House Flipper 2: Sakura DLC Offers a Trip to Japan

Katarzyna Nowacka, Lead Narrative Designer at Frozen District

Ever dreamt about visiting Japan during the cherry blossom season? Or imagined moving to the countryside to renovate an abandoned house? The new House Flipper 2 DLC sets out to explore both traditional and modern Japanese architecture while staying true to the game’s cozy, relaxing atmosphere.

Blooming inspiration

We’ve always known that we want to expand House Flipper 2 with furniture and decorations from various countries and architectural styles. Starting with Japan felt like an obvious choice, as many developers from our team have a deep appreciation for Japanese culture. From introducing traditional furniture such as futons and kotatsu tables to exploring modern styles, for example minimalism and Japandi, our goal was to at least give our players a taste of the country’s design philosophy. And with the 600+ new items, including new rooftops, paper walls, tatami mats, modern furniture, and a wide range of decorations, we hope that our players can truly find inspiration in the timeless beauty of Japanese interior design.

We also had no doubts that we had to set this DLC in spring, with blossoming cherry trees in the background. Although short-lasting in reality, the sakura season in our game can now be experienced all year round! For one thing, we wished to convey the calming, dreamlike atmosphere of watching the blooming flowers, feeling that it resonates with the game’s ambience. On the other hand, we really want to encourage our players to try out some of the new plants and garden items. New bonsai trees, moss-covered stone lamps, and romantic wooden bridges can all be used alongside blossoming trees and bamboo stalks to create completely new garden looks.

Welcome to Akamatsu Valley

Unlike previous additions to House Flipper 2, the Sakura DLC introduces a whole new region to explore and build in! Inspired by multiple real locations, the artists worked hard to recreate both the authentic feeling of the Japanese countryside and the iconic view of Mt. Fuji. As with Pinnacove, the fictional location from House Flipper 2, we’ve tried to create a place that evokes a specific feeling and cultural background without simultaneously restraining ourselves to a single existing location. The idea for Akamatsu Valley was to show both the traditional aspects of Japanese architecture and the ways in which these places change and evolve in response to modern phenomena.

More satisfaction from flipping houses

Another thing we focused on this time was the experience of flipping rundown houses. As we’re launching the Sakura DLC, we are also updating our House Flipper 2 buyer system, with buyers who now consider and comment on more aspects of flipped properties, such as the sizes of specific rooms or the amount of natural light. Alongside the updated buyers from the base game, we’re adding five unique buyers in the Sakura DLC who look for houses in Akamatsu Valley. Small clues to their preferences might be found even before they express them themselves…

To give our players many options for flipping houses and fulfilling buyers’ wishes, we knew we had to include a range of abandoned properties. From a small ramen shop to a spacious mansion, from a multi-generational family to a single expat, the DLC includes many combinations for connecting characters with their dream houses. And there’s another novelty – three empty plots with a beautiful view for those ambitious players who wish to build a house from scratch, even in our story mode!

So no matter if you wish to explore and renovate Japanese houses, buy and sell properties on your own, or build something from scratch, we encourage you to try House Flipper 2: Sakura DLC, out now!

House Flipper 2 – Sakura DLC

Frozen District

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$14.99

Get it now

CHERRY TREES IN BLOOM… Spring has arrived, and the view is stunning! Now you can celebrate the sakura blossoms all year long with a whole range of beautiful, distinct items inspired by Japanese culture. From classic paper walls to Japandi furniture, from traditional painting and ceramics to smart bathrooms… This is your chance to have fun with new architectural styles or relax while designing a perfect zen garden! …AS THE SEASONS CHANGE AGAIN… Come with us to Akamatsu Valley, a small, cozy town inspired by the Japanese countryside. Once a prosperous region, it has declined over the last twenty years… But many people believe the best years are still ahead of it! With old and new inhabitants searching for places to live or wanting to open a business in the area, this might be the best moment to invest your time and effort in the unique neglected buildings. …I THINK ABOUT YOU You arrive in Japan on the invitation of an old friend, who wishes to collaborate with you as she launches her interior design company. But this is just the beginning – in such a small town, everyone knows each other, and you might soon realize how big an impact your work has on the local community. Learn about traditional Japanese architecture and receive feedback from now more opinionated buyers as you navigate some previously untried renovation projects. WHAT’S NEW? – 5 jobs ranging from cozy tearoom to abandoned primary school – 5 characteristic Japanese houses to renovate – 5 new buyers interested in traditional Japanese architecture – a Japanese countryside environment with a springtime Mt. Fuji view – paper walls and windows! – 600+ Japan-themed items, including furniture, plants, decorations, and more! – new collectibles to look out for – 3 intricate wooden assemblies – and surprising new achievements