Well-being & Safety
A home that becomes your peace of mind.
Even in a new country, there are people and places you can rely on — and we've built that reassurance into the home itself.
Two kinds of reassurance
Well-being Advisor
Dr. Masaya Higuchi
Instructor at Harvard Medical School, guiding our approach to health and connection.
Medical care in English
International Health Care Dept., NTT Medical Center Tokyo
Consult specialists in English or Chinese at this department in Shinagawa, Tokyo.
Why “well-being” belongs in a home
The “Share” at the heart of U Share means sharing not just space, but health, safety, and learning. Where many residences talk about amenities, we design for something more — people and places you can genuinely rely on.
Care without the language barrier
When you fall ill, can you explain your symptoms? We guide you to a hospital department that works in English and Chinese, so you can consult a specialist without that worry.
Health, before illness
Not only when something goes wrong, but well before. World-class insight shapes how the home — and daily life within it — is designed.
Connection, and shared growth
No one stays well alone. A community that supports one another across generations and nationalities is itself the strongest safety net.
Well-being Advisor
Dr. Masaya Higuchi
Masaya Higuchi, MD, MPH
Founder of Hibari Medical Boston, providing culturally and linguistically attuned care to Japanese-speaking communities in the U.S.
Physician (Japan & U.S.) / Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School / Attending Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital
Background & credentials
- Licensed physician in Japan and the United States
- U.S. board-certified in Family Medicine, Geriatric Medicine, and Hospice & Palliative Medicine
- Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School
- Attending Physician, Division of Palliative Care and Geriatric Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital
- Master of Public Health (Health Policy & Management)
- Board Director, Japanese Medical Society of America
- Selected, Boston Magazine “Top Doctors” 2024
His role at U Share
As U Share Well-being Advisor, Dr. Higuchi brings the perspectives of community health, geriatric and palliative care, coaching, and the Japanese tea ceremony to U Share’s philosophy of “Share.” His aim: to help shared living become a place where people connect organically, learn across generations, and create positive cycles of well-being in the surrounding community.
Medical Care in English
International Health Care Dept., NTT Medical Center Tokyo
The International Health Care Department at NTT Medical Center Tokyo (Shinagawa) provides care in English and Chinese, so people arriving from abroad can consult a specialist without language worries. U Share helps residents find and reach windows like this, for reliable access to care.
What this hospital offers
- Consultations in English and Chinese
- Broad first-line care through General Internal Medicine
- Online consultations and second opinions
- Support for overseas medical insurance (e.g. Cigna)
- Health checkups (“ningen dock”) for international patients
How to book and receive care, and what your insurance covers, depend on your symptoms and policy. Please check with U Share staff or the clinic for details.
What residents and families gain
Ask for help, in a language you trust
Worries about your health, in words that get through. Consult specialists in English or Chinese, without the language barrier.
A clear path when it matters
Where to go, who to call. We walk you through it at move-in, so you never have to guess in a crisis.
Health, from before you need it
Prevention, wellness, and mental-health support. Our Well-being Advisor’s insight shapes how daily life is designed.
Reassurance for family abroad
If your child falls ill, who is there for them? We show you the answer before they move in.
Watch over your child, even from across the world
For families sending a child abroad, health and safety come first. At U Share, access to care is designed as part of the home. We’ve put together our approach to living and safety for parents.
For Parents →Feel safe. Then take on the world.
Even in an unfamiliar country, there are people and places you can rely on. That reassurance is what lets you learn, connect, and take on new challenges. U Share builds that foundation, starting from your home.
From booking a tour to talking through the costs — your next step starts here.
Next Step
Start wherever feels right
Whatever stage you're at, here's the best place to begin.
Get the brochure
Book a consultation
Estimate the cost
Apply nowFrequently asked questions
How do I see a doctor?
U Share staff guide you through consulting and visiting the hospital we introduce. Because the International Health Care Department works in English and Chinese, you can consult without language worries.
What about medical costs and insurance?
Most students staying in Japan medium- to long-term can enroll in National Health Insurance, which typically covers 70% of medical costs. The hospital we introduce also supports overseas medical insurance (e.g. Cigna). Costs and coverage vary by policy, so please confirm in advance.
What languages can I use?
The clinic’s International Health Care Department works in English and Chinese. For other languages, U Share staff help with guidance and interpretation.
What if I suddenly fall ill?
We share emergency contacts and the path to care at move-in. In a life-threatening emergency, call 119 (ambulance) without hesitation.
Can I consult the Well-being Advisor directly?
Dr. Higuchi guides U Share’s approach to health and connection; he does not provide individual clinical care. Day-to-day medical questions are handled by the hospital we introduce and U Share staff.