INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER • 2 MILLION+ COPIES SOLD WORLDWIDE
“Workers looking for more fulfilling positions should start by identifying their ikigai.” ―Business Insider
“One of the unintended—yet positive—consequences of the [pandemic] is that it is forcing people to reevaluate their jobs, careers, and lives. Use this time wisely, find your personal ikigai, and live your best life.” ―Forbes
Find your ikigai(pronounced ee-key-guy) to live longer and bring more meaning and joy to all your days.
“Only staying active will make you want to live a hundred years.” —Japanese proverb
According to the Japanese, everyone has an ikigai—a reason for living. And according to the residents of the Japanese village with the world’s longest-living people, finding it is the key to a happier and longer life. Having a strong sense of ikigai—where what you love, what you’re good at, what you can get paid for, and what the world needs all overlap—means that each day is infused with meaning. It’s the reason we get up in the morning. It’s also the reason many Japanese never really retire (in fact there’s no word in Japanese that means retire in the sense it does in English): They remain active and work at what they enjoy, because they’ve found a real purpose in life—the happiness of always being busy.
In researching this book, the authors interviewed the residents of the Japanese village with the highest percentage of 100-year-olds—one of the world’s Blue Zones. Ikigai reveals the secrets to their longevity and happiness: how they eat, how they move, how they work, how they foster collaboration and community, and—their best-kept secret—how they find the ikigai that brings satisfaction to their lives. And it provides practical tools to help you discover your own ikigai. Because who doesn’t want to find happiness in every day?
What’s your ikigai?
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Ikigai: The Japanese Secret To A Long And Happy Life
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Ikigai: The Japanese Secret To A Long And Happy Life
*Valid June 30, 2026 - September 27, 2026 at Canadian stores and indigo.ca. Discount applies to lowest priced qualifying product purchased. Not valid on previous purchases.
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Overall rating: 4.714286 / 5 from 35 reviews.
AI Generated Review Summary
Ikigai: The Japanese Secret To A Long And Happy Life is a bestseller that provides insights into finding one's purpose for a fulfilling life. Customers appreciate its practical tools and wisdom, making it a valuable guide for those seeking meaning and longevity.
"Beautifully written little book which I offered to my adult children." — Pierrette M.
"Great book easy for the readers, good to make introspection about our life." — Sara
"Lovely book with great wisdom" — Sharmi
Reviews
A nice gift to give that’s an easy read and not too long
"This is a great introductory book on the Japanese culture and lifestyle of contentment"
— Judy (5/5)
Staple resource
"This is a book to keep by the bedside. It's one of those texts that you will go back to for grounding."
— TFlan (5/5)
Sweet Read
"Lovely things to consider to live a peaceful and fulfilling life"
— Sarah (5/5)
I bought a copy for myself and my 24 year old son!
"Each page had me thinking, learning, assessing what I do now, planning how I can be reaching to achieve Ikigai in my day-to-day life. I have been talking about it non-stop with those around me."
— Marni (5/5)
Purpose driven
"I really enjoyed this book. It gave me a lot to think about in terms of what I want out of life, and where I can start making changes. It puts into perspective what truly matters: doing what you love. It sounds so simple, but we often need that reminder in today's world."
— Victoria (5/5)
Ikigai
"Ikigai is a beautiful and inspiring book that explores the Japanese concept of finding purpose in life. It blends philosophy, lifestyle, and psychology in a simple, conversational way that makes it easy to absorb. I appreciated how it draws from real-life stories—especially from the residents of Okinawa, who are known for their longevity and contentment. The book encourages mindfulness, staying active, building community, and doing what you love—without preaching. It’s not overly scientific, but that’s part of its charm: it feels like a warm cup of tea with a wise friend. If you’re looking for a light yet meaningful read that nudges you to reflect on what really matters in life, Ikigai is worth your time"
— Famay (5/5)
Great book o
"Great service at the store. Everyone was friendly and helpful"
— Rosanne (5/5)
Great for self reflection
"A nice short book that gives you a variety of ways to reflect on your life and help direct you in the direction you want to go to with your life and giving you fall back options and small hobbies to consider to keep you on the right path #Indigoemployee"
— Spenn (4/5)
Let them, be free
"If you’re feeling overwhelmed by what others do, say, or expect from you, this could be the most freeing mindset shift you’ll ever try. Let them. And then focus on you."
— Ligaya (5/5)
Amazing book
"Recommended by a friend, an amazing book with lots of great advice to apply in the real world."
— Ricky (5/5)
Q&A
Published date: Aug 29, 2017
Language: English
No. of Pages: 208
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
ISBN: 9780143130727
Dimensions:
5.26" W x
0.89" L x
7.3" H
“Ikigai urges individuals to simplify their lives by pursuing what sparks joy for them. . . . Much in the same way that The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up emphasizes ‘choosing what we want to keep, and not what we want to get rid of,’ [Ikigai] demonstrates that aging could be an opportunity to keep working, keep smiling, keep active, and keep being social.” —KonMari Newsletter
“Want to live longer? Keep super busy. If hygge is the art of doing nothing, ikigai is the art of doing something—and doing it with supreme focus and joy. . . . Pack up those cozy blankets and candles you purchased in last year’s hygge-fueled Ikea spree. Fall’s biggest imported lifestyle trend is ikigai, and it might help you live to 100.” —New York Post
“Originating from a country with one of the world’s oldest populations, ikigai is becoming popular outside of Japan as a way to live longer and better. . . . [It] is helping people live longer on Okinawa as it gives them purpose.” —World Economic Forum
“The Japanese concept of ikigai (the happiness of being busy) [is] attainable and even an important key to living longer.” —Elle.com
“Discovering your ikigai, or passion, can be one of the greatest journeys you will embark on.” —Forbes
“Enjoy a cup or two of green tea as you digest this small, charming book.” —Minneapolis Star Tribune
“A must-follow lifestyle hack . . . Think feng shui with Venn diagrams—although this time there is no need to move the front door.” —The Guardian
“Ikigai is what allows you to look forward to the future even if you’re miserable right now. . . . It might just help you live a more fulfilling life.” —BBC
“A refreshingly simple recipe for happiness.” —Stylist
“An attractive and absorbing book.” —The Bookseller
“Persuasively shows that small changes can help readers find more joy and purpose in their lives [with] clear, succinct information . . . skillfully compiled . . . into an engaging, easily accessible format with lists, charts, and illustrations.” —Publishers Weekly
“Ikigai gently unlocks simple secrets we can all use to live long, meaningful, happy lives. Science-based studies weave beautifully into honest, straight-talking conversation you won’t be able to put down.” —Neil Pasricha, New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Awesome and The Happiness Equation
Héctor García and Francesc Miralles are the coauthors of The Book of Ichigo Ichie and The Four-Way Path. Héctor is a citizen of Japan, where he has lived for over a decade, and is the author of A Geek in Japan, a #1 bestseller in Japan. Francesc is the author of a number of bestselling self-help and inspirational books and of the novel Love in Lowercase, which has been translated into twenty languages.
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