Posts - Me Time Japan

Ikigai in Action: Tama’s Secret to a Long and Happy Life

Me Time Japan Team | March 21, 2025

Our sister site, Me Time Tama, has been exploring the vibrant personalities of Tokyo’s Tama area since last summer. One common thread we’ve noticed in our conversations with them is “Ikigai.” Ikigai (生きがい) is a Japanese concept that represents one’s reason for being—the passion, purpose, or fulfillment that brings joy to everyday life. It’s the deep sense of satisfaction that comes from doing what you love, contributing to something meaningful, or simply appreciating the small moments that make life special. Each person we’ve met radiates a sense of vitality, and we believe it’s because they have found their ikigai. We invite you to step into their life stories and discover … arrow_forward

Walk a Monk’s Path as a Modern Minimalist Solo Traveler

Me Time Japan Team | February 3, 2025

Whether we feel joy, gratitude, anger, or sadness, our minds always react to various situations with different emotions. However, instead of accepting those initial emotional impulses, the Japanese try to be more mindful. By thoughtfully changing the way we react by consciously being more neutral, we can theoretically spend our days more comfortably. A monk at a temple in Shizuoka said, “by reacting either very negatively or extremely positive means you are walking on the edges of the path. On the other hand, people should decide to be more neutral, walking firmly down the center of the path.” While we stayed at the temple, the monk taught us that we … arrow_forward

Life Style

Discovering Zen in Design – A Deeper Exploration

Me Time Japan Team | December 29, 2024

Every Sunday remains an opportunity to reset, inviting a fresh perspective on Zen and mindfulness. It’s about creating space to pause, breathe, and embrace life’s natural flow. As we reflect on simplicity and balance, we explore how these principles can enrich our daily lives and environments, allowing us to live more fully and with intention. In this continuation of our previous article, our sister site, Me Time Japan Travel, delves deeper into Jun‘s insights, exploring the philosophy behind Zen and its influence on architecture. 9. Preparing for the week ahead? I try to schedule my week regularly, with early morning time for all kinds of writing, mornings for management meetings, … arrow_forward

Life Style

Designing Peace: Conversations on Zen and Space

Me Time Japan Team | December 8, 2024

Every Sunday is a day to start with a fresh perspective, exploring themes of Zen and mindfulness. It’s a moment to create gentle pauses in the flow of daily life, embracing a sense of ease, richness, and natural balance. Join us on this journey to discover the comfort of living authentically, with space to breathe and grow. Our sister site, Me Time Japan Travel, had a conversation with Joe Jun Liao, delving into the interplay between Zen and architecture. Jun shared insights on the profound connection between mindful design and intentional living. 1. Where do you find your Zen? To answer that, I’d first need to define what my Zen … arrow_forward

Me Time Guide Life Style

Why Reading Alone Together is so Appealing

Me Time Japan Team | October 30, 2024

There is a breath of fresh air blowing through book clubs, which have been a traditional type of community in the United States. It is coming from silent book clubs, which allow participants to enjoy solo activities and reading at the same time. Book clubs can be brought up as one type of hobby-based gathering traditionally seen in the United States. An ordinary book club will issue an assigned book that the participants all read, then they will hold a meetup to share their opinions, including their impressions and thoughts. There are some people who enjoy this style. Yet conversely, there are a number of such clubs that see members … arrow_forward

Me Time Guide Life Style

The Joys of Solo Living: Finding Happiness and Fulfillment Alone

Me Time Japan Team | October 1, 2024

Four years ago, Sucheta Dutt launched Solo Living, an online media and community in the UK to share the beauty and fun of living alone. We asked to her about solo living through email interviews. I’ve been told many times by foreigners who love Japan that as a country, it might be the most prepared and advanced for solo activities, especially when it comes to food, and thanks to this interview I found it to be not entirely off the mark when it comes to the UK. In Europe, eating alone is seen as strange or lonely. We talked to Sucheta, founder of the online media and community “Solo Living,” … arrow_forward

Japanese Diaspora

Tibetan Literature in Japan: A Growing Phenomenon

Me Time Japan Team | September 15, 2024

Tibetan literature spread rapidly around the world in the 2010s. When White Crane, Lend Me Your Wings: A Tibetan Tale of Love and War was published in Japan in 2020, the book went into reprint in just two months. We explore the appeal of Tibetan literature with researcher Izumi Hoshi. Izumi Hoshi, a Tibetan researcher and translator, says that Tibetan literary works are very effective in capturing the feelings of people living in the contemporary era. It is often difficult to understand the daily lives of Tibetans because news reports are never sufficient to understand what people are feeling and what they are doing in their daily lives. On the … arrow_forward

Me Time Guide Life Style

Discovering Tama: The Heartbeat of Suburban Tokyo

Me Time Japan Team | August 16, 2024

In 2022, we launched Me Time Japan, a website dedicated to promoting mindfulness, diversity, and sustainability. Our featured articles blend traditional and modern Japanese perspectives, offering insights on living a mindful lifestyle and celebrating the rich diversity of Japanese cultures. At the core of our mission is the promotion of “me time” ― encouraging individuals to embrace and enjoy solitude as a means of personal growth and well-being. “Me Time Japan in Tama” was born from our desire to introduce readers to the hidden gems of the Tokyo area. While many travelers see Tokyo through iconic districts like Asakusa, Ginza, Roppongi, and Shibuya, we aim to reveal the rich and … arrow_forward

Table For One Me Time Guide

Maximize Your Me-Time: 48 Hours in Kyoto’s Best Locations

Me Time Japan Team | August 10, 2024

Embark on a me-time adventure to Kyoto, where you can experience the true essence of “me time.” A journey from Tokyo Station to Kyoto via the Shinkansen takes just over two hours. While an early start on a day morning might be a bit challenging for some, it allows you to maximize your travel time and fully enjoy the adventure. Begin your journey with breakfast on the Shinkansen, setting the tone for a whimsical and fulfilling trip. Kyoto is perfect for a 2-night, 3-day trip, offering exciting experiences even for travel in Japan for the very first time. Here’s a delightful plan for two days to recommend you enjoy in Kyoto: Perfect Balance … arrow_forward

Table For One

Me-Time Munchies: Exploring Tokyo’s Yakitori

Me Time Japan Team | July 10, 2024

Tokyo is the perfect place to embark on your me-time adventures. You’ll seamlessly blend in with other tourists and locals in this vibrant hub of food and drink culture. Embracing me-time dining is effortless in Tokyo, where the culture celebrates those who enjoy eating and drinking by themselves. For a delightful and relaxed evening to unwind, reflect, and recharge, kindly explore our favorite Yakitori spots in Tokyo below. Yakitori offers a casual dining experience with a variety of small and affordable dishes. The meal is simply perfect when accompanied by your drink of choice, ideal for me-timers! A Taste of History: Yakitori (Grilled BBQ Skewers) Yakitori, a timeless culinary tradition … arrow_forward

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