30 Most Beautiful and Popular Japanese Actresses - HubPages Yukie Nakama and Erika Sawajiri to Haruna Kawaguchi and Mizuki Yamamoto here are the 30 most beautiful Japanese actresses working today.
Yukie Nakama and Erika Sawajiri to Haruna Kawaguchi and Mizuki Yamamoto, here are the 30 most beautiful Japanese actresses working today.
- Author:Xhyniie
- Updated:Oct 20, 2024
If you watch Japanese media, whether it is film or television, you would have certainly come across a few of these actresses. Their striking beauty and talented performances have won over many fans. Listed below are 30 of the most beautiful and popular actresses to come out of Japan, led by our top 10. Is your favorite on the list?
- Kasumi Arimura
- Hikari Mitsushima
- Nanao Arai
- Mikako Tabe
- Marie Iitoyo
- Yuna Taira
- Sayaka Isoyama
- Minami Hamabe
- Meisa Kuroki
- Yui Aragaki
Kasumi Arimura
1. Kasumi Arimura
- Birthdate: February 13, 1993
- Birthplace: Itami
- Debut: 2010
This gorgeous lady is known for her breakout role in the series Amachan. This show was a phenomenon that actually brought economic benefits to the Tohoku region after the devastating earthquake in 2011. Arimura has also been in films like Strobe Edge, Flying Colors, and Rurouni Kenshin: The Final.
Her cute face makes her look like a younger version of Nagasawa Masami. In 2021, Ariumura won the Best Actress award at the Japan Academy Film Prize for her role in We Made a Beautiful Bouquet. She has even worked in video games by voicing the lead character in Layton’s Mystery Journey.
Hikari Mitsushima
Dick Thomas Johnson from Tokyo, Japan, CC 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons/Photoscape
2. Hikari Mitsushima
- Birthdate: November 30, 1985
- Birthplace: Kagoshima
- Debut: 1997
Hikari Mitsushima is an actress and singer. In 1997, she began her career as an idol singer. She was a member of J-pop groups like Folder 5. In the same year, she made her acting debut in Rebirth of Mothra II. She made her television debut in 2005 in Ultraman Max.
She is best known for her role in the thriller film Death Note and the well-received Love Exposure, a comedy-drama/art film directed by Sion Sono. Her performance in the latter brought her critical attention and won her several awards. She has done some voice-acting roles in anime films like One Piece Film: Gold and Mary and the Witch’s Flower.
Nanao Arai
Dick Thomas Johnson from Tokyo, Japan, CC 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons/Photoscape
3. Nanao Arai
- Birthdate: October 28, 1988
- Birthplace: Saitama
- Debut: 2009
Nanao Arai is a model and actress who is affiliated with Platinum Production. She started her career in 2009 as a model who worked as a ring girl and race queen. She was crowned Miss TGC of the Tokyo Girls Collection fashion festival. She was also crowned the 2010 Sanai Mizugi Image Girl, and she was a fashion model for Non-no magazine.
In 2011, she became an exclusive model for the magazine Ginger. She made her acting debut in the 2011 TV series Urero Mikakunin Shōjo. In 2021, she did voice work for the anime film Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal: The Movie.
Mikako Tabe
4. Mikako Tabe
- Birthdate: January 25, 1989
- Birthplace: Tokyo
- Debut: 2002
Mikako Tabe started her career as a teen by performing in Sailor Moon musicals. In 2004, she performed in her first film, The Reason. Her breakout role was in the film Hinkio.
She is known for her role in the anthology series Midnight Diner. Tabe also voiced the lead character in the video game Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch.
Marie Iitoyo
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5. Marie Iitoyo
- Birthdate: January 5, 1998
- Birthplace: Chiba
- Debut: 2008
Marie Iitoyo is a fashion model and actress. She is best known for her roles in Mars: Tada, Kimi wo Aishiteru, Kyo no Kira-kun, and Ankoku Joshi. Iitoyo has been an exclusive model for the Japanese magazine Oggi since 2019. She also appeared in the 2018 drama Hana Nochi Hare as Megumi Nishidome.
Iitoyo has done voice work in anime films like The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes and Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard King.
Yuna Taira
6. Yuna Taira
- Birthdate: November 12, 1998
- Birthplace: Kobe
- Debut: 2011
Yuna Taira was in sixth grade when she successfully auditioned for a role in the film I Wish. In 2011, she made regular appearances for the NHK Educational TV series R no Hōsoku.
Taira had her first lead role in the 2015 film Scarecrow and Racket: Aki and Tamako’s Summer Vacation. Her older sister, Airi Taira, is an actress as well.
7. Sayaka Isoyama
- Birthdate: October 23, 1983
- Birthplace: Mito
- Debut: 2000
Sayaka Isoyama is a gravure idol, actress, and sports writer. She is represented by the Lifika talent agency. Isoyama graduated from Ibaraki Prefecture Hokota Second High School.
In 2005, Isoyama made her acting debut in the lead role of the film Miss Machiko. In 2022, she made her television debut in the series The 13 Lords of the Shogun.
Minami Hamabe
Dick Thomas Johnson from Tokyo, Japan, CC 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons/Photoscape
8. Minami Hamabe
- Birthdate: August 29, 2000
- Birthplace: Ishikawa
- Debut: 2011
Minami Hamabe made her acting debut in the film Ace Attorney. She would win the New Generation Award at the 7th Toho Cinderella Audition. Hamabe gained widespread fame in Japan for her role in the live-action adaptation of Let Me Eat Your Pancreas.
Hamabe has performed in many live-action adaptations of anime, such as The Promised Neverland, Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!, and Kakegurui. In 2016, she had her first lead role on TV in the series Saki.
9. Meisa Kuroki
- Birthdate: May 28, 1988
- Birthplace: Nago
- Debut: 2004
Satsuki Shimabukuro, better known by their stage name Meisa Kuroki, is an Okinawan actress, model and singer. She made her acting debut in the 2004 series Medaka. She has modeled for the popular Japanese fashion magazine JJ, and she is theJapanese representative for Epson and Giorgio Armani.
Kuroki was discovered by a fashion talent scout while she was in junior high school. She made her music debut in 2008 with her song “Like This.” She released her first album in 2011. Kuroki is married to Jin Akanishi from the boy band KAT-TUN.
Yui Aragaki
10. Yui Aragaki
- Birthdate: June 11, 1988
- Birthplace: Naha
- Debut: 2001
Yui Aragaki is an idol, model, actress, singer, and occasional radio show host. She started her modeling career in 2001 after auditioning for a fashion magazine. In 2005, Aragaki made her acting debut in the series Dragon Zakura. She would make a cameo appearance when the show was revived in 2021.
Aragaki released her first album, Sora, in 2007. She has performed in venues like Budokan. She is married to actor Gen Hoshino. The two were costars in the series The Full-Time Wife Escapist.
Aya Ueto
11. Aya Ueto
- Birthdate: September 14, 1985
- Birthplace: Tokyo
- Debut: 1999
Aya Ueto is an actress, singer, model, and radio personality. Aya was discovered when she participated in the seventh Japan Bishōjo Contest. She would win the special jury prize. She would form the girl group Z-1 with three other contestants in the competition. At the age of 13, she made her acting debut in the film Satsujinsha: Killer of Paraiso.
Ueto’s breakthrough came when she was cast as a high school student suffering from gender dysphoria in the sixth season of the TBS drama 3-nen B-gumi Kinpachi-sensei. Her critically-acclaimed performance led to several leading roles and endorsements. This allowed Ueto to establish herself as one of Japan’s most recognizable faces. She has won awards for her performances in series like Ace o Nerae! and Nagareboshi.
As one of Japan’s most ubiquitous celebrities, Ueto constantly appears on billboards, shop windows, and train adverts. She has held the annual title of CM Queen five times since 2004.
12. Yuriko Yoshitaka
- Birthdate: July 22, 1988
- Birthplace: Tokyo
- Debut: 2004
Yuriko Yoshitaka is a Japanese actress who is represented by the talent agency Amuse. She was scouted as a talent at the age of 16 and would make her acting debut in 2006. In 2007, she was in the lead role in the film Snakes and Earrings. This would be her breakthrough role.
The Japanese public began to take notice of her, and in a poll conducted by Oricon, Yoshitaka was the fifth promising young actress of 2009 and 2009’s freshest female celebrity. In 2010, Oricon again conducted a poll on the most promising actress. Yoshitaka managed climb up to top the poll.
She played Tae Kojima in the two-part 2011 live-action adaptation of Gantz. She also took the lead role in Kōji Maeda’s 2011 movie Konzen Tokkyū. She portrayed a young woman dating multiple men in hopes of finding the right one to marry.
In 2019, she starred in the series Watashi, Teiji de Kaerimasu. The series was notable for its critique of Japanese corporate culture.
Erika Toda
Dick Thomas Johnson from Tokyo, Japan, CC 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons/Photoscape
13. Erika Toda
- Birthdate: August 17, 1988
- Birthplace: Kobe
- Debut: 2000
Erika Todais an actress that has starred in many Japanese television dramas. She made her debut in the 2000 series Audrey. She is famous for portraying Misa Amane in a few live-action adaptations of Death Note. She was also in the live-action adaptation of Liar Game.
She is married to Tori Matsuzaka. The couple worked together in the film April Fools.
14. Maki Horikita
- Birthdate: October 6, 1988
- Birthplace: Tokyo
- Debut: 2003
Maki Horikita is an actress that debuted in 2003. She has starred in numerous television dramas. Some of her popular roles include the introverted high school student Nobuko Kotani in Nobuta wo Produce, the righteous law student Tsurara Yoshikawa in Kurosagi, and the cross-dressing sports fan Mizuki Ashiya in Hanazakari no Kimitachi e. Her breakthrough role
Her first NHK asadora project came in 2012 with Umechan Sensei. Horitaka led the cast as a teenager who blossomed into a town doctor during the Showa era. She has also done some work as a voice actor in the Professor Layton video game series.
Horitaka gave birth to her first child in December of 2016. In February of 2017, she announced her retirement from the entertainment industry.
Erika Sawajiri
15. Erika Sawajiri
- Birthdate: April 8, 1986
- Birthplace: Tokyo
- Debut: 2001
Erika Sawajiri is an actress, model, and singer. Debuting as a model, she transitioned to acting in the television drama 1 Litre of Tears. She played the role of a girl who suffered from the intractable diseases pinocerebellar degeneration (SCD).
Sawajiri first started her music career under the name “Kaoru Amane” in 2006. This stage name was the name of her character in A Song to the Sun. Her single “Free” would hit number one on the charts.
Sawajiri has faced some controversy in her career. She went on hiatus in 2007 after being publicly displeased with her film Case Closed. This was seen as disrespectful to the cast and crew of the film, and she would apologize online. She would later say she regretted apologizing since her management had put pressure on her to do so. She would be dropped by her agency before returning to acting in 2010.
In 2019, Sawajiri was arrested for drug possession. She admitted to using a variety of drugs for many years, and she would plead guilty to her charges in 2020. This has essentially ended her career.
16. Kyoko Fukada
- Birthdate: November 2, 1982
- Birthplace: Tokyo
- Debut: 1996
Kyoko Fukada is an actress and singer. Her name is occasionally contracted to the nickname Fukakyon. She debuted in the television drama Sore ga Kotae da! as Kazune. In 1999, Fukada appeared in her first movie, Ring 2. She also appeared in the film School Day of the Dead. She would graduate from Horikoshi High School in 2001.
In 2002, she made an appearance in Dolls as Haruna. As a singer, Fukada released her debut single “The Last Fruit” in 1999. She has released four albums in her career.
Nozomi Sasaki
17. Nozomi Sasaki
- Birthdate: February 8, 1988
- Birthplace: Akita
- Debut: 2002
Nozomi Sasaki, simply known as Nozomiduring her fashion modeling career, has primarily worked as a model, gravure idol, and recording artist. She has also steadily worked as an actress. Sasaki has also worked as a commentator for kickboxing and MMA events.
In 2010, she started her music career with the single “Kamu to Funyan.” She released her album Nozomi Collection in 2012. Some of her notable acting roles include the Ju-On films, Tokyo Ghoul, and The Many Faces of Ito.
Sasaki is notable for doing her interviews in her native Akita dialect. As a result, translators are often required since most people outside the region have trouble understanding her.
18. Keiko Kitagawa
- Birthdate: August 22, 1986
- Birthplace: Kobe
- Debut: 2003
Keiko Kitagawa is an actress and former model. She modeled for the Japanese Seventeen magazine from 2003 to 2006. She made her acting debut as Sailor Mars in the live-action Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon.
Kitagawa was scouted by a talent agency in high school. Her parents opposed her entering the entertainment industry, but they eventually allowed her to pursue a career as an actress. She made her film debut in the comedy film The Mamiya Brothers.
Kitagawa would give birth to her first child in 2020. She is married to singer and actor Daigo.
19. Yukie Nakama
- Birthdate: October 30, 1979
- Birthplace: Okinawa
- Debut: 1994
Yukie Nakama is an actress and singer. She initially started her career as a gravure idol. As a singer, her debut single, “Moonlight to Daybreak,” was released in 1996. As an actress, her breakthrough role was as Sadako in Ring 0: Birthday.
In 2000, she showed off her ability to perform in comedy in the TV series Trick. She found great success with the TV show Gokusen.
Nakama is married to actor Tetsushi Tanaka. She gave birth to twin sons in 2018.
20. Suzu Hirose
- Birthdate: June 19, 1998
- Birthplace: Shizuoka
- Debut: 2012
Suzu Hirose debuted as a model for the Japanese Seventeen magazine. As an actress, she had her breakthrough role in the 2015 film Our Little Sister. Some of her most successful films include The Third Murder and the Chihayafuru trilogy. She has also performed in some radio shows.
Hirose has also done many commercials for different companies. She has been an ambassador for brands like Air Jordan and Louis Vuitton.
Mariya Nishiuchi
Georges Seguin (Okki), CC 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons/Photoscape
21. Mariya Nishiuchi
- Birthdate: December 24, 1993
- Birthplace: Fukuoka
- Debut: 2008
Mariya Nishiuchi is an actress, singer, and model. She is the younger sister of fellow actress Hiromi Nishiuchi. She made her debut in the series Seigi no Mikata. Some of her notable series include Switch Girl!! and Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches. Nishiuchi has modeled for magazines like Nicola and Seventeen.
22. Satomi Ishihara
- Birthdate: December 24, 1986
- Birthplace: Tokyo
- Debut: 2003
Kuniko Ishigami, better known under the stage name Satomi Ishihara, began her acting career in the 2003 series Tramps Like Us. Her breakthrough role was as Saeko Takahashi in Shitsuren Chocolatier. Some of her film roles include Hotai Club, Attack on Titan, and Shin Godzilla. is a Japanese actress best known for the live action movie Attack on Titan.
Ishihara is frequently seen on billboards for various ad campaigns. She was a torch relay ambassador for the 2020 Olympics.
23. Haruna Kawaguchi
- Birthdate: February 10, 1995
- Birthplace: Nagasaki
- Debut: 2007
Haruna Kawaguchi made her debut as a model in Nicola magazine in 2007. She would become a regular on variety TV and appeared in music videos. In 2010, Kawaguchi had her first lead role in the drama series Hatsukoi Chronicle.
In 2020, Kawaguchi started a YouTube channel. She gained 700,000 subscribers in her first month. Some of Kawaguchi’s most notable films include Ouran High School Host Club, Bittersweet, and One Week Friends.
24. Ayame Gouriki
- Birthdate: August 27, 1992
- Birthplace: Yokohama
- Debut: 2002
Ayame Gouriki wanted to be an actress since she was a child. She became a model when she had a photographer take a picture of her at an amusement park. She was a model for Seventeen magazine between 2008 and 2013.
Gouriki made her acting debut in the TV series ChocoMimi. In 2013, she made her debut as a singer with her single “More Than a Friend.” Some of her notable films include Gatchaman, Black Butler, and L DK.
25. Ayami Nakajo
- Birthdate: February 4, 1997
- Birthplace: Osaka
- Debut: 2011
Ayami Nakajo started her career in 2011 when she auditioned to model for the magazine Seventeen. In 2012, she made her acting debut in the television series Miss Double Faced Teacher. In 2014, Nakajo made her film debut as the lead in Fatal Frame: The Movie.
Some of Nakajo’s most notable works include The Mystery Collection of Enmadou Sara, Flight on the Water, and Snow Flower.
Kanna Hashimoto
Dick Thomas Johnson from Tokyo, Japan, CC 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons/Photoscape
26. Kanna Hashimoto
- Birthdate: February 3, 1999
- Birthplace: Fukuoka
- Debut: 2007
Kanna Hashimoto started working in commercials in 2007. From 2011 to 2017, Hashimoto was a member of the girl group Rev. from DVL. She made her acting debut in the 2011 film I Wish.
Hashimoto has had the lead role in TV series like The Third Finger Offered to a King and MPD Animal Unit. She has starred in films like Assassination Classroom, Gintama, and Kaguya-sama: Love is War.
Tina Tamashiro
Dick Thomas Johnson from Tokyo, Japan, CC 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons/Photoscape
27. Tina Tamashiro
- Birthdate: October 8, 1987
- Birthplace: Okinawa
- Debut: 2012
Tina Tamashiro was scouted by an agency president while she was walking home with her friends. She would win the Miss iD Grand Prix in 2013. She made her acting debut in the 2014 series Dark System Koi no Ozakettei-sen.
Tamashiro has been in the lead role for films like Missions of Love, Hell Girl, and The Flowers of Evil. She gets her unique features from her American father and Japanese mother.
28. Emi Takei
- Birthdate: December 25, 1993
- Birthplace: Nagoya
- Debut: 2007
Emi Takei became a model for Seventeen magazine in 2007. While she was in junior high school, she had told her parents that she would be a model within three years. She made her acting debut in the 2008 film The Cherry Orchard: Blossoming. Takei made her singing debut in 2011 with the single “Koisuru Kimochi.”
Takei has starred in films like Clover, Terra Formars, and the Rurouni Kenshinseries.
29. Mirei Kiritani
- Birthdate: December 16, 1989
- Birthplace: Chiba
- Debut: 2006
Mirei Kiritani made her acting debut in 2006. She appeared in the film Haru no Ibasho as well as a variety of TV shows. Kiritani was an exclusive model for Seventeen magazine between 2006 and 2011. She also worked as a news anchor from 2012 to 2018.
Some of her most notable films include Revenge Girl, No Longer Heroine, and Vampire in Love.
30. Mizuki Yamamoto
- Birthdate: July 18, 1991
- Birthplace: Fukuoka
- Debut: 2009
Mizuki Yamamoto started her career as a model for CanCam magazine in 2009. In 2011, she made her acting debut in the TV series Shiawase ni Narōyo. She has appeared in many TV commercials.
In addition to acting, Yamamoto served as the host for the variety show Woman on the Planet. In 2014, she graduated from Meiji University. Yamamoto is married to actor Koji Soto. The two were costars on the TV series Perfect World.
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This content reflects the personal opinions of the author. It is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and should not be substituted for impartial fact or advice in legal, political, or personal matters.
© 2015 Xhyniie
Sahat on September 06, 2020:
Who is name aktrees in the film Beautiful japanese wife..?? thank u
Shanavash on September 06, 2020:
All are beautiful
larry m on August 15, 2020:
Why can’t I vote for Mikako Tabe?
O Denny on July 20, 2020:
Where is Rika Izumi she’s the most beautiful Japanese but in the world
miss on May 19, 2020:
where is nana komatsu ???
vvv on April 09, 2020:
i wonder why nana komatsu isn’t on the list.
Echo on January 12, 2020:
Ikeda Elaiza is one I think should be on here! She’s tall too.
Hailey on January 11, 2020:
OMG, where is Mei Nagano?
Many are missing in this list on December 03, 2019:
Tanaka Rena
Ishida Yuriko
Fukuda Mayuko
and many more
한 빈 린 on October 26, 2019:
Hey you foRgot YUNA TAIRA!
Scott on October 04, 2019:
most beautiful
betojnavarro on September 08, 2019:
Kanna Hashimoto is Waifu!!!
Fota on September 05, 2019:
@knight online
She isn’t Turkish, you are strange for your belief.
She is from Okinawa, both parents are Japanese. She doesn’t even look half mixed, unsure why you want to tell yourself she is (I guess you are a Turkish person or something who is a fan and wants to relate).
Digonta Castle on July 19, 2019:
Nozomi sasaki and Erika sawajiri both beautiful and sexy, I very very love both.
knight online on June 27, 2019:
yui aragaki.. %50 japan %50 turkish..
Ramkumar aditya on June 26, 2019:
Nice and very beautiful
MAHINOOR on June 09, 2019:
TINA TAMASHIRO
chul. on May 21, 2019:
Mei nagano and kanna hashimoto..where they are??
Lol. on March 10, 2019:
Lol.
Stan Allaby on February 25, 2019:
Rika Izuma must be on this list!
GTX on February 16, 2019:
Haruka Ayase , Wakana Aoi, Mikako Tabe
I recomend.
Marie Yakushima on July 22, 2018:
The cutest girl who is in my favour areSuzu Hirose and Aya Ueto
hadi on July 19, 2018:
where is araki yuuko????????
Conrad Wyles on May 22, 2018:
No-one is the most beautiful of all the girls.
TIck on May 14, 2018:
Kiritani Mirei is the most beautiful
tanu on February 03, 2018:
Nozomi Sasaki is so pretty.
Sayon Dawtto on December 23, 2017:
Erika Toda is the best.
Dragon Warrior on December 16, 2017:
Emi Takei?????
Sir Guy de Gisbourne on December 05, 2017:
Ms. Fukada is the fairest of them all, make no mistake about it. Only the blind could not see this! Look no further for affirmation of this fact.
Nami chan on November 12, 2017:
What? Kato Rosa, Kato Koyuki, Aya Ueno, Meisa, Haruka Ayase etc aren’t here!!!
HarHar on October 17, 2017:
Amami Yuki
/close
Piko on September 28, 2017:
Nope, none of them can compare to Nanako Matsushima at all in my eyes
FRANZ248 on September 19, 2017:
YUI ARAKAGI
Fira on August 09, 2017:
Erika Toda is kawaii
Jo on June 12, 2017:
Honoka Hayagi or Honoka Miki from Itazura na Kiss love in Tokyo- greetings from USA
yash on April 03, 2017:
Where is Rinko Kikuchi? She even appeared in Hollywood movies such as Pacific Rim
Chiba-kun on March 09, 2017:
Reina Triendl?
Kirito on January 30, 2017:
Where is reina triendl
Luna on January 15, 2017:
where is ishihara satomi? :/
mikikko on January 31, 2016:
Satomi Ishihara, Kojima Haruna, Suzu Hirose..
Sami on September 12, 2015:
Maybe you forgot Haruka Ayase……..
