Bringing Nature into Employee Benefits: 'SANU 2nd Home for Business' Reaches 300 Corporate Clients

SANU Inc. (Headquarters: Meguro-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Gen Fukushima), operator of Japan's largest shared vacation home service 'SANU 2nd Home,' announces that the number of companies and organizations adopting its corporate employee benefits service 'SANU 2nd Home for Business' has exceeded 300. Within three years of launch, the service has been selected by 300 diverse organizations—including local governments, banks, major department store groups, and startups—spanning various industries and sizes. To commemorate this milestone, SANU will host its first on-site briefing sessions for prospective corporate clients on July 14 (Tue) and July 27 (Mon).

Service website: https://2ndhome-lp.sa-nu.com/forbusiness

1) Background: Evolving Role of Employee Benefits

① Rising Costs Are Keeping People from Traveling

Due to inflation, the average per-person cost of domestic overnight travel has increased by 26% compared to 2019, reaching a record high (※1). The average cost per trip is now ¥64,100. According to the same survey, 22% of respondents cited 'household financial constraints' as the reason they did not travel, while the top reason for low travel intent was 'lack of financial flexibility' (38.1%) (※2). As personal travel becomes more difficult, expectations for corporate-provided employee benefits are rising.

② Employee Benefits as a Key Metric for Recruitment and Retention

70% of job changers say they 'prioritize employee benefits when choosing a company' (※3), and 63.4% of job-seeking students evaluate benefits on par with salary and job content (※4). The top reasons companies implement benefits programs are 'reducing turnover rate (70.1%)' and 'enhancing recruitment capability (56.7%)' (※5), indicating growing strategic importance.

③ Strengthening Investment in Well-being

Starting in the fiscal year ending March 2026, human capital disclosures in securities reports will be expanded. The number of companies certified as 'Healthy Management Excellent Corporations' continues to reach record highs nationwide. Companies listed in the 'Healthy Management Stock' index have a turnover rate of 3.3%, 8.1 percentage points lower than the national average (11.4%) (※7). Investment in employee well-being has become a source of competitive advantage.

Sources:

(※1) Japan Tourism Agency, 'Survey on Travel and Tourism Consumption Trends,' 2024 Annual Final Data

(※2) Jalan Domestic Accommodation Travel Survey 2024 (Recruit)

(※3) ManpowerGroup, 'Survey on Job Changers' Emphasis on Employee Benefits'

(※4) Mynavi, '2025 Graduate Employment Awareness Survey'

(※5) Monthly Personnel Administration, 'Survey on Utilization Rate and Purpose of Employee Benefits'

(※6) Cabinet Office Ordinance Amendments (Expanded Human Capital Disclosure from FY2026)

(※7) Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, 'Healthy Management Excellent Corporation 2026'

2) 300 Diverse Companies, Each with Their Own Reasons for Adoption

In response to these trends, companies and local governments across industries and sizes are now adopting 'nature-based employee benefits.' Adoption reasons vary widely, from startups to large enterprises, depending on organizational goals.

Client Organization

Industry

Employee Size

Primary Purpose of Adoption

Fujisawa City Employees' Welfare Association

Local Government (Employee Welfare Organization)

4,000+

Enhancing member benefits

J. Front Retailing

Department Store Group

8,000+

Improving work engagement

Tobu Hotel Management

Hotel Operations

500+

Boosting employee engagement and retention

Nichiken Rentacom

Construction Equipment Rental

2,000+

Employer branding and employee well-being initiatives

Kosaka Research Institute, Inc.

Precision Equipment Manufacturer

100+

Employer branding and employee well-being initiatives

Minna no Shakujaku Co., Ltd.

Service Industry

Under 100

Employer branding, enhancing member benefits

Notably, priorities differ by company size. According to SANU's customer survey, large enterprises (100+ employees) place +19pt higher emphasis on 'employer branding impact' and +33pt higher on 'ease of expense processing' (cross-tabulated). Smaller companies (under 100 employees) prioritize workation use and facilities like hot springs and saunas.

3) Service Overview and Features of SANU 2nd Home for Business

A corporate service that leverages second homes in rich natural settings to address corporate challenges in well-being management, recruitment, and retention. As a solution to the traditional issues of company housing and retreats—such as underutilization, management, and maintenance costs—more organizations are replacing their existing assets with this low-maintenance 'new form of employee benefits,' especially when divesting or selling corporate properties.

▼ Three Key Use Cases

Employee Benefits That Make You Want to Bring Your Family

On weekends, employees bring their families to the forest. Children run freely in nature while adults relax and recharge. The service receives strong support not only from employees but also from their families. It achieves high utilization rates even among 20- to 30-year-olds, a demographic often cited as having low engagement with traditional benefits, enabling both improved engagement and recruitment differentiation.

Offsite Locations That Strengthen Team Bonds

All rooms are equipped with Wi-Fi and projectors. The immersive natural environment, detached from daily routines, provides an ideal setting for creative discussions, team building, and intensive retreats.

Personal Recovery Time

Many locations feature saunas and hot springs. Employees use these spaces to reset mentally and physically, treating the time as an investment in well-being and personal condition management.

[Service Overview]

Service Name: SANU 2nd Home for Business

Target: Corporations and Organizations

Facilities: 36 locations, 240 rooms nationwide (as of June 2026)

Amenities: Work desks, Wi-Fi, projectors in all rooms; saunas and hot springs (select locations); pet-friendly (select locations)

Plans: From ¥90,000/month (no initial fee)

Details: https://2ndhome-lp.sa-nu.com/forbusiness

▼ Voices from Clients and Employees

'I never wanted to use employee benefits before. SANU 2nd Home is something I definitely want to use.'

'Going on a retreat itself has become an incentive.'

'The ease of expense processing was the deciding factor.'

'An employee took their parents along. It became a way to show appreciation to their parents.'

'When we mention SANU 2nd Home in interviews, candidates' reactions change.'

4) First On-Site Briefing Sessions to Commemorate 300 Clients

To celebrate surpassing 300 client organizations, SANU will host its first on-site briefing sessions for companies and organizations considering adoption of SANU 2nd Home for Business, allowing them to experience actual locations.

Participants will tour the spaces and facilities of SANU 2nd Home and learn about usage as employee benefits, operational models for employee use, and case studies from existing clients.

This event offers prospective clients an opportunity to experience the value of the service firsthand—ideal for companies seeking alternatives to traditional retreats or new systems that support employee well-being, recruitment, and retention.

On-site briefing details and registration:

※ After registration, details will be sent by a representative. Attendance slots may be adjusted based on application volume.