REAL ESTATE NEWS
By Kristian Lund
Development activity, real estate transactions and interest in Furano appear to have reached a critical mass that suggest it could be the most promising ski resort investment destination since Niseko.
Ever since the Niseko market took off in the early to mid-2000s, media and investors have been speculating about which region may be next to take off.
In the 15 years since, billions of dollars have been pumped into Niseko, while no other resorts in the country have received anywhere near such investment.
Underpinning the interest in the resort is the huge summer market offering strong year-round tourism trade, largely thanks to its spectacular flower fields.
The snow quality is comparable to Niseko, with slightly less snowfall but more blue-sky days.
Major Niseko players investing in the resort include Hokkaido Tracks (the company behind the first international development in Niseko), Zekkei Properties (who has sold out and completed Furano’s first modern condominium), Metropoly Holdings (Aruku-zaka Street) and supernova-land (KOA Estate in Higashiyama).