Buying ski chalets in Japan

In this episode of Real Estate Without Borders, Daniel Foch sits down with Nick McLoota and Derek Cirillo from YukiHomes, a company helping foreigners buy and manage property in Japan—especially ski homes.

They break down how they went from casual travelers to real estate entrepreneurs, what makes the Japanese market unique, and why global demand for vacation rentals is accelerating. The conversation covers pricing, financing realities for foreigners, regulatory hurdles, and why understanding local culture is critical to investing successfully in Japan.

“We bought our house for 25K.”
“Japan is super safe.”
“We charge anywhere from 10 to 20%.”

00:00 – Introduction to Real Estate in Japan
02:22 – Building a Business Around Ski Homes
05:30 – Understanding the Clientele and Demand
07:34 – Investment Costs and Revenue Potential
09:48 – Navigating the Lending Landscape
12:11 – Demographics and Migration Trends
13:51 – Platforms for Short-Term Rentals
16:34 – The Reality of Vacant Homes in Japan
17:38 – Choosing the Right Location for Investment
21:03 – Exploring Free Homes and Their Challenges
24:43 – Safety and Neighborhood Dynamics in Japan
28:49 – Cultural Differences in Safety Perception
30:15 – Language Barriers and Real Estate in Japan
31:12 – Investing in Land and Property in Japan
34:41 – Navigating the Japanese Real Estate Market

🧠 Key Takeaways📝 Episode Summary🎙️ Notable Sound Bites📍 Chapters

🎧 Episode Keywords

Japan real estate, YukiHomes, ski homes, Airbnb, investment opportunities, foreign ownership, Japanese market, property management, real estate trends, vacation rentals

• YukiHomes was founded by two friends who love skiing and snowboarding• The company helps foreigners buy and manage properties in Japan, particularly for Airbnb• Most clients are Americans and Australians looking for ski homes• Properties can be purchased for as low as $20,000, but renovations are often required• Airbnb listings in Japan require a lengthy and bureaucratic licensing process• Foreign buyers typically need to purchase with cash, as mortgage options are limited• Instagram is the primary lead source for YukiHomes• Japanese domestic tourists often prefer different amenities than foreign guests• While Japan has many vacant homes, not all are good investment opportunities• Ski towns in Japan are seeing growing foreign interest and capital inflows