What is your IKIGAI? The IKIGAI of elderly Japanese people. 

I was so surprised when I saw Yachiko-san, she looks and acts just like my grandma used to! Her mannerism, sense of humour, face (even tho my grandma was slavic from Eastern Europe, it’s so strange!) and the way she grabs people and keeps close to her, all was just like her. I miss her so much. She died in 2019. After she passed away we found out she was writing short poems and drawings as a form of diary all her life. It’s so crazy that people can be so similar. One grandma in Poland, one in Japan.

One of my Ikigai is watching Samurai Matcha videos! It warms my heart! You are very passionate about everything that you do. Thank you for working hard on these amazing videos for us to watch.

One can learn so much from listening to another person’s story. I personally think that our darling elders have so much wisdom from their life experiences. I’m glad you interviewed them and share their wisdom with us through this video. Thank you!

This is a useful topic for me. I’m 77 and am definitely slowing down, though my health continues to be good. However, I am questioning more and more what I am to do with the time remaining for me. It seems I’m looking to identify my ikigai, a concept I’ve never heard of, but I think describes well what I’m trying to find. I’m very lonely, I have no family or close friends. I think that makes figuring out my ikigai even more important.

Lovely! I had thought that it was supposed to be something SUPER DEEP and all-encompassing - and PERMANENT - but it's nice to know that it doesn't have to be that way. Now I can honestly say that my ikigai is raising mushrooms and loving my cats. I could do those two things all day and be SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO happy.

I really like how you tell us about your culture and your village in a way that anyone from anywhere can resonate. This video is one of my favourites, thank you!

Hi I am from Italy. Some days ago i went to a shinto temple in San Marino because my boyfriend made me a surprise. That was one of the most important moments of my life. I deeply understood that simple things are the ones that make us feel in peace. I loved how nature was important in this place. I study philosophy at University but I understood that interior design is my ikigai. Thank you for your beautiful videos. I love Japan and its philosophy and with your videos I enjoy watching the japanese lifestyle I admire and I want to achieve because it really makes me deeply happy. I dealed with depression for a lots of years and your videos make me happy by loving simple things with gratitude.

I really appreciate your effort for making such quality content videos. You are a ray of sunshine. I loved the interviews with grandpas and grandmas. Thank you.

I read Ikigai when it came out and really enjoyed it. It was so nice to hear these interviews and get more perspectives on it. My Ikigai is cooking & cleaning for my family. I find a lot of pleasure in it. Also, I used to garden a lot but at the moment don't have any land to do it, but one day I will again. That was so enjoyable (as many of the elderly people stated in your video). Making quilts and caring for my children and husband in general is my Ikigai. I feel like I have many Ikigai. I write to many penpals and am a person who enjoys encouraging others.

I cried for half the video 😅❤. It's so kind and lovefull! Thank you so much!

Thank you for this beautiful video. I also fell in love with kawai kesayo san, I hope Kami Sama blesses her with health & happiness.

You are the best Samurai Matcha ❤ watching your videos is one of my Ikigai for sure ! I appreciate all your effort in creating these videos. My other ikigai is working with children with autism 😊

1) You do a great job showing ALL aspects of Japanese life. I think the small town life there is fascinating! 2) Your facial hair is a good look! Not everyone can pull off facial hair, but yours makes you look even more dignified.

One of my Ikigai is to watch videos from different cultures (I am from Russia), this expands my boundaries of mindset. It is so inspiring! Thank you for your work. I have good mood after the videos❤

You are bringing joy to people all over the world. Thank you. I live in Canada and my IKIGAI involves art. I draw and paint, which I love, but I think my IKIGAI is when I sew and give the items to charity. Strangers can feel the love I am sharing without ever meeting me. How wonderful.

Ikigai for me is enjoying the simple things in nature. A bird singing, a butterfly landing on a branch, the first flowers coming out of the ground in Spring, or a peaceful sunrise or sunset.

Awww! It was great to watched grandma's still active even in their very old age . I hope when I get to that age, I will still be active and be able to remember things and converse with people.. They are an inspiration to me. Thanks so much for this video....

A year ago, at a family gathering, I shared the story of Ikigai from the view of the seaside village women who dove for their food together every morning, realizing how much they loved doing it, together! I set a sea shell on a stand in the middle of our dining table and shared my hope for the year for each member that they find their own Ikigai - the reason they look forward to getting up each day. My three year old grandson loved the shell and thinks it is called Ikigai ;). I asked my family at the end of the year if they had found their Ikigai, and they were still unsure. Your video is a great look at the variety and differing views each can have. As I am getting older, I am finding my reasons for loving my days are simpler - time with family, friends and doing the simple tasks of the day with gratitude and joy. Thank you for sharing the glimpses into the hearts and lives of these beautiful ladies - I hope I live and love as well as they do as I get older!! Please give them my love!!

I've had close family members go through and still going through health treatments. I'm grateful that they and I are alive and well on this earth ❤

I love all those people in your village... It seems that there aren't many older men... I think for me, I would sum up IKIGAI as get up each day and find your happy, whatever it may be....If you find a job you love you will never work a day in your life... contentment has a lot to be said for it......Those ladies just loved you.

Thank you for this! You are wonderfully talented at identifying interesting topics about which to explore and educate others. As a recently retired person, I am still working on finding my ‘Ikigai.’ I’m grateful for this word and will continue to use it! I appreciate the lady who said that her ikigai was raising her children to be independent. I am an older mother to a teenager, so I am now a full-time mom. And that is what I want for my child-especially after the impact the pandemic has had on her. And at the same time, I want to find something that is just for me. So now I am getting back to doing crafts - specifically, crocheting and sewing! It makes me happy and fulfilled. I also garden and am exploring new crafts & activities like painting and doing puzzles. You have inspired me to explore going to a senior citizen center to see what I can give and receive there, as well.♥️ I will forward this to my friends, and I look forward to seeing more videos. Blessings & okagesamade!🙏🏾😌

Ikigai is a beautiful Japanese word. I will remember it. Great culture that you have and your english is excellent. My ikigai are: walking on the soil or earthing, harvesting food and herbs from my garden, vit D sun shine, playing with my puppy, being around humans who are positive authentic and truthful people and being and observing nature. Have a great week.

Thank you for your great videos. This was perfect timing as I received this book 4 days ago. I enjoyed the interviews with the elders. Like many others, I originally thought my ikigai meant my life’s calling. Not the small things in life. My ikigai is journaling and walking on the Trans Canada Trail daily.

Hello, I want to thank you!!! 1 month ago I decided to start saving to visit a dear Japanese friend of mine who lives in Tokyo. So I started learning Japanese, and looking for RU-vid videos to learn more about Japan. And luckily I started watching your videos. You inspired me! I want to start a minimalist life. Starting next week, I'll start my work with Marie Kondo's technique. Today's video was what I needed!! A thousand thanks!!! Today I can say that my IKIGAI is my next trip to Japan. I hope to meet you when I'm in Japan! I'd like to thank you in person. Your videos are helping me change my life in a positive way!!!

This video is so pure and beautiful. Thank you so much to you and all your neighbours for sharing this 🙏

So wonderful to see this! This is what it means to be human. To be with people and to communicate, listen to them ans share good times with them. Bravo!

Thank you for this video, I found it very interesting. I am grateful for small things and for having enough pension to live simply but well in a peaceful society.

Thank you for this video. It's so nice to watch all grannies ikigai, it feels like they are too young & age is just a number. I really started to find my ikigai

Thank you for this video! I really appreciate the clarity, or rather broadening, of what ikigai means. I’ve read that book, but the “makes money” part has always confused me. I am happy to hear from so many people that it has nothing to do with money. It can like the business woman, but mostly it doesn’t. My ikigai? Creativity, especially visual creativity, making things and figuring out the rest. Thank you again!!

Wow, hearing these beautiful people talk about their IKIGAI truly shows what's really important. Kesayo-san also melted my heart ❤the tone and eye contact! Felt like even I suddendly had another family member.

So much joy ❤ and gratitude. I will spend time contemplating Ikigai; it is something good to think about.

Your videos are very very interesting and calming. I LOVED the interviews with elderly people. They are simple and wise people. I am presently an ALT in Japan and a retired teacher from NY. I feel teaching children in my bones, I feel so connected to students and the need to share and have them share. I believe teaching is my ikigai! Thank you for helping me think about this. Enjoy your day!!!

What I love about this video you've shared is that ikigai means something different to everyone, and that it's ok to have a simple, caring life for yourself and others. Thank you for sharing :-)

How beautiful! This touched my heart. Thank you so much for your videos. I am learning from this wonderful culture. I started practicing some of the daily habits (scrubbing the toilet each morning 😁, greeting the sun, taking walks in nature, preparing matcha in the morning). I feel a difference already in my state of mind. Looking forward to more of your video content. My ikigai is to spread love and peace through my everyday actions and words. Keep up the great work!

This is such a beautiful video. Listening to their stories and taking an interest in their lives is something they’ll love you for. Thank you for sharing this. They are lovely ladies, and your pure heart brightens their day.

Thank you for your work! My Ikagai is doing abstract expressionist paintings, dancing at electronic music "doof" events, surfing in the sea, and working in my veggie and flower garden. I love life. I am age 83.

Your video is so good- to hear commom people talking about Ikigai - which I interprete as reason to live . Simple joys in daily lives

My ikigai is my granddaughter. When I am gone, I want her to have great memories of us together. I also want her to have a little nest egg if she ever needs it, but not a nest egg that’s easy to liquidate. 😂 Because of that, I’ve had to start taking care of my health. I’m eating better, drinking less and moving my body. We go to the skatepark together and ride scooters. 😂 I’m also looking at tangible items on the rare side now, but in 20 years will be worth much more because of the dying craft. Because most of these items require traveling to other countries to purchase, I am now cutting out all unnecessary expenses for saving. 😂 When I decided I wanted to be a major impact in my granddaughters life, it truly changed mine. I appreciate your videos. I’m currently studying the Japanese language, culture and customs. Japan is the first country I want to visit. I plan on staying three months, but I think I need to stay three lifetimes to see everything I want. 🙏

I love how the japanese elderly still embrace their lives and show activity and positivity. In the country I live, the elderly mostly sit alone in front of the tv and dwell into their illnesses and ailments. It is bery inspiring to see a complrtely different attitude! I believe my ikigai is my work and my relationships :)

Watching your videos is IKIGAI for us !! Also, your videos make us think about various possible IKIGAIs in our lives !!

My ikigai is making things for others. Your videos are amazing. Thank you for doing this!

🌱🌹🌹🌱🌻🌻🥀🌷🌷 I love my flower gardens! IKIGAI !💐

Thank you so much for a super inspiring and heartwarming Video. I could not immediately say what my ikigai is but l am aware that i lead a very priviledged life and i try to be grateful and conscious of it and make a good life for my children too. Maybe that is actually enough ❤

Thank you very much for this Video, I Love to See and Hear from (japanese) elderly people, IT is very interesting how satisfied they are with little things/Habits. To be thankful every morning, for sunrise at 5 o'clock, birds singing, Cup of Coffee, having shower, I love IT, IT is perhaps my ikigai 😊

My ikigai is my husband and the life we have together. It is peaceful. Living a peaceful life is strange to many western people, especially those who thrive on chaos. A peaceful life takes daily dedication.

Thank you, really powerful to hear the true lived experience of these people.

During my recent trip to Japan, I had the pleasure of interacting with the kind-hearted locals in North of Kyoto. Their attentiveness and respect left a lasting impression on me, and I'm grateful for the insight they gave me into their culture. Your video about IKIGAI captured this essence perfectly, and I appreciate the time and effort you put into creating it. As I reflect on my time in Japan, I can't help but wonder what my own IKIGAI is and how I can live a more fulfilling life. Thank you for inspiring me to explore this further! Arigato, Samurai Matcha-san!

From South Carolina USA. Age 72. Arigato. My IKIGAI is being outside with my happy dog , making coffee each morning and rooting plants to share and sell for charity.

Watching your channel is part of my ikigai...I feel so calm and happy after....thank you so much!!!

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:00 🇯🇵 Ikigai is an ancient Japanese philosophy that contributes to happiness and longevity. 00:54 🌱 Ikigai can be simple, like working with nature, gardening, or writing a diary. 03:04 👣 Engaging in activities that are "for people" or "with people" can be your ikigai. 07:11 🙏 Ikigai often emerges from what you think about most in everyday life. 14:31 💼 Your current job might become your ikigai if you persist and succeed. 17:32 💡 Ikigai can be simple, present in daily life, and about doing things for or with people. 18:24 🍵 Discovering your ikigai can lead to a more fulfilling life. Made with HARPA AI

hello, by chance RU-vid recommended me a video of yours, and I found it so nice to see you riding your bike and showing a village in Japan and then I saw another one about things you ate and I also liked it because you show things different from the reality of country where I live which is Brazil, but my real interest in being subscribed to your channel is that I understand your English so perfectly that I use it to study and improve my English listening, the way you speak helps me to Improve my english. 🇧🇷👏

Thank you for sharing your videos with us 😊 I love watching your videos ❤ I am thankful for everything I have 😊 In my life I have a lot of stress but I still try to enjoy the beauty around me 😊 My wish is that one day I can go visit beautiful Japan 🌸🌸🌸

THE BEST! More village grandma videos please! 🥰😍🥰

I liked how when asked "what is your Ikigai?" they had to stop and think. I'm guessing this is because it's such a natural part of themselves. The comment in reference to thinking Ikigai had to be a big thing rang true with myself. I've always found pleasure and peace from small, everyday experiences. I realized one day that my quest for that "big" thing that was so invasive I was already doing in my daily life! Great vid, much appreciated. Thank you!

I am 19 years old, and I want to study Japanese. My ikigai for now is to continuously learn and expand my knowledge, so that I can develop skills that can earn me money in the future

Your channel is one of favourites, I find them so soothing to watch. I have known about Ikigai for some time and have tried to understand it both for myself and others but as you said it is not always something you can define so easily. The seniors you spoke to were so lovely, warm, and energetic and one can imagine they have such amazing stories to tell. What came across to me was how they all appreciated the simple pleasures in life and being in nature, growing things, and the importance of family. I also found it heartwarming that you considered talking to these seniors in your village as often they are ignored, especially on social media platforms, so thank you for introducing them to us and I hope we can hear more about their lives and stories.

lovely... follow from Chile my IKIGAI is birds.. i love birdwatching...

This is a very helpful video. I LOVE how it’s just the small things that is the Ikigai. And I love how it’s older Japanese people who say they don’t know what theirs is. This was so real to me. I really appreciate the honesty. Also, I see how me being with my patients at work is my ikigai. It’s an everyday thing, and I really do enjoy it. This video inspires me to take better care of myself so I can really shine in my role as a healthcare worker taking care of the elderly.

Thank you for this video ❤ I'm pregnant and I cried a lot watching all the answers 😭 so beautiful 🙏

You bring me happiness, thank you for your insights

Wow Akisan thank you so so so much! So nice and interesting! 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖👏👏👏always great work!

I enjoy your videos so very much. I guess at this stage of my life, my IKIGAI is trying to help others as much as I can. I have health issues, so can not always do the things I would like to do, but if I can help someone, in even a small way, and make them happy, then I am happy.

It's nice to see all the happy grannies ^^ The things that make them glad to be alive are so simple ! The more complicated and busy life is, the harder it is to see the little happy things. I like keeping journals too ! Writing down everyday stuff mixed with fantasy. And just being thankful ☆

I just ordered a book of Ikigai that you showed to us ^^ Hmm, I think that I have lots of Ikigai but now I think that spending time with my loved ones and making them happy are the top two of my Ikigai's ^_^

That was such a beautiful video, totally emotional, thank you very much!

I love you videos ❤!! I have officially been enlightened on the amazing taste and feel of matcha. 😊 My body thanks me for switching from coffee daily to matcha instead. Thank you so much. 🥰

I appreciate your hard-working 🥰 Thank you so much

Hi Aki san, i am not sure about your No.1 Ikigai, but i am very sure about your No.2-You got me (and many ppl here!) Thanks for making this channel. It's a place for many of us to be. ^^ About my Ikigai, i love making things since young. Never thought would make it as a living for myself till a few years ago. I guess you said correctly. If you are constantly doing things that you love doing, maybe you can find your Ikigai one day. I hope can help the environment and more people thru my crafts.^^ Have a good day today Aki san. :) P/S: I also think that being grateful for even the smallest things is very important. Keep reminding myself every day. Thanks for the interviews. Simply just live today healthy with your loved ones could be everyone's Ikigai..

I really love all of your videos, it are very helpful and inspiring, many thanks and best with for u ❤

The war survivors are absolute inspirations ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

It was lovely to see how so many enjoyed your visit, and responded to the question! I'm 72, and agree that I find my Ikigai in interactions with family and friends, in Gardening, in movement and the little daily moments. And in having a positive attitude. I recently joined a group that tends edible landscape garden boxes along several blocks - mine is the tea box (!) Which already has a small tea camellia and several hems (there's room for more!) A group of us is heading over tomorrow to spread mulch on the beds that comes from the group's founder.

Greetings from the States and my IKIGAI is writing novels along with gardening and household maintenance projects. 🎉

Find the "high" in the things you do. Thank you for making this video. Take care always.

I really enjoyed the interviewees expressing their Ikigai, and the simplistic lifestyle that makes their "ikigai" which is so warmly rewarding My Ikigai is my daily maintenance and enjoyment of my land, ie, growing vegetables, fruit trees and sharing it with my neighbors. My daily activity of walking is also my other Ikigai

Hi Aki, Iam mahi from India....odissa state...Iam watching ur videos for the past 2 days...it's very useful & I liked ur way of talking...Japanese culture & food too😊 I also want to try ur matcha tea & kimono suit too I liked it very much...

This was so heartfelt and inspiring. Love your work, I always get so excited to see your video notifications 😌 Your videos have definitely helped some of my mindsets in life, helps me learn how to enjoy the simplicities in life. keep doing an amazing job and keep in good health!

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16‭-‬18 NIV

Since the time I got hired by an ESL Company teaching the English language to Japanese students, I started getting interested in Japanese culture and traditions. Watching videos such as this makes me more fascinated by Japanese. The simplicity of living and the passion for life is what I learn and that I would like to apply personally. I am a new fan, watching from the Philippines. Would love to share some of my ikigai here

Thank you so much! I had become distracted from my own ikigai, and I appreciate your bringing me back to it!

You definitely made me happy with your video! Thank you very much, Aki :-)

I don't think I have a big ikigai, I sort of get interested in things. Whatever it is, it has to have some meaning to me - either in creating more ease in my body or more peace in the world, or living in harmony with nature. Recently I have gotten into sewing. The zippers on my backpack broke, and I replaced them. It's something I use almost every day, and every time I use it I feel proud (repairing something instead of sending it to the landfill and replacing it, and completing a sewing project even though it was more challenging than I first thought).

Thank You for making this!❤

My favorite subject on my favorite channel, thank u 🙏🏼

That was a very inspiring video you posted. ^u^ The way I perceive society today, that there is s a lot of focus on performing well and producing something of value in the form of for example money, physical objects, status and/or having a large social network. If you do not at least one out of these, then you have failed. Several out of these people this video has an Ikigai can be looked down on in relation to these "standards". That's really a shame. I can only imagine that the happiest and most successful people are just like these lovely people that have found their Ikigai in the smallest things like living in peace, being social, sharing their self-grown food or drinking matcha each morning. It really should be these people that one looks at for inspiration. Not the ones that we imagine are most successful, those in the media who display their wealth or those that tries to create "picture perfect" lives. Thank you for creating and posting this video. I can only hope that we all that have watched it will reflect a tiny bit on our lives, see if there is actually something that can be or are our Ikigai at this present moment. I hope that we will try to appreciate it more and not compare ourselves to any other than ourselves from yesterday :D

Thank you so much for sharing👍🙏💐❤

My Ikigai is definitely helping others find their Ikigai 🙏🥰🧬😁

Another great video! Keep them coming! ❤

Thanks. Mine are reading, writing, leatning, teaching, walking, conversation with friends and family. I am in Japan nos.

Thank you for another lovely video! My ikigai is art, specifically painting, drawing and ceramics! Even though I only make a little money doing this I help support my family doing something I am so passionate about. Making functional and beautiful pottery is my main focus now. That is my ikigai.

Wow, that was fun to watch, I like the energy of all of the people ❤ and thank you for more Native language Videos 🥰🤩

I love this video! It makes my heart so happy. I’m loving in Aomori Japan and I’m happy to be here! I love interacting with the elderly people here and learning from them!

I use to worry alot about being content with my job but also having a highly successful job so that my family will be proud. But now as long as im able to cook good food for myself and my Partner, i am content with my daily life

I love it! Thank you for this interesting topic.

My Ikigai is really simple. It is finding new pens to write or draw with, to see a beautiful sunset/sunrise, be outside in nature and my version of drawing or journaling. (I’m horrible at drawing but love it to distraction) .

I really enjoy your uplifting ideas!

Such a brilliant video Samurai Matcha (as always but this one is next level with the beautiful interviews!). I loved the way you broke the interviews into different sections too. There is soooo much that can be learned from what you have presented here on so many levels. Your interaction in itself with the elderly interviewees is so respectful and lovely to be a part of.....You are absolutely living your ikigai and encouraging us all to do the same. This video complements the book very well, which I also read when it came out. Look forward to your upcoming videos. Doomo arigatou gozaimashita.

Thanks for this amazing video and sharing the wisdom of the lovely elderly people in your village. Nowadays, we rarely listen to the voice of elderly people. Elderly in their body, but both going and wise in their head! Enjoy simple things and the connection with others around us (family, friends, neighbours) seems to be the secret for a happy life.

Thanks❤ greetings from Costa Rica

today is my birthday 🎂 today is new video from Samurai Matchaa

I think Yachiko-San wanted to keep you! 🤣I work with elderly people and they are so much fun!