Available Japanese Real Estate Properties: Weekly TL;DR

This week's property overview presents an exceptional selection of Japanese real estate opportunities ranging from century-old traditional houses to renovated countryside properties across Nagano, Niigata, and Nara prefectures. Each listing offers unique characteristics for those seeking rural living, vacation homes, or investment opportunities in Japan's scenic regions.

Property 1: 100-Year-Old Traditional House on Historic Hokkoku Kaido Road – Nojiri, Nagano Prefecture

Location: Nojiri, Shinano Town, Kamiminochi District, Nagano Prefecture

Property Type: Used detached house (traditional Japanese house, approximately 100 years old)

This remarkable century-old traditional house sits along the historic Hokkoku Kaido road in a peaceful valley plateau setting. The wooden single-story structure features a distinctive thatched roof with zinc-coated steel sheet covering and offers a 6DK layout with 181.82m² (1,957 ft²) of living space on an expansive 947.95m² (10,202 ft²) property.

The property includes an attached storehouse of 28.93m² (311 ft²) and comes with approximately 250 square feet of agricultural field space, plus snow protection netting on the northern boundary. Built with traditional craftsmanship, this house represents authentic Japanese rural architecture and has been cleaned inside and out, requiring only maintenance in specific areas after purchase.

Located on a quiet plateau with distant mountain views and the soothing sounds of a stream running through the village, the property borders the Sawamizu River on its west side. The residence features a private lodging permit, allowing continued operation with notification of owner or manager change, making it suitable for guest house or vacation rental operations.

The location is ideal for those seeking tranquil rural living while remaining accessible to villa areas at Lake Nojiri, Kurohime Kogen, Akakura, and Suginosawa. The property is situated 10 minutes from Myoko IC on the Joshinetsu Expressway and 15 minutes by car from Myoko Kogen Station on the JR Shinetsu Line. The nearest town is 5km away, with the national highway 2km from a convenience store.

Price: ¥7,880,000 (approximately $53,000 USD)

Size: Land: 947.95m² (10,202 ft²) | Building: 181.82m² (1,957 ft²)

View Full Listing Here

Property 2: Firefly Village Home in Central Oshima Ward – Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture

Location: Ohira, Oshima Ward, Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture

Property Type: Used detached house (price reduced)

This two-story wooden house with stainless steel roofing offers spacious living in the center of Oshima Ward, known as "Hotaru no Sato" (Firefly Village). Built in January 1957, the property features a generous 9DK layout with 260.23m² (2,801 ft²) of total floor area on a 624.69m² (6,723 ft²) flat lot.

Located just 210 meters from National Route 253, the property provides excellent transportation access while enjoying a scenic mountain setting where firefly-related events occur seasonally. In winter, the area hosts charming events where small snow caves are created with candles lit inside, allowing year-round community enjoyment.

The property faces an approximately 9m wide municipal road branch on the east side with approximately 17m of frontage. While the building shows noticeable aging damage including some leaks, it is being sold as-is with no liability for contract non-compliance and boundaries not specified. The second floor shows some leaning toward the road side.

The location offers convenient access to both natural beauty and practical amenities, situated 1.1km to Hokuhoku Oshima Station on the Hokuhoku Line, 33km from Joetsu Interchange on the Hokuriku Expressway. The property includes a kerosene boiler system and simple flush toilet facilities with ditch drainage.

Price: ¥500,000 (approximately $3,400 USD)

Size: Land: 624.69m² (6,723 ft²) | Building: 260.23m² (2,801 ft²)

View Full Listing Here

Property 3: Satoyama Lifestyle Traditional House with Forest and Fields – Maki Ward, Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture

Location: 48 Kurashita, Maki Ward, Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture

Property Type: Used detached house

This substantial two-story wooden building with galvanized steel roofing offers the authentic "Satoyama" (village-mountain) lifestyle experience. The property features an 8SK layout registered as a single-story building with three extensions, providing 205.11m² (2,208 ft²) of living space on a 785.73m² (8,457 ft²) elevated lot.

Built 54 years ago with sturdy construction designed to withstand heavy snowfall, the property is located in the center of the village and includes an accessory building of 39.66m² (427 ft²). The roof currently has some leaking, with repair estimates at ¥1,800,000, of which the seller will cover half the cost.

The surrounding property includes residential land of 495.73m² (5,336 ft²) plus forest and wilderness areas totaling 290m² (3,122 ft²). The building can serve as a vacation home while the surrounding forest provides excellent opportunities for outdoor leisure activities including camping, building bungalows, picking wild vegetables, and growing vegetables. The owner will personally guide visitors through the forest and field areas.

The large living room and multiple rooms make this property ideal for large groups or families. Interior features include cable TV, separate bathroom and toilet, shower facilities, bath reheating, kitchen hot water, air conditioning, and accommodations for pets, motorcycles, and pianos. The property offers parking for two or more cars.

Located 45 minutes to Joetsu on the Hokuriku Expressway and 50 minutes to Joetsu Myoko on the Hokuriku Shinkansen, with public sewer connection available at user's expense.

Price: ¥1,698,000 (approximately $11,400 USD)

Size: Land: 785.73m² (8,457 ft²) | Building: 205.11m² (2,208 ft²)

View Full Listing Here

Property 4: Renovated Old House in Nature-Rich Higashiyoshino Village – Yoshino District, Nara Prefecture

Location: 565-1 Higashiyoshino Village, Yoshino District, Nara Prefecture

Property Type: Used detached house (renovated kominka/old house)

This beautifully renovated old house in the nature-rich Higashiyoshino village combines traditional charm with modern amenities. The property consists of a main house with single-story area of 74.38m² and two-story area of 80.98m², plus a detached building of 9.91m², totaling 155.36m² (1,672 ft²) of floor space. The 5LDK layout sits on 454.76m² (4,895 ft²) of land including 396.76m² (4,271 ft²) residential land and 58m² (624 ft²) miscellaneous land.

The bathroom and plumbing facilities have been completely renovated, and the interior has been updated throughout, making the property ready for immediate occupancy. The presence of two main building areas opens up numerous possibilities for guest accommodations, hobby spaces, or multi-generational living arrangements.

Ample parking space allows for guest accommodation, with room for two or more cars plus bicycle parking. The property's versatile layout makes it suitable for various uses including vacation home, business operations, or permanent residence.

Located approximately 30 minutes by car from Kintetsu Line "Haibara" Station, the property sits adjacent to a public road on the south side in a flat topography area outside urban planning zones. The separate bathroom and toilet, indoor washing machine space, and home garden features provide modern convenience within a traditional setting.

Price: ¥9,800,000 (approximately $66,000 USD)

Size: Land: 454.76m² (4,895 ft²) | Building: 155.36m² (1,672 ft²)

View Full Listing Here

Important Disclaimer

We are a property matching service and have no direct affiliation with the real estate agency or agent associated with these property listings. We do not receive any commission or compensation from the sale of these properties should you choose to pursue a purchase. Our role is purely to connect potential buyers with available properties and provide informational content to assist in your property search. For all inquiries, transactions, and official property details, please contact the listed agent or agency directly. See links in the summaries.