Ikigai Spotlight Series: Hiko Konami, Sound Therapist and Artist

The Healing Power of Sound

Ikigai is a concept that is very much integral to Japanese culture. The word 'Ikigai' can be roughly translated to your 'reason for being', or purpose and is not confined to the ‘Venn Diagram’. More on its authentic definition can be explored here.

While Ikigai is essential to one's well-being, the true beauty is that it does not have a fixed equation and can change over time.

At Mogami, we would like to highlight this nuance with our 'Ikigai Spotlight Series'.

This month's featured guest is Hiko Konami, a certified sound therapist and artist, and founder of Freakin’Calm based in Tokyo.

Tell us your story.

I’m a sound therapist currently based in Tokyo. I was born in Osaka, Japan, and later moved to New York.

As a child, I played the piano and the Electone (an electronic organ made by Yamaha in Japan) but around middle school, I stopped attending school and became quite withdrawn. That led me away from the idea of pursuing music as a career which already felt like a huge hurdle.

When I moved to New York, I started looking for an opportunity to learn. I tried a bunch of art courses, but I realised I really wanted to do music. Once I enrolled in a music school, I started from the basics again—music theory, performance, and many aspects of music. That was the beginning of my journey into sound therapy, leading me to where I am now.

How did you find moving to a new country?

I had already been studying English before moving but communication was still tough. Soon after I arrived, I was invited to join a band after a member heard me sing at karaoke. Even though I was the only non-American, when we played music, I felt connected to everyone. Being in that band felt like being part of a family. In the end, I lived in the U.S. for about 15 years.

Now that you’re based in Japan, do you have a different cultural focus?

I’m very interested in ethnomusicology, and I’d like to learn more about Japan’s original music and traditions, which have continued for centuries. Nowadays, most popular music follows Western scales and traditional folk songs are almost nonexistent. You have to search actively to find older music. For example, Okinawa is one of the few places where traditional songs are still widely known among the younger generation.

What has been your personal journey with your Ikigai(s) or reason for being?

For me, ikigai is about sharing and communication. Music is a powerful tool for this since it connects people without words. Even strangers can bond through music.

In my sound bathing practice, I use crystal bowls and the experience helps people connect with themselves. Beyond that, there are other ways to actively share, like singing together, playing instruments as a group, or using our voices. No matter the method, it’s all about understanding, sharing, and communicating in ways beyond words.

Is there anything from your experience working as a sound therapist that you can apply to other parts of your life? 

I try to really listen. In the midst of our busy day-to-day lives, I wonder if we’re truly listening—to someone else or to our own inner voice. So I try to connect with others in those moments, and I really value that. I do tend to talk a lot, so sometimes I can end up speaking too much, but I try to slow down and give space for others to talk. Another thing I like to do is vocalise, sing, or play the piano after my morning meditation.

Can you walk us through a time in your life when you felt lost? What ideas or tools helped you overcome this period?

While studying music, I had a serious accident. Although I didn’t break any bones, I suffered long-term effects that required years of chiropractic treatment and physical therapy. At the same time, I was facing other life challenges.

I was lucky to have access to alternative healing methods in the U.S., like counselling and therapy circles—resources that aren’t as common in Japan. As I explored different healing approaches, I found a school that offered sound healing. I applied and started there. On the first day, we all experienced a sound bath together. The teacher led the session and it was absolutely amazing. I was deeply moved by the experience.

What does being a sound therapist mean to you?

I love it so much that even if someone told me to stop, I don’t think I could. In Japan, sound therapy isn’t viewed as a regular profession, especially given relaxation and well-being services are hard to access here. One of the reasons I started my company was to change that. I’d like sound therapy to become a normal part of wellness and looking after yourself.

How do you navigate balancing societal expectations with staying true to your authentic self?

Honestly? I’d say, "Don’t listen to all that noise." Maybe it’s because of my age, but I no longer feel that pressure. I used to, of course, but in the end, it’s my life. I think the best approach is to ignore all the "you should do this" kind of expectations.

Instead, act like you’re a child again by doing what you truly enjoy, whether it’s a hobby or something else entirely. What matters is finding something that lets you be completely absorbed—this kind of immersive experience creates the same sense of mindfulness that meditation does.

What would be your advice to anyone struggling to live a life of Ikigai?

I think the pressure to find your goals or sense of purpose can actually be overwhelming. When I was younger, I couldn’t find any of those things, and I often wondered, “Am I okay the way I am?” So, if someone feels lost, I want them to know that it’s okay and completely normal. 

Where and when things begin is different for everyone and there’s no set age or deadline to achieve things. If you’re doing things based on fear or anxiety, it’s only going to feel hard and draining. Trust your own timing. 

When we hear words like ikigai or life goals, we tend to imagine something really big, don’t we? But honestly, it doesn’t have to be. For example, if I eat a really delicious cookie right now and it makes me happy, I might hesitate to call that ikigai. But I think even those small things are totally valid as part of your ikigai.

Can you describe a moment that made you feel alive recently?

I had an early meeting this morning so I cycled out at dawn, and the air felt so refreshing—it really had that early spring vibe. I was listening to music on my headphones while riding through Shibuya. The roads were empty, the sky had this beautiful gradient of dawn colours, and I was listening to Dreams by The Cranberries. The song matched the scenery perfectly, and I felt this incredible excitement and heart-fluttering joy—it was just a beautiful moment.

Any final insights or reflections you’d like to share?

Even in our busy lives, just pausing for a moment and listening to various sounds can be meaningful. If we stop dismissing sounds as mere noise and instead listen with imagination, I think we can find a deeper connection with ourselves. Whether it’s the rustling of leaves in the wind or even city noises, tuning in with an open mind allows us to feel gratitude and love.

I believe that sound allows us to feel how much we are overflowing with. There’s no such thing as "This is the only option" or "If I lose this, I’m done." Life is full of endless opportunities—100, 200, and even more. Believing in abundance is key.

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Reflection by Emma Launder, Guest Contributor

Speaking with Hiko, whose presence is both warm and grounded, was a reminder of the power we carry in our voices—and within ourselves. Her story encourages us to align with our own rhythms and pace. 

For Hiko, that meant venturing to New York, rediscovering her love for music on her own terms, and finding connection even, or perhaps especially, in the challenges of post-injury rehab. Now, she shares the healing power of sound with an open heart. For each of us, that might mean tuning in to the sounds or things that energise and inspire us.

I know I’ll be taking a moment to truly listen—whether it’s to the person speaking to me, the rustling trees in my neighbourhood, or even the grumbling of my own stomach. 

About Emma: Emma hails from the land of the rising sun and of the long white cloud (otherwise known as Japan and New Zealand). She’s often asked “Why?” and “What are we here for?”, and this has culminated in a deep desire to learn more about the big questions in life, especially surrounding purpose and ikigai. She’s currently based in Tokyo and works in PR and communications.

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Reflection by Saori Okada, Mogami Founder

Hiko's story deeply resonated with me. Sound, after all, doesn’t rely on words to connect—it transcends them. It reminded me of when I moved to the US at age four for my father’s job. I cried every night, asking my mother, “How many more nights until I can go home?”—lost in a world of unfamiliar language.

To comfort me, my parents would say:

大丈夫、言葉は通じなくても、気持ちは伝わる。

It will be okay. Even if you can't communicate through language, they will understand your feelings.

After a few weeks, I was playing and laughing with new friends—even before I could speak the language. That memory came back to me as I read Hiko’s story. Her work is a reminder that sound can take us to places where words fall short. It helps us connect through energy—and gently leads us home to ourselves.

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Do you want to learn more?

You can find out more about Hiko Konami's work here

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What did this story bring up for you? Comment below.