Make The Brain Stay Sharp, These Are 5 Japanese Habits To Try

Illustration of Japanese citizens (Photo: Freepik/Freepik)

JAKARTA - In daily life, we often undergo many activities at once. Starting from preparing food, completing work, taking care of finances to doing hobbies.

All of that goes like a list of tasks that have to be checked one by one. Not infrequently, we are overwhelmed and forget some important things. Then how do you stay focused, remember many things, and stay relaxed?

One of the answers can be obtained from Japan. This country of Sakura is known as one of the healthiest countries in the world, which is one of the 'Blue Zone' areas in Okinawa, where many of its citizens live to be over 100 years old.

Not only a healthy lifestyle, Japan also has several unique ways to maintain brain sharpness. Here are 5 Japanese tricks that can help improve mental memory and clarity, as reported by the Times of India page.

1. Shodo (Japanese calligraphy)

Shodo is not just writing beautifully on paper. This calligraphy art requires calm, focus, and accuracy of hand movements. In Japan, there are still many people who do Shodo with brushes and ink, not pens.

In addition to preserving culture, this activity helps train concentration, patience, and coordination of the eyes. The right pressures and movements in writing kanji letters and Kana are believed to stimulate the brain and increase the sharpness of thinking.

2. Zazen Meditation

Zazen is a form of meditation performed by sitting quietly on the floor, imitating Buddhist posture, while focusing on breathing. This method helps calm the mind and raise self-awareness.

A study in 2025 found that Zazen meditation can increase emotional resilience, reduce stress, and help a person accept life changes more calmly. This practice is excellent at balancing the mind in the midst of busyness.

3. Anki (Rememory Card Technique)

If you ever make a record card while studying, then Amda is familiar with Anki's concept. This technique is done by reading a small card containing information repeatedly for a certain time. The goal is to strengthen long-term memory.

Research in 2023 shows students who use Anki achieve a higher score than those who do not. This technique is very effective for memorizing terms, formulas, or important facts.

4. Goroawase (Connecting Figures and Words)

Goroawase is a method to remember information by creating a creative relationship between numbers and words. This technique is often used in Japan, especially by students to memorize historical dates, formulas, or important names.

By turning numbers into easy-to-remember phrases, the memorization process becomes more fun and less boring.

5. Sushi Puzzle

Sushi puzzle is a assembling game consisting of small pieces that must be arranged into the right place to serve. This game trains logic, accuracy, problem solving capabilities, and visual coordination. In addition to stimulating the brain, this kind of puzzle also provides its own satisfaction when properly arranged.