing an influx in foreign investment and foreign tourists. Located 110 kilometers north-east of Sapporo, or a 2-hour drive, the city is becoming increasingly known for its high-quality powder snow.
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