The Ikigai Journey Book Summary by Karthik Chidambaram | Find Purpose the Japanese Way

I had read the book Ikigai by the same authors in the past and enjoyed it. During a recent visit to a bookstore, I came across The Ikigai Journey and picked it up on a whim. It was a quick read and a helpful reinforcement of the earlier book’s themes. The key, as always, is to practice and implement these learnings in everyday life.

Ikigai means “the meaning of life.” Iki means life, and gai refers to what is worthwhile and valuable. Right from the first chapter, the authors reference the Japanese word Ganbarimasu, which means trying your hardest to achieve a goal. Lofty ambitions can ignite what the authors call the Shinkansen Effect. If we don’t work hard enough, our future dreams may simply remain dreams.

Bullet Train Thinking

Most of us enjoy eating omelets. We often tweak recipes adding potatoes or tomatoes but radical thinking happened when someone decided to beat the egg and fry it. That innovation didn’t exist until someone created it. Similarly, if we want a train to go just 10 km/h faster, we can simply increase engine power. But if we want it to go 150 or 200 km/h, we must rethink the entire system including laying new tracks.

In the 1950s, Japanese Railways sought a faster connection between Tokyo and Osaka. Engineers initially proposed a train running at 100 km/h. That proposal was rejected. Officials demanded 200 km/h even if it meant spending as much as needed to achieve it. The result? The first bullet train was launched in 1964 for the Tokyo Olympics.

The lesson: If you have a goal you want to achieve in 10 years, ask yourself how can you make it happen in just one?

Walt Disney once said, “There is nothing more enjoyable than doing the impossible.” The authors encourage us to try one thing we believe we’re utterly incapable of doing.

A new bullet train connecting Tokyo and Nagoya (286 km) will be operational in 2027, reducing travel time to under 40 minutes. Remarkably, by 2120, this 100-year project is projected to become profitable for Japanese Railways.

Practice and Repetition

The authors emphasize the importance of practice. The more we practice, the better we get. Aristotle said, “We are what we do repeatedly.” Rehearse often.

Routines

Much of life is built around routines like choosing what to wear. Having a set wardrobe reduces decision fatigue. They suggest keeping a routine for at least 21 days to make it stick. We should welcome feedback even negative but avoid giving unsolicited advice, as it is rarely well received.

Imitating others who do something well is also a great way to learn.

Benjamin Franklin’s 13 Virtues

The authors reflect on Franklin’s 13 virtues:
Temperance (stop eating when 80% full), Silence, Order, Resolution, Frugality, Industry, Sincerity, Justice, Moderation, Cleanliness, Tranquility, Chastity, and Humility.

Shinkansen Session

They recommend setting aside a few focused days completely devoted to a well-defined goal preferably in a distraction-free location (a country house or a hotel in your city).

80/20 Rule

As kids, we embrace the unknown. That curiosity fades as we become adults. Adequate sleep is essential sacrificing it is not a smart way to gain time. The book discusses the Pareto Principle 80% of outcomes come from 20% of efforts. Think about it: 80% of traffic is on 20% of the roads, and we wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time.

Setting deadlines helps us move faster. Less is better. “You can have any color as long as it is black.” Giving projects names increases momentum. Once a project is named, it becomes real and we make progress.

Childhood Dreams

The blind poet Adashi Kyoshi, who lost his vision at 30, recited the 800-page classic Heiki Monogatari a year before his death at age 70. The book is still sold in Japan. Even negative experiences shape us. The authors suggest revisiting childhood dreams to rekindle that lost curiosity.

Childlike traits are valuable: share everything, play fair, apologize when needed.

Less Is Better

Forgetting our roots means losing our identity. We are the average of the five people we spend most time with. Be mindful of who you surround yourself with. Avoid overloading kids with gadgets. Choose a slower, more intentional life: fewer clothes that last longer, fewer tasks but more leisure, fewer but deeper friendships.

Cut back on social media. Use airplane mode when needed. Focus your time on what truly matters.

Shintoist Shrine

Japan is home to many Shinto shrines. The most sacred is the Ise Grand Shrine, dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu. It’s rebuilt every 20 years the 62nd rebuild was completed in 2013. This 1,500-year-old tradition symbolizes renewal, impermanence, and continuity.

Back to Basics

The authors suggest going back to the basics: keep phones away while eating, block time for specific tasks (even YouTube), journal your daily wins, and reflect on what could’ve gone better.

Crucial Decisions

Write down the major decisions you’ve made and analyze their impact. Focus on the present instead of being mentally scattered. During meals, chew slowly and eat mindfully.

Serendipity

Serendipity thrives on randomness. Staying home all the time won’t lead to new discoveries. The authors suggest:

1. Give world signals share what you’re doing publicly.
   
2. Add randomness to your routine.
   
3. Go out and explore.
   

Try things outside your comfort zone: email authors, help someone you wouldn’t normally, meet new people, connect two friends who don’t know each other, or host a diverse dinner party. Read something unusual. Try a new restaurant. Take a different route. Travel more. Use public transport.

Random Acts of Kindness (RAK)

Practice kindness with strangers. Smile at someone who serves you. Talk to those who are often overlooked they may need it most. Write thank-you notes. It all matters.

The Power of Touch

Greet loved ones with a hug or kiss even when you’re in a rush. Make it a ritual to warmly greet friends or family you haven’t seen in a while.

Visualize

Identify three concrete changes or initiatives you want to pursue. Visualize your future and take action.

My Take on the Book:

I had read Ikigai earlier, but I hadn’t written down my learnings then. I’m glad I did this time. This will serve as a great reference. If you think about it, most ideas in the book are practical and if followed can dramatically improve our lives.

I also appreciated the cheat sheet at the end: 35 Ways to Live Your Ikigai. A powerful close to a thoughtful read.