There is a Japanese tale of a fisherman who saves a turtle from a fishing net. So, the turtle takes him to the Dragon Kingdom, under water, where he meets a spirit-like princess and spends a few hours with her. But when he returns home, he realises several centuries have passed and everyone he knew is long dead. Then, he opens a box given to him by the fairy princess. As soon as he opens it, he becomes old. And dies.

Irish mythology also has a similar tale of a hero called Oisin, who travels to the land of eternal youth and lives there for several centuries. He comes back only to find the world has changed. And even turned Christian. Like in the Japanese tale, he is told never to get off his horse, but he does so. As a result, he becomes instantly old.