Every day, Ichikawa gets up before 7, and then has a bath almost right away. After she tends to her vegetable garden, she has breakfast. Next she has a morning swim at the local pool, and then goes to the store to work. She gets about by car, driving herself.

After work, she pursues one of her hobbies in the evening. Her activities vary, depending on the day of the week, but her hobby schedule is booked solid: calligraphy, jazz dance, leather crafts, and learning karaoke.

By the time she gets home it is after 9. For lunch she often has fruit and milk, and so she has a big meal in the evening, generally vegetables and fresh-water fish. Then she takes another bath, writes a bit, and gets to bed around midnight.

What she enjoys most is the company of close friends in hobby groups. She is not alone in having many hobbies—elderly people in Saku generally stay active with two or three special interests, and the municipal government offers them facilities and opportunities for activities.

The mayor, Miura Daisuke, says, "I don't like the idea of an elderly person stuck at home all day watching TV." He is convinced that the secret to good health is a proper diet and a positive outlook on life. "Most of our older residents eat the type of food our ancestors ate, mainly rice, vegetables, soy beans and fresh-water fish. It was a healthy diet before, and it still is. Anyway, our job at City Hall is to provide civic centers and other facilities for their activities, and give them lifelong learning opportunities, to help them remain active members of the community. Many have discovered new ways to enjoy life."

One thing that stands out about the elderly here is their outgoing attitude. Maybe that explains why the percentage of bedridden elderly in Saku is about half the national average.