Discovering the Secrets to Long Life in Kyotango
A featured contribution to the official Another Kyoto tourism campaign sponsored by the Kyoto prefectural government.
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Located two and half hours north of Kyoto City, the rugged Kyotango region is home to an intriguing local secret: the residents of the idyllic fishing villages and mountain hamlets in this backwoods region consistently live longer than Japanese citizens elsewhere. Often remaining genki (energetic) after a century of countryside living, Kyotango residents attribute their longevity to a combination of local benefits. Recent scientific studies have confirmed that the blessings of the northern Kyoto lifestyle are no urban legend, and now travelers can come experience these natural boons for themselves.
In 2013, Kyotango resident Jiroemon Kimura celebrated his 116th birthday with friends and family. He had been recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest verified man in history, and was the last living person to have been born in the 19th century. Born and raised in Kyotango, the lively Jiroemon had enjoyed a lifetime of the benefits of living in the rural north.
While he was certainly the most notable of Kyotango’s elderly population, Jiroemon wasn’t alone. The area is credited with 2.8 times more centenarians - those who live to at least one hundred years old - than the national average of age distribution in Japan. This may seem miraculous at first, but there are explainable reasons behind the phenomenon. Kimura himself summed it up well with his own words on how to live a long life: “eat right to live long,” in addition to staying active and finding time to relax.
This may seem like obvious health advice, but the Kyotango lifestyle offers unique twists on all three of these points in ways that demonstrate proven benefits. When Jiroemon suggested that we “eat right” to live long, he was no doubt thinking of the cuisine of his homeland. The traditional Kyotango menu has long been held as a fine example of a healthy diet that relies on the blessings of nature. Many of the dishes enjoyed here are not found elsewhere, giving you an even greater incentive to get adventurous when dining in northern Kyoto Prefecture.
Far from being just anecdotal, science backs up the power of Kyotango’s diet as well. A 2019 study showed a difference in gut bacteria between residents of Kyotango and Kyoto city, indicating that this could be a reason for the longevity of northern residents. Research demonstrates that even a small intake of beneficial gut bacteria can have long lasting effects, so you can reap the benefits of your meals in Kyotango long after your visit is concluded.
