About Us
Meet the Team
With extensive local knowledge and a commitment to personalized service, we guide our clients through every stage of the buying, selling, and investment process. Whether you are searching for a traditional townhouse in Kyoto, an urban property in Osaka, or a mountain retreat in Nagano, our team provides the expertise and support needed to make informed decisions with confidence.
Beyond property acquisition, Shiki Real Estate offers comprehensive property management services designed to help owners maximize the value of their investments. We assist clients with both short-term rentals (STRs) and long-term rentals (LTRs), providing operational support, tenant management, marketing, and ongoing property oversight.
For short-term rental properties, we help owners reach a global audience through leading Online Travel Agencies (OTAs), ensuring professional listing management, guest communication, and revenue optimization. For long-term rentals, we support property owners with tenant sourcing, leasing, and day-to-day management to create stable, reliable returns.
At Shiki Real Estate, we believe that every property has unique potential and every client has distinct goals. By combining market insight, professional integrity, and hands-on management expertise, we deliver end-to-end real estate solutions that extend well beyond the transaction itself.
Our mission is simple: to connect people with outstanding opportunities while providing trusted advice, transparent communication, and exceptional service at every stage of property ownership.
Chai Kanda
Chai is the founder, CEO and Representative Director of Shiki Group. Born and raised in Australia to a Japanese mother and Australian father, Chai obtained a Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Laws double degree at the University of Technology, Sydney, before moving to Japan in 2007, where he has been based ever since.
A NSW qualified lawyer, Chai gained various experiences in legal and banking, before a prolonged seven year stint at a leading global logistics firm based in Osaka as a financial analysis and strategy manager. Throughout that, his passion for travel remained strong, and having traversed 65 odd countries and the majority of Japan, he followed these interests to establish Shiki Group in 2014, initially with an accomodation management focus. Following six years of assisting investors to purchase and develop local real estate, he established Shiki Group’s real estate arm in 2020 with the goal of providing a one-stop shop service to meet the varied needs of Shiki’s growing client base.
Chai looks forward to be able to call on his extensive bicultural business experience and local market knowledge and networks to meet your desired real estate goals here in Japan.
Yi Zhang
A licensed realtor, Yi is the Sales and Business Development Manager at Shiki Group. Born and raised in China, she completed a Bachelor of English Linguistics and Literature at Jianghan University and a Master of International Business Administration at Oita University in Japan.
Yi has been living in Japan for more than 15 years, and following experience in the import/export industry, she has been working in property management since 2015, before acquiring her real estate license in 2019. She is trilingual (Chinese, Japanese and English) and is able to assist clients in any of these three languages.
Yi is focused on developing a deep understanding of the client’s desired specifications, in order to assist them to find precisely the right property for their needs. Should the client be uncertain of what they are looking for, she can assist the client to navigate the complex waters of Japanese real estate, to help define and meet their goals.
Mary Ma
She spent five years in the marketing field at the Shanghai branch of an American architecture and design company, where she developed skills in client communication, market development, and creating value for customers with diverse backgrounds. Mary then worked for three years at the Shanghai branch of a Japanese international trading company, gaining further experience in cross-border business and international transactions.
After coming to Japan, Mary pursued an MBA program, combining my practical experience with business management theories and deepening my understanding of global business and value creation.
Currently, as a real estate professional at Shiki Group, she utilizes her international experience, marketing knowledge, and cross-cultural understanding to connect clients with real estate opportunities in Japan. She strives to provide trusted solutions and create long-term value for clients from different backgrounds.
Yuka Nishigaya
She spent three years in the United States, where she studied Business Administration with a focus on Entrepreneurship, and brings an international perspective to her work with clients.
At Shiki Real Estate, Yuka primarily supports buyers throughout the transaction process, representing them under a Power of Attorney and assisting with contracts and other necessary procedures on their behalf.
Yuka values clear communication, careful attention to detail, and making the real estate process as smooth and comfortable as possible for every client. She looks forward to supporting you and helping make your property journey in Japan a positive and reassuring experience.
Ben Howard
With 17 years on the ground in Japan, Ben Howard is a veteran hospitality executive, ski wholesaler, and real estate consultant specializing in mountain resorts and destination tourism nationwide. Over nearly two decades, Ben has built an unparalleled network across Japan’s primary alpine markets and global ski networks, driving international visitor flow and optimizing high-value asset performance.
Core Expertise & Portfolio:
Major Ski Resort Operations & Asset Management: Proven track record managing extensive portfolios of hotels and holiday homes across Hokkaido’s top destinations—Niseko, Rusutsu, Kiroro, and Furano—as well as hotel operations in Hakuba and Madarao.
Emerging Alpine Resort Development: Actively expanding beyond established hubs to uplift emerging and smaller resorts. Currently managing properties in Nozawa Onsen and Iiyama, with operational reach spanning Kijimadaira, Madarao, and Togari Onsen.
Real Estate and Property Management (Shiki – Nagano Branch Head): Leading the Nagano expansion for Shiki, consulting new property buyers and investors to identify, acquire, and manage premium ski assets and mountain homes.
Global Ski Wholesaling & Year-Round Tourism: 17 years connecting the world’s largest ski travel networks to Japanese destinations nationwide. Recently expanded beyond winter travel to drive year-round regional tourism in major culture and leisure hubs including Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, and surrounding regions.