Finding a rental in Shiraoi | Rent levels, properties with hot spring water, and how to find detached houses and pet-friendly homes
Shiraoi is a town with a population of about 14,400. It lies between Tomakomai and Noboribetsu, and you can commute to both cities by JR or National Route 36. Rents are lower than in Tomakomai, so you can rent a larger place or a detached house for the same budget. On the other hand, there are few properties, so you need to search in the right way. This article explains the features of each district and the options unique to Shiraoi.
Why rents in Shiraoi are low
Rents move with land prices. In the 2026 official land price survey, the average of 10 residential survey points in Shiraoi was ¥4,675 per m². That is less than one-quarter of Tomakomai (¥20,291) and less than one-twelfth of Chitose (¥54,105).
| Shiraoi | Tomakomai | Chitose | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average residential land price (¥/m²) | 4,675 | 20,291 | 54,105 |
| Average change | −2.77% | +4.15% | +6.77% |
Source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) official land prices (2026). This gap is reflected directly in rent levels. For people who can commute by car or JR, Shiraoi is a realistic choice for “living in more space for the same budget.”
Features of each district
| District | Features | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Omachi, Suehirocho, Takasagocho (town center) | Town office, hospital, supermarkets and schools are all here. Shiraoi Station is available | People without a car, people who put daily convenience first |
| Kojohama, Takeura (west) | Hot springs and the sea. Close to Noboribetsu. Some properties have hot spring water | People who love hot springs, people working in Noboribetsu |
| Kita-Yoshihara, Hagino (east) | Former factory town. JR stations make commuting toward Tomakomai easy | People working in Tomakomai, people who want to keep rent down |
| Shadai (Tomakomai side) | Few properties. Horse farm area | People who put a quiet environment above everything |
Options unique to Shiraoi
Rentals with hot spring water
In Kojohama and Takeura, some rentals have hot spring water piped in. The forms vary: some apartment buildings have hot spring water in a shared bath, and some detached houses have it piped into the bathroom. There are three things to check: whether the hot water charge is included in the rent, whether there are limits on when you can use it, and whether there is a separate management fee for the hot spring source. If these are not written in the contract, confirm them in writing.
Detached houses for rent
Shiraoi has many vacant houses (akiya), and some owners rent them out instead of selling. You can use a garden, keep pets, not worry about noise, and have a large storage shed: conditions that are hard to get in an apartment. However, little information is made public, so the realistic way to search is to register your conditions and wait.
Pets allowed
With a detached house for rent, the owner may be willing to discuss it. In apartments, the conditions vary in detail, so check the type, number and weight of pets, whether the security deposit is increased, and how much restoration is required when you move out.
What to check when renting
- Test your commute: Actually drive to Tomakomai or Noboribetsu during the morning hours. In winter, icy roads change the travel time
- Shopping: Outside the town center, supermarkets are some distance away. Deciding your everyday shopping route in advance makes life easier
- Heating: Kerosene central heating is the most common. It usually costs ¥20,000 to ¥40,000 a month during the four winter months. The amount depends on how well the home is insulated
- Snow clearing: Some districts of Shiraoi get more snow than Tomakomai. Check who clears snow from the grounds
- JR frequency: There are stations, but trains are not frequent. Look at the timetable before deciding
Buying can be cheaper than renting
Housing prices in Shiraoi are low, so mortgage payments can be lower than rent. For example, if you buy a used house for ¥5 million to ¥8 million, the monthly payment works out lower than rent. However, land prices in Shiraoi keep falling, so if you plan to sell in the future, you need to expect a lower price. For people who will “live here for a long time” and “have no plans to sell,” buying is a strong option.
Banana House has its head office in Honkocho, Tomakomai, and also handles sales brokerage in Shiraoi. We also accept consultations about the rental conditions you are looking for, or if you are “not sure whether to rent or buy.” Please tell us your preferred district, layout and budget.
Related articles: Selling, renting out or demolishing a vacant house in Shiraoi / Real estate information for Shiraoi
This page was machine-translated. The Japanese original prevails.
Frequently asked questions
Are there rentals with hot spring water in Shiraoi?
In the Kojohama and Takeura districts, there are apartment buildings and detached houses for rent with hot spring water piped in. There are not many. Before signing, check whether the hot water charge is included in the rent or paid separately, and whether there are limits on when you can use it.
Can I commute from Shiraoi to Tomakomai?
Yes. It takes about 20 minutes by JR and about 30 minutes by car on National Route 36. Noboribetsu is about 20 minutes by car. Because rents are lower than in Tomakomai, some people rent a larger place and commute. However, in winter the national route has morning traffic and icy roads, so allow extra time.
Can I find a detached house for rent?
Shiraoi has many vacant houses, so some owners rent out detached houses. However, little information is made public, so the realistic approach is to register your conditions and be contacted when something comes up. We can also search for you.
Does Shiraoi have town-run public housing?
Yes. Please ask the Shiraoi Town Office about application conditions and when applications are accepted. It is a good idea to consider it together with private rentals.
Rental inquiries
Tell us the district, layout, budget and move-in date. We also look for homes with special conditions, such as pets allowed.
Banana House Inc., 1-1-1 Honkocho, Tomakomai. We never use pushy sales. Please write in English or Japanese.
Sources and data
- Data retrieved: 2026-10-05. All prices are official public data and do not include our own estimates.
Yuki Nakazawa (President, Banana House Inc.) reviewed the Japanese original of this article. As a licensed real estate broker, we follow the Japanese rules for real estate advertising.