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 · Go deeper

Books, films & voices on Ikigai.

A short, honest list. Read one. Then come back.

BOOK

Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life

by H├®ctor Garc├¡a & Francesc Miralles

The book that brought ikigai to the West ÔÇö distilled from interviews with the elders of Ogimi.

BOOK

The Little Book of Ikigai

by Ken Mogi

A neuroscientist's view: ikigai begins with small, daily pleasures.

BOOK

Awakening Your Ikigai

by Ken Mogi

Five pillars: starting small, releasing yourself, harmony and sustainability, joy of little things, being in the here and now.

VIDEO

How to Find Your Ikigai

by Tim Tamashiro

A practical TEDx introduction to ikigai as a daily practice.

DOCUMENTARY

How to Live to 100 ÔÇö Okinawa

by BBC

Okinawa's longevity through ikigai, hara hachi bu, and moai.