Thursday, October 30, 2025
- 1 Spend a moment with your precious friends as winter approaches
- 2 Training session: For a vibrant and safe life
- 3 Social gathering: Laughing together and making sure everyone is safe, a "spirit of harmony"
- 4 Breakfast: A delicious, enjoyable, and meaningful experience
- 5 YouTube videos
- 6 Other photos
- 7 Related articles
Spend a moment with your precious friends as winter approaches
With the hot summer over and the fruitful autumn harvest coming to a close, the "2025 Wa Neighborhood Association Senior Citizens Club Training Session & Exchange Meeting" was held at Sunflower Park Kitaryu Onsen from Tuesday, October 28th to Wednesday, October 29th.
They spent this precious time together with their local friends before winter arrived, filled with enthusiasm for learning, consideration for each other's health and safety, and smiles as they rejoiced at being reunited.
Training session: For a vibrant and safe life
The workshop focused on two important themes for enriching and safe daily life.
Preventing frailty and living a vibrant life: Aiko Tokairin, Public Health Nurse
The first training session was titled "Preventing frailty and living a vibrant life" and was given by Kitaryū Town public health nurse, Aiko Tokaibayashi.
Public Health Nurse Tokaibayashi began by carefully explaining the meaning of the word "frailty." "Have you all heard the word 'frailty'? It refers to a state of weakness that occurs when mental and physical vitality declines with age, and falls somewhere between being healthy and needing care. If you notice that you're getting tired easily or walking slower, these could be signs of frailty."
As the atmosphere in the venue became a little serious, Public Health Nurse Tokaibayashi conveyed the most important point: "But frailty is not something to be afraid of. If we recognize it early and take measures together, we can return to a healthy state. To achieve this, there are three important pillars: 'nutrition,' 'exercise,' and 'social participation.'"
① Nutrition: Eat well and stay healthy for tomorrow
"First of all, it's about nutrition. Eat well and have energy for tomorrow. It's especially important to be conscious of consuming protein (meat, fish, eggs, soy products), which is the building block of muscle."
② Social participation: Chatting is "good exercise"
Public Health Nurse Tokairin particularly emphasized the importance of "social participation." "Research shows that losing social connections is the first step towards frailty. That's why we're all gathered here today, talking face to face. This is the best way to prevent frailty."
He continued with a touch of humor, "Talking stimulates the brain, and laughing releases happy hormones that boost the immune system. Talking is also great exercise, so please keep talking." His words instantly softened the expressions of the participants.
3. Exercise: Warm up with a 365-step march
The third pillar is "exercise." Today was a cold, snowy day, so we did some simple exercises to warm up the whole body to the tune of "365 Steps March." "First, step on your feet. Swing your arms as far as you can." "The second is to flex your muscles and twist your waist. It's okay to do as much as you can, depending on your physical condition."
The movements were simple, but as the music became familiar, the body naturally moved, creating a warm atmosphere in the venue.
Do what you can while you can
Looking back on the training, Public Health Nurse Tokaibayashi said, "We talked about what frailty is, why it occurs, and the key pillars of nutrition, exercise, and sleep," and concluded by saying, "The most important thing is to be a little conscious and keep it up. Even just smiling for 10 minutes each day is fine. Moving, talking to someone, eating well, and getting enough sleep will all lead to a healthier tomorrow. While we can still do what we can, I hope we can take another step forward today and spend time together with you all in good health."
Prevention of special fraud and local safety: Mr. Fuminori Okumura, Chief of the Japanese Police Station
Next, Fumino Okumura, Chief of the Wa Police Station (Detective Inspector, Community Affairs Division, Fukagawa Police Station, Asahikawa, Hokkaido), gave a lecture on "Preventing Special Frauds."
Director Okumura issued a specific warning about automated voice calls claiming to be from NTT, which have recently been reported in the town.
"You will hear a voice saying, 'This line will be unavailable in a few hours.' If you follow the voice and try to proceed with the procedure, you will be scammed. It is best to avoid any calls you do not recognize."
Regarding suspicious calls from international phone numbers (numbers beginning with a plus sign), the government also strongly urged people not to answer the calls, and conversely, not to call the numbers themselves.
Furthermore, the advantages and disadvantages of integrating the My Number card and driver's license (especially the complicated procedure for reissuing the card if it is lost) are explained in accordance with the actual situation.
Finally, he shared information about the dangers looming in the area, saying, "Bears are coming into residential areas. Please refrain from going outside, especially in the mornings and evenings, and please do not let your guard down." The participants listened intently with serious expressions on their faces.
Social gathering: Laughing together and making sure everyone is safe, a "spirit of harmony"
After deepening their knowledge through the training, participants warmed up their chilled bodies in the hot springs and then headed to the banquet hall on the first floor for the long-awaited social gathering.
Message from Chairman Nobuyuki Kanayama
At the beginning, Nobuyuki Kanayama, chairman of the Wa Neighborhood Association Senior Citizens Club, gave a speech.
"Thank you for participating in the training session and social gathering. As the hot summer comes to an end, the harvest work is finished, and winter approaches, I hope you will all have fun."
Then, referring to what the public health nurse had said earlier, he continued:
"He said, 'Enjoying meals together. Enjoying conversations together. That's another secret to good health.' Please start putting that into practice from now on. I hope you will vent your frustrations, catch up on each other's updates, and make sure everyone is safe."
These words, "checking on each other's safety," encapsulate the deep gratitude for being able to gather with friends and the warm "spirit of harmony" that cares for one another.
A toast and a circle of smiles
When Sato Kaori called out "Cheers!", the atmosphere in the venue instantly became peaceful.
As we sat around the delicious meal, lively conversations were sparked here and there. It seemed as though the participants were already putting into practice what they had learned in the training: "Talking is good exercise."
They shared their recent experiences, cared about each other's health, and laughed together. The smiles on everyone's faces showed that these casual moments are what make life rich and are the treasures of Hokuryu Town.
Bingo game
Afterwards, a bingo game was played, and the evening continued with friendly interaction.
Hokuryu Town sees aging not as isolation, but as a glorious opportunity to build richer relationships. This gathering, where people learn, laugh, and celebrate their safety together, is sure to be a model for a heartwarming future that the world should strive for.
Fun karaoke time
After the party, move to the karaoke room and enjoy some fun karaoke!
Breakfast: A delicious, enjoyable, and meaningful experience
The next morning, breakfast will be served at the hotel restaurant, Kazaguruma!
We have a wide variety of salmon and side dishes, including Kurosengoku natto and Kurosengoku tofu!
The conversation was lively, and it was a delicious, fun, and meaningful time, a fitting way to end the training session.
With boundless love, gratitude, and prayers, the Wa Neighborhood Association Senior Citizens' Club Training Session was a place where townspeople gathered to learn together, laugh together, and rejoice in each other's health and safety, enjoying the warm community space to the fullest.
YouTube videos
Other photos
Related articles
◇ 🖋️ Content planning, article writing, photo selection, and video creation: Ikuko Terauchi
Photography, editing, and website management: Noboru Terauchi
