By Saurav Pandey | February 27, 2025

9 Secret Japanese Philosophies That Hold the Key to Happiness

1. Ikigai (生き甲斐)

Ikigai is the intersection of what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. Finding your ikigai brings fulfillment and a sense of meaning.

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2. Wabi-Sabi (侘寂)

Wabi-sabi celebrates the natural cycle of growth, decay, and the beauty of things that are imperfect, incomplete, or transient.

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3. Kintsugi (金継ぎ)

Kintsugi treats breakage and repair as part of an object’s history, rather than something to disguise.

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4. Shinrin-Yoku (森林浴)

Spending time in nature, mindfully engaging with the sights, sounds, and smells of the forest, promotes physical and mental well-being.

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5. Ma (間)

Ma emphasizes the importance of emptiness, silence, and pauses in life, art, and design.

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6. Mottainai (もったいない)

Mottainai encourages mindfulness about resource consumption and gratitude for what you have.

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7. Kaizen (改善)

Kaizen focuses on making small, incremental changes to improve all aspects of life.

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8. Oubaitori (桜梅桃李)

Each tree blooms in its own time and way, and so do people. Avoid comparing yourself to others.

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9. Gaman (我慢)

Gaman emphasizes resilience, self-discipline, and the ability to persevere through difficult times.

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