宇多田ヒカルの美容法・健康習慣|メイク・白髪・ヘアケア・食生活・睡眠・精神分析

Hikaru Utada's Beauty & Wellness Habits | Makeup, Hair Care, Diet, Sleep & Mental Wellbeing

OBARASOTARO

Making a sensational debut in Japan's music scene at just 15, Hikaru Utada has created countless beloved songs, including "Automatic" and "First Love." Her voice moves effortlessly between Japanese and English, while her emotionally nuanced lyrics and distinctive musical style continue to captivate listeners across generations and borders.

A closer look at Utada's beauty and wellness habits reveals a surprisingly relatable everyday life, filled with curiosity, humor, and unexpected little discoveries.

There is her preference for makeup without blush, which dates back to around age 15; the shampoo and conditioner she brought along when traveling; and her first experience with gel nails at 25. Her favorite foods have included natto sushi rolls and miso-simmered mackerel, while her personal journals also reveal a period when water and black coffee were her everyday drinks of choice.

In 2026, at the age of 43, Utada also spoke candidly about gray hair and growing older. Her willingness to consider changes in appearance while choosing what feels right for her reflects a personal approach to beauty that has developed throughout her life.

Equally fascinating is her relationship with physical and emotional wellbeing: caring for her singing voice from her teenage years, undergoing surgery and taking time to recover at 19, experiencing changes in sleep and physical condition in her twenties, exploring psychoanalysis over many years, and adapting to a very different daily routine after becoming a mother.

From raising her son in London and enjoying sketching to photographing lost objects on the street, experimenting with cooking, and sharing stories from behind the scenes of music production, there is plenty to discover about the person behind the songs.

Drawing primarily on Utada's personal journals and interviews published between 1999 and 2026, this article explores Hikaru Utada's beauty habits, makeup, hair care, nail care, diet, hydration, physical wellbeing, exercise, sleep, emotional self-care, family life, and hobbies through the experiences she has shared over the years.

1. Hikaru Utada's Career, Family, and Life in London: From a Teenage Debut to Motherhood

The 15-Year-Old Singer Who Made History with First Love

Hikaru Utada was born on January 19, 1983, in New York City. Her father, Teruzane Utada, is a music producer, while her mother, Keiko Fuji, was a celebrated Japanese singer.

Growing up between Japan and the United States, Utada was surrounded by music from an early age. She became familiar with both Japanese and English and began singing and creating music during childhood.

In December 1998, she released her debut single, "Automatic / time will tell," at just 15 years old. Her first album, First Love, followed in March 1999 and became a record-breaking success, securing a historic place in Japan's music industry.

She went on to release many era-defining songs, including "Can You Keep A Secret?," "traveling," "Hikari," "Flavor Of Life," and "Beautiful World."

"Can You Keep A Secret?" was featured in the television drama HERO, "Flavor Of Life" became associated with Hana Yori Dango 2, and "Beautiful World" was used as a theme song for Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone.

Her music also reached an international audience through the KINGDOM HEARTS video game series, particularly "Hikari," "Passion," and "Face My Fears." "Simple And Clean," the English-language counterpart to "Hikari," became one of the best-known introductions to Utada's music for fans outside Japan.

In 2016, she returned to full-scale musical activity with songs including "Hanataba wo Kimi ni," the theme for the NHK morning drama Toto Nee-chan, and "Manatsu no Tooriame," alongside the album Fantôme. Later projects included Hatsukoi, BAD MODE, and the 2024 greatest-hits album SCIENCE FICTION.

In 2026, she contributed "Pappaparadise" as an ending theme for the anime Chibi Maruko-chan, a series she had enjoyed since childhood. Decades after her teenage debut, her enthusiasm for exploring new musical ideas remains unmistakable.

A Little Utada Trivia #1 | She Once Submitted a Comedy Manga to Ribon!

As a child, Utada was interested in drawing comics as well as making music. She even submitted a humorous manga to the Japanese girls' manga magazine Ribon. Her love of inventing stories and playful expressions was already apparent, offering a glimpse of the distinctive humor that would later appear in her lyrics and personal journals.

Marriage, Divorce, Her Son, and the Years of "Human Activity"

In her personal life, Utada married photographer and film director Kazuaki Kiriya in 2002. The couple divorced in 2007.

She married an Italian man in 2014 and announced their wedding in Italy through her official website. In July 2015, she shared the news that she had given birth to her first child, a son. Her second divorce was subsequently reported in 2018.

Her mother, Keiko Fuji, passed away in 2013. Utada has spoken with deep admiration for her mother's voice and musical talent, and her mother's presence has remained significant in the way she thinks about music and life.

Another essential chapter in Utada's story began in 2010, when she announced a break from music to concentrate on what she called ningen katsudo, or "human activity."

Having worked professionally since age 15, she had been supported by staff in many practical areas of life, including moving house, arranging contracts, and everyday shopping.

She was accustomed to composing her own music and making decisions about her career, yet had fewer opportunities to handle some ordinary responsibilities independently. Recognizing this, she chose to step away from music temporarily and experience more of everyday life for herself.

While living in London, she learned to make more of her own practical decisions, manage daily routines, and spend time with friends.

In a later interview, she reflected that the feeling of being able to manage her own life was important to developing confidence in herself.

Those years of "human activity" became a turning point, enriching her experiences outside music and laying the groundwork for later creative work and family life.

2. Hikaru Utada's Beauty Habits: Makeup, Hair Care, Gel Nails, and Her Views on Aging

Makeup Without Blush and an Unexpected Shampoo Story

One of the most interesting aspects of Hikaru Utada's approach to beauty is that she developed her own preferences at a young age.

According to accounts of comments she shared on social media in August 2012, Utada had been asking makeup artists to leave out blush since she was around 15.

Her everyday makeup at the time reportedly involved a skin-toned cream and simple eyeliner along the outer corners and upper eyelids, creating a clean, understated look.

She also reportedly bought eyeliner at convenience stores. Her reason was wonderfully relatable: the sheer variety of products in drugstores made choosing one difficult.

Rather than selecting products according to their prestige or popularity, the story suggests that she valued a look she liked and products she found easy to use.

Her personal journals provide an even more detailed glimpse into her hair care routine.

In May 2006, while staying at a hotel away from her home in New York, Utada brought along her own favorite shampoo and conditioner.

For washing and moisturizing her body, however, she used the hotel's toiletries. She liked them so much that she considered taking the remaining products home.

Then, one morning, she noticed something surprising. A bottle she had been using as body wash for almost a week was clearly labeled "SHAMPOO."

She had been washing her body with the hotel's shampoo without realizing it!

Utada shared the discovery in a journal entry titled "Shampoo Shock," expressing her astonishment with characteristic humor.

The story captures a charming contrast: she was particular enough about her familiar hair care products to bring them on a trip, yet remained curious about the toiletries provided by the hotel.

A Little Utada Trivia #2 | Even on Her Way to the Prime Minister's Residence, She Tried to Put Shampoo Back in the Tube!

In a 2002 journal entry, Utada described her habit of trying to return excess shampoo or body lotion to its container by squeezing the tube. She was amused to catch herself doing the same thing even while hurrying to an appointment at the Japanese Prime Minister's official residence. It is an unexpectedly memorable example of her practical, quirky side.

Her First Gel Nail Experience at 25, Thanks to Kyoko Fukada

On February 20, 2008, Utada wrote about visiting a nail salon for the first time at age 25.

Until then, her nail care routine had mainly consisted of keeping her nails short with nail clippers. Playing piano and guitar was part of her life, so visiting a nail salon had never seemed particularly relevant.

However, frequent television and magazine shoots meant that nail polish was repeatedly applied and removed. Her naturally delicate nails had become damaged.

She described problems such as polish getting between layers of splitting nails and the edges of her nails cracking.

A makeup artist suggested gel nails, and her friend, actress Kyoko Fukada, recommended a nail salon.

Surrounded by unfamiliar tools and terminology, Utada approached the experience with curiosity and enjoyed discovering how professional nail care worked.

When discussing nail art, she even asked whether it would be possible to paint a portrait of Michael Jackson on her nails. The idea of celebrating one of her favorite artists through nail art was delightfully inventive.

She was pleased with the finished shape and smooth surface of her nails and shared photographs in her journal.

The experience brought together her practical considerations as a musician and her willingness to enjoy something new in the world of beauty.

A Little Utada Trivia #3 | Quiet at School, Full of Jokes in Her Head

While attending school in New York, Utada was reportedly regarded as a quiet student. Yet she has described having plenty of jokes and amusing ideas running through her mind. It is a fascinating contrast with the playful personality that comes through so clearly in her personal writing.

From Black Hair to Brown Hair and Her Thoughts on Gray Hair at 43

Utada has also expressed her own preferences about hairstyles and hair color since her teenage years.

In a 1999 journal entry, she spoke about liking black hair and wanting to be seen for more than the impressions people formed from her appearance.

In 2008, however, she shared a rather unexpected reason for coloring her hair brown: she wanted to look a little more like her beloved teddy bear.

She bought a bear-ear accessory and enjoyed how well it matched her hair color.

During periods when she wore her hair short, she also found herself noticing how quickly it grew and visiting the hairdresser frequently.

Then, in May 2026, at 43, Utada discussed aging on her radio special, Hikaru Utada's Très Bien! Bohemian Special 2026.

She recalled feeling happy when she turned 40, appreciating the fact that she had made it through so many years of life in good health.

She also spoke candidly about gray hair. Against naturally dark hair, individual gray strands can be particularly noticeable, and she admitted that this sometimes bothered her. At the same time, the prospect of continually coloring her hair for years to come seemed demanding.

Her wider approach to beauty reflects a personal set of priorities.

She expressed interest in practices that support living healthily and energetically, even when looking younger may be a welcome result. At the same time, she prefers to consider how a beauty-related decision fits with her feelings about her body.

She also emphasized that everyone is free to make their own choices about appearance and beauty.

From her teenage makeup preferences to the playful hair colors of her twenties and her reflections on gray hair at 43, her appearance has changed with time, while her commitment to making choices that feel right for her remains consistent.

In 2021, Utada also appeared in SHISEIDO's global "POWER IS YOU" campaign, which explored individuality and inner beauty.

Her story offers an interesting view of beauty as both a form of personal expression and part of a broader relationship with oneself.

3. Hikaru Utada's Diet and Favorite Foods: Natto Rolls, Mackerel, Barbecue, and Home Cooking

Her Love of Natto Rolls, Fish Dishes, and Barbecue

One of the most entertaining stories about Utada's eating habits concerns her enthusiasm for natto rolls, a type of sushi containing fermented soybeans.

According to her official journal dated June 15, 2006, she often bought natto rolls at convenience stores and ate them at rehearsal studios.

She described the relative sizes of the soybeans and rice grains, their contrasting textures, and the flavor of the nori seaweed in surprisingly fine detail.

There was, however, one recurring problem. Toward the end of a roll, some of the natto would spill out of the bottom.

Her solution was to tear off a small piece from the overlapping section of seaweed and use it as a makeshift cap at the bottom of the roll. She was so pleased with the discovery that she photographed the technique and shared it in her journal.

In 2007, her fondness for natto even appeared in her music-making process when she gave a song in progress the working title "Day of Nattow."

Another favorite dish was saba no misoni, or mackerel simmered in miso.

In March 2007, she reported eating miso-simmered mackerel four times in one week. She also described enjoying a mackerel bento while watching the television drama Hana Yori Dango 2.

Her own song "Flavor Of Life" was featured in that drama, making the scene especially memorable: one of Japan's best-known musicians relaxing with a favorite fish dish while hearing her own song on television.

She has even compared the combination of grilled fish and grated daikon radish to musical melodies and harmonies.

On January 19, 2008, her 25th birthday, friends treated her to Japanese barbecue, or yakiniku.

She particularly enjoyed harami, a cut of beef associated with the diaphragm. She liked it so much that she wanted to savor each bite before swallowing.

She also enjoyed shopping in Shibuya that day and bought a dress, making it a memorable birthday spent with friends.

A journal entry from when she was 17 describes another casual meal: waking up at 3 p.m. and eating pasta with plenty of Tabasco sauce.

From fermented soybeans and fish to grilled meat and spicy pasta, Utada's food stories reveal someone who enjoys noticing flavors and textures and describing them with a musician's imagination.

A Little Utada Trivia #4 | She Was Particular About the Pens She Used to Write Lyrics

In a 2002 journal entry, Utada described choosing a favorite pen and using it until it was completely finished. When she visited the famous Itoya stationery store in Ginza, Tokyo, she found herself overwhelmed by the range of pens available. Her curiosity extends to the little tools of everyday creativity, not just food and music.

Discovering the Pleasure of Cooking for Herself

With such a busy music career from a young age, Utada initially had relatively few opportunities to cook.

In 2007, she spoke about buying cooking utensils after moving and beginning to experiment with preparing meals alongside friends.

Although her practical cooking experience was limited, she had reportedly received an A in home economics at school.

She also shared the amusing fact that she could crack an egg with one hand but struggled to do it with two.

On April 23, 2010, she posted several journal entries about cooking with a Remi-Pan, a Japanese multipurpose frying pan.

She wrestled with quantities of seasoning and the presentation of the finished dish but seemed delighted with the result and the experience of preparing something herself.

Learning something new, making adjustments, and enjoying the results were all part of the experience. These experiments also fit naturally into the broader journey of learning to create a life for herself outside the music industry.

Her personal journals preserve an enthusiastic side of Utada that enjoys small discoveries and unfamiliar challenges well beyond the recording studio.

4. Hydration, Coffee, and Bathing: Simple Drinks and Everyday Relaxation

Water and Black Coffee During Her Music-Making Years

Utada provided a particularly detailed account of her usual drinks in a personal journal entry dated May 3, 2006.

At that time, she mainly drank water and black coffee.

Although the studio had vending machines offering drinks such as tea and iced cocoa, she said she had hardly used them for about seven years.

In an earlier entry from 2002, she described trying different varieties of Starbucks coffee beans, finishing one bag before moving on to another as she searched for a favorite.

Rather than simply enjoying coffee, she seemed to appreciate the process of comparing different beans and finding a flavor that suited her preferences.

In 2007, she also shared a funny experience involving about one and a half cups of freshly made coffee. Unfortunately, she had just brushed her teeth, and the resulting combination of flavors was quite a surprise.

Water and black coffee were familiar parts of her everyday surroundings during that period of her life.

One day, however, she decided to try something sweeter at the studio.

Having forgotten to eat breakfast and feeling hungry, she bought a cold coffee milk drink from a vending machine. The taste reminded her of elementary school, and she was unexpectedly delighted.

In her excitement, she tried to tell those around her how good it tasted but accidentally called it "milk milk" instead of coffee milk.

She found the slip of the tongue amusing herself, turning an ordinary vending-machine purchase into a memorable little story.

In 2008, she also mentioned enjoying a glass of milk after bathing.

On days involving television or magazine shoots, she appreciated returning home and washing off the makeup and hairstyling products from the day.

Finishing work, enjoying a refreshing shower, and having a favorite drink were among the simple pleasures woven into her busy musical life.

A Little Utada Trivia #5 | A Boxing Manga Helped Inspire SAKURA Drops

Utada has long enjoyed manga and anime. In 2002, she mentioned being absorbed in the boxing manga Hajime no Ippo and said it had a small influence on the lyrics of "SAKURA Drops." Inspiration for a memorable song can sometimes come from the most unexpected hobbies.

5. Physical Health, Exercise, and Vocal Care: The Demands of Life as a Singer

Her Singing Technique at 16 and the Changes She Noticed at 17

Hikaru Utada's voice has been admired for its distinctive tone and expressiveness since her debut.

In March 1999, when she was 16, she described her singing technique in her official journal.

Some people had analyzed her voice in terms of abdominal strength and powerful singing, but her own physical experience felt rather different.

She explained that she tried to release unnecessary tension, experiencing her body as one connected instrument from head to toe.

The following July, in 2000, the 17-year-old singer was surprised by changes in her vocal condition during preparations for a tour.

During earlier performances, her voice had become hoarse after approximately a week of rehearsals, and she had sometimes noticed discomfort the following day.

Yet during preparations for the 2000 tour, she found that her voice felt better than before even after around a month of rehearsals.

Utada interpreted this as a sign that her vocal stamina had changed through continued practice and happily recorded the observation in her journal.

In 2026, she also reflected on how listening to opera and classical music as a child might have influenced her singing style.

Her musical environment during childhood, together with her attention to physical sensations while singing as a teenager, helps illuminate the long journey behind her distinctive voice.

A Little Utada Trivia #6 | She Often Writes the Lyrics Last

Utada has described a songwriting approach in which chords, tracks, and melodies generally come first, with lyrics taking shape later. Words gradually emerge from the emotions and images suggested by the sounds. Her personal musical sensibility is present in the composition process as well as the final vocal performance.

Sports at School and Preparations for Live Performances

Although Utada is best known as a musician, she also enjoyed sports during her school years.

She played in basketball games and spent time in a track-and-field club before her professional debut.

Because her school lacked its own athletic field, track practice involved traveling to the more distant Kinuta Park in Tokyo.

At the time, Utada could not ride a bicycle herself. She once fell while riding as a passenger on a friend's bicycle, leaving her with a rather painful memory.

In 1999, she also attended a Jamiroquai concert with friends, danced enthusiastically, and wondered whether her muscles would ache the next day.

As a professional performer, she developed an interest in the equipment used to hear her own voice and the accompanying music onstage.

In May 2006, she wrote about having impressions taken of the inside of her ears so that new in-ear monitors could be made for an upcoming tour.

She even shared photographs of the ear impressions, describing the shapes with genuine curiosity.

When she performed at Coachella in 2022, she took the dry desert environment into consideration and chose to go onstage without the contact lenses she normally wore during performances.

As a result, the audience appeared rather blurry to her, an experience she later described with humor.

During her 2024 national tour, she also spoke candidly about the challenges of maintaining her physical condition through a series of performances and expressed admiration for musicians who regularly perform demanding live schedules.

From vocal condition and monitoring equipment to the concert environment and rest, preparing to share her music with an audience involves many different considerations.

Recovery at 19, Rest at 25, and Her Approach to Health

An important experience in understanding Utada's relationship with health occurred in 2002.

At 19, she was diagnosed with an illness and underwent surgery followed by a period of recovery.

In an official journal entry dated August 24 of that year, she explained that even after her physical condition had settled, she needed time to process her emotions.

For someone who had spent years working intensely, recovery also offered an opportunity to reconsider her relationship with everyday life and work.

Her thoughts from that period are preserved in her official personal journals.

In January 2008, she reported another experience involving her physical condition. After developing muscle pain, she visited a medical professional.

She was told that the discomfort involved muscle inflammation and was advised to rest for approximately one week.

During that period, she followed the medical advice to avoid exercise and massage. She also spoke openly about feeling reassured after learning more about the cause of her discomfort.

Later that November, physical concerns prompted her to undergo examinations and arrange a more comprehensive medical checkup.

She reflected that individuals have different bodies and living circumstances, making it important to understand what kind of care is appropriate for one's own situation.

She also once found herself fascinated by the mechanical sounds of an MRI machine, imagining how they might be used as material for music.

Even in a medical setting, her attention could turn toward sound and creative possibilities.

Across a career spanning her teenage years to her forties, Utada has experienced changes in her physical condition and learned to approach rest and care according to the circumstances of each period.

6. Mental Wellbeing, Psychoanalysis, and Self-Care: Understanding Her Inner World

Rediscovering Herself at 19 and Nine Years of Psychoanalysis

Hikaru Utada's interest in understanding her emotional life goes back to her teenage years.

In an August 2002 journal entry, she described taking time away from work and public expectations, stepping aside from her identity as a celebrated artist to reconnect with herself as an individual.

Having attracted extraordinary attention since age 15, she needed an opportunity to consider what made her happy and how she wanted to live.

In 2010, she later announced her period of "human activity." During her thirties, she also began a long-running engagement with psychoanalysis.

In a 2022 interview with VOGUE JAPAN, Utada revealed that she had been undergoing psychoanalysis for approximately nine years at that point.

In the beginning, when she was taking time away from work, she attended sessions five times a week, each lasting around 20 to 30 minutes.

She described sitting with her back to the psychoanalyst, looking out of a window, and speaking freely about whatever came into her mind.

She took a break for several months after giving birth and, at the time of the 2022 interview, was attending sessions three times a week.

Part of her motivation came from wanting to better understand her emotions and relationships within her family.

While reading about psychology and discussing psychoanalysis with a friend, she learned about a practitioner and decided to make contact, beginning an exploration that would continue for years.

Utada became interested in how childhood experiences and ingrained patterns of thought could influence adult behavior and relationships.

Why do certain feelings or patterns of behavior recur? By considering the connections between past experiences and present reactions, she came to feel that her relationship with herself was gradually changing.

This attention to emotions and thoughts that have yet to find words also connects with her interest in expressing complex feelings through songwriting.

Self-Love and Making Room for Sadness, Loneliness, and Other Emotions

Utada has also spent many years thinking about what it means to love oneself.

Losing her mother and later becoming a mother herself were important experiences that shaped this reflection.

In the 2022 interview, she described an insight that emerged when she considered how she behaved toward someone she wanted to feel loved and valued. She began to think about directing those same caring actions toward herself.

For example, when we care about another person, we may listen carefully to their feelings and try to make them comfortable. Her realization involved considering how to extend that same kindness to herself.

What stands out is her view of self-care as something expressed through ordinary choices and actions.

She has also reflected on emotions such as sadness, loneliness, and anxiety.

Pleasant and difficult emotions are both natural parts of human experience. Her perspective emphasizes understanding these feelings and allowing them to exist.

These ideas were also relevant to her work on the album BAD MODE.

The album explores emotional states, human relationships, and the desire to care for another person through nuanced lyrics and music.

Alongside the value of close relationships, Utada has spoken about the importance of time spent alone, noticing and understanding her own feelings.

Her long engagement with psychoanalysis and her everyday experiences reveal a person who has taken time to develop a more thoughtful relationship with her inner world.

A Little Utada Trivia #7 | The Musical Details Behind Simple And Clean

"Simple And Clean," the English-language counterpart to "Hikari" from KINGDOM HEARTS, involved musical adjustments to accommodate differences in the rhythms and sounds of Japanese and English. In a 2002 journal entry, Utada explained aspects of the melodies and how the two versions were developed.

7. Sleep, Rest, and Daily Routines: From Late-Night Recording to Family Life

Late Nights at 17 and Her Experiences with Sleep at 24

Hikaru Utada's sleeping patterns and daily routines have changed considerably across different stages of her life.

In June 2000, at age 17, she wrote about regularly being active late at night and sometimes going to sleep only after watching the sun rise.

On August 20, 2007, she shared a much more detailed account of her experiences with sleep.

At 24, she described sometimes needing at least an hour to fall asleep, then waking after around two to two and a half hours.

She also remembered her dreams vividly and estimated that around 70 to 80 percent of the dreams she recalled were frightening.

When she woke during the night, she sometimes spent another hour or two reading or finding comfort in her beloved teddy bear.

These were personal experiences she described in 2007, rather than an account of her current sleep habits.

In December of the same year, she humorously described another period when she felt sleepy early in the evening and woke at around 3:30 a.m.

Utada also wrote in detail about how she noticed signs of tiredness in everyday life.

For example, she sometimes bumped her shoulders into doors or walls, struggled to absorb what she was reading in manga, or found it difficult to keep her eyes focused on her mobile phone screen.

On energetic days, by contrast, she might skip along a studio corridor or jump to see whether she could reach a sign hanging from the ceiling.

In 2006, she became absorbed in a jigsaw puzzle featuring Leonardo da Vinci's Virgin of the Rocks and later noticed stiffness around her neck and shoulders and tired eyes.

Whether working or enjoying a hobby, she could become completely engrossed in what she was doing, then describe the experience with refreshing humor.

A Little Utada Trivia #8 | Boku wa Kuma Was Her First Children's Song

Released through NHK's Minna no Uta in 2006, "Boku wa Kuma" ("I Am a Bear") was Utada's first children's song. The charming composition reflects her affection for her beloved teddy bear and offers another delightful example of her playful side finding expression through music.

How Motherhood Changed Her Schedule and Creative Routine

In a 2026 interview with GQ JAPAN, Utada spoke in detail about her daily life before becoming a mother.

When she had no photo shoots or interviews scheduled, much of her time was devoted to making music at home. Working until morning and waking in the afternoon was not unusual.

She could also determine the starting times for recording sessions. When working with producers based overseas, the team sometimes gathered at the studio late at night.

After her son was born in 2015, however, her routine changed dramatically.

She began waking according to her child's schedule, preparing meals, taking care of everyday responsibilities, and living on a timetable closer to that of the wider community.

She could no longer arrange every hour of music-making around her own preferences, but she developed a new way of concentrating on creative work within the time available.

Motherhood, friendships, and experiences outside the house also expanded her opportunities to encounter ideas drawn from everyday life.

For Utada, quiet time spent concentrating on music and time shared with family and friends have both become meaningful parts of life.

From the late-night habits of her youth to a family-centered routine in her forties, changes in how she spends her time have also shaped the way she creates music.

8. Motherhood, Hobbies, and London Life: Sketching, Cats, and a New Zealand Connection

Life with Her Son, a Love of Cats, and Time Spent Sketching

While raising her son in London, Utada has spoken about the importance she places on acknowledging a child's feelings.

During a radio appearance in 2024, she explained that when her child felt sad or angry, she tried first to recognize and accept those emotions.

Even an event that might seem minor to an adult can be significant to a child. Utada spoke about respecting how her son experiences these moments.

In 2026, she shared an adorable story about her son calling her "Mama Cat."

Mother and son both love cats and sometimes imitate their meows together.

Utada herself grew up surrounded by cats, as her father was a cat lover. As an only child, she sometimes regarded the family cats almost like siblings.

She has also described hearing something of her mother, Keiko Fuji, in her son's singing voice.

The depth and slightly husky quality of his voice can remind her of her mother, creating a touching connection across three generations of a musical family.

In an interview published in 2026, Utada discussed another personal interest: drawing.

She had loved drawing since childhood and had even considered studying at an art university when she was in high school.

Rediscovering the pleasure of drawing later in life made sketching an enjoyable part of her routine, even when she only had a short time to spare.

She sometimes exchanges portraits with her son or sketches flowers and plants arranged in hotel rooms.

Unlike the work of making music, drawing offers another way to explore her creativity while quietly concentrating on something she enjoys.

Utada also has an interest in architecture and interiors. When considering the design of her London home, she drew inspiration from a small cabin built in the later years of architect Le Corbusier's life.

Music, painting, architecture, and interior design all provide different ways for her to experience and incorporate beauty into everyday life.

Photographing Lost Objects, Finding Inspiration, and Her Link to New Zealand

One of Utada's most unusual hobbies is photographing objects that have been lost or abandoned on the street.

She discussed this interest on the Japanese television program Matsuko no Shiranai Sekai in 2020.

By that point, she had reportedly been enjoying the hobby for approximately nine years.

When she finds something like a glove, shoe, or small personal belonging lying on the pavement, she imagines who might have lost it and what series of events led to it ending up there.

An ordinary street scene can become the beginning of an unexpected story. This curiosity about overlooked details also connects naturally with her interests in photography and sketching.

In her 2026 interview, she described how visiting art galleries, reading books, and sharing meals with friends can all contribute to musical inspiration.

Something beautiful glimpsed in everyday life, or an ordinary conversation, may eventually become the seed of a new song. Her experiences in London have broadened the range of material she draws upon creatively.

A Little Utada Trivia #9 | Coachella Dancers' Everyday Clothes Inspired Their Stage Look

During preparations for her 2022 Coachella performance of "Automatic," Utada liked the relaxed atmosphere created by dancers rehearsing in their own clothes. She later explained that this natural, informal look was incorporated into the performance itself, reflecting her appreciation for spontaneous and unforced expression.

Utada's music also has an interesting connection with New Zealand.

Released in January 2019, "Face My Fears" was created as the opening theme for the video game KINGDOM HEARTS III.

The collaboration with Skrillex attracted international attention and reached No. 1 on both New Zealand's iTunes overall album chart and its dance album chart.

Her ability to create music across languages and genres has helped her connect with listeners around the world. For Brilliant Life Products NZ, which shares beauty and wellness stories from New Zealand, this chart achievement provides a particularly enjoyable local connection.

From New York and Japan to London and audiences across the globe, the different cultures and experiences of Utada's life have helped shape music that continues to resonate internationally.

Final Thoughts: What Hikaru Utada's Beauty and Wellness Habits Reveal About Living Authentically

Exploring Hikaru Utada's beauty and wellness habits reveals a fascinating mixture of simple makeup preferences, familiar hair care products, her first experience with gel nails, favorite foods and drinks, vocal care, and emotional self-reflection.

Since her debut at 15, she has followed her own tastes in makeup and hairstyles while paying close attention to the condition of her voice and body as a performer.

At 19, a period of surgery and recovery gave her time to reconsider her relationship with life and work. During her twenties, she explored new experiences in cooking and beauty while also navigating changes in sleep and physical wellbeing.

In her thirties, psychoanalysis became an important part of understanding her emotions. Becoming a mother brought changes to her daily routine, sleep schedule, and the way she organized her creative time.

In 2026, at 43, she spoke openly about gray hair and growing older, emphasizing her personal wish to remain healthy and energetic while making beauty choices that feel right for her.

Her determination to solve the problem of spilling natto rolls, her surprise at accidentally using hotel shampoo as body wash, and her decision to match her hair color to a beloved teddy bear all reveal a charming sense of humor and curiosity.

Today, she continues building a life in London that includes drawing with her son, discovering musical ideas in ordinary scenes, and exploring creative interests beyond songwriting.

Throughout the changing stages of her life, Utada's experiences suggest the value of discovering what suits you, appreciating everyday details, and remaining curious. Her story offers a thoughtful perspective on beauty, wellbeing, and living in a way that feels genuinely your own.

References and Further Reading

  1. Hikaru Utada Official Website — MESSAGE from Hikki, May 2006 — Shampoo, conditioner, hotel toiletries, water, black coffee, and coffee milk.
  2. Hikaru Utada Official Website — MESSAGE from Hikki, February 2008 — First nail salon experience, gel nails, and personal beauty stories.
  3. Hikaru Utada Official Website — MESSAGE from Hikki, June 2006 — Natto rolls, her inventive way of eating them, and meals during rehearsals.
  4. VOGUE JAPAN — Hikaru Utada Interview: How Can We Love Ourselves? — Psychoanalysis, self-understanding, emotional wellbeing, and her years of human activity.
  5. GQ JAPAN (2026) — Hikaru Utada on Finding Creativity in Everyday Life: Complete Interview — Motherhood, daily routines, painting, architecture, hobbies, and music.
  6. radiko news (2026) — Hikaru Utada's Très Bien! Bohemian Special 2026 — Radio appearance, reflections on aging, and family life.
  7. Sony Music (2019) — International Chart Performance of Face My Fears — No. 1 on New Zealand's iTunes overall album and dance album charts.

Note: This article is based on publicly available information and interviews with Hikaru Utada. Some habits and experiences described reflect the time of the original interviews or journal entries.

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