Prepping for Respect For The Aged Festival #Longevity #Japan #nevertoolate

When the village where you are moored asks you to wear a sumo belt, you don’t say no! It`s Preparation day in Buren Village for the Respect for the Aged Festival. The sumo ring here is over 100 years old, and Kitamura-san, 80 years young, is still part of keeping the tradition alive. Tomorrow, I’ll join the men of the village in their parade, wearing the traditional sumo belt. It’s moments like this—where history, resilience, and community intersect—that remind me why I love exploring Japan’s hidden stories. I say with Four men for lunch. I am 70 and I was the youngest. the oldest is 85. All are living independent and active lives. #Longevity #Japan #nevertoolate