Category: IKIGAI

Winding quietly through the mountains at the western edge of Tokyo, the Okutama Mukashimichi—literally meaning the “old road of Okutama”—is a path where the rhythm of nature and the traces of human life overlap. As you walk, the sound of the river and the hush of the forest seem to carry echoes of footsteps from another time.…

Nestled in the quiet region of Ome, Fromages du Terroir opens its doors only three days a week. True to its name, the shop is devoted to crafting cheeses that are composed on the character of the topography, pursuing flavors deeply intertwined with the region’s nature and culture. The only ingredients used are raw milk from Ome and the…

Nestled in the serene hills of Mitake, Ome City, the Gyokudō Kawai Museum gazes upon the crystal-clear Tamagawa River. Here, the rhythms of the seasons paint the landscape in gentle brushstrokes: the soft light of spring, the dense greenery of summer, the fiery reds of autumn, and the quiet snow-laden vistas of winter. It was…

In Hinode, a town blessed with the quiet beauty of Japan’s traditional satoyama landscape—the gently cultivated countryside where human life meets wild nature—stands the Tokyo Hinode Samurai Residence, a stately home once built by a wealthy village headman. Its timeless elegance has not faded; rather, it continues to draw visitors into another world and time.…

Tokyo is home to ten sake breweries—nine in the Tama region compared to just one within the 23 wards. One evening, at an izakaya in Tachikawa renowned for its devotion to sake, we spoke with Kazuyoshi Muto, the third-generation owner of Muto Jisaku Saketen, a long-established liquor store in Ome. Kazuyoshi is the kind of person who makes…

Ramen School RAJUKU has become a destination for aspiring ramen chefs from around the world. Its owner and master chef, Takeshi Koitani, is a prominent figure in Tokyo’s ramen scene, having built and managed a string of celebrated shops. Coincidentally, our visit on April 22nd marked the 23rd anniversary of his very first restaurant, Jiraigen.…

Tucked away in a quiet residential corner of Kunitachi, I-fanfunsun is a Chinese restaurant that doesn’t look to make a fuss. But word travels—sometimes faster than you’d think. From central Tokyo to far-off prefectures, curious diners and seasoned chefs alike find their way here. All drawn by a phrase passed along in hushed, reverent tones:…

Today, most know Hachioji as the gateway city to Mount Takao, a sacred mountain peak drawing millions in search of nature and renewal. Yet beyond the famous hiking trails lies a lesser-known aspect of this city, shaped by silk, song, and the spirit of craftsmanship. From the Taisho era (1912–1926) through the postwar years of the 1950s, Hachioji flourished as a textile…

The story of Akimitsu Tomonaga, an artist, begins in 1967, during the post-war era when Japanese airlines had yet to establish flights to Australia. One day, a friend working at a television station handed him a flyer about a unique opportunity—a film production company in Australia was seeking a designer to create characters for a movie centered…

In early summer, tens of thousands of visitors come to see over 10,000 hydrangeas at Minamisawa Hydrangea Mountain in Akiruno. Visitors can rest in the shade of the trees and admire the hydrangeas, which were planted by Chuichi Minamisawa. Chuichi’s family has been the landowner of the area for centuries. His solitary effort to plant…

Lake Shiromaru in Okutama is a perfect blend of natural beauty and is easily accessible from the city of Tokyo. Here, Megumi Goto has been teaching river kayaking for nearly 30 years. Locals admire Megumi not only for her kayaking expertise but also for her warm smile. Her passion for river kayaking began in her mid-20’s while working as…

“The beauty of silence,” “silence is golden,” and “if it is hidden, it is the flower,” are expressions that reflect a long-standing concept in Japanese culture: the virtue of discretion and not speaking unless spoken to. Although not all Japanese may adhere to this mindset today, this notion is often not understood outside of Japan.…