The True Meaning of Ikigai: A Japanese Story on Food, Family, and Life

Ikigai is often translated as a "reason for being" or framed as an intersection of passion and financial success. But to me, Ikigai is something far quieter and deeper: the pure, profound feeling surging from within that makes you feel truly alive. It requires no praise, no special skill, and no comparison to others. For me, that Ikigai is cooking.

In this video, I share my personal journey—growing up as a chef’s son, navigating family struggles, learning discipline in a traditional kitchen, and discovering how cooking transformed from a painful childhood chore into a lifelong ikigai. Through everyday food, the ritual of "Itadakimasu,” “Gochisousama,”and the interconnected web of life, we explore what it truly means to exist and find meaning in the ordinary.

00:00 - What Ikigai Truly Means

00:59 - My Father, The Chef

02:41 - From Resentment to Ikigai

04:12 - Itadakimasu & Gochisosama: The Sacred Cycle of Food

05:33 - Tasting What It Means to Be Alive