Finding “Makoto” in Sawatari, Bringing “Ikhlas” Home to Jakarta

My journey to Japan this time was very memorable. It started with the warmth of the mountains in Gunma, continued through several schedules in Tokyo, and ended with a peaceful conversation at Tokyo Camii Mosque. For me, this was a beautiful reminder of how people can connect deeply through pure sincerity.

More than just a stay. At Ryumeikan Sawatari, the warmth and sincerity of our hosts made us feel at home—as part of their family.

A Warm Welcome from the Very First Step

The journey began on April 15, 2026. The moment my daughter, Fayra, and I arrived in Japan, Mr. Makoto Sumiya and his family kindly picked us up. Before heading to the countryside, they patiently took us around Tokyo to enjoy some sights.

Later that day, we went to Ryumeikan Sawatari in Gunma—a peaceful traditional Japanese inn (ryokan) run by the Sumiya family for generations.

Have you ever experienced a hospitality that was so incredibly sincere that it made you feel deeply touched and humble? That is exactly what Fayra and I felt during our 4 days and 3 nights there. The Sumiya family welcomed us not just as regular guests, but as family members coming home. Their warm smiles, care for small details, and the warm food always prepared on time made us feel very comfortable.

After leaving the peaceful Sawatari, I went to Tokyo for some meetings. And in this city, the final piece of my journey fell into place.

An Unexpected Meeting on the Last Day

Sensei Muhammad Al-Hakim at Tokyo Camii Mosque, capturing a meaningful conversation about “Makoto”—the beautiful Japanese spirit of pure sincerity and honesty that connects hearts across different cultures.

April 22 was my last day in Tokyo. Late at night, at 2:30 AM, I had to fly back to Jakarta from Haneda Airport. Before preparing for my flight, I decided to visit the Tokyo Camii Mosque.

Outside the mosque, I saw a tall man. I was about to say hello in English, thinking he was a local resident. But he smiled and greeted me first in Indonesian:

“Sir, I am from Indonesia.”

His name is Muhammad Al-Hakim, an Aikido Sensei (teacher) who actively helps the local Muslim community in Tokyo. To our surprise, we found out that we are actually close neighbors in Bintaro, Indonesia. It was a beautiful coincidence.

As we sat and talked outside the mosque, we shared many things. Eventually, he explained a Japanese cultural concept that deeply touched me: Makoto (誠).

Understanding the Spirit of Makoto

Mr. Al-Hakim explained that Japanese people live with a deep sensitivity of the heart. This is where the value of Makoto comes from.

Simply put, Makoto means sincerity or honesty. But its true meaning is deeper: a state where what is in your heart, what you say, and what you do are perfectly aligned. It is pure kindness, without expecting anything in return.

Hearing this, I immediately thought of Mr. Makoto Sumiya and his family. I realized that the wonderful care we received at Ryumeikan Sawatari was not just standard business service. It was Makoto living in their hearts.

The trust built by this sincerity was so strong that I felt completely safe and peaceful leaving Fayra to stay with the Sumiya family until July, while I had to return to Jakarta first.

A Heartfelt Goodbye and a Sacred Promise

Even though I felt peaceful, saying goodbye to a child in a foreign country is never easy for a father. When the time came to part ways in Sawatari, I could not hold back my tears.

A warm and happy photo of me and my daughter, Fayra, together with Mr. Makoto Sumiya and his wonderful family. This beautiful moment is a true reflection of “Makoto”—the pure sincerity of heart that connects our families from Indonesia and Japan like real brothers and sisters.

Seeing my emotion, Mr. Makoto Sumiya walked over to me. With a very comforting smile, he said:

“Fayra must continue the relay of life. We, as parents, will leave this world one day. When that time comes, Fayra must be truly independent. We promise to guide Fayra so she can be reliable. We will raise her to be a truly professional person.”

Hearing those sincere words from another father, my worries disappeared. This is the real essence of Makoto—a pure heart willing to share the responsibility for a child’s future.

With peace in my heart, I was guided to the local bus that passes by Ryumeikan to travel back to Tokyo, allowing me to finish a few final schedules before preparing for my flight.

A Chain of Kindness

Interestingly, this spirit of kindness seemed to follow me during my last hours in Tokyo before my departure.

I felt it when Mr. Padlan Husaini, a young man from Lombok, kindly walked with me through the cold morning to the Indonesian Mosque in Meguro. There, I also met Mr. Susiono, an elder who has been sharing warmth and food with young Indonesian workers in Tokyo for 24 years, making them feel like they have a family far from home.

Even at Haneda Airport that night, I met Mr. Toto Kaneda Rich, who proved that in Japan, absolute honesty and commitment (Makoto) are the keys to gaining great trust from local business owners.

Thoughts on the Way Home

As I sat in the departure gate at Haneda Airport waiting for my 2:30 AM flight, I reflected on my journey.

The warmth Fayra and I felt in Sawatari and the wisdom I found in Tokyo were beautifully connected. For us, Makoto is very similar to the concept of Ikhlas (purity of heart) and Siddiq (truthfulness). It is a universal language that speaks directly from heart to heart.

I returned home with a very grateful heart. Thank you, Mr. Makoto Sumiya and the wonderful Sumiya family in Sawatari. Your warmth is keeping my daughter safe, and we will always keep you close to our hearts in Jakarta.