One of the properties for sale in Yatsugatake, SANU CABIN MOSS.
For frequent visitors to Japan, having a place to stay akin to ‘a home from home’ enhances the comfort and depth of their travels. Introducing ‘SANU 2nd Home Co-Owners,’ a service offering the option to select the purchase amount based on the length of stay, allowing shared ownership of a second home. Sales began in 2024 at three locations: Tateyama in Chiba Prefecture, Yatsugatake in Yamanashi Prefecture, and Nasu in Tochigi Prefecture.
Yatsugatake’s SANU CABIN MOSS. Opening the door seamlessly connects the living room and bedroom with the forest.
SANU STUDIO RAY in Tateyama, Chiba Prefecture, offering views of the Pacific Ocean, is scheduled to open in October 2024 and is already sold out.
The standout feature of SANU Co-Owners is the flexibility to choose the purchase amount based on the number of nights used annually: 12, 24, 36, 48, or up to a maximum of 60 nights. While there are many systems for joint villa ownership, what sets this apart is the ability to own a property starting from the 3 million yen range with no initial costs. Purchasing real estate typically involves complex procedures, but this system simplifies everything online. With just a click, you can acquire ownership of the property, and it allows for easy resale and inheritance. Moreover, if you don’t use all the allocated nights in a year, SANU buys them back at a fixed rate. Owners can also gift stays to family and friends. From purchase to check-in/out and creating formats for guest stays, all processes are seamlessly manageable via smartphone for ease and convenience.
Nestled in the forests of Nasu are the private houses with hot springs, ‘SANU STUDIO RAY Medium’ (first image) and ‘SANU STUDIO RAY Large’ (second image).
This innovative service is provided by “SANU 2nd Home,” which operates a monthly subscription model for villas. Located in popular summer retreats like Yatsugatake, Karuizawa, and Lake Yamanaka, the service allows villa sharing starting at ¥55,000 per month, attracting attention from families in their 30s to 40s and business professionals alike. With a concept of ‘Living with Nature,’ the service emphasizes locations nestled in verdant forests and expansive coastal areas, while also ensuring eco-friendly building structures and facilities.
The cabins of SANU 2nd Home, settled in locations enveloped by the tranquility of forests and lakes.
The unique triangular cabins were designed from the idea of immersing in the forest, with a creative approach that minimizes the need for cutting down branches.
The cabins at ‘Mountain SANU,’ situated in Iwate Prefecture’s Kamaishi City, are known for their commitment to forest conservation. They use only selectively harvested timber in collaboration with the city. To ensure the longevity of the wooden structures and enable the land to be returned to the forest in 50 years, they have innovatively designed elevated structures without driving stakes into the ground. Additionally, they employ ‘Hummingbird Power,’ a CO2-neutral natural energy source, to achieve a carbon-negative cycle. This integration of a ‘forest-first’ approach into both their design and operations has created a harmonious and inviting space.
The triangular cabins of ‘SANU CABIN BEE’ are also designed to feel like forest hideaways inside. The central feature of the interior is a symbolic island kitchen.
Previously centered around mountainous areas, the second home initiative expanded in 2023, starting with Ichinomiya, Kazusa, which marked the inception of the ‘Sea SANU’ base. Offering a delightful ambiance, the inviting terrace house spaces are bathed in sunlight and invite refreshing breezes.
An additional benefit of SANU Co-Owners is the ability to stay not only in purchased properties but also in SANU’s network of 102 units across 20 locations nationwide under “SANU 2nd Home”. By 2025, this network will expand from Niseko in Hokkaido to Amami Oshima, offering access to 200 units across 30 locations, each reflecting the seasonal beauty of nature. Whether owning or sharing properties, SANU handles all the hassles like cleaning and maintenance, making it an easier choice compared to individual property ownership.
Amidst paths lined with forest flowers and enjoying locally sourced terroir during travels… A second home where you can truly ‘live like a local’ enables you to rediscover the natural beauty of Japan’s everyday life time and again.
SANU Co-Owners
Website: https://owners.sa-nu.com/
