The 6 Best Books on Japanese Lifestyle and Philosophy

For millennia, we've understood that immersing ourselves in nature brings unparalleled relaxation and serenity. The sounds of the forest, the scent of trees, the refreshing air, and the sunlight filtering through the leaves ‒ all of these create a soothing atmosphere, easing our worries and helping us think more clearly. By connecting with nature, we can regulate our emotions, recharge our energy, and feel more alert and invigorated.

We have an innate understanding of this, a kind of intuitive feeling that’s difficult to put into words. In Japanese, there’s a term for these emotions that can’t be expressed verbally: yu-gen. Yu-gen represents the profound beauty and mystery of the universe, something that belongs to this world yet evokes something greater. Zeami Motokiyo, the famous playwright, described it as "the shadow of bamboo on bamboo" – a sensation felt when “watching the sun set behind a hill blanketed in flowers” or “wandering in a vast forest without the desire to leave.”

This is the feeling Qing Li, the author, experiences when surrounded by nature. He recalls his childhood in a small village, remembering the lush green pine forests in spring and summer and the brilliant yellow leaves in autumn. He recalls playing hide-and-seek with friends among the trees and encountering wild animals such as rabbits, foxes, squirrels, and hamsters. The village also had a beautiful apricot orchard, whose flowers bloomed with vibrant pinks in April. The taste of apricots from that harvest still lingers in the author's memory.

But what exactly is this indescribable sensation? What lies behind it? What is it about nature that evokes such a response in us? Qing Li, a scientist and not a poet, has spent years studying the scientific aspects of this feeling. He wants to understand why we feel so at ease when immersed in nature. What mysterious power do trees hold that make us healthier and happier? Why does simply walking through a forest alleviate stress and replenish our energy? Some research focuses on forests, others on medicine. Li studies forest medicine to understand how forest walks improve our health.

When was the last time you took a walk in a breathtaking forest and paused to appreciate the scenery? When did you last notice the buds of spring or take a moment to admire the snowflakes on a leaf in winter? Li wonders, in contrast, how many hours today have you spent staring at a screen, scrolling on your phone. Sitting in an air-conditioned office, perhaps you don’t even notice the weather, missing out on the changes of the seasons. Can you feel the spring approaching? Or has the world already transitioned to autumn?

For years, Li has lived in Tokyo, one of the world’s largest and most populous cities, home to over 30.5 million people, occupying only 0.06% of Japan’s landmass. To put it into perspective, Tokyo’s population density is 6,158 people per square kilometer, much higher than London (1,510/km2), Paris (2,884/km2), or New York (1,800/km2). But fortunately, his office is next to a park with a famous shrine, surrounded by many trees. The view from his office window is beautiful, and he walks to the shrine every lunchtime.

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The minimalist lifestyle is about cutting down possessions to the bare essentials. Along with living with fewer items, we can focus more on happiness, which is the central theme of this book.

No one is born with material wealth or belongings. So, everyone is inherently a minimalist at birth. Every time you accumulate more possessions than you need, you’re taking away your own freedom. Our value isn’t determined by the things we own. These possessions only provide fleeting moments of happiness. Carrying excess baggage steals your time and energy. When you realize this, you’ve already begun your journey to minimalism.

Minimalists tend to feel joy and excitement every day. This feeling is universal, something anyone can experience, whether you're a minimalist or not, because it resonates with everyone.

The Japanese minimalist lifestyle is divided into five chapters. In the first chapter, the author introduces what minimalism is and defines it in his own words. He then explains why he adopted this lifestyle after living alone in his own space for many years.

In the second chapter, the author reflects on why, after all these years, his home became cluttered. What do these accumulated items symbolize, driven by human habits or needs?

Chapter three reveals tips and techniques for decluttering your home. The author offers clear rules and methods for reducing your belongings. Additionally, he presents a list of 15 items for those who wish to take minimalism further, as well as a prescription for the “desire to discard” sickness.

In chapter four, the author shares the changes he experienced after decluttering his home. He also analyzes and presents psychological research results that further support his transformation.

Finally, in chapter five, building upon ideas from chapter four, the author explains how these personal changes led to “happiness.”

To understand the minimalist lifestyle more deeply, it’s recommended to read all chapters, from one to four. However, even reading just chapter three will give you the tools to start simplifying your life.

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As society grows more advanced, the pressure on individuals increases, and mental overload has led many to live in constant anxiety and fatigue. Over time, we forget how to truly enjoy life. Let's explore the minimalist lifestyle with the book “Minimalism - A Simpler Life for Inner Peace” and discover how to live a simpler, happier life.

The minimalist lifestyle doesn’t mean rejecting material possessions, but rather owning only what is necessary. You don’t have to live in a minimalist home or dress simply to be considered a minimalist. The core of this lifestyle is about finding joy within yourself and dedicating your energy to the things that truly matter to you.

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Ikigai is a long-standing concept in Japanese culture, representing the joy found in everyday life or, in simpler terms, the reason you wake up each morning.

In this book, Yukari Mitsuhashi interviews a variety of people, including entrepreneurs and athletes, to explore how Ikigai has shaped their lives, helped them overcome challenges, and how they discovered their own Ikigai. The truth is, each person’s Ikigai is unique, and not everyone has found theirs yet.

"Ikigai - The Japanese Spirit in Every Moment" focuses on how to find your own Ikigai, identify your passions, and use this knowledge to attain a greater sense of happiness. Regardless of your age, finding your Ikigai, whether through hobbies or other activities, will help you stay active and in love with life.

Your Ikigai will offer different benefits depending on its form, but in general, understanding your Ikigai will bring contentment, a peaceful mind, improved control over your daily life, a sense of purpose, proactivity, and provide the energy you need to grow and evolve. These benefits stem from truly understanding what you value and cherish in life.

Life inevitably brings its own set of challenges, and Ikigai is certainly not a magical solution to make everything perfect. However, having Ikigai along your journey will allow you to look back at your life with satisfaction. With a simple philosophy and a liberal outlook, "Ikigai - The Japanese Spirit in Every Moment" will inspire you to pursue happiness and, more importantly, understand yourself.

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The book "Ikigai – Finding Your Reason to Wake Up Every Morning" will help you discover answers to questions like: What gives life its meaning? What is your reason for being?
In Japan, there is a special island called Okinawa. On this island, there are 24.55 people per 100,000 who live to be over 100 years old—far surpassing the global life expectancy. Researchers believe that one of the secrets to the residents' longevity, alongside healthy eating habits, a simple rural lifestyle, green tea, and a tropical climate (similar to Hawaii’s), is Ikigai – the driving force behind their lives.

In this book, the authors interview the people of Ogimi, a village with the highest proportion of centenarians in the world. They reveal the secrets to their happiness and longevity, offering practical tools for discovering your own Ikigai.

Life isn’t a problem to be solved. The key is to have something that keeps you busy doing what you love while surrounded by those who care about you. Each person’s Ikigai is unique, but we all share the common pursuit of life’s meaning. By dedicating your time to what matters most to you, you will lead a happier life.

Find your Ikigai and follow it, so each morning you wake up knowing what you're living for.

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Wabi Sabi: originating from two distinct terms, both deeply tied to aesthetics, permeating literature, culture, and beliefs. Wabi refers to finding beauty in simplicity, discovering contentment and peace within the soul when detached from the material world. Sabi, on the other hand, speaks to the passage of time, the cycle of life and death, and the natural aging process of all things. These two concepts are deeply embedded in Japanese culture, but the meaning of Wabi Sabi is perhaps even more intriguing.

Wabi Sabi is closely connected to the essential relationship between humans and nature. This philosophy entails accepting the transience of all things and experiencing life through all of our senses. Mytour hopes that this book will inspire you to find your own subtle rhythm and discover happiness right where you are.

Wabi Sabi is a state of the heart. It’s about breathing deeply and exhaling slowly. You feel it in a moment of profound awareness – a perfect moment in an imperfect world. You nurture it with a desire to cultivate joy and focus on the finer, smaller things in life. You experience it when you live authentically, with passion. This philosophy encourages us to truly live in the world, rather than standing outside judging it. It teaches us to let go of plans, make space for sensitivity, and take the time to focus.

The fundamental principles of Wabi Sabi teach us life lessons about letting go of perfection and embracing our true selves. They give us tools to escape the chaos and material pressures of modern life, allowing us to be content with what we have. They remind us to seek and resonate with beauty in everyday life, helping us cherish life itself.

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