The 30 Most Beautiful and Popular Japanese Actresses

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. Here are 30 of the most beautiful and popular actresses to come out of Japan. Is your favorite on the list?

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.

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.

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.

4. Mikako Tabe

• Birthdate: January 25, 1989
• Birthplace: Tokyo
• Debut: 2002

Recommended

Hugh Harman: Mickey Mouse's Other Troubled Father

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.

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.

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.

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 the Japanese 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.