Ikigai (生き甲斐) is a Japanese concept meaning "a reason for being." It lives at the intersection of what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for.

How do I find my ikigai?

Use the four-circle reflection: list what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. The overlap is your ikigai. The Ikigai Discovery Tool on this page guides you through 20 questions.

Is ikigai a religion?

No. Ikigai is a cultural philosophy from Japan, particularly Okinawa. It is practiced as daily attention to small purposes — gardening, friendship, work, craft.

What is hara hachi bu?

Hara hachi bu means "eat until you are 80% full." It is one of the strongest dietary signals correlated with Okinawan longevity.

A moai is a small social circle, traditionally of 5 friends, who commit to support one another for life — financially, emotionally, and practically.

Ikigai · 桜 · You are not alone

Reflections from around the world.

A wall of small, true things from people walking the same path. Read one. Add one. Notice the petals.

Add your reflection

“I taught calligraphy for 40 years. My ikigai is the brush meeting the page in silence at dawn.”

— Aiko, Japan

“I thought my ikigai had to be big. The 30-day challenge taught me it was already in my hands ÔÇö making sourdough for my neighbours.”

— Marcus, Brazil

“At 19 I read this page. At 22 I quit a job that was killing me and started teaching. I still come back here when I forget.”

— Priya, India

“Proof of life.”

— Smoke, Test