Property Management
Property Management
Simplifying Property Ownership in Japan
With almost 20 years of local expertise and over 40 properties under management
At The Bears Japan, we offer property management services to local and non-resident investors who own property, or are looking to build a consistent source of income in growing Japanese markets. Whether your property is a personal retreat, an income-generating investment, or a combination of both, our solutions are designed around how you want to own and use your property.
Our Service Areas
Matsumoto | Omachi | Hakuba | Myoko | Takayama | Kawaguchiko
“I am convinced that The Bears Japan is the best possible business partner—one that goes beyond mere property management to actually cherish the value of our property from an owner’s perspective.”
– White Peak Cabin Hakuba Owner
Our Three Service Models
What Do Our Property Management Services Include?
As your local partner, we manage all of the details that come with owning a property in Japan. Our services are split into two categories and are available to all property owners depending on the service model they choose.
“Our family lives in the Kanto region, and our vacation home in Hakuba is a very special place for us. When we’re not using it ourselves, we also operate it as a guesthouse.
This is only possible thanks to the team at The Bears Japan. They support us with everything from facility and equipment management, guest services, cleaning, and maintenance, to day-to-day operations. Even when we have last-minute requests, they’re always quick to respond. They’re an invaluable partner who gives us real peace of mind.“
– Landscape Villa Hakuba Owner
How We Market Your Property
Every property has its own character, features and target audience. The right positioning helps make sure your property is targeting this audience and with the right messaging.
To help make this happen, we group properties into two distinct accommodation categories to help guests find the right stay and ensure each property is presented in a way that reflects its offering.
Signature Stays
The Signature Stay collection lives under The Bears Japan main brand and is designed to appeal to families, couples or groups of friends with warm messaging and a focus on convenience with a touch of charm.
A Signature Stay property is a self-contained rental property offered at a competitive price. Each property is rented as a whole, with pricing based on the nightly property rate rather than the number of guests.
Yume Luxury Stays
Luxury stays fall under our Yume collection, which lives under our separate Yume brand. Meaning ‘Dream’ in Japanese, Yume combines the beauty of the Northern Alps with exceptional Japanese hospitality to create the finest chalet stay experiences in Japan.
Combining locally crafted details, premium finishes and exceptional locations, each Yume property has been thoughtfully designed to bring the dream Alpine escape to life. Similarly to our Signature Stays collection, each property is rented as a whole, with pricing based on the nightly property rate rather than the number of guests.
Why Marketing Matters
Regardless of category, we provide proactive marketing solutions for all properties to help improve visibility and increase booking rates. Each property has something that makes it special, and our job is to make that stand out through professional photography and videography, multi-lingual social media marketing, paid advertising on Google and Meta, and optimising online travel agency (OTA) platforms.
Access to these services is included at no additional cost, giving owners access to professional marketing expertise without the need to manage campaigns themselves.
Contact us to find out what we can do for your property.
Managed Property Revenue Potential
Flexible Income Rental Case Studies
Ski-in, ski-out 4 Bedroom Luxury Rental Chalet in Hakuba
Location: Goryu, Nagano
Size: 240m2
This case study looks at a four-bedroom luxury chalet that was built to cater to domestic and international guests while remaining accessible for owner stays. Key features include direct ski-in/ski-out access, a hinoki wood sauna, a jacuzzi and a private forest setting, combining a sought-after location with distinctive amenities. The property is a part of our Yume collection.
Total estimated investment: ¥154 million
Nightly Rates
- Premium: ¥430,000
- Peak: ¥359,600
- Off-peak: ¥270,550
- Value: ¥89,050
Estimated annual rental revenue: ¥25 million
Estimated annual operating profit: ¥11.25 million
Illustrative return on investment: 7.3% per year
Located at a top Hakuba ski resort, the property benefits from strong international recognition and premium winter demand. Its ski-in, ski-out access, high-end amenities and private setting help differentiate it in the market, while the opportunity for owner stays provides a perfect balance for someone looking to enjoy their property while gaining rental income.
2 Bedroom Rental Chalet in Hakuba’s Popular Echoland Neighbourhood
Location: Echoland, Nagano
Size: 90m2
This case study looks at a 2-bedroom property sleeping up to 4 guests. The investment strategy in this case study focuses on offering a competitively priced chalet in a sought-after Hakuba location, appealing to both domestic and international visitors while still allowing for personal use by the owner.
Total estimated investment: ¥58 million
Nightly Rates
- Premium: ¥86,600
- Peak: ¥72,300
- Off-peak: ¥54,700
- Value: ¥33,800
Estimated annual rental revenue: ¥7.5 million
Estimated annual operating profit: ¥3.75 million
Illustrative return on investment: 6.5% per year
Located in Echoland, known for its restaurants, bars and convenient access to Hakuba’s wider resort area, the property benefits from an established visitor market. Modern finishes such as underfloor heating help differentiate the property while the accessible price point helps attract a range of guests.
3 Bedroom Rental Chalet in the Up-and-coming area of Omachi
Location: Omachi, Nagano
Size: 150m2
Located in the nature-rich town of Omachi, this property appeals to a broader range of potential guests as a more year-round tourism destination. The location is a key differentiator for this investor, as Omachi provides a different opportunity than locations focused primarily on winter ski tourism.
Total estimated investment: ¥40 million
Nightly Rates
- Premium: ¥93,600
- Peak: ¥78,200
- Off-peak: ¥59,500
- Value: ¥40,800
Estimated annual rental revenue: ¥9.4 million
Estimated annual operating profit: ¥4.7 million
Illustrative return on investment: 11.7% per year
With recent tourism estimates showing year-over-year growth, Omachi suits investors seeking a quieter destination, greater land availability, and long-term tourism potential.
Fixed-Income Lease Examples
Based on The Bears Japan’s management experience, the following examples illustrate how a potential owner could take advantage of the fixed income lease model, and examples of possible returns they could expect.
Inherited Property Turned Rental Chalet in a Historic Castle Town
Location: Matsumoto, Nagano
Fixed lease term: 5 years
For property owners who inherit real estate but lack the time to maintain or manage it, what to do with the property can become a major challenge. This sample looks at an inherited property situated in a desirable location, the property had good rental potential, making it a good candidate for our fixed income leasing model.
Total property value: ¥35M
Fixed monthly guaranteed income: ¥200,000
Annual yield on property value: 6.9%
In exchange for a minimum 5 year fixed lease on the property, the owner retains full property ownership while we would take responsibility for rental operations and agreed property improvements. This would include any upgrades required to make the property rental compliant, furnishing, operation, and licensing at our own expense. For owners looking for a fully hands off solution, this arrangement provides the owner with a predictable monthly income without the day-to-day responsibilities of managing a rental property.
Omachi Chalet Purchased as an Investment Property
Location: Omachi, Nagano
Fixed lease term: 2 years
Purchased as a vacation rental investment, the three-bedroom property examined in this sample was built in 2014 and situated in a desirable location. With only minor upgrades needed to meet rental requirements, it would be a good fit for our fixed income leasing model.
Property Price: ¥38 million
Property Upgrades: ¥2 million
Total investment: ¥40 million
Fixed monthly guaranteed income: ¥250,000
ROI: 7.5%
In exchange for a minimum 2 year fixed lease on the property, the owners would retain full ownership while we take care of the furnishing, operation and licensing requirements at our own expense. At a 2 year lease, property upgrades are completed at the owners’ expense. This shorter lease term provides the owner with predictable monthly income without the day-to-day responsibilities of managing a rental property, without being locked in to a long term commitment where private use of the property is limited.
*Note that all case studies and example scenarios are for illustrative purposes only. Results vary on a case-by-case basis and cannot be guaranteed.
More Than Property Management, Peace of Mind
A Relationship First Approach
At The Bears Japan, we believe property management is about more than buildings, bookings and financial returns. For us, it’s about people, trust and relationships.
Many of our property owners have been with us for years, with some relationships extending back to our founding over 15 years ago. Over that time, we have watched families grow, welcomed returning owners and their children, and seen new generations of grandchildren begin to enjoy the same mountain homes.
From sharing a cup of tea or meeting for lunch to simply catching up during an owner’s visit to Hakuba, we value the personal connections that develop through years of working together.
Our Founder, Desmond McPartland
Let’s Talk About Your Property
If you’re looking for full property management or help with property maintenance, we’d be happy to learn about your property and discuss how we can help.