Many people feel that they do not know what points to focus on when choosing a vacation home location. Also, some people want to know about Japan's famous villa areas and hidden gems.
This time, we will introduce you to the points to consider when choosing a vacation home location, as well as popular areas and hidden gems.
Get as much information as possible in advance so you can stay comfortably in the best place.
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What are the key points in choosing a vacation home?
I want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and spend some relaxing time in a villa area. There are many vacation homes in Japan that can make that dream come true.
However, if we are preoccupied with admiration, we end up choosing a vacation home that is not suitable for us, and there are cases where we end up giving up the vacation home we have taken so much effort to acquire. Which location should you choose from among the nation's leading villa locations? Here are four points you should consider to avoid regrets.
Choose by purpose
First of all, it is important to clarify the purpose of purchasing a vacation home.
For example, you may want a second home where you can spend weekends with your family.
If you want a home to spend time with your family, you need to choose a villa that is sized according to your family size. Also, if there are leisure facilities or tourist spots nearby that you can go to with your family, your children may also enjoy it.
Some people may want to move to a place after retirement and make it their final home where they can spend their retirement years. If a place is going to become a living base in the future, it will also need facilities such as a supermarket and hospital. If you choose a villa area with too much nature, the atmosphere may be nice, but you may find it inconvenient to live there.
Some people may want to have an environment where they can concentrate on their work. When working, we recommend checking the communication environment.
Ease of maintenance
Building a vacation home requires maintenance. Many people may think that if they don't use it very often, it won't get dirty easily. However, if you don't use it often, you won't have to clean it often, so you need to be careful because dust can accumulate easily. Remember to do deep cleaning regularly. Also, if equipment is not operated regularly, it is more likely to rust or malfunction, so there are cases where equipment requires a lot of maintenance even though it is used less frequently. It's best if it's not too far away and you can easily visit several times a year.
Maintenance to prevent deterioration over time is also important. For example, if your building is made of wood, you must be careful about corrosion caused by moisture. Proceeding rot can be dangerous, so it is important to choose wood that is as resistant to moisture as possible. Furthermore, if you want to install a wood stove, maintenance of the inside of the stove and chimney is required. Check to see if there is a company nearby that you can request for maintenance.
Management fee market price
There are various costs involved in maintaining a vacation home. For example, you will need to pay various insurance premiums, common facility fees, water bills, electricity bills, etc. Real estate-related expenses such as fixed asset tax and acquisition tax, as well as taxes such as resident tax, may be required. If you choose to draw a hot spring into your villa, you should also be aware that there are maintenance costs necessary to maintain the environment unique to a villa, such as hot spring usage fees and renewal fees.
Additionally, if you outsource the cleaning of your villa to a management company, you will also pay a management fee. This is not necessary if you do the cleaning yourself, but in most cases you will outsource it. You can do some cleaning inside the building on your own, but tasks like weeding can be difficult. Therefore, we recommend comparing management costs when choosing a vacation home location. Please note that management fees vary greatly depending on the area.
Also check the surrounding environment
When choosing a vacation home location, consider the surrounding environment as well.
For example, if you want to enjoy water sports, a beachside villa area is perfect for you. If you can walk to the sea, you can dedicate yourself to marine sports. However, seaside areas have the disadvantage of salt damage. Please be aware that winds from the sea can cause problems such as building deterioration and not being able to hang laundry to dry.
Some people choose a vacation home in the forest as a summer retreat. Spending time in an environment surrounded by greenery can be soothing and refreshing. However, if you set up a villa in the forest, there are no facilities such as supermarkets or convenience stores nearby, and you will have to travel by car even if you want to do some shopping. As mentioned above, each villa area has its advantages and disadvantages in terms of the surrounding environment.
Top 5 popular villa locations
1st place: Karuizawa
Karuizawa in Nagano Prefecture is one of the most famous summer resorts in Japan. Many people think of Karuizawa when they hear the word villa area. The area is lined with many villas and has long been loved by celebrities. Many people choose Karuizawa as a place to spend their summer vacation because the average temperature is low and comfortable. It is also a popular tourist destination, and is full of commercial facilities and restaurants, so you will have a comfortable stay. It also has the advantage of being easy to get to from Tokyo.
2nd place: Izu
Izu in Shizuoka Prefecture is a vacation home area with many spots such as mountains, the sea, lakes, and plateaus. Due to its rich nature, it is also blessed with delicious gourmet food. Taste a variety of ingredients such as vegetables, mushrooms, seafood, and meat. We also recommend going fruit picking during the peak season. There are many leisure facilities, so if you want to refresh your body by moving, you can try paragliding, tennis, marine sports, etc. After sweating, take a bath in the hot springs to relieve your fatigue.
3rd place: Niseko
Niseko in Hokkaido is a vacation home area where you can feel the majestic and powerful nature. It is a resort area with a ski resort, so you can enjoy activities such as skiing and snowboarding in the winter. Perfect for those who like winter sports. When you hear Hokkaido, you may think of winter, but you can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities even in summer. For example, we recommend going horseback riding, walking around a ranch, or having a picnic in the park. You can also take a bath in a hot spring.
4th place: Atami
Atami in Shizuoka Prefecture is an area with excellent access from Tokyo. It takes about 35 minutes to get there by Shinkansen, making it an ideal place for people living in Tokyo to set up their second home. If you feel like it, you can come and spend a leisurely time on the weekends. Being able to fully enjoy the hot springs is also a big attraction. Why not take a bath in a hot spring to soothe your daily fatigue while exploring the hot spring area?
5th place: Ise Shima
Ise-Shima in Mie Prefecture is a villa area characterized by its rich nature. There are areas along the coast and areas along the mountains, where you can enjoy both delicious seafood and beautiful green forests. It has also been chosen as the venue for the Summit, making it perfect for those who value nature. It is also characterized by being blessed with tourist attractions such as Ise Grand Shrine, Toba Aquarium, and Ise-Shima National Park. In addition to spending time at your vacation home, you and your family can go out and enjoy sightseeing and leisure activities.
Introducing recommended villa areas that are little-known spots!
Tateshina/Yatsugatake
The Tateshina area in Nagano Prefecture is located at the foot of Mt. Yatsugatake and is a vacation home area where you can enjoy stunning views. Located at an altitude of over 1,200 meters above sea level and with a high rate of sunny skies, the area enjoys a pleasant climate in the summer with cool temperatures and low humidity. It is also a perfect place for a vacation home to escape the summer heat. There are also plenty of ski resorts, making it an ideal winter resort base for those who want to enjoy winter sports. It's easy to get around from the Kanto area by car or train, and there are plenty of resort facilities such as the complex resort town "Tokyu Resort Town Tateshina" and "Tateshina Kogen Mitsui no Mori," making it an extremely convenient and highly recommended vacation home area. .
Nanki Shirahama
Nanki Shirahama in Wakayama Prefecture is a popular vacation home area in the Kinki region. Shirarahama Beach is famous for its beautiful white sand and gives you the feel of a tropical resort. Those who like tropical countries such as Hawaii will love it. The gourmet cuisine that makes use of seafood is also appealing. You can also try rare fish, so it's also recommended for those who want to taste carefully selected seafood dishes. Also, if you go to Adventure World, you can meet cute animals such as pandas. It is also suitable as a second home for families with small children.
Zao
Zao in Miyagi Prefecture is an area where you can experience a lot of nature. The scenery that can be called the original landscape of Japan spreads out, and the forests and lakes are soothing. Additionally, there are dairy farming areas on the plateau, where you can enjoy dairy products such as cheese and milk. Furthermore, fruit cultivation such as peaches is popular, and you can enjoy fruit picking during the peak season. The Zao mountain range, which straddles Miyagi and Yamagata prefectures, is also one of the highlights. Enjoy beautiful scenery such as sunsets and autumn leaves.
Tateyama
Tateyama in Chiba Prefecture is a vacation home area where you can spend time all year round. Marine sports such as surfing and scuba diving are popular in the summer, so those who love the sea will especially enjoy it. There are plenty of sightseeing spots such as the uninhabited island of Okinoshima, hot springs, and a park with beautiful poppies, so you can go out with your family and friends. Additionally, there is a spot called Kagamigaura where you can see a magnificent sunset, and enjoy the romantic atmosphere.
Arima
Arima in Hyogo Prefecture is famous for its hot springs, which are said to be the oldest in Japan. There is a theory that Toyotomi Hideyoshi also used it during the Sengoku period, so you can feel it has a long history. A big attraction is that you can enjoy two types of hot springs with different colors and ingredients. If you own a vacation home in Arima, you can take frequent hot spring baths to relax your mind and body. The hot spring town is lined with hot springs that can be used on a day trip and restaurants where you can eat gourmet food, so you can feel like you're on vacation just by walking around. There are also outlets and other facilities nearby, making it convenient for shopping.
Hirugano
Hirugano in Gifu Prefecture is home to one of the largest snow parks in central and western Japan. With over 10 courses, people of all ages come to enjoy winter sports. When the snow has piled up, try skiing and other activities. During seasons other than winter, you can experience things like ziplining and mountain buggy riding. The view of kochia and other plants spreading all over is also a must-see. It is also attractive because it is easy to access from Osaka and Nagoya.
summary
A villa is a place where you can spend an extraordinary time and heal the fatigue of everyday life. In order to avoid unnecessary stress, you should consider not only the location, but also the purpose and ease of maintenance, and make a choice that you will not regret. When it comes to budgeting, you need to understand not only purchase costs but also management costs. If you are planning to move there in the future, you will want to thoroughly research surrounding facilities.
Many people visit Nagano Prefecture, which is home to some of Japan's leading vacation homes, such as Karuizawa and Tateshina, in search of their ideal vacation home. If you are not sure which area in Nagano Prefecture is best, please contact Forest Corporation, a construction company with roots in Nagano Prefecture. We have a wealth of experience in building vacation homes, and we have deep relationships with local real estate agents, so we can provide you with real information about the area. We can help you with everything from finding land to building, so please feel free to contact us.
While we are architectural professionals such as architects and construction managers, all of our employees work as ``Shinshu concierges'' to support a rich Shinshu life.
