If you’re an adventurous skier or snowboarder and have exhausted American slopes, it may be time to head to Japan. A bucket list destination for many, the country offers beautiful ski resorts and landscapes all winter, so much so that you may even want to move there.
Delivering some pricey eye-candy and a splendid opportunity for buyers with deep pockets, this award-winning masterpiece melding modern and traditional Japanese architecture is on the market in one of the snowiest towns on earth: Niseko. Perched on Japan’s northernmost island, the region is famous for its ‘japow,’ a term used to describe its light, dry, and powdery snow.
The home, seeking roughly $19.33 million, is named Yukikage. In Japanese, Yuki translates to ‘snow,’ and Kage means ‘shadow’. It refers to classic sukiya elements, such as its sculptural silhouette with continuous eaves, which casts shadows on the snow below.
Ideal for a multi-generational family (and multi-millionaires), the property is split between the three-level main residence and the annex, totaling over 7,470 square feet of living space. Designed by SAAD Architects and built by Sudo Construction, it showcases is a sleek combination of natural materials, including concrete flooring, timber walls, and gray stone. Other typologies include a maru-mado window next to the ofuro bath, and a tatami-style yoga room in the annex. In addition to these characteristics and the striking glass facade, the home’s angular floor plan, which adapts to the sloping terrain, constantly connects the interior and exterior.
As much as the design is streamlined, it’s also glamorous. A dazzling foyer welcomes you with a slender, branch-like lighting fixture that spans the home’s central stairwell. The second floor is an intimate space that holds all four bedrooms, including the two primary suites, while the top floor is a bright, open area with floor-to-ceiling glass walls in both the kitchen and living room. It frames Mt. Yotei in the most picturesque way, opening to a perimeter of balconies overlooking Hirafu Village.
Each floor has been curated with Minotti, Baxter, Poltrona Frau, and Riva 1920 furnishings. The annex, completed in 2021, is just down the hill. It’s a luxurious separate space where people can decompress after a day on the slopes or entertain, whether lounging by the double-sided fireplace or having a Winter Olympics viewing party in the cinema room.
For those who can afford this beauty, which came second place in the 2019 International Architecture Awards, Christie’s International Real Estate holds the listing.