Entertainment · Celebrity · 2 hrs ago
Saburo Kitajima, 90, moves from large home to accessible hotel
Enka singer Saburo Kitajima has moved from his Tokyo home to a hotel.
The 90-year-old has lived in a wheelchair for several years, and the hotel room is designed for wheelchair access.
His former home, where he had lived for more than 40 years, is a large, multi-storey house with 36 rooms.
The hotel is a more practical place for him to live, according to people familiar with his situation.
Kitajima has said he wants to keep singing for as long as he can, and he remains active in music.
He recently performed his song “Matsuri” at a music awards event and has worked on a new song for his student, singer Yutaka Oe.
His agency says he is preparing for a November 27 concert, showing that he plans to continue performing.
Saburo Kitajima, who turned 90 on October 4, has left his longtime Tokyo home and is living in a hotel with wheelchair-accessible facilities.
He has used a wheelchair for several years, and the hotel room is described as barrier-free and easier for him to use.
The home he left had 36 rooms on a 1,300-tsubo site and was completed in 1983.
A source cited by the article said Kitajima chose the hotel for convenience while maintaining his wish to keep singing.
His agency said he is preparing for a performance at the November 27 event “Reiwa Song Festival 2026.”
- Who
- Saburo Kitajima, an enka singer who turned 90.
- What
- He has left his longtime home and is living in a wheelchair-accessible hotel.
- When
- The report was published on October 20, 2026. He turned 90 on October 4.
- Where
- At a hotel; the article does not identify it. His former home is in Tokyo.
- Why
- A source cited by the article said the large multi-level home was inconvenient for him as a wheelchair user, and he chose a more accessible place to live.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Kitajima’s 36-room home on a 1,300-tsubo site was completed.
He retired from the NHK New Year’s Eve music show after appearing 50 times, though he later appeared in special segments.
He ended his starring theater performances, which had reached 4,578 shows.
Kitajima began using a wheelchair.
Kitajima turned 90.
His agency said he was preparing to perform at “Reiwa Song Festival 2026.
- Age
- 90
- Birthday
- October 4, 2026
- Former home
- 36 rooms on a 1,300-tsubo site in Tokyo
- Former home completed
- 1983
- Upcoming event
- Reiwa Song Festival 2026,” scheduled for November 27, 2026
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