From Miyazaki to mountains, sake to sparking joy, find your Zen and make time to learn about how to live Japanese. Whether it’s the cutting edge of film-making, revolutionizing the whisky market or competing with parents on lunchboxes, you’ll be all the better for some time spent with How to Live Japanese. With nearly 60 per cent of us living in cities, the mega-city of Tokyo, through centuries of raze and rebuild, is surely the guiding light for how we can live together amicably in an ever-urbanising world. Not only is Japan the mother of all metropolis’ but with two thirds of the country covered in forest, there is still much respect and celebration of the natural world, with people perfectly placed to make the most of the green space around them. From the art of making tea, to going for a hike, or celebrating imperfections, there are ceremonies the Japanese have been honing for centuries that thrive alongside modern traditions and practices of well-being. From Japanese writer, Yutaka Yazawa, The Little Book of Japanese Living is the pocket edition of his popular insider guide to the country of Japan, full of inspiration and insight to help you experience the very best of Japanese design, cookery, philosophy, and culture. So get outdoors, be gracious to your neighbour and start harmonizing your all too busy life.

A Little Book of Japanese Contentments is a beautiful book that distills traditional Japanese philosophies intrinsic to wellbeing. A richly illustrated journey through Japanese culture that leads to a more mindful and gratified life: With the longest healthy life spans in the world, Japanese people understand the art of living well. With A Little Book of Japanese Contentments, anyone can explore the timeless philosophies as they relate to almost every aspect of life. • Provides easy-to-follow exercises to inspire those who want to live a happier, more balanced life • Includes sections on kokoro (heart and mind) and karada (body), plus a guide on how to form and nurture good habits. Also includes entries on ikigai (living with purpose), wabi-sabi (the beauty of imperfection and impermanence), shinrinyoku (forest bathing), ikebana (the art of flower arranging), and much more • Features an exquisite layout filled with aesthetically pleasing photographs and illustrations that help capture the culture and bring it to life. "With this book, I want to inspire and provide guidance on ways to enrich and complement your lifestyle through a new lens." — Erin Niimi Longhurst, Author A Little Book of Japanese Contentments is a warm invitation to cultivate happiness in everyday life. Erin Niimi Longhurst is a writer and blogger based in the UK. Ryo Takemasa is an illustrator based in Tokyo, Japan. Makes an excellent and unique gift for friends and loved ones that are interested in Japanese culture and philosophies.

This compact travel guide and pictorial is the #1 selling travel book in Japan! Packed with cultural and historical information along with charming photographs, you can take a trip to Japan to always remember. Japan is a country shrouded in mystery, even now in the 21st century. The myriad facets that, when put together, compose the whole of this nation are impossible to capture fully. But in The Little Book of Japan, the dynamic photographer-writer team of Gorazd Vilhar and Charlotte Anderson do an admirable job of creating a celebration in words and images that encapsulates what makes this country so extraordinary. Small and easily portable, this Japan travel guide is organized in a series of 44 highlights with photographs contained within four chapters: Cultural Icons, Traditions, Places, and Spiritual Life. Under these four overarching ideals, Vilhar and Anderson explore a wide range of topics from Japanese cultural icons and traditions to Japan's spiritual life to its unique cities and villages. Broad enough to satisfy anyone with interest in the culture, art, and beliefs of this unique island nation, yet comprehensive enough for the true Japanophile, The Little Book of Japan is a stunning collection of photographs and thoughtful mini essays. With everything from Cherry Blossoms to Sushi, Calligraphy to Kimonos, Old Tokyo to Hiroshima, to intimate details of Buddhism and Pilgrimages, this book is a beautiful and enjoyable way to learn more about the fascinating island nation of Japan.

AS HEARD ON THE STEVE WRIGHT SHOW 'FORGET HYGGE. IT'S ALL ABOUT IKIGAI (THAT'S JAPANESE FOR A HAPPY LIFE)' The Times Find out how to live a long and happy life thanks to the ikigai miracle, a Japanese philosophy that helps you find fulfilment, joy and mindfulness in everything you do. It is extraordinary that Japanese men's longevity ranks 4th in the world, while Japanese women's ranks 2nd. But perhaps this comes as no surprise when you know that the Japanese understanding of ikigai is embedded in their daily life and in absolutely everything that they do. In their professional careers, in their relationships with family members, in the hobbies they cultivate so meticulously. Ken Mogi identifies five key pillars to ikigai: Pillar 1: Starting small Pillar 2: Releasing yourself Pillar 3:Harmony and sustainability Pillar 4:The joy of little things Pillar 5:Being in the here and now The Japanese talk about ikigai as 'a reason to get up in the morning'. It is something that keeps one's enthusiasm for life going, whether you are a cleaner of the famous Shinkansen bullet train, the mother of a newborn child or a Michelin-starred sushi chef. The Five Pillars at the heart of everything they do. But how do you find your own ikigai? How does ikigai contribute to happiness? Neuroscientist and bestselling Japanese writer Ken Mogi provides an absorbing insight into this way of life, incorporating scientific research and first-hand experience, and providing a colourful narrative of Japanese culture and history along the way.

A beautifully designed introduction to the Japanese concept of 'Kaizen' - the art of self-improvement. Kaizen is a term that has long been used in the business world to emphasise constant development and transformation. But Kaizen has the power to transform all areas of life. Learn how even the smallest steps can help us to form new habits, build confidence and break down our in-built resistance to life's challenges. Rooted in 2,000 year old wisdom, Kaizen reinforces the benefits positive change, one step at a time. With over 70 simple prompts and exercises to help you improve your health, relationships and wellbeing or save money and excel at work, everything you need to know to utilise Kaizen every day is here.

Learn the Japanese secrets to finding calm, contentment and happiness With its roots in Buddhist thinking, Japanese culture is known for its sincere and mindful approach to life. From ikigai (finding your purpose) to ikebana (the art of flower arranging), Japanese ideas offer the wider world the promise of peacefulness and inspiration. Discover these calming insights and more inside this beautiful volume. Including tips on mindfulness, finding contentment, and doing more with less, this book will be your guide to the land of the rising sun, and help you to live a rich, joyful and thoughtful life.

Whether you're dreaming about your first journey, revisiting the trip of a lifetime or simply in love with all things Japan, Be More Japan will transport you to this fascinating country. Dive into the thrilling and serene world of Shinto monks, street food vendors, anime characters, Okinawan centenarians, technological innovators, J-Pop megastars, ancient philosophers, onsen dwellers and so many more. There are so many ways to fall in love with Japan. It's home to one of the world's most unique cultures: a perfectly balanced celebration of past traditions; the vibrancy of now and the need to look fearlessly into the future. From architecture to martial arts; from ramen to robots; kawaii to Kusama; ikigai to ikebana; towering skyscrapers to shrines - Be More Japan uncovers the art and creativity behind modern Japanese living through its kaleidoscope of contrasting places, people and practices. With beautiful design throughout and with each page alive with facts, history and inspiration, Be More Japan invites you to absorb a little Japanese wisdom into your daily life.

INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER • 2 MILLION+ COPIES SOLD WORLDWIDE “Workers looking for more fulfilling positions should start by identifying their ikigai.” ―Business Insider “One of the unintended—yet positive—consequences of the [pandemic] is that it is forcing people to reevaluate their jobs, careers, and lives. Use this time wisely, find your personal ikigai, and live your best life.” ―Forbes Find your ikigai (pronounced ee-key-guy) to live longer and bring more meaning and joy to all your days. “Only staying active will make you want to live a hundred years.” —Japanese proverb According to the Japanese, everyone has an ikigai—a reason for living. And according to the residents of the Japanese village with the world’s longest-living people, finding it is the key to a happier and longer life. Having a strong sense of ikigai—where what you love, what you’re good at, what you can get paid for, and what the world needs all overlap—means that each day is infused with meaning. It’s the reason we get up in the morning. It’s also the reason many Japanese never really retire (in fact there’s no word in Japanese that means retire in the sense it does in English): They remain active and work at what they enjoy, because they’ve found a real purpose in life—the happiness of always being busy. In researching this book, the authors interviewed the residents of the Japanese village with the highest percentage of 100-year-olds—one of the world’s Blue Zones. Ikigai reveals the secrets to their longevity and happiness: how they eat, how they move, how they work, how they foster collaboration and community, and—their best-kept secret—how they find the ikigai that brings satisfaction to their lives. And it provides practical tools to help you discover your own ikigai. Because who doesn’t want to find happiness in every day?

A comprehensive guide to small-space secrets and real-life solutions for living in 1,200 square feet or less. The Little Book of Living Small shows readers how to make the most of limited square footage—with grace and style—and serves as the cheerleader readers need to help themselves feel satisfied and proud of their choice to live with less. In addition to exploring both the motivation behind choosing to live in a small space, as well as the practical, everyday advice for managing a tight footprint, The Little Book of Living Small also includes case studies: 12 style-savvy, small-space dwellers open their doors and share their design secrets. Author Laura Fenton covers a range of homes including studio apartments, one- and two-bedroom houses, a tiny house, a co-living space, and even whole houses. Stylistically these homes range from urban, rural, minimalist, and country, with the unifying thread that they are all real homes of less than 1,200 square feet that offer clever solutions that readers can use in their own homes. Laura Fenton is the lifestyle director at Parents magazine. With more than fifteen years of experience, her work has appeared in major publications including Better Homes & Gardens, Country Living, Good Housekeeping, and on leading home websites including Remodelista.com, HGTV.com, ElleDecor.com, HouseBeautiful.com, Refinery29, and elsewhere. Through her writing she has explored the topic of living small for more than a decade. She lives small with her husband, a photographer, and their son in Jackson Heights, Queens, in New York.

By living with intention we are actively shaping our lives, establishing how we wish to invest our energy and time on this Earth. Through the processes of self-enquiry, assessing our values, visioning and mindfulness we can ensure that our beliefs and actions are in alignment, discard those aspects of our lives that no longer serve us and manifest the existence we want. By using easy-to-follow tools, strategies and exercises, leading life coach and speaker, Carolyn Boyes, shows us how, in this fast-paced, demanding world, which is so full of distractions, we can move from living a busy life - one that we endure - to an intentional life - one that we have chosen.