Big things are happening in the world of Niseko-based gourmet production. In a much publicised move, Lupicia, an international tea brand with stores in some of the world’s most glamorous locations, officially relocated their headquarters from Tokyo to Niseko this Summer after opening a successful retail store and restaurant. The move will bring with it an influx of up to 180 staff to Niseko.

Alongside Lupicia is the highly regarded Niigata-based brewer Hakkaisan, who has just opened its brand new distillery and visitor complex to the public. Keenly aligned with Lupicia’s aim to create high quality artisanal products from locally sourced produce, the brand has set up shop in the heart of Niseko at the base Mt Niseko-Annupuri. By utilizing the high quality Niseko water, Hakkaisan aims to sell its first bottle of locally distilled whisky in 2024. In the meantime, the distillery will produce and market a unique brand of Niseko gin and offer brewery tours through to visitors.

These two notable businesses locating themselves in Niseko is a sure sign that the environment here is conducive to supporting growing businesses that deal outside of the realm of outdoor activities and tourism. This coupled with the influx of brand name hotels and other developments, Niseko will undoubtedly see an increase in demand for mid-to-high end stand-alone housing that is suitable for internationally minded young professionals and their families looking for year-round residency.

Currently, this market is underserved and we see this as a great opportunity for investors to step in and help cater to this market. As such we expect strong demand for larger plots of land suitable for modest 150-200sqm houses, as well as an uptick in existing western specification 3-5 bedroom resale properties in areas a 10-15 minute drive from the mountain where affordability increases. 

MnK’s focus continues to be on creating community developments and securing partnerships with suppliers that are able to meet the demands of our clients. To this end MnK is proud to offer 9 plots in Takeo Drive, our newest development in the quiet neighbourhood of Arishima. Takeo Drive perfectly complements our existing developments by offering investors the flexibility of long term personal use or steady income from a long term tenant. To learn more, visit our Takeo Drive page or reach out to our experienced agents.