This essay was written by a current U Share resident.
When I got the news confirming I was moving to Tokyo for a year, I was beyond excited about what the city could bring to my life and all the opportunities I was walking into. This excitement didn’t fade before moving here, and now that I am here, it just continues to grow. However, reality did set in when I realised I was moving in two months, didn’t know the language, didn’t know a soul who lived in Tokyo, and had no accommodation. While this didn’t dull my desire to go, it did bring on some nerves.
Looking for accommodation in a city I didn’t know was difficult. I wanted somewhere I could stay that was safe, central, and that I could make feel like home. I did hours and hours of research, but nothing stood out to me. I didn’t know why; even the most ideal places just didn’t feel right. So, I took a break from my search. It was during this time of reflection that I realised the reason I couldn’t find anywhere I liked to stay was because everywhere I was looking offered me four walls and a bed, but not a home, not a sense of belonging, not a community. It was then that I shifted my search to look for a place where I could have my own space, but also have people around me who were on similar journeys to me that I could meet and become friends with. It was then that I found and chose U Share.
I have now been living at U Share for three months, and it has exceeded my expectations. From the comfort of daily living, to the resources provided, but most of all, the people I have met. It is these people who have made U Share, and who have made Tokyo feel like my new home.
I was blessed to have arrived at the start of Japan’s university semester, meaning I got to U Share when people from all around the world were arriving to start their exchanges, language training, or internships. This provided a wonderful foundation for making friends, as everyone else shared that same desire to meet people and build connections. In just three months, I have made lifelong friends from America, France, Australia, and beyond, and I could not be more grateful.
Reflecting on this, I realise how lucky I am. If I hadn’t come to U Share, it is likely I would not have met some of the most amazing people, and I also would have had a harder time finding my feet here in Tokyo. U Share has truly played a significant role in my experience thus far, and I am sure it will continue to do so. Through its events and the social nature of the accommodation, combined with the ease of still having alone time when needed, I find myself no longer feeling any of those nerves I felt before coming here. Instead, I am left only with an enduring sense of excitement.
Curious what life at U Share looks like? Explore the gallery, or start your own Tokyo story from the entry page.
