Mt. Youtei viewkutchan area outline
Kutchan is the largest town near the Niseko ski areas and has a population of approximately 15,000 people. It contains all the main services that residents require such as clinics, large supermarkets, banks, a train station, a hospital and a police station. It is about a 2-hour drive from the largest city in Hokkaido, Sapporo.

Kutchan is approximately 8 km north east from the Hirafu ski area and can be accessed by bus or taxi. During the summer, when bus services are reduced, it is best accessed by car and renting a car to get around is a good idea. Almost all residents have their own transport.

Kutchan has many restaurants, bars, shops and other amenities although it is only a small town; for shopping trips and specialist services, a trip to Otaru or Sapporo is highly recommended. However, Kutchan caters well for winter enthusiasts and there are sports and souvenir shops as well as good places for a bite to eat.

The layout of Kutchan Town is based on the American-style grid system. Starting at the large crossroads in the middle of town, addresses radiate out according to their compass direction. Hence, the Post Office is South 1, East 2.

kutchan area map
Kutchan Map

kutchan real estate
The demand for real estate in Kutchan has increased with the development in the nearby ski areas and there are great properties available for low prices. Many of the buyers in Kutchan Town are visitors that wish to stay for several months a year and have decided to buy a convenient property in the town. Other investors have bought property to put in the Japanese rental pool - a savvy move as rental properties in Kutchan Town command above average rent and are in relatively short supply.

As with most property in Japanese towns and cities, the value increases with proximity to public transport. The area around the station and main roads command the highest prices and areas on the outskirts of town can be picked up very cheaply. Investors should expect capital gains to be limited in Kutchan but wise investments should give a good return through rental. The plan to extend Japan's famous bullet train service to Sapporo includes a stop in Kutchan Town which will bring more domestic visitors and an increase to real estate values in town.