• Explore
  • Register
  • Magazine subscription
  • Disney+
National Geographic
National Geographic
  • Perpetual Planet
  • Photo of the Day
  • TV Schedule
Photography

This island unlocked the secret to long life—and knows how to get through tough times

Published 13 Oct 2020, 12:08 BST
Misako Miyagi, 88, is “merely a youth,” according to a saying in Ogimi, where there is ...

Misako Miyagi, 88, is “merely a youth,” according to a saying in Ogimi, where there is a high concentration of centenarians.

Photograph by Alessandro Gandolfi, Parallelozero/Insititute

One contributing factor to long life in Ogimi? Community support. Residents enjoy active social lives around events like the annual Ungami Festival.

Photograph by Alessandro Gandolfi, Parallelozero/Insititute

The Ungami Festival honors the sea god, but also pays tribute to the mountain gods, with priestesses praying for a good harvest.

Photograph by Alessandro Gandolfi, Parallelozero/Insititute

During the Ungami Festival, women wade into Shioya Bay to welcome the men of the village back from sea.

Photograph by Alessandro Gandolfi, Parallelozero/Insititute

Like many older locals in Ogimi, Misako Miyagi enjoys an active life.

Photograph by Alessandro Gandolfi, Parallelozero/Insititute

Residents of sub-tropical Ogimi take advantage of the area’s stunning natural landscape, which includes hiking trails leading to Hiji Falls in the Yanbaru forest.

Photograph by Alessandro Gandolfi, Parallelozero/Insititute

Ogimi’s high concentration of centenarians is remarkable even in Japan, where more than 70,000 residents are 100 years old or over.

Photograph by Alessandro Gandolfi, Parallelozero/Insititute
View other months
  • Photography
Find More Information

Follow

facebooktwitterinstagramyoutube

SubscribePrivacy Policy(UPDATED)Terms of ServiceCookie PolicyPolicies & ProceduresContact InformationWhere to WatchConsent Management