Tomiko Itooka, born on May 23, 1908, in Japan, has lived an extraordinary life spanning over a century. As the eldest of three children, she married at the age of twenty and became the mother of four. During World War II, Tomiko took charge of her husband’s textile factory in South Korea, managing it while raising her family. After her husband’s death in 1979, she found a new passion: mountaineering.
Remarkably, Itooka began climbing mountains in her 70s. One of her most notable achievements was scaling Japan’s 3,067-meter Mount Ontake, one of the country’s tallest peaks, in sneakers instead of hiking boots. This feat highlighted her adventurous spirit. Mount Ontake, an active volcano on Honshu Island, holds deep spiritual significance in Japanese culture, attracting hikers and pilgrims alike.
Even in her later years, Tomiko surprised many with her physical stamina. At the age of 100, she walked up the steep steps of Japan’s Ashiya Shrine without the aid of a cane. However, as she grew older, she eventually moved into a nursing home and began using a wheelchair.
Tomiko credits part of her long life to her daily consumption of Calpis, a popular non-carbonated Japanese soft drink with a slightly milky and tangy taste. In 2024, at the age of 116, she officially became the world’s oldest verified living person, following the passing of Maria Branyas of Spain. Tomiko’s remarkable life, filled with resilience and adventure, continues to inspire people worldwide.
