0:00:02 > 0:00:07This programme contains some strong language
0:00:16 > 0:00:19Oh, yes, I could retire to this. Yes.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22Four famous pensioners are on a brand-new adventure,
0:00:22 > 0:00:26travelling the globe in search of the perfect place to retire.
0:00:26 > 0:00:30It's an explorer's world from now on
0:00:30 > 0:00:33and we want to explore the lot.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35I mean, even the lavatory looks nice.
0:00:35 > 0:00:41'A perfect place for me to grow old would be clean and comfortable, obviously.'
0:00:41 > 0:00:45It would have to have excellent internet access.
0:00:45 > 0:00:47That would be a complete must.
0:00:48 > 0:00:52And I would have to have...servants.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54I'm going for a wee-wee.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56If you live in a bubble on your own,
0:00:56 > 0:00:59you don't know what the other cultures in the world are like.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02You don't know what the people are like, you don't know how they live,
0:01:02 > 0:01:05you know - if you could learn off 'em.
0:01:07 > 0:01:12Having sampled the American dream in Florida's gated retirement communities...
0:01:12 > 0:01:15How many face-lifts have you had?
0:01:15 > 0:01:16Ten!
0:01:18 > 0:01:22..now Miriam, Wayne, Rosemary and Bobby are venturing East...
0:01:22 > 0:01:24Oh!
0:01:24 > 0:01:28..to try and discover the secrets of longevity in Japan.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31If I lived here, I wouldn't be fat.
0:01:31 > 0:01:35I think it would be very hard for us to adapt to live in Japan.
0:01:35 > 0:01:37Nipples ahoy!
0:01:37 > 0:01:39Well, I think they will think we're vulgar.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42But there's nothing we can do about that.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44"I've had an accident."
0:01:44 > 0:01:47We're now having to rely on each other a lot more.
0:01:47 > 0:01:49We're out of our comfort zone.
0:01:49 > 0:01:51Does anybody know any Japanese here?
0:01:51 > 0:01:52No.
0:02:01 > 0:02:05Japan. A land of ancient culture,
0:02:05 > 0:02:09tradition and one of the longest life expectancies in the world.
0:02:10 > 0:02:14Could it be the perfect place to spend your golden years?
0:02:14 > 0:02:16Over there, tickets.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20Kyoto. It's not "Key-oto", it's "Kyo-to".
0:02:20 > 0:02:21It's Kyoto.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24- Kyoto.- Oh, it's going to be a laugh, this, innit?
0:02:24 > 0:02:27'When you're choosing where to spend'
0:02:27 > 0:02:30the last years of your life,
0:02:30 > 0:02:33it depends on many factors.
0:02:33 > 0:02:37'The biggest problem for me being in Japan will be the language.
0:02:37 > 0:02:39'But I'm very excited.'
0:02:39 > 0:02:42I feel like a kid going on a trip.
0:02:42 > 0:02:43It's thrilling.
0:02:45 > 0:02:49The group have flown nearly 6,000 miles across the globe
0:02:49 > 0:02:52and landed in Japan's third-largest city, Osaka.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56From there, they'll be travelling on
0:02:56 > 0:02:59to the historic former capital, Kyoto.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01Tickets for Kyoto?
0:03:01 > 0:03:02Kyoto, Kyoto.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05- Yeah...- It's these tickets.
0:03:05 > 0:03:07Thank goodness you're here.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09Can you speak English?
0:03:09 > 0:03:11No English. No English.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13- Sorry.- No Japanese.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15Thank you so much.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17I don't know what the word for thank you is.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20JAPANESE VOICE ON PHONE
0:03:20 > 0:03:21HE SPEAKS JAPANESE
0:03:21 > 0:03:23That means "Have you got a boyfriend?"
0:03:23 > 0:03:24HE LAUGHS
0:03:24 > 0:03:26I don't know any Japanese,
0:03:26 > 0:03:31but I'm trying to surprise the others by learning a little bit
0:03:31 > 0:03:32of Japanese.
0:03:32 > 0:03:33'Ohayo.'
0:03:33 > 0:03:36- Ohayo. Ohayo.- What does that mean?
0:03:36 > 0:03:39Good morning. Ohayo.
0:03:39 > 0:03:40Ohayo.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43Ohayo. Ohayo.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46SHE LAUGHS
0:03:46 > 0:03:49OK, guys, right, you're all responsible for your own tickets.
0:03:51 > 0:03:53Ooh!
0:03:53 > 0:03:54Oh, just go, just go.
0:03:54 > 0:03:55For Kyoto?
0:03:58 > 0:04:01Oh. We've got the wrong tickets.
0:04:01 > 0:04:03It doesn't matter. She's putting them right!
0:04:03 > 0:04:05Don't you tell me off like that.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07- She's putting them right! - Listen, you,
0:04:07 > 0:04:10you were the one in charge of the tickets and you got it wrong.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13I didn't think about that one! Kyoto.
0:04:13 > 0:04:15Japan's railway system is famous
0:04:15 > 0:04:18for being one of the most punctual in the world.
0:04:18 > 0:04:23The 9.46 Osaka to Kyoto has just arrived on time.
0:04:23 > 0:04:25- Are you all right, Bobby? - Where is he?
0:04:25 > 0:04:27Down here. Where's Miriam?
0:04:29 > 0:04:32Arigato, arigato, arigato.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34Arigato.
0:04:34 > 0:04:35- Tickets.- Thank you.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37Arigato. Arigato.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39Arigato.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42THEY MAKE JAPANESE-LIKE SOUNDS
0:04:42 > 0:04:44Oh, my God.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46You have to be so quiet about everything you do.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48If we shout, they don't like that.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50They feel it's very aggressive to them.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53And anything like farting, perhaps, out loud
0:04:53 > 0:04:55they wouldn't take to very much.
0:04:55 > 0:04:59- I thought they did.- Oh, no, I don't think so, darling.
0:04:59 > 0:05:00Oh, no, that's China.
0:05:03 > 0:05:05The group are basing themselves in Kyoto,
0:05:05 > 0:05:07the cultural heart of the country.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13With its vibrant ageing population,
0:05:13 > 0:05:16a third of Kyoto's residents are over 60.
0:05:18 > 0:05:23The ancient city is famous for its spectacular scenery and iconic shrines
0:05:23 > 0:05:27and temples. But this morning,
0:05:27 > 0:05:28a typhoon has just hit.
0:05:31 > 0:05:32The weather is catastrophic.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35It's like being at home, the weather.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38It's pissing down with rain, bad.
0:05:38 > 0:05:39Shall we get a taxi?
0:05:39 > 0:05:41- Yeah.- Miriam, shall we get a car?
0:05:41 > 0:05:42We need taxis.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44Yeah.
0:05:44 > 0:05:45We'll go in the one behind.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47- OK.- Arigato.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49Yes, please.
0:05:49 > 0:05:50Thank you.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52I'll go in this side.
0:05:52 > 0:05:57Japanese people are extremely polite and they are also quite formal.
0:05:57 > 0:06:01That's going to be a little bit difficult for me because I'm not formal.
0:06:01 > 0:06:02Thank you.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05'And I think we may need some guidance.'
0:06:08 > 0:06:10Nice to meet you. Nice to meet you.
0:06:10 > 0:06:11Nice to meet you.
0:06:11 > 0:06:12Welcome to Kyoto.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14My name is Isao Tanahara.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16Say that again. Isao...?
0:06:16 > 0:06:19Yes. Please call me Isao Tanahara.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22- Isao.- Isao.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25- Isao Tanahara.- Tanahara.- Yes. - Tanahara.
0:06:25 > 0:06:26- Isao Tanahara.- Yes.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28Lovely.
0:06:29 > 0:06:31Will it change? Driver, will it change?
0:06:31 > 0:06:34How long does it take, raining like this?
0:06:34 > 0:06:36A couple or three days and it's cleared up?
0:06:36 > 0:06:40- I think so.- Is it just seasonal or a few times a year?
0:06:41 > 0:06:43Only today, you know.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45- Only today?- Just our luck.
0:06:47 > 0:06:52Isao, do you always wear a hat and white gloves?
0:06:52 > 0:06:53- Yes, ma'am.- So you have to wear that?
0:06:53 > 0:06:55We have to wear, yes.
0:06:55 > 0:06:59- Because in England, they don't do that.- Oh! Er...
0:06:59 > 0:07:02It's very unusual.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05- Very.- It's very unusual.
0:07:05 > 0:07:07And very formal.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09Formal! I hope you like it.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11- I love it.- It's lovely.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13Is this a temple on the left?
0:07:13 > 0:07:16On the left is one famous temple called Higashi Honganji.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20See how the roof goes - I think that's lovely, how they do that.
0:07:20 > 0:07:25Isao, you have a very elderly population.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27- That's right.- They live a long time.
0:07:27 > 0:07:31- That's right, madam. That's a big issue.- How come?- Exercise.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34Yes. Exercise and diet.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38This is amazing!
0:07:38 > 0:07:40This is just what I imagined Japan to be like.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45To fully experience retirement Japanese-style,
0:07:45 > 0:07:49the group will be living in a quiet suburb of northern Kyoto.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52Gosh, it's certainly the back of beyond, isn't it?
0:07:52 > 0:07:53But life here isn't cheap.
0:07:53 > 0:07:57The average house is over £300,000,
0:07:57 > 0:08:00with living costs some of the highest in Japan.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02We're almost here, Bobby. Are you excited?
0:08:02 > 0:08:03I'm apprehensive.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05Apprehensive. That's a good one.
0:08:05 > 0:08:10'I've been to Japan before, but only as a performer with the Royal Ballet.
0:08:10 > 0:08:16'What you first experience when you arrive in Japan is a totally different way of life.'
0:08:16 > 0:08:19There's only one way of doing everything and that is THEIR way.
0:08:19 > 0:08:23'I'm not sure the rest of our group will enjoy that.'
0:08:23 > 0:08:26I think Japan will be a big culture shock.
0:08:26 > 0:08:31I think the chair's maybe a bit low down and I'm rather worried about it.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35The group are moving into a house owned by 73-year-old twin sisters
0:08:35 > 0:08:38Tetsu and Fumie.
0:08:38 > 0:08:39Hello.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42Thank you very, very much.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44- Thank you.- Don't worry.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47- Thank you so much.- The weather doesn't matter.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50- YOU are the welcome. - Thank you so much.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54It's too heavy for you, don't worry. I don't want you to carry it.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56It's too heavy.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58Take our shoes off.
0:08:58 > 0:09:00Yes.
0:09:00 > 0:09:05Bye-bye. Bye. Thank you so much.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08THEY SPEAK JAPANESE
0:09:08 > 0:09:12Oh, no, no, no, no. You can't do that. No, no, no.
0:09:12 > 0:09:13Give it to me, no, no.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17Hello, darling. All right?
0:09:17 > 0:09:20- That your sister?- Konnichiwa.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22Konnichiwa.
0:09:22 > 0:09:23Arigato.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26SHE SPEAKS JAPANESE
0:09:26 > 0:09:27Welcome.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29My name is Fumie.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31Fumie.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34Fumie.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36- Tetsu.- Fumie.
0:09:36 > 0:09:38Tetsu. Fumie.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42- Konnichiwa.- But how is it you're on your knees?
0:09:42 > 0:09:45I'm not sure I could get on my knees.
0:09:45 > 0:09:46Normal, it's normal.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48Normal.
0:09:48 > 0:09:50What do you do in that room?
0:09:50 > 0:09:55- This?- Yes.- Somebody sleep with a futon.
0:09:55 > 0:09:57- With a futon?- Ah, yes.
0:09:57 > 0:09:58Oh, this is a bedroom.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01- Ah.- This is where we're sleeping.
0:10:03 > 0:10:07Great. Thanks. Thank God for that.
0:10:07 > 0:10:09With space at a premium,
0:10:09 > 0:10:14Japanese homes often have living rooms doubling up as traditional sleeping areas at night.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17I've never been in a home like this.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19When I'm in Japan, I want to be a Japanese person.
0:10:19 > 0:10:24All I know is that I don't want to sleep on the floor.
0:10:24 > 0:10:25I don't want to sleep on a futon.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30On this occasion, upstairs there are also Western bedrooms
0:10:30 > 0:10:32for the group to choose from.
0:10:32 > 0:10:33Oh, wow.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35You can choose.
0:10:35 > 0:10:36I'm happy with this.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38Very, very nice.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42I'm happy with this one, if you want the other one?
0:10:42 > 0:10:44I'm happy with this one.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46- This is fine.- I'm happy with this one too.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49I'm not sharing... There's a two-bedroom there.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51We're not sharing. Where's the loo?
0:10:51 > 0:10:54I'm a bit funny about the toilet.
0:10:54 > 0:10:59The toilet is quite an important part of my life and I want
0:10:59 > 0:11:03to be sure that I've got a toilet near my bedroom.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06No, no, I don't want that bedroom.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08I don't want that bedroom, I want this bedroom.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10- OK.- Rosemary can have that one.
0:11:10 > 0:11:12This is perfect for me.
0:11:12 > 0:11:14- Is it?- Yes.- Good.- This is fine.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16- And you can have a friend to stay. - Yes.
0:11:18 > 0:11:19Nice!
0:11:20 > 0:11:23Nice and close.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25That'll do me. Lovely jubbly.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28When you're asleep, you don't see nothing anyway.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30You don't see nothing when you sleep.
0:11:30 > 0:11:32A bed is to sleep in, not to look round the room.
0:11:33 > 0:11:35I don't look at the furniture when I get up here.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37Thank you for your sweet welcome.
0:11:38 > 0:11:42It's beautiful. You see, I have these socks.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45Um...thank you.
0:11:46 > 0:11:50I wear them because when you fly,
0:11:50 > 0:11:53you have to keep your legs tight.
0:11:53 > 0:11:57I was at, in Tokyo, Bunka Kaikan.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59Bunka Kaikan?
0:11:59 > 0:12:03- Royal Ballet.- Royal...- Ballet. Yeah, yeah.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06- And you?- I throw darts for a living.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08SHE GASPS
0:12:08 > 0:12:13- Wow.- You know what darts are? Yeah?- Yeah?
0:12:13 > 0:12:15- Professional?- Yeah.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18Oh, my gosh.
0:12:18 > 0:12:19All right, darling.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23So polite.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27They bow all the time and...so grateful.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29We haven't done nothing, they're putting us up.
0:12:29 > 0:12:33And they're grateful for us coming in their house.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36We're in Japan! I can't believe it!
0:12:36 > 0:12:38Here we are. We made it.
0:12:38 > 0:12:39So exciting.
0:12:46 > 0:12:50Rosemary - chef, Miriam - actress,
0:12:50 > 0:12:54Bobby - darts player,
0:12:54 > 0:12:57Wayne - dancer.
0:12:57 > 0:13:02What impresses me about this place is that it's so Japanese.
0:13:02 > 0:13:04- Because you...- We're in Japan!
0:13:04 > 0:13:05We're in Japan!
0:13:05 > 0:13:09I give dinner real Japanese style.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12- Oh, fantastic.- Come in.
0:13:12 > 0:13:17Tonight, Tetsu and Fumie have prepared a welcome dinner of cold seaweed soup,
0:13:17 > 0:13:20tempura vegetables and steamed egg pudding.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22Where would you like us to sit?
0:13:22 > 0:13:24Oh, wow, this looks incredible.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26What is that?
0:13:26 > 0:13:29- Tempura.- Very healthy.
0:13:29 > 0:13:33- And what's that? - This is seaweed and cucumber.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36That is very good.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38The Japanese live longer than anyone else.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40And they say it's probably what they eat,
0:13:40 > 0:13:43so I want to find out what they're eating, so I can join 'em.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47'I don't know if Bobby George will like the food.'
0:13:48 > 0:13:51He's very traditionally English. Egg and chips, I'd imagine.
0:13:51 > 0:13:52Mind, I shouldn't say that.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55- Do you need a fork?- Well, I might have a...- Fork?
0:13:55 > 0:13:56- Yeah, get me a fork, doll, yeah. - OK.
0:13:56 > 0:14:00I can use these but I'd never get nothing in my mouth properly.
0:14:00 > 0:14:01Do you eat sushi?
0:14:01 > 0:14:05That sounds rude to me, to be honest with you.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07That's fish, is it? "Shu-si"?
0:14:07 > 0:14:09There's a few things I haven't tried, obviously.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11Their menu's quite wide, isn't it?
0:14:11 > 0:14:16They eat everything in the world that moves or flies.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18Mmm.
0:14:18 > 0:14:19This culture is so...
0:14:19 > 0:14:23They're so polite, just respectful of anything anybody does.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27But also, I think it's quite scary cos there's certain things you could offend.
0:14:27 > 0:14:31I would love to know what you should not do here.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34Well, I know that you shouldn't put your feet on the table.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36Well, that's the first thing you've done.
0:14:36 > 0:14:39I did that. I think we're much noisier than Japanese people are.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42- Yes, we are.- And we're more extrovert.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44And we always draw attention to ourselves.
0:14:44 > 0:14:48I don't think we do. One of us talks more than the other one.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50Oh, really? Who you looking at?
0:14:50 > 0:14:53I'm boss-eyed. I'm not looking at anyone, I'm boss-eyed.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55Do you know what, you're going to give me a complex soon!
0:14:55 > 0:14:57- Bloody hell.- It's all right, doll.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00You can talk all the time. You've got a lovely voice.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02I'm going to get very embarrassed and go all weird.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05- You've got a lovely voice. I don't mind hearing your voice.- Thank you.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07'We're all different. Everyone's different.'
0:15:07 > 0:15:09Miriam, she farts all the time. It doesn't matter where she is
0:15:09 > 0:15:12or what she's doing. "Ooh, sorry about that," she says.
0:15:12 > 0:15:16And there's Wayne. He's very theatrical, you know.
0:15:16 > 0:15:20And there's Rosemary shouting at me. So I quite enjoy the company.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23You're redeeming yourself, but not enough yet. Oh...
0:15:23 > 0:15:26You have to redeem yourself a lot more than that.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28'She shouts a lot but she don't mean it.'
0:15:28 > 0:15:30She's like a dog barking but you love the dog, don't you?
0:15:32 > 0:15:35'I think there's room for everybody.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37'And that's what makes it interesting,
0:15:37 > 0:15:39'that we're all so different, isn't it?'
0:15:39 > 0:15:43If I pull the chain in the night, is it going to disturb anybody?
0:15:43 > 0:15:45- Not really.- No? OK.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47THEY TALK OVER ONE ANOTHER
0:15:55 > 0:15:58Retirees in Kyoto tend to rise early.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00Konnichiwa.
0:16:00 > 0:16:04This is my beautiful bed on the floor.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06And my back has never felt better.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08Where's the milk, then?
0:16:08 > 0:16:11- I'm just going to fart. - Oh, dear, not again.
0:16:11 > 0:16:15- Oh, dear. Who gets up at this time? 5.30?- Well, they do, obviously.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17We'll see how they do it, yeah.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19Well, we're going to find out.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23Are you lot coming or are you just going to sit and chat?
0:16:27 > 0:16:2920 minutes from the home stay,
0:16:29 > 0:16:32some of Kyoto's oldest residents are gathering.
0:16:34 > 0:16:36- This is exciting.- Good morning.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39Good morning. Do you come here every morning?
0:16:39 > 0:16:43- Yes.- Every morning? - Almost.- Almost every morning.
0:16:43 > 0:16:44Even in the rain?
0:16:44 > 0:16:47Even in the rain? Do you think it keeps you young?
0:16:47 > 0:16:51- Oh, yes.- It does. - Sure. Are you OK?
0:16:51 > 0:16:53Yeah.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56Every time I move, something creaks.
0:16:56 > 0:16:58I don't know what we're going to do this morning,
0:16:58 > 0:17:00I'm rather apprehensive.
0:17:00 > 0:17:05But they're very friendly and they all commented how fat I am,
0:17:05 > 0:17:09so that's very cheering for a girl.
0:17:09 > 0:17:11Oh, yes. They went...
0:17:15 > 0:17:18Across the country, millions of Japanese senior citizens,
0:17:18 > 0:17:20some in their 90s,
0:17:20 > 0:17:25start the day listening to a keep-fit broadcast known as Radio Taiso.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28THEY SING ALONG:
0:17:48 > 0:17:52Introduced in the 1920s to prolong life expectancy,
0:17:52 > 0:17:56the ten-minute routine transmits every morning at 6.30 sharp.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59Oh, I don't know if I can do that.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02I can't jump.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04- Oh!- Having trouble?
0:18:04 > 0:18:06HE LAUGHS
0:18:06 > 0:18:08If I jump, my tits fall out.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11Obviously I'm overweight and it's ridiculous
0:18:11 > 0:18:12that I'm overweight at 75.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15I mean, you can be overweight at 20 and then I should have done
0:18:15 > 0:18:18something about it, but I didn't, so that's my fault.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21This develops the breast.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24I take a blood-pressure pill every day.
0:18:24 > 0:18:26My neck's stiff.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30And I take alendronic acid once a week for osteoporosis.
0:18:30 > 0:18:32I have asthma
0:18:32 > 0:18:35and...what else do I have?
0:18:37 > 0:18:39I think that'll do, for the moment.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42- I can't do that.- No, mind your knee.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45If I could, I would live forever.
0:18:45 > 0:18:50I would really live forever, but, relax, I'm not going to.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53We're wasting away, by the way.
0:18:53 > 0:18:58We all are, and if you face that fact and do something about it,
0:18:58 > 0:19:01you'll achieve a longer life, if you're fit.
0:19:02 > 0:19:06- Oh. - ALL: Oh. Oh! Oh...
0:19:12 > 0:19:15- Very good.- Very good! - Really good, really good.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17Arigato. Arigato.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19Arigato.
0:19:19 > 0:19:20OK!
0:19:20 > 0:19:21THEY CHEER
0:19:21 > 0:19:24There is something we don't do in our country.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27We are missing a trick, somehow, somewhere along the line.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30I mean, this is something to be taken notice of.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32Look at the age.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34Look at how old the men and the women are.
0:19:34 > 0:19:38They're agile, they're fit. I mean, this is incredible.
0:19:38 > 0:19:39SHE SQUEALS
0:19:39 > 0:19:42I mean, whether I could live here or not would be another matter,
0:19:42 > 0:19:45but I love it. At the moment, it's looking good.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47- Sore knee. - HE SPEAKS JAPANESE
0:19:47 > 0:19:50Do you speak English? Do you speak English?
0:19:56 > 0:19:58Despite Japan's high cost of living,
0:19:58 > 0:20:02another popular national pastime is shopping.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05Off we go.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08Keen to tackle Kyoto's language and cultural challenges,
0:20:08 > 0:20:11the group are splitting up for some retail therapy.
0:20:13 > 0:20:15It's a beautiful little car.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17Now, hang on.
0:20:17 > 0:20:19Oh, no, it is automatic.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25Rosemary's taking Wayne to a local market.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28She's after supplies to make sushi this evening.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30I want to get knives.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32The language is not that easy, though.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35Here, I've brought my little phrase book.
0:20:35 > 0:20:36You tell me some words.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38"I've had an accident."
0:20:40 > 0:20:45Most Japanese retirees qualify for discounts on public transport.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47Oh, there's the bus stop this side of the road.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49Miriam and Bobby are heading for Kyoto city centre.
0:20:49 > 0:20:51We're going to the gadget shop.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56- What's the number of the bus? Do you know?- I don't know.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59I mean, I'm glad we're going in a bus and not a taxi because it's much
0:20:59 > 0:21:01more like real people.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05- I don't think you get the flavour of a place...- No.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08..do you, unless you live a bit of the life of the native?
0:21:08 > 0:21:10I mean, I use buses all the time.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13- Don't you get recognised? - I like being recognised.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15You know, if they said, "You were shite," or something,
0:21:15 > 0:21:17then I wouldn't like it, but they always say,
0:21:17 > 0:21:19"Love your work," and things like that.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21You know, and they're nice.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24I like meeting people... Are they onions?
0:21:25 > 0:21:26What's the futon like?
0:21:26 > 0:21:28- Is it comfortable?- It's very comfortable.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31It's soft but hard at the same time.
0:21:31 > 0:21:33I do love the house, don't you?
0:21:33 > 0:21:37I think the thing is, we've all got our bedrooms at night,
0:21:37 > 0:21:40you can close the door, because living in such confinement
0:21:40 > 0:21:44with each other every day is bound to have pressure in certain areas.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47And you know, we're all going to get a bit irritated.
0:21:47 > 0:21:49I think we're getting on remarkably well.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52- Yes.- I tell you, Miriam's curbed her swearing.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54- Yes, that's good.- Have you noticed it?
0:21:54 > 0:21:56- Yes, absolutely.- I'm very pleased.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59- So am I. She didn't swear once this morning.- No.
0:22:01 > 0:22:02This seat is quite warm.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05That seems to me to be centrally heated...
0:22:07 > 0:22:11- ..under my bottom.- It might be the size of your bum keeping you warm.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16You watch your mouth!
0:22:16 > 0:22:18Watch your fucking mouth, mate.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20That's better. That's the way I like it, love.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23Are we too loud? Do we speak too loudly?
0:22:47 > 0:22:50- They don't make a noise, whereas we go... - SHE LAUGHS
0:22:50 > 0:22:52You know? We make a noise.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54Good thing Rosemary isn't on the bus.
0:22:54 > 0:22:58- Oh, it's a real market. - Sweet.- Oh, what fun.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04Set in the grounds of an historic Buddhist temple,
0:23:04 > 0:23:09local pensioners with an eye for a bargain flock to Kyoto's largest
0:23:09 > 0:23:10monthly market.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14- Look at the temple.- Gosh, it's huge, look.
0:23:14 > 0:23:15Oh, these are bonsai trees.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18- Yeah, they're bonsai.- How old are these?
0:23:18 > 0:23:19Nan nemo kana?
0:23:22 > 0:23:23Do we need any bed linen?
0:23:24 > 0:23:26Don't worry. Let's look... We'll come back.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28- Come on. We'll come back.- OK.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32Thank you. Thank you.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34What I'd love to do is find some knives.
0:23:34 > 0:23:35Is it for the way you cut the sushi?
0:23:35 > 0:23:38- Yes, you cut it at an angle. - At an angle.- Slice at an angle.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41- You need a knife that would slice that way.- You need the right knife.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44- Here you are.- Oh, my gosh, look at this.
0:23:52 > 0:23:54Oh.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57Oh, Rosemary, you're so butch.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00- Oh, no, you've cut yourself. - No, I did that earlier.
0:24:00 > 0:24:04- Oh.- I'm going to take the smaller one.- Yeah, that's better.
0:24:04 > 0:24:05Nice jacket.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10- Wow.- That's a big old shop, isn't it?
0:24:10 > 0:24:14- Bring it on.- Cor.- This is my kind of shop.- Gordon Bennett.
0:24:14 > 0:24:1975-year-old Miriam is keen to explore Kyoto's six-storey
0:24:19 > 0:24:20electronics megastore.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23Blimey. Have you ever been in a shop like this?
0:24:23 > 0:24:26- This is a drone.- See this? These are marvellous.
0:24:26 > 0:24:30This is a drone. I think when you get to be the age that I am,
0:24:30 > 0:24:34there are new things coming out on the market all the time,
0:24:34 > 0:24:35which makes life easier.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38I've never seen anything like it.
0:24:38 > 0:24:42But I tend to get in a mess and have to ask for help.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44Excuse me, please.
0:24:45 > 0:24:49Is it upstairs, not phones?
0:24:49 > 0:24:53Sorry, I am make a... There is counter.
0:24:53 > 0:24:54- Sorry.- Oh.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58- Thank you.- What's that?
0:24:58 > 0:25:01- He didn't want to help.- Help.
0:25:01 > 0:25:06I do want a watch strap, because this watch is fucked... So.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09Oh, that's nice. That's charming, that is.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15I'm not a technophobe, I'm a technophile.
0:25:15 > 0:25:16I love it.
0:25:16 > 0:25:18Good morning.
0:25:18 > 0:25:19How do you...?
0:25:23 > 0:25:24Press that one.
0:25:26 > 0:25:27Oh.
0:25:28 > 0:25:30Oh, crikey. It's a bit personal.
0:25:32 > 0:25:34Blimey.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36Oh, it's...
0:25:36 > 0:25:39I like that. That's like fingers.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50- Are you all right, Miriam?- Yeah.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53- Oh, look, these are nice.- You wanted to buy a dressing gown, didn't you?
0:25:53 > 0:25:55Yeah, but I'd rather look for a sword.
0:25:55 > 0:25:57OK, so where's the sword?
0:25:57 > 0:26:02Aido? Aido? Samurai.
0:26:03 > 0:26:05Aido?
0:26:08 > 0:26:09Boom.
0:26:10 > 0:26:12Flick.
0:26:12 > 0:26:19I'm studying Samurai sword fighting in London and I'm choreographing a
0:26:19 > 0:26:24ballet incorporating Samurai sword fighting and classical ballet.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27Well, it's all to do with technique.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29Simplicity, detail.
0:26:29 > 0:26:35So, as you walk and you slice the person across his body, you...
0:26:35 > 0:26:40Mind away. Mind away. You don't go there, you see, you go to there,
0:26:40 > 0:26:44because anybody could attack you, and you go the quickest way up
0:26:44 > 0:26:46but the hardest way down.
0:26:46 > 0:26:51Look them in the eye, flick the blood off, get into your hilter,
0:26:51 > 0:26:53wipe your hand and retreat.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59As you get older, and I'm 68 now,
0:26:59 > 0:27:04you realise that time's getting less and less and less and the end is
0:27:04 > 0:27:08creeping up on you. Well, it can creep as long as it likes.
0:27:08 > 0:27:12I'm not finished yet. I'm very ambitious to get the most out of
0:27:12 > 0:27:16life I can, so in fact, life's become more exciting now I'm older.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18That's terrific.
0:27:18 > 0:27:19Very nice, thank you.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21- Arigato.- Arigato.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24Thank you. Very impressed.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27SHE SINGS
0:27:31 > 0:27:33I'm actually driving in Japan.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36- Oh.- Well, this really is something.
0:27:38 > 0:27:42Less than 2% of Japanese residents are foreigners.
0:27:43 > 0:27:47Struggling to master all the etiquette dos and don'ts,
0:27:47 > 0:27:49Miriam and Rosemary need help.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51Gomen kudasai.
0:27:51 > 0:27:53- Come through.- Thank you.- Do come through.
0:27:53 > 0:27:57Carolyn, originally from the UK, has lived in Kyoto for 23 years
0:27:57 > 0:28:01and helps run a cultural support group for expats.
0:28:01 > 0:28:05The thing about Japan is there are so many customs here and I
0:28:05 > 0:28:10think if one was considering retiring in a place like this,
0:28:10 > 0:28:13you have to embrace their customs in a big way,
0:28:13 > 0:28:16because one thing you wouldn't want to do is to find yourself in a
0:28:16 > 0:28:20situation where you're alienating yourself from society.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23Thank you, first of all, very much, for coming.
0:28:23 > 0:28:27We're floundering a bit, I think, because...
0:28:27 > 0:28:29We're friendly and they can see that we're friendly,
0:28:29 > 0:28:32but it's just such a different culture.
0:28:32 > 0:28:37Give us some really good tips on how to sort of...act.
0:28:37 > 0:28:40You know, please and thank you, of course.
0:28:40 > 0:28:42The bowing.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45When should we bow and when should we not bow?
0:28:45 > 0:28:48Oh, all the time, really. I mean, don't hesitate to bow.
0:28:48 > 0:28:50- That's strange.- Well, it's about being humble.
0:28:50 > 0:28:52It's like being humble, that's right.
0:28:52 > 0:28:54Yeah. Can you laugh loudly?
0:28:55 > 0:28:58For women it's, you know...
0:28:58 > 0:29:00- You put your hand in front of you? - Behind your... Yeah.
0:29:00 > 0:29:03You and I had better do that, then!
0:29:03 > 0:29:06Attracting attention is not something to do.
0:29:06 > 0:29:08That is hard for me.
0:29:09 > 0:29:12One thing, can I ask about, what about farting?
0:29:13 > 0:29:15Because... Is that impolite?
0:29:15 > 0:29:18Yes. I don't think I've ever heard anyone farting.
0:29:18 > 0:29:19You've never heard anybody fart?
0:29:19 > 0:29:21Nobody in Japan farts?
0:29:21 > 0:29:24Well, I think they do it in the privacy of their own...
0:29:24 > 0:29:26They do it in private. See, they're not like you, Miriam,
0:29:26 > 0:29:28- they do it privately.- Right.
0:29:28 > 0:29:32They're not going to let it all out when it needs to be out.
0:29:32 > 0:29:34- That's a problem.- OK.
0:29:34 > 0:29:39Thank you very much for everything and, um, you've been brilliant.
0:29:39 > 0:29:41- Look, she bowed.- Yes. - We must bow too.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44Yes, we must bow.
0:29:44 > 0:29:47- Well, that was...- It was an eye-opener.
0:29:47 > 0:29:49It's going to be quite tricky, all that business.
0:29:49 > 0:29:51Not...
0:29:51 > 0:29:57Well, not farting I can manage, but not...not being self-important...
0:29:57 > 0:29:59- No, it's a bit of a worry.- That's a bit of a worry.
0:29:59 > 0:30:02Yes, because we're all rather loud, self-important people, really.
0:30:02 > 0:30:08And we're used to, in a way, almost laughing at ourselves for being that.
0:30:21 > 0:30:24- Kampai.- Kampai.- Kampai.
0:30:26 > 0:30:28Or, in Cockney, lovely jubbly.
0:30:29 > 0:30:31- Lovely jubbly.- Lovely jubbly.
0:30:32 > 0:30:34Despite officially retiring,
0:30:34 > 0:30:38it's not uncommon for pensioners in Japan to begin a new career.
0:30:38 > 0:30:42For Setsu and Fumie, it meant starting their own home-stay business.
0:30:42 > 0:30:47Lovely jubbly. Lovely jubbly.
0:30:49 > 0:30:53The sisters have told the group about a job scheme which caters
0:30:53 > 0:30:54solely for the over-60s.
0:30:57 > 0:31:01The Silver Human Resource Centre employs over 5,000
0:31:01 > 0:31:03of Kyoto's elderly residents.
0:31:03 > 0:31:06There are 1,200 branches across Japan.
0:31:07 > 0:31:09- I used to be so scared of interviews.- Yeah.
0:31:10 > 0:31:14Today, the group have come to be assessed for their suitability to work.
0:31:21 > 0:31:27We are very interested in what you have to offer and we are available,
0:31:27 > 0:31:31depending on your requirements.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34- Bobby.- When was the last job interview you had?
0:31:34 > 0:31:38I've never had an interview for a job. Ever.
0:31:40 > 0:31:42- What's your name?- What's my name?
0:31:43 > 0:31:45What, you want the whole name, or just...?
0:31:45 > 0:31:49- What is your name?- Well, Bobby. Bobby George.- Bobby what?
0:31:49 > 0:31:50- George.- George. OK.
0:31:50 > 0:31:53Yeah, George, as in King George.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56OK. You are related to King George?
0:31:56 > 0:31:58No.
0:31:58 > 0:32:03Anybody who would employ me would be very lucky.
0:32:03 > 0:32:06Where do you see yourself in five years?
0:32:07 > 0:32:08I'll probably be dead.
0:32:10 > 0:32:12What are you capable of doing?
0:32:12 > 0:32:15That's actually quite a serious question, because sometimes when
0:32:15 > 0:32:19you're older, you think you can do more than you can.
0:32:19 > 0:32:21Let's go and sell. I'll sell myself.
0:32:23 > 0:32:27Oh, no, I didn't mean it like that. I mean I'll sell my personality.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30I'm a team player. I'm a very good team player.
0:32:30 > 0:32:34I don't ride horses, I can't drive a car and I don't wash up,
0:32:34 > 0:32:39I don't clean, I don't iron, I don't do the laundry.
0:32:39 > 0:32:43I have a degree in English literature
0:32:43 > 0:32:50from Cambridge University, so I'm fairly well educated.
0:32:50 > 0:32:53I am still hungry for success.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56And I don't think that I've achieved what I'd hoped,
0:32:56 > 0:33:00because I've never been at the National Theatre,
0:33:00 > 0:33:03I've never been at the Royal Shakespeare Company.
0:33:03 > 0:33:04How does that feel?
0:33:06 > 0:33:11Infuriating. I feel infuriated that I haven't achieved what I'd hoped
0:33:11 > 0:33:14but I still keep going.
0:33:14 > 0:33:21I have no children, so, um, it would be good to do something,
0:33:21 > 0:33:25not just sit at home.
0:33:25 > 0:33:30- What job would you have in mind for me?- OK. Me?
0:33:30 > 0:33:32- If you did?- OK.
0:33:33 > 0:33:38So, OK.
0:33:38 > 0:33:39I think I'm unemployable.
0:33:42 > 0:33:43Thank you very much.
0:33:43 > 0:33:48- Thank you.- And I appreciate the opportunity to come today.
0:33:48 > 0:33:55It's a very wonderful thing to use the skills of an old person
0:33:55 > 0:33:59and I will remember this when I go back to England.
0:33:59 > 0:34:04I'm going to tell them they've got to do what you're doing.
0:34:04 > 0:34:06- It's good.- When can you start?
0:34:06 > 0:34:09Well, I can start tomorrow.
0:34:09 > 0:34:11I can start straightaway.
0:34:11 > 0:34:13- Tomorrow?- Tomorrow, OK.
0:34:13 > 0:34:15Yes? Have I got a job?
0:34:15 > 0:34:16- Yes.- What job?
0:34:16 > 0:34:18Tomorrow, you find out.
0:34:18 > 0:34:19- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:34:21 > 0:34:23With the assessments proving successful,
0:34:23 > 0:34:26tomorrow, the group will start their new jobs.
0:34:30 > 0:34:31The job centre was fun.
0:34:31 > 0:34:33I really enjoyed myself there.
0:34:34 > 0:34:35Perfect.
0:34:36 > 0:34:38Thank you.
0:34:38 > 0:34:42So, you take a bit of soy, then you put a little wasabi in it and dip it.
0:34:42 > 0:34:45That radish is gorgeous.
0:34:45 > 0:34:48So, you went to a gadget shop.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51I got on the chair, the vibrating chair and massage.
0:34:51 > 0:34:53I know, I went to town.
0:34:53 > 0:34:55- It was lovely.- I had a gorgeous time.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58- It was really lovely.- Oh, you can have a head massage. Oh!
0:35:01 > 0:35:03Collapse.
0:35:07 > 0:35:11- Goodnight. Sayonara.- See you tomorrow.
0:35:11 > 0:35:12See you tomorrow.
0:35:12 > 0:35:14Goodnight. Thank you.
0:35:31 > 0:35:33Bobby. Take that bit.
0:35:36 > 0:35:40Do you know, this is the first time I've actually seen that view.
0:35:40 > 0:35:41Isn't it lovely?
0:35:41 > 0:35:43You can hear everything.
0:35:43 > 0:35:47It's not... It's urban living but it's quite sophisticated
0:35:47 > 0:35:50because people are considerate.
0:35:50 > 0:35:55You don't hear screaming children and family rows and
0:35:55 > 0:36:00that sort of thing. We are the noisiest people here, definitely.
0:36:00 > 0:36:05If people are noisy, it disturbs me.
0:36:05 > 0:36:07I just love the peace.
0:36:08 > 0:36:11- You see, hear that scream. - SCREAMING
0:36:12 > 0:36:14I think that might be Rosemary.
0:36:20 > 0:36:23I love these. I love these, actually.
0:36:23 > 0:36:25You on the nuts again?
0:36:25 > 0:36:27Yeah. You are filth.
0:36:27 > 0:36:29You are pure filth.
0:36:29 > 0:36:32What's it like living under the same roof again?
0:36:32 > 0:36:36Well, I mean, it's challenging, I think.
0:36:36 > 0:36:38I think we're all finding it challenging.
0:36:40 > 0:36:44This morning, the group are getting ready to go to work.
0:36:44 > 0:36:48The over-60s job centre has found them suitable placements.
0:36:48 > 0:36:49Oh, you look terrific.
0:36:49 > 0:36:51Rosemary and Wayne will be doing a shift in
0:36:51 > 0:36:53a traditional Japanese restaurant.
0:36:53 > 0:36:56I'm excited about it and I think it'll be a fantastic challenge.
0:36:58 > 0:37:01You know, learning something new.
0:37:01 > 0:37:03Sir, can I help you?
0:37:03 > 0:37:06In Japanese, aso komenishewa.
0:37:06 > 0:37:10Komisha. No, what is it? Konnishima, konnichiwa.
0:37:12 > 0:37:16Bobby and Miriam will be sales assistants in a gift shop.
0:37:16 > 0:37:17I'm looking forward to it.
0:37:17 > 0:37:21It's good experience and I'll get into the way of it
0:37:21 > 0:37:25and I'll take it seriously. I mean, I don't want to break anything.
0:37:27 > 0:37:33- Are you all in?- Yes.- Yes. - Take the brake off and off we go.
0:37:33 > 0:37:34Oh.
0:37:34 > 0:37:36Off we go.
0:37:36 > 0:37:40- Well, folks, we're onto our first day of work.- Yes.
0:37:42 > 0:37:46Kyoto attracts over half a million visitors a year.
0:37:46 > 0:37:48- Well, we'll see you later, guys, then.- Good luck.
0:37:48 > 0:37:49Have a good time.
0:37:49 > 0:37:52The group have been found work on Kiyomizu-Saku,
0:37:52 > 0:37:55the busiest tourist spot in the city.
0:37:55 > 0:37:59- Nice to meet you.- Hi, I'm Koichi.
0:37:59 > 0:38:01Koichi, my name is Miriam.
0:38:01 > 0:38:03- Takako. Takako. - Takako. Takako.
0:38:03 > 0:38:0768-year-old Takako also found work through the job scheme.
0:38:07 > 0:38:10She'll be assisting Bobby and Miriam on their shift.
0:38:10 > 0:38:13So, to work here you have to wear an apron.
0:38:13 > 0:38:15Good. Have you got a big one?
0:38:15 > 0:38:17Well, we'll have a look.
0:38:18 > 0:38:19This size.
0:38:21 > 0:38:23I'm a little bigger than that.
0:38:25 > 0:38:27How long have you been working here?
0:38:27 > 0:38:29- About two years.- Two years.
0:38:29 > 0:38:31I like always connecting with people.
0:38:31 > 0:38:33- Make me young.- It's true.
0:38:33 > 0:38:35- Yes.- It's interesting, isn't it?
0:38:35 > 0:38:37- Yes.- And that's why you do it?
0:38:37 > 0:38:42- Yes.- Otherwise you stay at home alone?- That's right.
0:38:42 > 0:38:47I actually look after my mum, who is nearly 90 years old,
0:38:47 > 0:38:51but if I stay home all the time, I will be...
0:38:51 > 0:38:52- ..a little bored.- Bored.
0:38:52 > 0:38:57- Or go crazy.- So, that really helps my mind to keep young.
0:38:57 > 0:39:01It keeps it young. Active. Active, keep active.
0:39:01 > 0:39:03It's true. It's true.
0:39:03 > 0:39:08So, you talk to the people who is looking for memorial items
0:39:08 > 0:39:10of Kyoto and make them happy.
0:39:10 > 0:39:14Hello, would you like to have a look at some of the things in the shop?
0:39:14 > 0:39:17Yes. Would you show me your bestseller?
0:39:17 > 0:39:20Well, everything is a bestseller.
0:39:20 > 0:39:22Have a look at some of the purses,
0:39:22 > 0:39:24because I think they're really beautiful.
0:39:24 > 0:39:26This is rude.
0:39:26 > 0:39:28These are the sumo wrestlers.
0:39:28 > 0:39:30Oh, and you take Visa, that's good.
0:39:30 > 0:39:32Oh, yes, we take all credit cards here.
0:39:32 > 0:39:36You will have to pay her more. She's a very good sales lady.
0:39:36 > 0:39:38Goodbye, Ann, it was lovely to meet you.
0:39:38 > 0:39:40I think I would have been a good saleswoman
0:39:40 > 0:39:42because I want to please them.
0:39:42 > 0:39:46My mother had her own dress shop and hat shop,
0:39:46 > 0:39:50so I've inherited some of her skills.
0:39:50 > 0:39:53But it was good. Now we've got to get the next customer.
0:39:53 > 0:39:55It's never over, you know.
0:39:55 > 0:39:56Retail never ends.
0:39:57 > 0:39:59What was them people you was talking to?
0:39:59 > 0:40:02- Australians?- Yes, Australians.
0:40:02 > 0:40:04It's not so bad when they talk the lingo.
0:40:04 > 0:40:07All right, girls? How you doing?
0:40:07 > 0:40:08Shopping?
0:40:09 > 0:40:12Down the road, Rosemary and Wayne are about to face
0:40:12 > 0:40:16the lunchtime rush hour in one of Kyoto's busiest noodle bars.
0:40:16 > 0:40:18- There's lots of people. - And am I out there?
0:40:18 > 0:40:21Rosemary is in the kitchen. Wayne will be waiting tables.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24I'm not going to be able to serve all this lot.
0:40:24 > 0:40:26- No, we'll be all right. - I just want to get going...
0:40:26 > 0:40:30- We've been through worse things. - ..because I'm actually getting a bit nervous now and I need to get going.
0:40:30 > 0:40:32Excuse me, what's your name?
0:40:32 > 0:40:35- Who are you?- My name is Yasu. - Yasu? My name is Wayne.
0:40:35 > 0:40:37Yasu is 69.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40He's been on the silver jobs scheme for the last three years.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43- OK, you're going to help me, yes? - Of course.- Thank goodness for that.
0:40:43 > 0:40:46- You speak good English? - Thank you.- Oh, do you?
0:40:46 > 0:40:48Oh, thank you. Good.
0:40:48 > 0:40:50That's very good. Thank you.
0:40:50 > 0:40:54Service. We normally say, "Service."
0:40:54 > 0:40:57- Go for it. Konnichiwa.- Konnichiwa.
0:40:57 > 0:40:59My heart is palpitating 20 to the penny.
0:40:59 > 0:41:05I'll just have to wing it. But I've got Yasu to help me.
0:41:05 > 0:41:08Meshe agare. Meshe agare.
0:41:09 > 0:41:12Very nice. How do you say bon appetit?
0:41:12 > 0:41:14- Bon appetit.- No, in Japanese.
0:41:14 > 0:41:18- Bon appetit.- No, I want Japanese.
0:41:18 > 0:41:20- Dojo. Meshe agate o kudasai. - What?
0:41:20 > 0:41:23- Dojo. Meshe agate o kudasai.- Slowly.
0:41:23 > 0:41:28- Dojo...- Meshe agate o kudasai.- Meshe agate.- Kudasai.
0:41:28 > 0:41:31- You must go slowly for me. I can't hear.- OK.
0:41:31 > 0:41:33Am I doing all right? Am I doing all right?
0:41:34 > 0:41:36Am I doing all right?
0:41:36 > 0:41:37- Hai.- Hai. OK.
0:41:37 > 0:41:41Although Rosemary is self-taught, she's previously worked
0:41:41 > 0:41:42at a three-star Michelin restaurant,
0:41:42 > 0:41:46but today is her first time in a Japanese kitchen.
0:41:46 > 0:41:48I feel like a goldfish.
0:41:48 > 0:41:53And she'll be making tofu tempura with the head chef.
0:41:53 > 0:41:55I tell you, that's quite stressful.
0:41:56 > 0:42:00This is new to me. This is a challenge.
0:42:00 > 0:42:02I'm in my element. This is where I'm happiest.
0:42:02 > 0:42:06I am cooking in a Japanese kitchen.
0:42:06 > 0:42:08I mean, how good can it get?
0:42:08 > 0:42:10I'm doing blooming tempura.
0:42:10 > 0:42:12I mean, look at it. I'm... OK, OK.
0:42:14 > 0:42:17I think the most important thing is just keep going for as long as I
0:42:17 > 0:42:21possibly can. So to think about retirement now is not on the books.
0:42:21 > 0:42:25Do you have lots of older people who work here? People like me?
0:42:28 > 0:42:30That's good. That's really good.
0:42:30 > 0:42:34Well, look, I would like to die on the job, OK?
0:42:34 > 0:42:36I would like to die when I'm in the middle of cooking in the kitchen
0:42:36 > 0:42:38and just go.
0:42:39 > 0:42:43The restaurant pays silver-scheme workers a basic rate of nearly
0:42:43 > 0:42:44£6 an hour.
0:42:44 > 0:42:47Why do you do this in old age?
0:42:47 > 0:42:51Because you could just relax, put your feet up.
0:42:51 > 0:42:56That's right. I cannot fooling around in the house every day, so...
0:42:56 > 0:42:59You just couldn't play around the house every day.
0:42:59 > 0:43:01- That's it.- Is it good money?
0:43:01 > 0:43:03Well, I don't care for...
0:43:03 > 0:43:05- That's not the point?- Not the point.
0:43:05 > 0:43:07I get minimum wage.
0:43:07 > 0:43:11- So it's not for the money? - No.- It's to keep active...
0:43:11 > 0:43:15- Keep active.- ..in old age, it keeps you going.- That's right.- Good, OK.
0:43:15 > 0:43:18Well, here we go, then. I'm getting loads of exercise.
0:43:18 > 0:43:20Watch this. Here we go.
0:43:20 > 0:43:21- OK.- That's it.
0:43:22 > 0:43:28In the UK, you reach your sell-by date at the age of 65 years old.
0:43:28 > 0:43:29Arigato.
0:43:29 > 0:43:31Well, that's ridiculous.
0:43:31 > 0:43:34In Japan, you can go until you drop, apparently.
0:43:34 > 0:43:36Thank you so much.
0:43:36 > 0:43:40- Arigato.- I think if you have good health,
0:43:40 > 0:43:43you should be able to go on as long as you can.
0:43:50 > 0:43:53It's a bit of a tight fit, isn't it?
0:43:53 > 0:43:56Sort of sideways into the washroom.
0:43:56 > 0:43:59Oh, Christ. I haven't got a clue how to do this.
0:43:59 > 0:44:02It's all in Japanese.
0:44:02 > 0:44:04And I can't read what it says here.
0:44:06 > 0:44:10Oh, God, getting old is such a fuck. Oh, dear.
0:44:13 > 0:44:15SHE FARTS
0:44:15 > 0:44:17That's better. I put my clothes in.
0:44:18 > 0:44:22Do I then... Is there powder? Can we?
0:44:22 > 0:44:24OK, let's have a look.
0:44:24 > 0:44:27- Have you put the washing powder in? - No.- OK, so...
0:44:32 > 0:44:34How did you know it was there?
0:44:34 > 0:44:36- Just there.- You guessed.
0:44:37 > 0:44:38Right.
0:44:41 > 0:44:43Oh, I see. OK, got it.
0:44:45 > 0:44:49After a hard day's work, the group are planning a big night out.
0:44:51 > 0:44:56They're leaving the quiet suburbs of Kyoto and travelling an hour away
0:44:56 > 0:44:57to the bright lights of Osaka.
0:45:02 > 0:45:05So many lights, you can't focus on one thing, can you?
0:45:05 > 0:45:07I know, yeah. It's bizarre, isn't it?
0:45:07 > 0:45:09There's a smell of soy sauce everywhere.
0:45:09 > 0:45:11Bob, look at that crab.
0:45:15 > 0:45:18The modern city is a mecca for young people,
0:45:18 > 0:45:22attracted to its vibrant nightlife and contemporary culture.
0:45:22 > 0:45:24- That's nice.- Lovely jubbly.
0:45:25 > 0:45:27I'll e-mail that to you, OK?
0:45:27 > 0:45:29MUSIC PLAYS
0:45:32 > 0:45:35This is weird. But actually...
0:45:39 > 0:45:41I love it. It's like Piccadilly Circus but better.
0:45:43 > 0:45:45Having been to Japan before,
0:45:45 > 0:45:48Wayne has one big concern about living here.
0:45:48 > 0:45:53I'm a bit wary of coming out and saying I'm gay to anybody unless
0:45:53 > 0:45:55I've already done my homework.
0:45:55 > 0:45:58- Hello.- Hello, hi.
0:45:58 > 0:46:00Are they accepted in the community?
0:46:00 > 0:46:04Do they have to hide themselves or can they just be as they are?
0:46:04 > 0:46:08- This is what they call a rendezvous. - I think it is.
0:46:08 > 0:46:09Ah, hello.
0:46:09 > 0:46:12Wayne and Miriam are meeting 45-year-old Tadashi,
0:46:12 > 0:46:15who came out to his parents two years ago.
0:46:16 > 0:46:20Wayne and I are both gay and we'd love to hear what things
0:46:20 > 0:46:23- are like here in Japan.- Here in Japan, um...
0:46:24 > 0:46:30In Japan, um, I think we're still behind about being gay.
0:46:30 > 0:46:35Yes, I've heard it's not an easy thing to be gay in Japan.
0:46:35 > 0:46:39No, most of my friends, including my partner,
0:46:39 > 0:46:44they cannot tell their sexuality so they are hiding,
0:46:44 > 0:46:51because I think many Japanese people have many prejudice.
0:46:51 > 0:46:57I feel that you are at the same stage as we were in 1966,
0:46:57 > 0:46:59because I had to hide it.
0:46:59 > 0:47:01It was not acceptable at all.
0:47:01 > 0:47:07I was an only child, no brothers and sisters, and we are Jewish.
0:47:08 > 0:47:11A very strong family...
0:47:13 > 0:47:17..will for the girl to get married and have children.
0:47:17 > 0:47:19I knew that I was gay
0:47:19 > 0:47:25but when I told my mother directly, I told her,
0:47:25 > 0:47:31she told my father, who was a doctor, and he made me go to
0:47:31 > 0:47:35the drawing room of the house and on the Bible...
0:47:36 > 0:47:41..our Bible, to swear that I would never sleep with a woman again.
0:47:42 > 0:47:44That is outrageous.
0:47:44 > 0:47:51I knew that I would have to make that oath and I knew that I would
0:47:51 > 0:47:57break it, because the sexual feeling that you have is stronger
0:47:57 > 0:48:02than any oath could ever be, so I felt no guilt.
0:48:02 > 0:48:05- I lied...- To please your father.
0:48:05 > 0:48:07I lied to please him and I said,
0:48:07 > 0:48:12"No, I will never sleep with another woman again," knowing that I would.
0:48:14 > 0:48:21And I did and I was lucky, because I met the right person fairly early on
0:48:21 > 0:48:24and we've been together for 48 years.
0:48:24 > 0:48:27- Well done.- Wow.- Congratulations. - Congratulations.
0:48:27 > 0:48:29So I was lucky.
0:48:29 > 0:48:34If I had to live in Japan, would I have to tone myself down?
0:48:34 > 0:48:35Sometimes you need to hide.
0:48:37 > 0:48:40Sometimes you need to hide. Well, I ain't doing that.
0:48:40 > 0:48:43- Well, then don't live here, mate. - I can't live here if I have to hide.
0:48:43 > 0:48:45That's not me.
0:48:45 > 0:48:48This is who I am and if you don't like it, tough titty.
0:48:55 > 0:48:56What's that supposed to be?
0:48:56 > 0:49:00Known as the nation's kitchen, the group have picked one of Osaka's
0:49:00 > 0:49:02many modern barbecue restaurants for dinner.
0:49:02 > 0:49:04This is exciting, isn't it?
0:49:04 > 0:49:07- It's beautiful.- It's brilliant, Rosemary.
0:49:07 > 0:49:10- Hello.- Thank you.
0:49:10 > 0:49:12SHOUTING
0:49:12 > 0:49:15- ALL:- Yay.
0:49:19 > 0:49:24- Cheers.- Cheers.- Down the hatch.- Kampai.
0:49:24 > 0:49:25Kampai.
0:49:25 > 0:49:29- Oh.- And I want a tea towel.
0:49:31 > 0:49:33Big lady. Fat lady.
0:49:33 > 0:49:35SHOUTING
0:49:35 > 0:49:37I don't know what they're saying.
0:49:37 > 0:49:40The food is completely different in Japan.
0:49:40 > 0:49:43I didn't expect it to be how it was.
0:49:43 > 0:49:44This is how I expected it.
0:49:44 > 0:49:46This is the bee's knees.
0:49:46 > 0:49:49- I eat what I know.- Are you playing safe, mate?
0:49:49 > 0:49:52- I'm playing safe, yeah.- At least you tried it.
0:49:52 > 0:49:54I tell you what, when you live with people, it's quite interesting,
0:49:54 > 0:49:58because they see you in a different way to how you see yourself,
0:49:58 > 0:50:01and I think I'm far too enthusiastic.
0:50:01 > 0:50:06And I say words that... now obviously I'm going to, so everything's brilliant.
0:50:07 > 0:50:08You know, I'm going to curb that one.
0:50:09 > 0:50:11That's a good move.
0:50:11 > 0:50:14The fact is, I never feel I can keep still.
0:50:16 > 0:50:19I know, and that's why I find you irritating sometimes.
0:50:20 > 0:50:24- Am I irritating?- Only sometimes.
0:50:24 > 0:50:26Just like I'm irritating sometimes.
0:50:27 > 0:50:28I think we all are sometimes.
0:50:30 > 0:50:34Because we're living in very close proximity to each other.
0:50:36 > 0:50:39I love this scissor attack, don't you?
0:50:39 > 0:50:41I think the scissor attack is wonderful.
0:50:41 > 0:50:43- I love the scissor attack.- Yes.
0:50:55 > 0:50:59It's 6:30am and another early start in Kyoto for Rosemary and Miriam.
0:51:01 > 0:51:05They've headed out to a traditional public baths just 20 minutes from
0:51:05 > 0:51:06their house.
0:51:06 > 0:51:07Shoes off.
0:51:09 > 0:51:13Every day, millions of Japanese people choose to soak in
0:51:13 > 0:51:17the therapeutic waters of a traditional hot spring
0:51:17 > 0:51:18known as an onsen.
0:51:18 > 0:51:21Oh, so we do have to go naked.
0:51:21 > 0:51:25- Yeah.- OK, well, we've come here early, so there's nobody here,
0:51:25 > 0:51:30thank goodness. Don't get me wrong, I love going to health spas,
0:51:30 > 0:51:32I love that, but this is different.
0:51:32 > 0:51:35This is not my thing, to go nudist.
0:51:35 > 0:51:40Japanese people are slender and therefore they're not embarrassed
0:51:40 > 0:51:44about their bodies, whereas I am, and I suspect that you are too,
0:51:44 > 0:51:48because you're overweight, so, you know, there it is.
0:51:48 > 0:51:50Why are you doing it, then?
0:51:50 > 0:51:52- Because it's experience, isn't it? - It is an experience.
0:51:52 > 0:51:55I'm happy. I don't mind doing it at all.
0:51:55 > 0:51:57My mother was a nudist, actually.
0:51:57 > 0:52:01She always used to do the housework in the nude, which confused
0:52:01 > 0:52:06the au-pair girls a little bit, but we all managed.
0:52:06 > 0:52:12I can't imagine my mother naked. Oh, God, no.
0:52:12 > 0:52:15- Let's do the deed. - Don't pee in the pool.
0:52:15 > 0:52:17Well, don't fart either, Miriam.
0:52:17 > 0:52:19I'm in there with you, so for goodness' sake, restrain yourself.
0:52:19 > 0:52:22- Farting is fine. - Not with me in the pool.
0:52:32 > 0:52:34- What's it like?- Oh.
0:52:38 > 0:52:40I don't know what to do, now.
0:52:40 > 0:52:42I've got my boobs. They've come too.
0:52:44 > 0:52:45Oh, my giddy aunt.
0:52:45 > 0:52:50I forgot that boobs float, and they're floating.
0:52:50 > 0:52:52I hope they'll stay with me.
0:52:52 > 0:52:53Nipples ahoy!
0:52:55 > 0:52:58I think this is quite liberating but I'm not sure...
0:52:59 > 0:53:02I'm not sure this is something I would do
0:53:02 > 0:53:07normally because this is nudist and I'm not a nudist person.
0:53:08 > 0:53:12When I was a child, I was very fat so I've always been fat.
0:53:12 > 0:53:15And it's not feeling sorry for myself, I don't at all.
0:53:15 > 0:53:18I never did. But I was always the personality.
0:53:18 > 0:53:20I was always the personality.
0:53:20 > 0:53:24I can see why people live longer here, because it sort of keeps you
0:53:24 > 0:53:26de-stressed and calm.
0:53:26 > 0:53:29Taking the exercise, OK, it's compulsory...
0:53:29 > 0:53:34Rosemary, just for a minute, don't say anything.
0:53:34 > 0:53:37Oh, really? I thought that was rather interesting, actually.
0:53:37 > 0:53:38Well, just for a minute...
0:53:40 > 0:53:46I learnt that it's really wonderful to have new friends late in life.
0:53:46 > 0:53:51I learned from Rosemary that I can cope with a whirlwind because
0:53:51 > 0:53:53Rosemary is a whirlwind.
0:53:53 > 0:53:58Miriam, I'm not going to say a word and I'm going to let you enjoy
0:53:58 > 0:54:03the trees and the rainy day, OK.
0:54:03 > 0:54:05Is that all right?
0:54:05 > 0:54:06Oh, you've gone to sleep, OK.
0:54:08 > 0:54:13In a way, she's quite childlike, and I think that's adorable.
0:54:13 > 0:54:18Honestly, Rosemary, I could fart and it wouldn't affect you because
0:54:18 > 0:54:22- you're in another bath.- I know, honestly, I'm so happy about that.
0:54:22 > 0:54:25You can fart to your heart's content as far as I'm concerned.
0:54:25 > 0:54:26I honestly don't need to.
0:54:36 > 0:54:39It's the group's last day in Japan.
0:54:39 > 0:54:40The worst thing, of course,
0:54:40 > 0:54:43is that I have to put these bloody flight socks on.
0:54:43 > 0:54:48I've got a book and that most essential
0:54:48 > 0:54:54of extra things in your carry-on, an extra pair of knickers.
0:54:57 > 0:55:01Before they leave, the group are taking the chance to visit one of
0:55:01 > 0:55:02Kyoto's most famous sites...
0:55:05 > 0:55:09..the Kiyomizu-dera, a 17th-century Buddhist temple.
0:55:14 > 0:55:16- Thatched roof as well.- Is it?
0:55:16 > 0:55:18Yeah, that's a thatched roof, that is.
0:55:18 > 0:55:20- Gosh.- I'm going to go to that...
0:55:20 > 0:55:23- I'm going to go to there an' all. - ..to the railing.
0:55:23 > 0:55:26That's quite a view. I wouldn't like to fall down there.
0:55:26 > 0:55:32- Hello.- Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Kiyomizu Temple, welcome.
0:55:34 > 0:55:37The temple is known for its ancient waterfall.
0:55:37 > 0:55:39It's believed that drinking the spring water
0:55:39 > 0:55:42increases life expectancy.
0:55:42 > 0:55:43- Six steps to go.- Six.
0:55:46 > 0:55:47Hi. Hi.
0:55:52 > 0:55:54- Thank you very much for trying. - I have to try.
0:55:54 > 0:55:59No, I will be fine, because that's my journey.
0:55:59 > 0:56:00The end is in sight...
0:56:02 > 0:56:04..in every way.
0:56:13 > 0:56:14I want to go and drink some.
0:56:14 > 0:56:16Yes, please.
0:56:18 > 0:56:21- Do you just drink it from here? - Yes, please.- Oh.
0:56:21 > 0:56:23- Sorry.- No problem. No problem.
0:56:24 > 0:56:28- This is for another 60 years. - Another 60 years, please.
0:56:28 > 0:56:32It helps you live longer, they say, and if we can do this and live for
0:56:32 > 0:56:35a lot longer, that's a very good thing.
0:56:36 > 0:56:40Japan is very specific in how they deal with old age.
0:56:40 > 0:56:42The fact is, if they want a job, they can get a job.
0:56:42 > 0:56:46It's all to do with living longer and doing the right thing.
0:56:47 > 0:56:49It's a huge lesson.
0:56:49 > 0:56:51It's a massive lesson for us.
0:56:51 > 0:56:54I'm going to live to 109 now.
0:56:54 > 0:56:58- Not sure about that, dear, but give it a go.- Oh, I'm sure.
0:56:59 > 0:57:04When the moment comes and I know that I'm going to die, I want to
0:57:04 > 0:57:09do it with a kind of radiance that I've seen other people have.
0:57:09 > 0:57:13Friends of mine who've died have died so well, and I think,
0:57:13 > 0:57:16"Oh, God, if I could do that."
0:57:16 > 0:57:21I don't know if I can, because I'm a frightened little fart, really.
0:57:22 > 0:57:28I am very happy that I have stopped being scared of death.
0:57:28 > 0:57:30I'm not scared of it at all any more.
0:57:30 > 0:57:34I know that it's inevitable, so why worry about it?
0:57:34 > 0:57:39But, if you can keep yourself healthy by keeping the brain active,
0:57:39 > 0:57:42joining a club and doing physical exercise,
0:57:42 > 0:57:46eating the right kind of food, then you will have done your best.
0:57:46 > 0:57:47How old are you, young man?
0:57:47 > 0:57:50- How old? What's your age?- I'm sorry. - How old are you?- I'm 38, sir.
0:57:50 > 0:57:5238. Bubba.
0:57:55 > 0:57:57If you can live a long while, then great.
0:57:57 > 0:58:00That's my thing in life, to live a long while.
0:58:00 > 0:58:02Look, there's a goldfish there.
0:58:03 > 0:58:06See the goldfish? As long as I die old, I don't mind.
0:58:07 > 0:58:09I'm glad I didn't die young,
0:58:09 > 0:58:12but I don't feel old myself unless I look in that mirror.
0:58:16 > 0:58:19- Thank you.- Thank you so much.
0:58:19 > 0:58:21Thank you.
0:58:21 > 0:58:23Thank you. Lovely jubbly.
0:58:23 > 0:58:25- Arigato.- Arigato.
0:58:27 > 0:58:29- Lovely jubbly.- Lovely jubbly.
0:58:31 > 0:58:33- Bye.- Bye.
0:58:33 > 0:58:35Sayonara.
0:58:35 > 0:58:36Sayonara.
0:58:39 > 0:58:43- Look at the little kids.- It's been a real education, hasn't it?
0:58:43 > 0:58:46It's been lovely. Thank you for your gorgeous company, all of you.
0:58:46 > 0:58:50But I had such gorgeous bowel movements today.
0:58:50 > 0:58:52- Did you?- I had two.
0:58:52 > 0:58:53I had one last night.
0:58:53 > 0:58:56And it was so lovely. I just loved it.
0:58:56 > 0:58:59I must tell you, the loos are wonderful.