We've all had it happen. You wake up in the morning (or worse, the middle of the night) with a terrible stomachache, a sore throat, or a fever. Except you don't know where the nearest 24-hour hospital or clinic is, let alone if someone there will speak your language. Thankfully, the people at MORI LIVVING have thought of a solution to this problem.

Roppongi Hills Residences and Atago Green Hills Forest Tower both house health consultation rooms where residents can go at any time of the day or night to get a health check-up, medical advice, and even over-the-counter medicines from overseas, perfect for making non-Japanese residents feel at home. There is a doctor available during daytime hours of weekdays, and a bilingual nurse is on duty 24 hours a day.

Ms. Tozawa, one of the nurses, says that residents with cold or flu symptoms are the health room's most common visitors, but the centers are also equipped to handle more serious problems, thanks to their partnership with the Jikei University School of Medicine. Those on duty can do room calls if necessary, consult with a doctor on duty at Jikei Hospital, or even accompany the resident to the emergency room to help interpret the doctor's advice and diagnosis from Japanese to English. "It makes residents feel safe and secure to have a doctor or nurse so close to their family's home--especially those with children," says Ms. Tozawa.

Two doctors, Dr. Hayashi and Dr. Ohara, are in charge of the health consultation rooms at Roppongi Hills Residences and Atago Green Hills Forest Tower.
Dr. Ohara, the director of the Atago Hills health consultation room for the entire eight years it has been running, says, "I really enjoy my work and getting the chance to help residents from around the world." In addition to his regular clinic duties, Dr. Ohara takes pride in organizing special seminars for residents, on topics such as losing weight, and eating healthily. There is even a cherry blossom viewing walk in the spring, "a great way for residents to get some exercise while looking at beautiful scenery and getting to know the clinic staff." Now that sounds like a nice way to spend a Saturday afternoon!

Kelly