Unveiling the True Meaning of Ikigai as a Japanese: Beyond the Venn Diagram Misconception
Ikigai is Often Misunderstood…
If you've explored mindfulness blogs or scrolled through Instagram, you've likely come across the Venn diagram that attempts to define ikigai—a reason for being. This popular image, showing the overlap of what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for, has shaped how many people understand ikigai. I think it gained global recognition through the book Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles, published in 2016, which was translated into 63 languages and sold over three million copies.
I read the book and found the research on Japan fascinating. But as someone raised in Japan, I see ikigai a little differently. While the diagram is visually appealing, I think that ikigai isn’t a rigid formula for a fulfilling life, nor is it solely about work or making a global impact. Instead, it’s deeply personal—often found in quiet, everyday moments that bring joy and meaning. Conversations with fellow Japanese people reveal a different story: ikigai isn’t something that must fit into career achievements or monetizable skills. It can be as simple as enjoying nature, engaging in a hobby, or cherishing time with loved ones.
What You’ll Discover in This Newsletter
How the Western interpretation of ikigai differs from its true meaning in Japan
Real-life perspectives from Japanese people on what ikigai means to them
Practical ways to cultivate ikigai in your daily life
Who this is for: If the Venn diagram approach feels limiting or stressful, this is for you.
Real-Life Perspectives from Japan
If any of you are curious about how ikigai is perceived by people in Japan, I highly recommend checking out this YouTube video by Samurai Matcha (with over 599K subscribers), where Japanese elders and everyday people share what ikigai means to them.
Here, I will share you some of the answers to the question:
"I find ikigai in growing vegetables and hearing people say they’re delicious."
"Seeing my grandson makes me happy, and this is my ikigai."
"When I walk my dog or solve puzzles, I forget my worries and feel content."
"I love writing, because writing in my diary is a proof that I’m alive."
"I never thought much about ikigai until I realized raising my children gives me purpose."
"For me, simply living a normal life is enough."
These reflections show that ikigai isn’t about fitting into a framework—it’s about personal fulfillment, often found in small, meaningful experiences. It doesn’t have to be something you’re good at or something you get paid for.
Also, Kelly gave me a message the other day saying that she thinks the ikigai diagram we often see is a bit misleading too.
She mentioned that it was created by a Westerner and doesn’t fully capture the true meaning of ikigai. She’s apparently planning to discuss this with an expert guest on her podcast soon, so definitely keep an eye out for that!
Survey Insights: How Do Japanese People Define Ikigai?
Now, let’s take a closer look at what a broader swath of people in Japan say about their own ikigai in Japan, A few years ago, the Japanese government's Cabinet Office conducted a survey exploring when individuals feel a sense of ikigai. The top responses were:
This survey highlights that ikigai is often rooted in relationships and personal interests rather than professional achievements. While work can be meaningful for some, the majority of people in Japan find fulfillment in everyday joys, such as family time and hobbies.
Another survey by asked 2,000 Japanese, whether their ikigai was tied to work or something outside of it:
Work-related ikigai: 30.5%
Non-work-related ikigai: 43.0%
This suggests that many Japanese people do not tie their ikigai to their careers. Instead, they find purpose in personal pursuits, relationships, and simple pleasures that bring happiness outside of professional life.
This survey also asked what efforts people were willing to make to deepen their sense of ikigai, and the key responses were:
Deepening Existing or Discovering New Hobbies: 47.5%
Engaging More Actively with Friends and Non-Family Members: 38.8%
Spending More Quality Time and Communicating with Family or Pets: 37.4%
This reinforces that ikigai isn’t just about what we do but about cultivating meaningful connections and experiences that enhance daily life.
Reimagining Ikigai: A More Authentic Framework
So, what can we learn from the YouTube video and these survey insights? I think it’s clear that the ikigai diagram so often shared today doesn’t fully align with how people in Japan experience it. Rather than being a structured framework tied to career success, ikigai is something deeply personal—often found in relationships, hobbies, and small moments of joy.
Ikigai is not just about finding something that fits into multiple categories—it can be anything that brings meaning to your life. It doesn’t have to be a perfect intersection of different elements. Instead of the traditional Venn diagram, imagine a simpler one.
What You Love
What Gives You Fulfillment
What Connects You with Others
These do not have to overlap. Each one can be an ikigai on its own. Whether it’s a passion, a sense of purpose, or meaningful relationships, any of these alone can be enough.
Ikigai isn’t about mastery or money. Many people find joy outside their jobs, using work as a means to support hobbies, family time, or personal projects.
It’s about what you love. The most fulfilling moments are often when you lose yourself in an activity—reading, walking, or simply enjoying a quiet morning.
It’s about spreading joy. When you engage in something that makes you genuinely happy, that positivity radiates outward, uplifting those around you.
It evolves over time. Your ikigai today might not be the same in five or ten years—and that’s okay.
My Personal Journey with Ikigai
I won’t lie—finding my own ikigai as a Japanese has not been a straightforward journey. In a society that often emphasizes structured success, I used to feel pressured to define my purpose in grand terms. At times, I questioned whether something was wrong with me for not having it all figured out.
But I realized that this was because of the global image that is prevalent now—that ikigai has to be something that you can be paid for and something that the world needs. Thinking back to its original Japanese meaning, I realized it can be as simple as going out to dinner with my high school friend or taking a family trip.
Recently, I’ve also come to see that writing my Substack is my ikigai. It’s not something that makes me money right away, but sharing insights about my beloved country Japan and providing wellness information as a medical student is something I do without noticing time pass. Lately, I’ve found myself prioritizing this over studying without even realizing it!
Take-Home Messages
So, my take-home message is, if you’re feeling uncertain or even disheartened about your search for ikigai, please know that it’s completely normal. Ikigai is not a rigid formula but a deeply personal experience.
Embrace Your Unique Journey. There’s no need to compare your ikigai with someone else’s path.
Focus on What Brings You Joy. Whether work, hobbies, or relationships, cherish what makes you feel truly alive.
Let Go of Perfection. Ikigai doesn’t have to be a perfect balance of passion, skill, and money.
Seek Connection. The happiness you cultivate often extends to others.
Be Open to Change. Ikigai evolves with you.
A Gentle Invitation to Reflect
So, as a final question, I would like to ask:
What do you love?
What gives you fulfillment?
What connects you with others?
Without even noticing, you might already have your ikigai deep inside you. And if not, perhaps it’s something you can nurture over time. Ikigai doesn’t have to be grand or life-changing—it can be found in the smallest, most ordinary moments. What does ikigai mean to you?
I’d love to hear your answers, so please leave a comment below! I promise to read into every comment about your ikigai!
Your likes and shares are truly appreciated, as they might reach someone who needs to read this—someone who’s thinking and struggling to find their misinterpreted ikigai.
Thank you so much for reading until the end, and I hope this helped you!
I really enjoyed this article because I also disagree with the ridgid model that has become popular. I am trained in career and life design counselling and so ikigai is an interesting concept to me. I'm always very keen to learn about a more authentic Japanese understanding of it so I'm very grateful for your article.
Very thought provoking article. I haven’t figured out my ikigai yet, but the ideas and question prompts you have shared are a great place to start! What I do know, is that when kookaburras come for a visit to my house and sit peacefully on my clothesline, it fills me with absolute joy. I sit outside with them, dig up worms and grubs to give them as snacks (sometimes supplemented with tiny scraps of raw steak!)… and enjoy their company for as long as they are happy to rest in my backyard.