The Ikigai Journey, written by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles, explores the Japanese concept of Ikigai: finding meaning and value in life. The book serves as a practical guide to discovering happiness and purpose through a Japanese way of living.
The introduction begins with the writers’ visit to Ogimi, a village of around 3,000 inhabitants known for having one of the highest life expectancies in the world and remarkably low rates of cancer and other diseases. According to the authors, the villagers have found their Ikigai. The secret to this longevity, they suggest, is to always keep busy. In the words of a 96-year-old woman: “If you don’t do anything, death comes for you.”
The book is divided into three parts: future, past, and present. Each section carries its own themes, reflections, dos and don’ts. As a reader, I found this structure interesting and helpful because every human life is shaped by all three dimensions.
The Future
The themes of the “future” section can be summed up through several important ideas. One of the most striking was the Shinkansen Effect. The authors discuss Japan’s bullet train project: instead of simply improving trains to reach 100 km/h, engineers reimagined the entire system and created the world’s first bullet train capable of 200 km/h within the same budget and timeline. The idea behind Shinkansen thinking is that if you have a goal you plan to achieve in ten years, challenge yourself to think about how it could be achieved in one. I found this concept deeply motivating and worth carrying forward.
Another major lesson is the power of patience and perseverance. Simple, consistent effort leads to great achievements. The authors explain that in one hour we may only gain an introduction to a subject, in ten hours a broader understanding, but after 10,000 hours we may become masters of it. This is a point I completely agree with.
The section on habits focuses on how adopting healthy routines can lead to happiness. Habits are subconscious decisions that shape our daily lives. By identifying when a habit appears and understanding the reward behind it, we can turn positive actions into routines.
The chapter on feedback explains the importance of understanding how others see us and listening to opinions; especially honest criticism from friends and family. Feedback, according to the authors, acts as a mirror reflecting our progress. I agree with this idea to an extent, though I also feel feedback does not always work, particularly in deeply personal decisions like following one’s dreams, where there may not be a clear right or wrong answer.
Another meaningful chapter discusses the importance of mentors, or Senpai in Japanese culture. The authors mention how Albert Einstein’s early mentor, Max Talmey, introduced him to science books as a child. The message is simple: geniuses are not merely born; they are nurtured. Looking back on my own life, I realize how valuable a mentor can be in shaping intelligence and giving it meaningful direction.
The book also encourages readers to discover their “element” — understanding what they truly like and dislike. If we are unsure about what we enjoy, the authors suggest beginning with what we know we dislike and gradually narrowing our path through elimination. I am not entirely certain about this approach, but I do think it is worth reflecting upon.
The 80/20 Rule is another perspective the authors repeatedly apply: we wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time, 20% of our problems deserve most of our attention, and 20% of the people around us bring 80% of our happiness. Their advice is to devote more energy to this meaningful minority. I found this idea practical and insightful, and it is a mindset I would like to apply more consciously in life.
The Past
The “past” section encourages readers to rediscover where they come from and use personal experiences as a springboard for growth. One chapter, Kindergarten: Rediscovering the Power of Children, reminds us that childhood held many simple but important lessons: sharing, playing fair, apologizing when wrong, helping others, and being kind. The authors argue that these lessons often become buried beneath adulthood and responsibility. Personally, I do not think we need to return to childhood to relearn kindness. Being humane is often simple: helping when we can, admitting mistakes, and treating others with sincerity. However, I do connect with the idea of revisiting abandoned childhood dreams. Not every dream has to be adventurous; some are quiet and simple, yet remain unfulfilled because life eventually takes us down different paths that are difficult to reverse.
The chapter on friendship emphasizes surrounding ourselves with a circle of trust. The authors reference Jim Rohn’s famous idea: “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” Our closest companions shape our happiness, motivation, and emotional energy. The book encourages readers to “audit” their relationships by distancing themselves from people who constantly complain, criticize, or drain emotional energy. I found this chapter especially relatable. Over time, I too have learned that fewer but genuine friendships are far more valuable than larger circles built on negativity. In this sense, the 80/20 rule applies perfectly: less is often more.
The section on the Digital Diet discusses separating ourselves from technology and reviving analog habits to relax the body and mind. The authors even mention how Steve Jobs limited technology use at home and delayed introducing devices like the iPad to his children. Suggestions include reading printed books instead of e-readers, carrying a notepad instead of relying entirely on phone apps, or using analog cameras during travel. Since the book was published in 2017, I felt this chapter could have explored modern digital dependence even further, but I still appreciated its message and found myself wanting to adopt some of these habits.
The Present
The final section, focused on the “present,” revolves around bringing together the lessons of the past and future into the reality of everyday life.
The chapter on Presence encourages creating moments of “flow” by dedicating uninterrupted time to one activity. Human beings are not naturally efficient multitaskers because our attention and energy are limited. This reminder to slow down and focus felt especially relevant.
One of the chapters I connected with most deeply was Creating Yourself, which emphasizes keeping a diary or personal logbook. Writing regularly about our emotions and experiences, the authors explain, helps regulate emotional activity and brings clarity. This chapter felt nostalgic to me because I could relate strongly to the power of putting pen to paper. Looking back at diaries I wrote years ago, old anthologies, and scattered writings on social media reminded me how writing preserves emotions and moments we might otherwise lose.
The chapter on Crucial Decisions examines life-changing choices: leaving draining jobs, entering or ending relationships, changing professions, moving cities or countries, or becoming parents. The authors suggest reflecting on the decisions that changed our lives and analyzing their consequences. While I understand the intention behind this exercise, I am not sure life decisions can truly be quantified. To me, they simply become experiences that shape who we are, whether positively or negatively.
Finally, the book discusses Serendipity: fortunate accidents such as the discovery of penicillin. The authors encourage openness to unexpected opportunities and randomness in life. Some suggestions include organizing gatherings between people who do not know each other or reading books outside one’s usual interests. Of these, I find the last idea the easiest to embrace; stepping outside my reading comfort zone feels more natural to me than navigating unfamiliar social spaces.
Bottom-line
The Ikigai Journey is about making life worth living: finding purpose, strengthening virtues, cultivating supportive relationships, and eliminating negativity. It encourages readers to build good habits, remain kind, step outside their comfort zones, chase meaningful dreams, and at the same time slow down enough to protect inner peace. I happened to receive this book coincidentally from a friend, but by the end of it, I only wished I had discovered it earlier.
Author is an Intensive Care Nurse, Government Medical College, Jammu. She can be reached at farhanna435@gmail.com
