Ikigai: The Japanese Secret for a More Meaningful Life

Table of Contents

• What is Ikigai?
• The Real Essence of Ikigai
• The Four Pillars of Ikigai
• Ikigai in Japanese Culture
• The Traveller's Ikigai: Travelling with Purpose
• Applying Ikigai to Your Travel
• Conclusion: Finding Your Own Ikigai

What is Ikigai?

Ikigai (生き甲斐, lit. ‘a reason for being’) is a Japanese concept that encapsulates the intersection of what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can get paid for. The ikigai diagram illustrates this traditional Japanese philosophy through four overlapping circles, each representing these key areas of life, helping individuals identify their personal intersection of purpose and fulfillment. It’s a quest for aligning your passions, talents, and values with your profession, leading to a life of purpose and satisfaction. This traditional Japanese philosophy ultimately focuses on well-being and a happier life.

While the Western world often emphasizes achieving success through material possessions and external validation, Ikigai takes a different approach. It’s about finding contentment within, pursuing activities that bring joy and fulfilment, and contributing to something greater than oneself.

In other words, while Western cultures often focus on hedonic well-being, which is about pursuing pleasure and avoiding pain, Japanese philosophy, as exemplified by Ikigai, leans towards eudaimonic well-being.

The Real Essence of Ikigai

Very often, Ikigai is linked with finding the right job or career – even though that’s probably the right way to go, we believe the real value comes from understanding the best way to live our life. The essence of Ikigai is deeply rooted in appreciating the small, meaningful experiences that contribute to our day to day living. Ikigai is about cultivating a mindful presence, embracing gratitude, and pursuing a path that aligns with your inner compass. In simpler terms, it’s about being true to yourself and finding a life worth living. Finding a balance between what challenges you as much as it fulfils you. When you find your Ikigai, it’ll feel right.

The Four Pillars of Ikigai

According to Ken Mogi, a neuroscientist and author of ‘The Little Book of Ikigai’, ‘Ikigai is about feeling your life is valuable and that you are contributing to society in some way.’ His research emphasizes that the concept of Ikigai is deeply personal and varies from person to person.

That´s why each person's ikigai is shaped by personal life experiences and self-reflection, often referred to as 'personal ikigai'. Utilizing frameworks like the Ikigai diagram - a well-adapted venn diagram - can help individuals identify and clarify their unique motivations and life goals.

There are four key elements that contribute to Ikigai:

1. What you love: Identify activities that spark joy and enthusiasm, that make you feel alive and engaged.

2. What you’re good at: Reflect on your skills, talents, and abilities – what do you have a natural knack for?

3. What the world needs: Consider the impact you can make on the world – what skills and talents can you use to address social needs?

4. What you can get paid for: Explore how you can turn your passions and skills into a sustainable livelihood.

Ikigai in Japanese Culture

Ikigai is deeply embedded in Japanese culture, shaping their approach to work, relationships, and personal fulfilment. The Japanese word 'ikigai' emphasizes finding meaning in everyday experiences rather than solely in professional success, highlighting the appreciation of small, joyful moments and the simplicity of daily living. The Japanese emphasis on harmony, mindfulness, and continuous learning fosters a favourable environment for pursuing Ikigai.

Researchers have found that Ikigai plays a significant role in the healthy and fulfilling lives of Okinawan centenarians. They often describe their Ikigai as simple pleasures – tending to their gardens, spending time with loved ones, or engaging in activities that bring them joy. These everyday pursuits, rooted in Ikigai, contribute to their overall well-being and longevity, impacting their life expectancy positively.

For instance, Masako Wakamiya, who at 81 became one of the world’s oldest iOS app developers, finds her Ikigai in programming and teaching others about technology. Her story brings pleasure to all those people aspiring to a more meaning in this life even at a later stage of life.

Practical Tips and Actionable Advice for a Happy Life

To start discovering your own Ikigai, try these steps:

1. Reflect Daily: Spend a few minutes each day reflecting on what activities make you happy and give you a sense of purpose.

2. Experiment: Try new hobbies or volunteer in different fields to see what resonates with you.

3. Seek Feedback: Ask friends and family what they see as your strengths and passions.

4. Set Goals: Define small, achievable goals that align with your passions and values.

The Traveller's Ikigai: Travelling with Purpose

While the Ikigai philosophy encompasses all aspects of life, for us at Japanspecialist, it holds particular significance for travellers seeking a deeper connection with Japan’s rich culture and traditions. Pursuing a fulfilling life through travel means engaging with one's passions, talents, and contributions to society, which can lead to a greater sense of fulfillment and happiness. This is where the concept of Traveller’s Ikigai comes into play.

The Traveller’s Ikigai is not just about ticking off sightseeing spots on a checklist; it’s about embracing the Japanese way of life and seeking experiences that resonate with your passions, skills, and values.

Applying Ikigai to travelling is one way every traveller can enhance their experience. When we craft an itinerary for our customers, we take particular care to get to know them, digging deep, and asking many questions. This allows us to understand them better and create a more meaningful trip.

How Can You Apply Ikigai to Your Travel?

Here is a quick guide on how – depending on the four elements of Ikigai: Passion, Mission, Vocation, Profession – you can travel more meaningfully. A happy life is often associated with finding joy and satisfaction in meaningful travel, which aligns with the principles of Ikigai.

1. Passion: This is probably the easiest one to apply since most travellers love and enjoy spending time travelling. For travellers interested in Japan, it means really spending time on what made you fall in love with the country in the first place. Eating the most authentic food, participating in a local Japanese festival, climbing Mount Fuji – the choices are infinite. Just follow your heart.

2. Mission: Have a purpose or goal that gives you a sense of meaning and direction. This could mean learning about and experiencing the country’s rich culture and history and promoting cultural exchange and understanding between Japan and other countries. When you intentionally and consciously think of travelling as a life experience that can change you, the opportunity to make it more meaningful becomes a reality. Ask yourself – how can you make your trip to Japan more meaningful?

3. Vocation: We all have a particular talent that makes us different. Use it to share your travel experiences with others. Whether it’s on social media, through photography, a podcast, or a blog, you can use your vocation to inspire other people. This will also make your travel experience much better. If you think you can’t really do it, we invite you to try – you may find it an amusing thing to do.

4. Profession: In this case, if traveling is really what you want to do, there are plenty of opportunities out there. For travellers interested in Japan, this could mean becoming a local tour guide themselves. By connecting travellers with local communities and businesses, tour guides can help promote sustainable and responsible tourism practices that benefit both travellers and locals alike. If you are an experienced tour guide in Japan, you can always drop us an email – we’re always looking for more passionate guides.

Links to Further Reading

For more in-depth understanding, check out these resources:

• 'Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life' by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles

• 'The Little Book of Ikigai' by Ken Mogi

Find Your Own Ikigai and a Fulfilling Life

Ikigai is a personal journey, not a destination. The pursuit of Ikigai contributes to a long and happy life, as seen in the longevity and fulfillment of Okinawans. It’s a continuous process of self-discovery, reflection, and adaptation. The path may not always be clear, but the pursuit of Ikigai is a journey worth taking. For us at Japanspecialist, Ikigai is a great inspiration to move in the right direction, but it also guides us into creating unique and meaningful experiences for all our customers.