While urban life surrounded by soaring skyscrapers offers convenience, a growing number of global high-net-worth individuals are seeking something more profound—silence, space, and serenity. In Japan, this shift in lifestyle preference has led to a surge of interest in tranquil locales just beyond the city limits.

At the forefront of this movement are three destinations: Kamakura, Hayama, and Karuizawa.

These refined enclaves, easily accessible from Tokyo, strike a rare balance of culture, nature, and heritage. Increasingly, they are being chosen not only as vacation retreats but also as second residences and even full-time homes. Why are these towns capturing the attention of affluent overseas buyers now? Let’s explore their unique appeal and examine the evolving trends.

■ Kamakura: A Harmonious Coastal Retreat Where History Meets Modern Japan

Located in Kanagawa Prefecture, Kamakura is one of Japan’s most compelling blends of the ancient and the contemporary. With over 800 years of history preserved in its temples, shrines, and stone-paved streets, the city has recently welcomed a new wave of upscale cafes, art galleries, and organic dining experiences. This evolving charm has made Kamakura a favored weekend retreat for both Japanese and international celebrities.

Just a short walk from Kamakura Station to the ocean, beachside areas such as Zaimokuza and Yuigahama offer a rare combination: traditional Japanese homes reborn as stylish vacation rentals alongside luxurious condominiums. For foreign buyers, the opportunity to live immersed in Japanese aesthetics while gazing out at the sea is a truly unique lifestyle.

With the convenience of being just an hour from Tokyo by car or train, Kamakura is poised to see rising demand as a coveted second-home destination among affluent buyers.

■ Hayama: Japan’s Hidden Retreat for Privacy and Natural Elegance

Located just south of Kamakura, Hayama has long served as a private sanctuary for politicians, businessmen, and foreign diplomats.

Nestled between the sea and mountains, this modest coastal town offers no flashy attractions—yet that very absence draws those who seek a more profound, authentic tranquility. Residences in Hayama are often discreetly positioned on elevated, forested hillsides—rarely visible from the main streets. The area is dotted with exquisitely designed homes that appear to melt into the natural landscape, alongside exclusive, reservation-only fine dining and secluded beaches that evoke the atmosphere of a private coastal retreat.

At Hayama Marina, residents can own and moor their private cruisers and yachts—making it an ideal setting for those who integrate marine leisure into their lifestyle.

■ Karuizawa: Japan’s Pinnacle of International Vacation Living

Set on a 1,000-meter-high plateau, Karuizawa stands as arguably the most fully realized luxury resort town in Japan.

Karuizawa retains a rich legacy of Western-style vacation living dating back to the Meiji era, with the Old Karuizawa district lined with charming European-style villas and striking examples of modern architecture.

Anchored by the world-renowned Hoshino Resorts, the area boasts a remarkably curated selection of luxury hotels and fine dining establishments, attracting visitors from Singapore, Hong Kong, and beyond—many of whom return season after season.

Just 70 minutes from Tokyo by bullet train, Karuizawa offers a uniquely seamless lifestyle—where one can conduct business in the city during the week and retreat into nature on the weekends. This exceptional proximity represents a matured form of vacation home culture that few cities in Asia can rival.

In recent years, more international families embrace Karuizawa’s seasonal offerings—from skiing and wood-burning stoves to a fully immersive winter lifestyle. Increasingly, many are choosing to relocate permanently.

■When Stillness and Beauty Become the New Definition of Luxury

What unites Kamakura, Hayama, and Karuizawa is a shared ethos—places that prioritize tranquility over convenience, and timeless beauty over superficial glamour.

Across the globe, an increasing number of affluent individuals are redefining status—by embracing a lifestyle that is deeply connected to nature. This shift, catalyzed by the pandemic, has brought clarity to a new set of values: emotional richness, environments that invite deeper breathing, and the luxury of time well spent.

What they seek is not a return on investment, but a space so extraordinary, so personally meaningful, they could never imagine letting it go.

■ Next Property After Tokyo: A Property of Stillness

The dual-residence lifestyle—combining urban convenience with natural serenity—is rapidly becoming the standard among the world’s affluent.

Owning a residence in Tokyo’s prestigious Minato Ward and a retreat in Kamakura or Karuizawa offers international investors a rare luxury—the ability to shift effortlessly between “on” and “off”.

To invest in Japan is to access a new kind of luxury—one defined by quiet beauty.

And perhaps, acquiring such a home is not simply a financial decision, but a deliberate act of enriching one’s life.