Hikikomori: Why Are So Many Japanese Staying At Home?

Japan’s hikikomori are bringing the hermit lifestyle into the 21st century. Many are choosing to embrace their homebody ways by withdrawing from anything that might be considered a social life. But should society be worried about this self-imposed isolation, this next generation of Lost Boys? Peek through the blinds at this unusual lifestyle choice and see for yourself.

Hikikomori Diagnosis

Psychiatrists, professors, and the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare officially recognize hikikomori as a social phenomenon. Hikikomori are people who isolate themselves in their home, cutting themselves off intentionally from society and becoming for all intents and purposes a hermit. The term also refers to the event in general. In order to be officially ‘diagnosed’, the refusal to leave home must continue for six months or longer, and there mustn’t be any psychiatric reason or cause for it. Meaning, hikikomori is entirely elective.

Beginnings of Hikikomori

Motivation to Go Hikikomori

Neomugicha may have pushed hikikomori into the spotlight, but the social phenomenon has existed far longer. According to Dr. Tamaki Saito, author of Adolescence Without End, hikikomori can be traced back to the late 80s when the economic bubble burst. And as the number of hikikomori and the average age of the individual continues to climb, inability to find work may be a big motivating factor.

Neomugicha’s extreme case is not representative of all hikikomori. In fact, if the motivation for his crimes was mental illness, he is already disqualified from their ranks. What sets hikikomori apart is that it’s totally voluntary. Holing up due to depression or other mental illnesses would disqualify the behavior and classify it as a symptom of something else. With hikikomori, the desire to spend the majority of one’s day inside, rarely (if ever) leaving the home, is congruous with the needs of the individual and their desired self-image.

Opinions on Hikikomori

But of course, not everyone sees the hikikomori as benign. There are differing opinions on the subject. In Michael Zielenziger’s book, Shutting Out The Sun, the hikikomori are explained as people who value the intangibles — they’re dreamers and artists who, like Basho before them, elect to withdraw from the fast-paced life that once drained them. Others fear them, due to incidents like the neomugicha case. Some professionals say developmental disorders like Asperger’s may be partly to blame, or some other antisocial disorder.

There may be a relationship between hikikomori and otaku culture

Hikikomori…How?

One might be dumbfounded at the idea of holing up for months on end, not even leaving to go to the grocery store or attend a family event. How is it even possible? Many hikikomori are youngsters, teens and 20-somethings who lose direction after high school or university. Others are simply unable or unwilling to find work — according to Professor Flavio Rizzo, the average age of hikikomori is now 31. Families support their teens or adult children for any number of reasons: they believe they’re actively seeking work or will grow out of it soon, or they feel trapped and obligated to take care of them and at a loss as to what to do.

On the flip side of the coin, other hikikomori may simply choose the lifestyle because they can, because they’re more comfortable that way. They could find work online as writers, programmers, or web designers. In the modern era, it’s entirely possible to live one’s entire life without ever leaving home.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.