Learning about Ikigai in Japan

Traveling solo in Japan was an amazing experience. Something that caught my attention is how Japan has built a culture around excellence. I noticed that no matter the job, every person showed that they cared and paid attention to every detail.

There is a concept from Okinawa called Ikigai. It means “a life worth living," “a life with purpose," and “a reason to wake up every morning." Finding your Ikigai is not about money, but about finding and doing things that bring fulfillment, health, and joy to who you are at your core. This includes hobbies, nutrition, nature, friendships, and your attitude about life. Ikigai reminds me of Pura Vida in Costa Rica, which means Pure Life.

This concept made me wonder how often we forget to include more Ikigais in our lives because of our obsession with productivity. It also made me wonder if the excellence I saw in Japan was often correlated to people who found ways to live a more fulfilling life outside of work, which directly impacted their work performance in positive ways.

Share below: What are some of your Ikigais? Those things that bring joy, meaning, and fulfillment to your life outside of work.

Here I am at the senso-ji temple in Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan. Highly recommend visiting this beautiful place when you get a chance.