A resident takes part in a personal training session with a trainer (left). (Courtesy of Mazeran Shonan Sajima, Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture)
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There is a type of facility known as a "wellness retirement home," where residents must vacate once they require nursing care.
Unlike conventional senior facilities that accommodate residents as their health declines, these homes cater exclusively to active, independent seniors—and their defining feature is an emphasis on lifestyle amenities designed to keep them that way.
As housing options for Japan's elderly multiply, The Sankei Shimbun visited one of the country's very few such facilities.
One of Only 19 in Japan
Mazeran Shonan Sajima sits on a hilltop in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, overlooking Sagami Bay—with Mount Fuji visible on clear days. According to a health ministry survey from fiscal 2024, there are only 19 such facilities nationwide. This one opened in full in December of the same year.
Currently, 35 men and women aged 63 to 96 are living in the facility's 50 rooms, with an average age of 84. Move-in costs start at ¥10.8 million ($66,800) as a lump-sum payment, though annual and monthly payment options are also available.
Monthly fees—covering room charges and other expenses—start at ¥173,800 (about $1,080). The facility reports a steady stream of inquiries from prospective residents requesting materials and tours.
As Japan's elderly population grows, so too does the diversity of values, and with it the demand for more specialized services. This facility aims to extend residents' "healthy life expectancy"—the period during which a person can live without significant health limitations—by identifying and supporting improvements to daily habits that an annual medical checkup is likely to miss.
Health Management Through Digital Devices
All residents are loaned an Apple Watch and iPhone, and daily health data is collected and analyzed. Based on that data, residents receive medical advice from doctors and personalized training tailored to their physical condition.
General Manager Jun Inaba says, "Extending healthy life expectancy can also contribute to the sustainability of the social security system."
Most residents have seen results such as lower blood pressure and reduced body fat. In some cases, residents increased their physical activity so much after moving in that the facility had to step in with a more appropriate exercise regimen.
On the day of our visit, residents were seen playing table tennis and working out in the training room. One 96-year-old female resident shared her experience: "I have more opportunities to exercise, and I can now climb stairs all the way to the top—something I couldn't do before I moved in."
Staying Connected
The facility also emphasizes staying connected to society. It organizes events such as factory tours and offers cultural classes in partnership with outside instructors. "Staying healthy is important," says Inaba, "but so is maintaining ties to society and having a sense of purpose."
The facility's dining hall and other spaces are also open to local residents. In a sector where senior facilities tend to be inward-looking, opening the doors to the surrounding community is part of the facility's strategy for vitality.
No resident has yet been asked to leave due to a nursing care certification. Should that situation arise, the facility has systems in place to help. Through a subsidiary of the operating company, residents can access consultations with outside specialists such as lawyers and tax accountants, assistance finding an alternative facility that provides nursing care, and support through to the actual move.
Inaba is looking ahead: "Going forward, I'd also like to develop programs effective for preventing dementia, which is one of the leading pathways to nursing care needs."
Planning Ahead with Visits and Trial Stays
Ryoko Fukuzawa, Deputy Senior Researcher at Dai-ichi Life Asset Management Economic Research Institute, says the first question anyone should ask themselves is what kind of move they're making.
"The options differ greatly depending on whether you're open to relocating again when nursing care needs increase, or whether you want a final home—a place to live right up until the end."
She also stresses the importance of seeing facilities firsthand before committing. Some residents move in only to find that the reality doesn't match their expectations, and end up transferring elsewhere. "Gather information, but also visit in person and do a trial stay wherever possible," she advises.
Financial planning is another area where people tend to underestimate the complexity. Family disagreements can derail plans to sell a home to fund facility costs, and longevity itself can become an issue.
"I hear from residents who say they prepared based on average life expectancy, but have lived longer than expected and find their funds running short," Fukuzawa says. "Healthy life expectancy and average life expectancy are averages—nothing more. Consult your family early and build in financial breathing room."
She also points to alternative models worth exploring. In the Nordic countries, "co-housing"—where independent seniors live together and support one another—is well established.
Japan has its own version of "group living," typically involving around ten elderly residents sharing a home. "Start collecting information around the time you approach retirement," Fukuzawa says, "and make a choice that suits you personally."
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Author: Takehiko Nagata, The Sankei Shimbun
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