Are you looking for the top Instagram influencers in Japan? Then this is the ideal post for you. Instagram is loved in Japan because it focuses on visuals, aligning perfectly with the country’s appreciation for aesthetics. The platform’s easy-to-use interface makes exploring and engaging with content effortless. It brings together diverse communities and subcultures, connecting people who share similar interests. Instagram is the perfect place for Influencer marketing, as millions of Japanese users value the recommendations and insights of Instagram creators.
As of 2023, there are 54.5 million active Instagram users in Japan, according to Meta’s Business tools. These figures are based on Instagram’s potential advertising reach, the most accurate guide available. This is a usage rate of 43.5% of the Japanese population based on 125.3 million residents.
Using our Instagram tracking data, we evaluated that there are approx 16,255 Instagram Influencers in Japan. In Japan, influencers are generally split into the following tiers. Mega/Top (1M+), Macro/Mid (100K-1M), Micro (10k-100k) and Nano (1k-10k). Compared to other countries, Japan has fewer influencers in the Mega category. However, the Instagram accounts of Japanese influencers are mainly followed by Japanese people, which makes them one of the best ways to target a Japanese audience.
Fashion, Music, Art, Fitness, Lifestyle, Gaming, Photography, Food, Travel and Beauty are all represented on Instagram, making it a great place for brands to target a whole range of demographics. So let’s begin looking at the Top 20 Japanese influencers!
Top 20 Instagram Influencers in Japan in 2023
1. Naomi Watanabe
Category: Comedy, Fashion
Naomi Watanbe is the most popular Instagram influencer, comedian and Celebrity in Japan. Her Instagram account has millions of fans and a high engagement rate. She rose to fame in 2008 with her version of a Beyoncé dance on Japanese TV, earning her the nickname ‘the Japanese Beyoncé”. As one of the first plus-sized models in Japan, she uses comedy to promote body positivity, appealing to a global audience. Recently Naomi moved to New York, which she documents via her official blog on Ameba, and is a regular on Japanese TV and Fashion magazines.
Naomi is known for her love of bright colours, creative flair and sense of values. She is also known as a leading KOL, with her strong and clear opinions.
Apart from working on her brand, Punyus, she has collaborated with Moschino, Thom Browne, Ami Paris and Tiffany. She also regularly appears in Vogue Japan.
2. Rola
Category: Fashion, Lifestyle, Model
Rola is a fashion model, TV personality, actress, and singer of Japanese, Russian, and Bangladeshi descent. She is known for her regular appearances in the Japanese fashion magazine Vivi and numerous commercials, as well as her entertainment work on Japanese and TV series. Her diverse background and multilingual abilities have contributed to her success in the fashion world.
Rola recently moved to LA to pursue new opportunities, becoming a strong advocate for healthy living, emphasizing the importance of physical fitness, organic nutrition, and overall wellness. In addition, she is committed to raising awareness about pressing environmental issues. Rola enjoys a huge following on Instagram, where she shares modelling images and insightful food tips with her audience via Stories.
Rola has collaborated with a range of prestigious brands, including Coach, Adidas, Chanel, YSL Beauty, Louis Vuitton, and Stella McCartney, many of which selected her as their ambassador. Additionally, she holds the distinction of being a member of the elite Gucci Crew.
3. Sakura Miyawaki
Category: Fashion, Lifestyle, Singer, Model
Sakura Miyawaki, a Japanese singer, YouTuber, actress, and Instagram influencer based in South Korea, is a member of the K-pop girl group LE SSERAFIM. She formerly belonged to the group HKT48 for 10 years in Japan and the Korean girl group IZ*ONE. Following the breakout success of the singles “Kimi was Melody” and “No Way Man” with the HKT48 group, she established her popularity in Japan. Her fan base skyrocketed even more when she joined the K-pop industry as a member of LE SSERAFIM.
Her trendy and fashion-forward style contributes to the popularity of her Instagram page. She shares insights from her experiences as both a K-pop and J-pop idol. Her style, inspired by Korean fashion, is elegant and modern.
Recently she has collaborated with the Mongolian rock band “HU”, luxury brand Louis Vuitton, and fashion label Lily Brown.
4. Kiko Mizuhara
Category: Fashion, Creator, Model, Actress
Kiko Mizuhara, original name Audrie Kiko Daniel, is an American-born model, actress, singer, and designer who has lived in Japan since childhood. She started her modelling career at the age of 12 after winning an audition contest for Seventeen magazine. She later signed with MAQUIA and ViVi magazines as a model. Mizuhara has also made a name for herself as an actress, appearing in Japanese television dramas. She is also known for her work as a designer and has collaborated with various brands.
Kiko Mizuhara’s style can be described as chic, stylish, and versatile. She is known for her fashion-forward choices and ability to effortlessly pull off various looks. Her personal style often incorporates elements of both classic and contemporary fashion, creating a unique and trendy aesthetic. Kiko is not afraid to experiment with bold colours, patterns, and unconventional combinations. She has a keen eye for fashion trends and often showcases a mix of high-end designer pieces with more affordable and accessible fashion items. Kiko’s style exudes confidence, individuality, and a sense of edginess.
This talented model and actress worked on many paid partnerships, including Chanel, Carl Lagerfeld, Coach, Fruity Booty and Jill Stuart.
5. Kento Yamazaki
Category: Actor, Fashion, Lifestyle
Kento Yamazaki is the most followed Japanese male on Instagram and has gained a massive following in Japan. This actor is known for his cool performances and is considered a heartthrob by millions of fans. He starred in the popular Netflix series, “Alice in Borderland,” which was renewed for a second season. Yamazaki has also appeared in several other movies and TV shows, including “L DK,” “No Longer Heroine,” “Orange,” “Kingdom,” “Death Note,” “Kiss That Kills,” and “Good Doctor.”
He is known for his smart and stylish fashion, known in Japanese as “おしゃれ”. With fans commenting on his looks and hair on his Instagram, he shows insight into his celeb lifestyle and more personal moments.
This actor has collaborated with Armani Exchange, Oakley and Suntory. His talent and on-screen charisma have made him highly sought after in the entertainment industry.
6. Nicole Fujita
Category: Fashion, Lifestyle, Model
Nicole Fujita is a New Zealand-born Japanese model and talent. She is represented by the talent agency Oscar Promotion and is currently active in Tokyo. She is also an exclusive model for the celebrated fashion magazine ViVi.
This model is popular among young girls with her “Gyaru“ style (a term used to describe a Japanese fashion style that usually uses a lot of makeup and vibrant colours). She adds her own twist, making Gyaru style look chic. Her Instagram is full of Kawaii looks, food and lifestyle.
She started a YouTube channel, cosmetic brand Cimer, and apparel band CALNAMUR. She is not only a model but a true entrepreneur.
7. Tomohisa Yamashita
Category: Singer, Actor, Fashion
Tomohisa Yamashita, also widely known as Yamapi or Tomo, is a singer, actor, and TV host. As a singer, he has a few Number 1 albums in Japan, including “Supergood, Superbad”,”You” and “Unleashed”. He’s also known internationally for his roles in the psychological thriller “The Head” and “Alice in Borderland 2”.
He enjoys connecting with his fans on a personal level and introducing his followers to cool places in Japan. He enjoys Instagram blogging, walking around Tokyo, talking about new products, food videos and travel vlogs.
Yamashita is an ambassador for luxury brands Bulgari and Dior.
8. Tomomi Morisaki
Category: Model, Fashion, Lifestyle, Travel
Morisaki is a gravure model and YouTuber in Japan. She has appeared in TV dramas, commercials, and various TV shows. Her YouTube channel has over 655K subscribers, where shows posts Travel, behind-the-scenes shoots and Food Vlogs.
Her Instagram profile features professional photos which showcase her beauty and information about collaborations with different brands. Additionally, she shares personal glimpses into her life, connecting with her fans on a deeper level. She also provides workout routines to inspire others on their fitness journeys.
She collaborates with and promotes top brands such as Sapporo, Louis Vuitton and Dior.
9. Yuko Araki
Category: Actress, Model, Fashion, Lifestyle
Yuko Araki is a Japanese actress and fashion model. She started acting as a child and was signed by Stardust Promotion when she was in elementary school. She has been in various movies and TV dramas, including her first leading role in the film “Ikari o Nagero” in May 2008. She began her modeling career with the magazine Non-no in 2014. Later, she transitioned into acting and appeared in TV dramas like “Code Blue” alongside Tomohisa Yamashita and Amazon Prime exclusives. Besides acting, she also models for magazines and advertisements. She often appears as a guest on Japanese TV shows, where she showcases her fun and clever personality.
Araki is a dedicated and skilled actress who loves what she does. She’s also a popular Instagrammer known for being friendly and outgoing, and she often shares her experiences and interactions with fans on social media. Despite her busy schedule, she finds time to volunteer for charity events and is known for her kindness.
She appeared on the cover of a popular Japanese magazine called “25ans” and collaborated with Dior Beauty as an ambassador. More recently, she was selected as Dyson Hair Care Japan Ambassador.
10. Nozomi Sasaki
Category: Actress, Model, Fashion, Lifestyle
Nozomi has been a popular actress in Japan for many years, appearing in TV dramas and films. She has a wide fan base and has achieved success outside the screen in commercials, music, glamour and fashion modeling. Born in Akita, she started modeling at the age of fourteen and proudly represents the Japanese culture and dialect known as ‘Akitaben’.
You can see a glimpse of Nozomi’s personal life on her Instagram. Her photos have a soft and dreamy look, and she shares her model shots and collaborations.
Nozomi has partnered with famous brands like Fendi, EYEVAN (eyewear), Charlotte Chesnais (jewellery), Estnation, 3.1 Phillip Lim, and Buccellati. She also owns her own brand called “iNtimité”, which focuses on comfortable clothing made with high-quality materials from Japan.
11. Mei Nagano
Category: Actress, Model, Fashion, Lifestyle
Mei is a popular Instagram influencer who started acting at the age of 10. Despite her young age, she has already been featured in dozens of Japanese TV dramas, commercials and films. She’s appeared in a variety of adverts, from beauty brands, food and beverage, to recruiting companies. Now she has millions of followers on both Instagram and Twitter, demonstrating her popularity in Japan among broader demographics.
Her Instagram profile shows her fashion model shots, and we can see she enjoys wearing fashionable clothes. She also adds pictures of nature to her posts, making her page really enjoyable to browse.
She collaborated with the renowned magazines MAQUIA, NYLON JAPAN and SPUR. She actively promotes PRADA.
12. Kasumi Arimura
Category: Actress, Fashion, Lifestyle, Model
Kasumi Arimura is a talented actress known for her television and film roles. She portrayed a young Haruko Amano in the 2013 NHK drama “Amachan” and later took on the lead role in “We Made a Beautiful Bouquet”. In 2023, she starred in the well-received Netflix series “Call Me Chihiro.”
Her social media feed has a reportage-like vibe, often featuring nostalgic shots. Kasumi’s style is characterized as smart yet casual, and she shares fashion shots, showcasing her love for luxury items.
Kasumi Arimura has collaborated with brands such as GUCCI and Sofina Primavista, a makeup brand.
13. Imada Mio
Category: Actress, Fashion, Lifestyle, Model
Mio Imada is a Japanese actress and model from Fukuoka. She started her career in 2015 after winning the “Prettiest Girl in Fukuoka” award. One of her popular movies is Boys Over Flowers Season 2, and she received a “Best Actress” award for her role in an NTV drama series at the 112th Television Drama Academy Awards.
On her Instagram, Mio shares her relaxed and casual fashion style, but she also dresses up for special occasions. She is known for her natural beauty, and her posts feel very personal.
Mio has worked with well-known brands like Pantene, AOKI (fashion), Loewe, Uniqlo, and NYLON Magazine.
14. Haruna Kawaguchi
Category: Actress, Fashion, Lifestyle, Model
Haruna Kawaguchi, is a multi-talented Japanese actress, YouTuber, and model from Nagasaki. Initially gaining popularity as a singer in the idol group AKB48, she has since dedicated her career to acting, starring in various dramas and movies. Popular roles include “Ouran High School Host Club,” “Pov – A Cursed Film,” and “The Way of the Househusband.”
On her social media, Haruna shares her fashion looks, travel adventures, and recommendations for high-end brands. Her personal style encompasses a mix of oversized fashion, sportswear, and denim.
Her influence extends to collaborations with renowned international brands, including Fendi, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton. Additionally, she has recently been featured in the high-end lifestyle magazine, Tokyocalendar.
15. Haruna Kojima
Category: Fashion, Lifestyle, Singer, Model
Haruna Kojima, a Japanese entrepreneur, actress, model, and singer, made a name for herself as a member of the idol group AKB48 from 2005 to 2017. Beyond her music career, she has a keen interest in business and even established her own brand called “Her lip to”. Her acting abilities also shine through in her movies and dramas.
Her personal style is elegant, often featuring neutral pastel colours, and she often posts images of flowers in her social media posts. She is widely recognized for promoting high-end underwear brands and perfumes. Additionally, she has a passion for luxury travel, frequently exploring destinations such as Paris.
She has collaborated with renowned international brands such as Gucci, Fendi, and Louis Vuitton.
16. Masami Nagasawa
Category: Actress, Fashion, Lifestyle, Singer
Masami Nagasawa is a renowned Japanese actress and model who has enjoyed a remarkable career in film since her teenage years. She has been the star of many movies, earning recognition and a collection of prestigious awards, including five Japan Academy Film Prizes and four Blue Ribbon Awards.
Masami has a sense of maturity and strength, serving as a role model for many Japanese women. On her social media feed, she promotes her various movie roles, shares behind-the-scenes glimpses, and offers glimpses into her personal life. Additionally, she often showcases herself in beautiful kimono, showing her love for traditional Japanese culture.
She often appears in popular Japanese magazines like MUSE, LEE, and Baila. She has established herself as a sought-after model and collaborator for high-end brands, including the prestigious Chanel.
17. Riisa Naka
Category: Fashion, Lifestyle, Actress
Riisa Naka, a Japanese model and actress, is known for her outstanding talent. She has a unique mixed heritage of one-quarter Swedish and three-quarters Japanese. Over 10 years ago, she received the Best New Talent award at the Yokohama Film Festival. Naka gained widespread recognition for her roles in Hachi One Diver (2008) and as the lead, Hana Adachi, in Yankee-kun to Megane-chan (2010). In 2023, she also appears in the Netflix drama Let’s Get Divorced.
Riisa likes to wear bright, colourful clothes with fun patterns. On her Instagram, she shares pictures of her working with different brands, photos of her outfits, and times she spent with her friends.
Her collaborations with brands such as Kenzo, Swarovski, Louis Vuitton and Mugler H&M, show she is open to work with brands especially on luxury campaigns.
18. Suzu Hirose
Category: Actress, Model, Fashion, Lifestyle
Suzu Hirose is a talented Japanese actress and model known as one of the most promising stars of her generation. She gained recognition for her role in the successful film “The Third Murder,” winning the Best Supporting Actress award at the 41st Japan Academy Film Prize. Suzu’s journey began when she attended her sister’s modeling show with their mother. Soon afterwards, she started her career in Seventeen magazine alongside her sister Alice.
In her Instagram feed, we can see that she is not only a talented actress but also a stunning fashion model who is associated with several brands. Her style is very chic and compatible with high-end brands.
Suzu Hirose is in high demand, having collaborated with JAL (Japan Airlines) and luxury brand Louis Vuitton. In 2023, she was featured on the cover of the renowned Japanese magazine “25ans”.
19. Arai Nanao
Category: Model, Actress, Fashion, Travel, Fitness
Arai Nanao is a model and actress from Saitama. In 2011, she became an exclusive model for Ginger magazine and went on to appear in numerous magazines, TV commercials, dramas, and variety shows. Nanao has achieved recognition for her roles in television shows and films such as “Hell’s Garden,” “Marriage is Difficult for a Ninja,” and “Travel Nurse.” She has been honoured with multiple awards, including the Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix and the Television Drama Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actress.
On her Instagram account, you’ll find a collection of stunning photos showcasing her incredibly fit physique. She also enjoys travelling, spending her time by swimming pools and the beach.
Recently, she collaborated with Mat Abad to create “DIVINE,” a book featuring a collection of intimate photographs. The book beautifully captures her essence and was shot in the picturesque location of Yakushima.
20. Riho Yoshioka
Category: Actress, Fashion, Lifestyle, Model
Riho Yoshioka is a talented actress from Kyoto. She caught people’s attention when she landed a role in a TV series called “Here Comes Asa” on NHK. She won the Elan d’or Award for Newcomer of the Year and, more recently, the Japan Academy Award for Best Actress.
On her Instagram, you’ll find a display of her tranquil, clean, and simple fashion sense. She loves hiking and has a deep appreciation for natural things. Like many Japanese people, she adores Japanese green tea!
Recently, Riho Yoshioka partnered with the watch brand Angel Heart for a collaboration. She also appeared in ads for McDonald’s and AyaTaka Cafe. Her stunning beauty has been featured in magazines like Spur, VOCE, and AR Magazine.
Conclusion
Instagram is the most used platform by famous people in Japan, such as celebrities, singers, actors, and models. They choose it because it allows them to connect with local and global audiences effortlessly. That’s why Instagram remains incredibly popular in Japan for marketing, and this trend is expected to continue.
Partnering with highly popular Instagram influencers in Japan for paid collaborations brings many advantages, especially for luxury, beauty, and top-tier brands. These influential individuals often extend their reach through TV advertisements and commercial appearances, expanding their impact even further. While some Japanese influencers may have fewer followers compared to those in other countries, their followers are mostly Japanese speakers, making them an effective niche for targeted marketing. In 2023, many of these stars are also making appearances in Netflix shows, indicating a potential rise in their international popularity.
This list is part of a series on social media marketing in Japan. You can also read more about the top Japanese top influencers on other platforms, such as YouTube and TikTok.
If you are interested in launching a Japanese Instagram influencer campaign or need assistance getting started, please don’t hesitate to reach out for support.
