Ai Mikami Beauty & Wellness Routine | Skincare, Makeup, Diet, Pilates & Sleep

From the NHK historical drama Hikaru Kimi e (Dear Radiance) and Netflix's Chastity High to the acclaimed film Kokuho (National Treasure) and the 2026 NHK morning drama Kaze, Kaoru, Japanese actress Ai Mikami has continued to attract attention with her distinctive presence and expressive performances.

Her striking eyes, poised appearance and remarkable ability to transform herself for different roles are immediately memorable. Yet her interviews reveal another side of her personality: curious, approachable, imaginative and refreshingly down-to-earth.

After bathing, she pays attention to moisturizing her face, body and hair. On some days, her everyday makeup consists of little more than loose powder and lipstick. She loves shirako (fish milt) and ankimo (monkfish liver) so much that she even prepares shirako herself. During demanding filming schedules, she also tries to prioritize around seven hours of sleep.

Beyond acting, Mikami pursues her interests with equal enthusiasm. She has purchased an electric kiln for pottery, traveled to Iceland, a country she loves, and launched an independent magazine with friends from her school days.

What makes her story especially interesting is how her approach to beauty and wellness has evolved alongside her career. In 2022, an unexpected experience with muscle soreness inspired her to try Pilates. In 2023, she shared a detailed nighttime beauty routine. By 2025 and 2026, prioritizing sleep had become a habit, and she was turning more of her attention toward food and home cooking.

Drawing on interviews through September 2026, including those surrounding the conclusion of Kaze, Kaoru, this article explores Ai Mikami's skincare, makeup, haircare, eating habits, exercise, sleep, bathing and relaxation routines. We also look at her acting career, family, creative interests, friendships and some delightful lesser-known stories to discover the lifestyle behind her beauty and wellness philosophy.

1. Who Is Ai Mikami? Career, Family and Her Early Love of Theatre

Ai Mikami was born on October 26, 2000, in Tokyo, Japan. Represented by Watanabe Entertainment, she made her acting debut in 2019.

She attracted attention in the 2021 NHK drama Kirei no Kuni and co-starred with Yuki Kura in the film Shodo (Impulse) that same year. In 2022, she starred alongside Taiki Sato in the television drama liar, followed by Ojougiwa no Imi wo Shire! with Yuzu Aoki in 2023.

In 2024, she starred in the film Undead Lovers and Netflix's Chastity High. She also portrayed Fujiwara no Shoshi in the NHK historical drama Hikaru Kimi e, sensitively depicting a woman's growth and personal experiences within Japan's Heian-period imperial court.

Her work in 2025 included the role of Fujikoma in Lee Sang-il's film Kokuho, as well as appearances in Kakukaku Shikajika and the television drama 119 Emergency Call. Her projects have ranged from romance to historical drama and contemporary stories.

In the first half of 2026, Mikami shared leading roles with Juri Kosaka in the NHK morning drama Kaze, Kaoru. She portrayed Rin Ichinose, a woman striving to shape her own future and pursue nursing during the transformative Meiji era.

After approximately a year of filming, production concluded in August 2026, and the series aired its final episode on September 25 of that year.

The extended filming schedule allowed Mikami to portray a woman gradually gaining experience and maturity. She also studied the movements and etiquette associated with wearing kimono in the Meiji period, including hand gestures, posture and adjusting the garment naturally as part of daily life.

In 2026, she expanded her work into voice acting with the animated film ALL YOU NEED IS KILL, adding another form of performance to her experience.

Behind her ability to portray very different personalities is an interest in understanding each character's thoughts, circumstances and place within the larger story.

From a Fascination with Stage Lighting to Acting: Growing Up in a Musical Family

Although Mikami is now known for leading roles, her first ambition in the theatre world involved working behind the scenes.

A significant turning point came in her second year of junior high school when she attended a stage performance with her family. Fascinated by the lighting technicians who helped bring the production to life, she developed an interest in theatrical lighting and, later, stage direction through her involvement in a school drama club.

She continued studying theatrical direction at university. Even after beginning her acting career, she retained a strong interest in understanding scripts and productions as a whole.

Her artistic curiosity also reflects an upbringing filled with music.

Her grandmother was a pianist, and her father taught her to play guitar when she was in the sixth grade of elementary school. Mikami also studied piano and ballet, later enjoying band activities during her teenage years.

She has also spoken about having an older brother, six years her senior. Family outings to the theatre and opportunities to experience music helped form the background of her creative interests.

Her musical experience later connected with her acting career when she played a character who performs guitar in the film Offbeat Cops (Ido Jirei wa Ongakutai!).

Her relationship with her family remains close. In a 2026 interview connected with the fashion brand 23ku, she shared a charming story about her mother buying a down jacket that Mikami had worn in the brand's advertising.

From music and theatre to conversations with family and friends, the people around her have played an important role in the experiences that continue to shape her creative life.

Balancing University and Acting: Her Approach to Scripts and Personal Growth

During university, Mikami enjoyed moving between two very different worlds: academic life and professional acting.

When filming became particularly busy, attending university and spending time with friends offered a refreshing change. Conversely, when coursework occupied much of her time, returning to acting felt exciting. Having these two environments provided a balance she appreciated.

When preparing for a role, Mikami carefully reads the script and considers why a character behaves or thinks in a particular way.

Even when a character has values different from her own, she looks at their circumstances and feelings within the wider story. This thoughtful approach reflects her background in studying theatrical direction.

Playing Rin Ichinose in Kaze, Kaoru over an extended period allowed her to spend considerable time with one character's life. The experience also provided opportunities to consider perspectives and values different from her own.

In a 2025 interview with VOGUE JAPAN, she recalled being deeply impressed by a message from fellow actor Kazuki Kitamura about the importance of growing as a person as well as developing professionally.

Mikami values acting while also wishing to explore the many possibilities life has to offer beyond a single profession.

The young girl who once dreamed of working behind the scenes in theatre has become an actress who continues to express her creativity through a wide range of experiences.

2. Ai Mikami's Beauty Routine: Skincare, Makeup and Haircare

Ai Mikami's approach to beauty combines attentive everyday care with a strong sense of individuality.

Her professional work allows her to experiment with different makeup looks and hairstyles, while in everyday life she enjoys choosing products that suit the condition of her skin and hair.

In a 2023 interview with anan, she described her personal makeup routine, post-bath moisturizing habits and approach to haircare in detail.

A Quick Moisturizing Routine: Facial Essence, Body Cream and Nighttime Skincare

One of the most practical aspects of Mikami's beauty routine is the sequence she follows after bathing.

According to her 2023 interview, she begins her skincare as soon as possible after getting out of the bath, starting with a facial booster essence.

Next comes body cream, followed by a leave-in treatment for her hair. Rather than concentrating on her face alone, she attends to her face, body and hair in one efficient routine.

Once these initial steps are complete, she dries her hair, brushes her teeth and moves to her bedroom. There, in a calmer environment, she takes her time applying facial lotion and serum.

This creates a natural separation between the practical first steps and a slower period dedicated to skincare and relaxation.

She also selects skincare products according to how her skin feels at the time, paying attention to its condition rather than following exactly the same product combination every day.

Even when she feels extremely sleepy, she makes a point of removing her makeup, completing her skincare and drying her hair before going to bed.

Behind this habit is a simple wish: to wake up the following morning feeling comfortable and ready to enjoy the day.

For Mikami, taking care of herself at the end of the evening is also a way of preparing a pleasant start for the next morning.

Minimal Makeup, KATE Cosmetics, Haircare and an Interest in Handcare

Mikami's personal makeup style is simple and designed to complement her natural features.

She is particularly attentive to her lips. She feels that adding color to the lips can change the overall impression of her face, and on some days she wears only loose powder and lipstick.

When she wants an even lighter look, she may simply curl her eyelashes.

During pollen season, she sometimes chooses waterproof mascara and adjusts her eye makeup with clear mascara or mascara primer according to how her eyes feel.

Professional makeup, meanwhile, provides opportunities to discover entirely different looks.

In her 2023 anan interview, she recalled being impressed by a makeup combination that paired brown eye colors with red or pinkish-brown tones. Experimenting with unfamiliar colors is another aspect of makeup that she enjoys.

In October 2025, Mikami became a campaign muse for KATE's Tsukiyo no Kurage (Moonlit Jellyfish) base makeup line from Kanebo Cosmetics.

She commented that KATE was a brand she had already enjoyed using before becoming involved in the campaign.

The collection includes products such as the Jelly Leap Foundation, Jelly Leap Primer and Jelly Leap Concealer, with a makeup concept inspired by the luminous appearance of jellyfish.

During the campaign shoot, Mikami spoke positively about the feel of the primer and foundation. She also mentioned finding a pink-toned concealer particularly easy to use and personally appealing.

Her everyday minimal makeup and the more polished base makeup used in the advertising campaign show two different sides of her interest in cosmetics.

For haircare, Mikami uses a comb after applying treatment in the bath, helping distribute the product through her hair.

Because professional styling often involves heated hair tools, she also enjoys spending days off with her hair in a more natural state.

In 2023, she experimented with a light milk-tea beige hair color and enjoyed watching the color gradually change, creating a natural contrast between her darker roots and lighter lengths.

By 2026, her beauty interests had expanded to handcare. After watching videos about hand treatments, she became interested in professional services and at-home care, mentioning that she would like to begin with something as simple as applying hand cream.

Her beauty interests continue to evolve alongside the hairstyles and makeup looks she experiences through acting. In daily life, she combines practical care with a willingness to explore something new.

3. Ai Mikami's Diet and Eating Habits: Favorite Foods, Cooking and Life After the Morning Drama

Food is one of the richest sources of personal stories in Ai Mikami's interviews.

She enthusiastically discusses favorite ingredients and the different ways to prepare them. While she has long enjoyed eating what she loves, her extended filming schedule for Kaze, Kaoru also encouraged her to pay closer attention to home cooking and everyday meals.

A Love of Shirako, Monkfish Liver and Oysters: Enjoying Food Her Own Way

In a 2022 interview for the drama liar, Mikami explained that she enjoyed eating the foods she wanted whenever she felt like them.

Two of her particular favorites were shirako, a Japanese delicacy made from fish milt, and ankimo, or monkfish liver. Her co-star Taiki Sato was surprised by her distinctive tastes.

She also revealed that the previous day she had prepared potatoes with oysters, salted seafood and butter, along with a Jingisukan-style hot pot, a Japanese dish commonly associated with grilled lamb and vegetables.

Her interest in food embraces familiar home cooking as well as unusual ingredients and flavor combinations.

In a 2023 anan interview, she again spoke about enjoying the foods she likes. If she feels she has eaten a little more than usual, she prefers to make adjustments to the following day's meals while maintaining a relaxed attitude toward eating.

At home, she sometimes prepares cream stew or turns leftover ingredients into hot pot dishes, changing the seasoning to enjoy them over several days.

Making creative use of ingredients and bringing variety to familiar meals are part of what she enjoys about cooking.

In a 2026 interview connected with a JRA project, Mikami spoke in even greater detail about shirako.

She enjoys it with ponzu sauce, as tempura, grilled, or wrapped in nori seaweed. Different preparations allow her to appreciate the ingredient in different ways.

She even buys shirako at the supermarket, cleans and prepares it herself, and sometimes enjoys an entire shirako meal on her own.

The effort she willingly puts into preparing her favorite ingredients reveals just how enthusiastic she is about food.

How the Morning Drama Changed Her Approach to Cooking: Her 2026 Theme Was Food

The long filming schedule for Kaze, Kaoru encouraged Mikami to think more carefully about her eating habits.

Wanting to remain energetic throughout production, she considered what she could do in her everyday life and began cooking for herself more actively than before.

In a February 2026 interview with the fashion brand 23ku, she selected the Japanese character 食, meaning "food" or "eating," to represent her goal for the year.

She explained that she had spent time prioritizing sleep and had gradually developed a habit of making room for adequate rest. Her next area of interest was improving her everyday meals.

Around the same time, she had become absorbed in an anime centered on cooking, which further increased her enthusiasm for food.

One of her ambitions was to become better at preparing a delicious meal efficiently, even after returning home late from work.

She wanted the time spent making food for herself to become a more satisfying part of her busy daily routine.

Filming on location also brought opportunities to sample regional specialties. In Tochigi and Niigata, she enjoyed local vegetables and seafood.

Whether cooking at home or discovering the flavors of a filming location, food offers Mikami both everyday enjoyment and opportunities for new experiences.

In an interview published around the September 2026 conclusion of Kaze, Kaoru, she told Mainichi Kirei that eating whatever she feels like enjoying is one of her favorite ways to refresh herself during busy periods.

Although her interest in home cooking had grown during the lengthy production, her longstanding enjoyment of delicious food remained unchanged.

Comparing her comments from 2022 with her goals in 2026 reveals a natural progression: the same curiosity about food, accompanied by a growing desire to make everyday cooking part of a satisfying lifestyle.

4. Ai Mikami's Wellness Habits: Pilates, Sleep and Building Stamina Through Acting

Looking at Mikami's comments about exercise and sleep over the years reveals how her awareness of physical activity and rest has developed through her work.

From trying Pilates in 2022 to preparing for a demanding morning drama in 2025 and discussing better rest in 2026, her approach has centered on responding to what she feels she needs at each stage of life.

Starting Pilates After Muscle Soreness and Gaining Stamina on Set

An unexpected experience while filming the 2022 drama liar inspired Mikami to try Pilates.

After performing a scene in which her character intervenes in an argument, she found herself experiencing muscle soreness.

The experience made her more conscious of her physical strength. Encouraged by co-star Taiki Sato, who regularly trained his body, she attended her first Pilates class the day before an interview.

Amusingly, the class left her feeling sore as well. Sato was surprised at how quickly she had managed to experience muscle soreness again.

The story illustrates how a small discovery about her body during filming prompted her to try a new form of exercise.

In September 2025, as she prepared for the extended filming schedule of Kaze, Kaoru, Mikami spoke about wanting to improve her stamina and expressed an interest in beginning radio taiso, Japan's familiar series of radio calisthenics exercises.

She had heard from actors who had worked on NHK morning dramas about how physically demanding the schedules could be and wanted to prepare herself.

Once filming began, however, many scenes required her to carry or hold young children, creating a physically active routine through the work itself.

In a February 2026 interview, she explained that these daily filming activities had helped her feel stronger and develop stamina.

She also experienced other forms of physical expression through acting, including studying performance-related movements for Kokuho and learning traditional kimono etiquette for Kaze, Kaoru.

Before beginning the long morning drama production, she had also deliberately arranged an extended break from work.

Taking time to rest before a demanding project and adapting to its physical requirements during filming show how Mikami incorporates both activity and recovery into her professional life.

Aiming for Seven Hours of Sleep: Bedding, Relaxing Scents and Her Ability to Sleep Anywhere

Sleep is one of the wellness habits Mikami has emphasized consistently over several years.

In a 2025 interview with VOGUE JAPAN, she said she aimed to get around seven hours of sleep whenever possible and avoided looking at her phone after getting into bed.

During a 2025 interview connected with 23ku, she also mentioned exploring different bedding options to find what suited her and placing pleasant fragrances near her pillow.

Her interest therefore extends beyond the number of hours she sleeps to creating a bedroom environment she enjoys.

In a 2026 JRA-related interview, she again spoke about wanting at least seven hours of sleep and explained that she sometimes rests between filming sessions when longer periods of sleep are difficult to arrange.

She can fall asleep while sitting in a chair and sometimes uses a portable mattress-like item when resting in a tatami-floored dressing room.

In fact, being able to sleep almost anywhere has been part of her personality for quite some time.

In a 2024 interview, Mikami revealed that she had been nicknamed Nemurihime, or "Sleeping Princess," during her school years.

On the set of Netflix's Chastity High, colleagues even gave her a birthday present consisting of a 31-page daily calendar featuring photographs of her sleeping.

The story suggests that her tendency to nap between scenes had become an affectionate and familiar sight among the cast and crew.

Mikami has also experienced periods when creative projects demanded late nights.

While producing the independent publication Muffin magazine with friends, she sometimes worked against deadlines and sacrificed sleep.

In a 2025 interview with Numero TOKYO, she recalled finding it harder to come up with creative ideas when she had not slept sufficiently.

Her experience with independent creative work, as well as acting, has given her opportunities to reflect on the importance of rest.

By 2026, she described prioritizing sleep as an established part of her lifestyle. Exploring bedding, incorporating relaxing scents and finding opportunities to rest between scenes are all examples of her practical approach.

5. Ai Mikami's Bathing and Relaxation Routine: Bath Salts, Hinoki and Hot Springs

Alongside sleep, taking a bath is another everyday activity Mikami particularly enjoys.

She enjoys soaking in the bathtub even during summer and choosing bath products with fragrances she likes. Creating pleasant moments within her everyday routine is an important part of her approach to relaxation.

Carbonated Bath Products and the Scent of Hinoki: Enjoying Evening Bath Time

In a 2023 anan interview, Mikami explained that she had become enthusiastic about bath additives after receiving a large collection of carbonated bath products from a friend.

Among the various fragrances, one of her favorites was hinoki, the Japanese cypress often associated with traditional baths and hot springs.

She enjoyed the fragrance while bathing at home, imagining the atmosphere of a Japanese hot spring.

She also found a way to enjoy the scent after leaving the bathroom.

By opening the bathtub cover and bathroom door, she allowed the fragrance to drift into the adjoining living space.

It is a delightful example of how she extends the enjoyment of bathing into the rest of her evening.

In 2025, she shared that she continued taking baths regularly throughout the year, including in summer, and enjoyed experimenting with different bath additives.

In 2026, she explained that when she felt physically tired despite being in good spirits, she sometimes spent a little longer in the bath with a favorite product.

Adjusting the length of her bath according to how she feels and surrounding herself with a fragrance she enjoys are simple ways she makes time for relaxation.

Exploring Hot Springs in Nasu and Enjoying New Experiences While Filming

Mikami's love of bathing naturally extends to Japanese hot springs, or onsen.

During filming in 2026, she developed a particular fondness for the hot springs around Nasu in Tochigi Prefecture, where the production frequently took her.

She recalled that early in the filming period there were times when she could visit hot springs almost every day, something that made her especially happy.

Just as she enjoys sampling local cuisine while traveling for work, visiting hot springs gives her another way to discover the character of a place.

When discussing ways to refresh herself, Mikami has spoken about finding enjoyment in ordinary daily activities such as eating, sleeping and bathing.

On a busy day, she might enjoy a favorite meal; when she has more time, she may rest for longer or unwind in a bath with a fragrance she likes.

Whether she is exploring somewhere new or spending a quiet day at home, she looks for small experiences that make everyday life enjoyable. Her memories of the hot springs in Nasu are a particularly appealing example.

6. Ai Mikami's Personal Life and Emotional Wellbeing: Pottery, Iceland, Creativity and Friendship

To understand Mikami more fully, it is worth exploring her creative interests beyond acting, her love of travel and the importance she places on friendship.

Despite a busy acting career, she makes time to produce her own work, visit places that inspire her and maintain friendships formed during her school years.

Magazine Editing, Pottery, Iceland and Her Interest in Punch Needle Embroidery

In 2023, Mikami launched the independent publication Muffin magazine with friends she had known since school, taking on the role of editor-in-chief.

The project grew from a desire to introduce more people to the creative work of friends active in different fields, including photography and sculpture.

Acting in a scripted production and planning, editing and completing a magazine were very different experiences, giving Mikami an opportunity to explore another side of creative expression.

The magazine involved deadlines, exhibition preparations and considerable effort, but she also experienced the satisfaction of making something together with friends.

She has explained that concentrating exclusively on one activity can sometimes feel overwhelming, while working on a very different creative project provides a refreshing change of focus.

One of the hobbies she has become particularly passionate about is pottery.

In a 2025 interview with VOGUE JAPAN, Mikami revealed that she had purchased an electric kiln because she wanted to continue making pottery for many years. She even postponed other purchases to make room for the investment.

She enjoys making practical ceramics such as dishes and cups and incorporates completed pieces into her everyday meals.

There is something especially satisfying about shaping an object by hand, firing it and eventually seeing it become part of the daily dining table.

Mikami has also spoken about creating horse-themed ceramic objects and dreaming of one day donating something she has made to a facility connected with horses.

For her, the attraction of making things extends beyond the satisfaction of completing an object.

In a September 2026 interview with Mainichi Kirei, she explained that focusing on a hands-on activity allows her to concentrate on the task in front of her and experience a pleasantly clear state of mind.

Another craft that had recently caught her attention was punch needle embroidery, a technique that creates patterns using yarn and a special needle.

By September 2026, she had purchased a starter kit and was looking forward to trying it. Her enthusiasm for making things by hand was continuing to expand from ceramics into textile crafts.

Another important personal interest is Iceland, one of her favorite travel destinations.

Captivated by the country's dramatic landscapes and natural beauty, Mikami has visited more than once. During a trip in 2024, she even imagined what it might be like to live in Iceland as a potter someday.

In 2025, she returned to Iceland for the television program Another Sky and arrived ahead of the production crew to enjoy some independent travel before filming.

Her curiosity also led her to take on a reporting role in a JRA-related social contribution project in 2026. She participated in interviews, photography and the supervision of creative content.

Acting, interviewing, photographing, editing and making objects all offer different ways to explore stories and creative ideas. Her willingness to experience these various roles reflects the broad interests she has cultivated since studying stage direction.

Learning to Ask for Help: The Friendships That Have Supported Her Since School

Mikami has described how her relationships with other people influenced her outlook during her school years.

As an elementary school student, she sometimes volunteered for committee responsibilities when other students were reluctant to take them on. This gave others the impression that she was naturally suited to leadership roles.

Later, surrounded by classmates with a wide variety of personalities during junior and senior high school, she came to appreciate the value of sharing responsibilities according to individual strengths.

She realized that she could take responsibility for things she did well while asking someone with different skills for help when needed.

One particularly relatable example involves her friends who enjoy cleaning.

Mikami has admitted that organizing and tidying are not among her strongest skills, and friends who love cleaning have sometimes helped her put her home in order.

She would like to improve her own organizational skills, but also appreciates being able to rely on people whose talents complement her own.

In a 2025 VOGUE JAPAN interview, she spoke about valuing time with friends as highly as getting sufficient sleep.

She also views fellow actors of her generation as people who inspire and encourage one another rather than simply as professional rivals.

During Kaze, Kaoru, her friendship with co-star Juri Kosaka grew closer. They sometimes exchanged treats bought over the weekend and developed a supportive relationship during their approximately year-long production.

When thinking about the future, Mikami prefers to leave room for unexpected possibilities rather than planning every detail.

She cares deeply about acting while remaining open to exploring interests and experiences beyond a single career path.

From producing a magazine with longtime friends to purchasing a pottery kiln and imagining a future life in Iceland, her choices reveal a consistent willingness to follow her curiosity.

Conclusion: The Everyday Habits Behind Ai Mikami's Beauty and Wellness

Looking at Ai Mikami's beauty and wellness habits reveals a lifestyle that continues to evolve alongside her work and personal interests.

In skincare, she prioritizes moisturizing after bathing and chooses makeup that complements her natural features. She pays attention to her hair and remains curious about new aspects of beauty care.

Her eating habits combine a genuine love of favorite ingredients, including shirako and monkfish liver, with a growing interest in preparing satisfying meals at home.

Physical activity entered her life through experiences such as trying Pilates after muscle soreness, while acting has helped her explore different kinds of movement. For sleep, she aims for around seven hours and pays attention to her bedding, bedroom fragrances and nighttime routines.

She also enjoys carbonated bath products, the scent of Japanese hinoki cypress and visits to hot springs around Nasu, finding opportunities to relax within familiar everyday activities.

Beyond beauty and wellness, her interests extend to theatre, music, independent publishing, pottery, travel and the friendships she has maintained since her school years.

Tracing her interviews from 2022 to 2026 shows how both her daily habits and creative ambitions have developed over time.

By enjoying the things she loves, making time for rest, valuing supportive relationships and welcoming new experiences, Ai Mikami offers a personal and engaging example of how beauty, wellbeing and creativity can become part of a fulfilling everyday life.

References and Sources

• anan — Ai Mikami on Everyday Makeup, Skincare and Beauty Habits (2023)
• Astage — Interview with Taiki Sato and Ai Mikami for liar (2022)
• Numero TOKYO — Ai Mikami on Creative Projects and Her Approach to Work (2025)
• VOGUE JAPAN — Ai Mikami on Sleep, Acting, Pottery and Travel (2025)
• Kanebo Cosmetics — Ai Mikami and the KATE Tsukiyo no Kurage Makeup Campaign (2025)
• JRA-Related Project Announcement — Ai Mikami's Reporting, Food, Sleep and Pottery Interests (2026)
• Mainichi Kirei — Ai Mikami on Food, Pottery and Punch Needle Crafts (2026)

Note: This article is based on publicly available information and interviews with Ai Mikami. Some habits and preferences reflect the time of the original interviews.