Unlocking Ikigai: What Japan Can Teach Us About Purpose and Flow
Posted on June 01, 2025 by Diana Nazarov, One of Thousands of Life Coaches on Noomii.
As a purpose coach, I explore how Japan’s ikigai offers timeless wisdom to help us live with intention, creativity, and deep, lasting fulfillment.
During a recent journey through Japan, I immersed myself in the beautiful philosophy of ikigai—a word that roughly translates to “a reason for being.” Inspired by Ken Mogi’s book Ikigai, I reflected deeply on how Japanese principles can enrich our modern lives, especially in the West where achievement often overshadows authenticity.
Here are three insights that resonated with me most:
1. Kodawari: Devotion Without the Spotlight
Kodawari is the quiet devotion to doing things well—not for praise, but because it matters to you. In Japan, I saw this spirit in everyday acts: from crafting matcha with care to the meticulous cleanliness of public spaces.
To embody kodawari, you must return to the mindset of a child: curious, playful, and unafraid to fail. This is how true mastery is born. And this, I believe, is the beginning of ikigai.
2. Let Go & Flow
There’s something magical—and endlessly humble—about how Japanese people do things exceptionally well without seeking approval or recognition.
I asked myself: If no one praised or acknowledged what you love doing, would you still do it? Would you still sing, write, dance, or create?
This is a powerful question to explore. True flow and creativity emerge when we let go of the outcome and surrender to the process itself.
3. Presence in the Everyday
Walking through Japan, I noticed something striking: a calm presence in everything. Whether preparing tea or sweeping the streets, there was care and mindfulness in every movement. People seemed grounded, connected—not rushed or distracted.
It feels like they know something the West has forgotten: that presence is purpose. And that is ikigai.
Ikigai is not a grand goal—it’s in the small things done with love and awareness. As a coach, I’ve seen how reconnecting with intrinsic motivation can transform lives. When we focus on what brings us alive, without needing validation, we unlock not just productivity—but joy.
