Koichi Iwaki's Beauty & Wellness Habits | Sleep, Diet & Lifestyle

Natural silver hair, sophisticated fashion, and the confidence of a man who knows his way around a motorcycle. Japanese actor Koichi Iwaki has a distinctive appeal that comes from enjoying his personal style as he grows older.

Born on March 21, 1951, in Tokyo, Koichi Iwaki turned 75 in 2026. He first attracted attention through his involvement with the motorcycle group Cools before establishing an acting career in the 1970s. His notable appearances include the films Bakuhatsu! Bōsōzoku (1975) and Proof of the Man (1977), as well as the television dramas Kita no Kuni kara (From the Northern Country) and Dakishimetai! (I Want to Hold You!).

He is especially remembered for portraying Sōta Kitamura, affectionately known as "Sōta-nii-chan," in Kita no Kuni kara. Through this long-running drama, he worked with actors including Kunie Tanaka, Hidetaka Yoshioka, and Tomoko Nakajima. More recently, he starred in the 2024 film Last Turn: Fukuyama Kenji, 71-sai, Nido-me no Seishun, portraying an older man confronting loneliness, memories of his wife, and the possibility of finding new meaning in life.

Alongside his acting career, Iwaki has pursued motorcycle racing, clay target shooting, automobiles, camping, and other interests with remarkable dedication. Even in his seventies, his desire to take on new challenges remains evident.

In his personal life, he has shared approximately five decades with model and television personality Anna Yuki. The couple have a daughter, and Iwaki has spoken warmly about the time he now spends with his wife and their dog.

A closer look at Iwaki's beauty and wellness habits reveals an everyday life that differs somewhat from his rugged public image.

He enjoys ramen with rice. He has drunk kale juice prepared by his wife, even while complaining about the taste. And although he once spent entire nights socialising in Tokyo's Ginza district, he has described a more recent routine of going to bed around 9 p.m. and waking at approximately 5 a.m.

He has also begun spending time cooking with his wife. A man who previously devoted much of his time at home to working on cars and motorcycles in the garage can now occasionally be found helping Anna prepare spring rolls in the kitchen.

Yet his adventurous side is still very much part of his life. In 2025, he won a motorcycle race, despite experiencing a fall in wet conditions that left him with a fractured finger.

From his early years pursuing whatever interested him to his later reflections on family, work, and ageing, Iwaki's story is full of unexpected contrasts.

Drawing on interviews with Iwaki and comments from his wife, Anna Yuki, this article explores his beauty and grooming philosophy, diet, sleep, physical activities, hobbies, family life, and outlook on growing older.

1. Koichi Iwaki's Youthful Spirit and a Life Beyond Work

How a Motorcycle Enthusiast Unexpectedly Became an Actor

Koichi Iwaki's acting career began with something he genuinely loved: motorcycles.

As a young man, he helped with his father's work while spending much of his free time riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles with friends. He became involved with Cools, a motorcycle group associated with Tokyo's Harajuku scene, and formed friendships with people including Hiroshi Tachi, who would also become a successful actor.

Cools was known partly for its association with the rock band Carol, fronted by Eikichi Yazawa. With their leather jackets and distinctive motorcycles, the members attracted attention in magazines and popular culture. Iwaki's appearance eventually caught the eye of people working in the film industry.

In 1975, he took a leading role in Bakuhatsu! Bōsōzoku, beginning an acting career that initially drew on his real-life experience as a motorcyclist.

The atmosphere on those early film sets was remarkably different from the tightly controlled productions familiar to many audiences today.

In a 2024 interview with Weekly Playboy News, Iwaki recalled that actors often rode the motorcycles themselves rather than relying entirely on stunt performers.

On one occasion, while filming a motorcycle sequence, he thought the rider pursuing him was another performer. It turned out to be an actual police officer.

He also described an incident in which members of a local group took him away because they wanted an opportunity to appear in a film. Iwaki managed the situation by telling them he would introduce them to people involved with the production.

These extraordinary stories offer a glimpse of his resourcefulness and ability to respond to unexpected situations, qualities that had already become part of his character before his acting career was established.

In 1977, Iwaki participated in filming Proof of the Man in New York and worked alongside internationally recognised actor Toshiro Mifune.

Looking back, Iwaki explained that he knew relatively little about the film industry at the time. Rather than becoming overwhelmed by the reputation of a famous co-star, he approached the experience with his usual directness.

His entry into acting was less the result of a carefully planned ambition and more an unexpected opportunity created by his passion for motorcycles.

Rethinking the Balance Between Work and Personal Time in His Thirties

An especially revealing turning point in Iwaki's life came in his early thirties.

In an interview published by PRESIDENT, he reflected on a period when acting assignments kept arriving and his days were filled with work.

By his early thirties, he had spent years moving quickly from one commitment to another. Eventually, he began wondering whether he was leaving enough time for the experiences that mattered to him personally.

He compared his earlier life to travelling on a high-speed train. If he had taken a slower local train, he suggested, he might have enjoyed more scenery and encountered more people along the way.

Iwaki therefore began thinking about making more space for his own interests, even if doing so meant earning less money.

This decision provides important context for his later lifestyle. His appreciation for personal freedom did not suddenly emerge when he reached his seventies.

Decades earlier, he had already recognised that work alone was not how he wanted to define his entire life.

He continued acting while devoting considerable time to motorcycle racing, shooting sports, automobiles, camping, and other pursuits.

Through these activities, he developed skills, formed friendships, and occasionally discovered opportunities that led back into his professional career.

Rather than limiting himself to a single professional identity, Iwaki has consistently maintained a life filled with interests he genuinely enjoys.

That outlook remains central to his personality as he grows older. Instead of trying to reproduce the exact lifestyle of his youth, he has adapted his daily routines while preserving his curiosity.

2. From Late Nights to Early Mornings: Koichi Iwaki's Sleep Habits

When His Wife Went to Bed, His Nights in Ginza Were Just Beginning

One of the most striking changes in Iwaki's lifestyle concerns sleep and how he spends his evenings.

For many years, he enjoyed a distinctly nocturnal routine.

As Anna Yuki, who preferred early mornings, prepared for bed, Iwaki would often head to Ginza to meet friends and acquaintances. Some evenings continued until the early hours of the following morning.

The couple lived together but followed very different schedules.

Anna enjoyed quieter activities at home, including cooking, reading, and painting. Iwaki, meanwhile, found pleasure in socialising and spending time outside the house.

Over the years, however, his daily rhythm gradually began to change.

During an appearance on the television programme Tetsuko's Room in July 2021, it was revealed that Iwaki had started going to bed at around 8:30 p.m. and waking at approximately 5 a.m.

For Anna, having her husband home in the evenings represented a major shift from their earlier married life.

By 2017, she had already spoken about enjoying walks together, suggesting that the couple had been finding more ways to share everyday activities even before his lifestyle became increasingly home-centred.

His Experience with Pneumonia and a Quieter Lifestyle

Another important experience came in 2020, when Iwaki developed pneumonia while working on a production in a snowy mountain environment.

In a 2024 interview with Yuyutime, he recalled the illness and the hospital treatment that followed.

Iwaki has spoken candidly about his approach to health. Rather than presenting himself as someone who has always followed a strict wellness regimen, he has described a life shaped by personal interests and enjoyment.

In the 2024 interview, he also discussed smoking and drinking as aspects of his lifestyle at that time. His comments are best understood in the context of when they were made, especially since he has subsequently described changes to his drinking and social habits.

In January 2026, Iwaki told Tetsuko's Room that he generally went to bed around 9 p.m. and woke around 5 a.m.

He also explained that he had stopped going out drinking in Ginza around 2025, and that there had been periods when he had gone several months without alcohol.

His sleep schedule had already shifted toward earlier nights by 2021, while his regular nighttime outings came to an end later. These developments suggest a gradual change rather than one sudden transformation.

Today, he has described finding happiness in watching television at home and spending time with the family dog.

For someone who once loved meeting people late into the night, this quieter routine marks a meaningful change in what he finds enjoyable.

The Words He Exchanges with His Wife Before Sleep: "See You Tomorrow"

One particularly touching detail about Iwaki's bedtime routine concerns the words he exchanges with his wife.

In his 2024 Yuyutime interview, he revealed that rather than simply saying the Japanese equivalent of "good night," he and Anna often say "Ashita ne", meaning "See you tomorrow."

He spoke about the happiness of waking the next morning and being able to see each other again.

For a couple who have spent so many years together, the opportunity to share another ordinary morning has become something meaningful.

Iwaki once spent entire nights away from home. Now he goes to bed at a similar time to his wife and appreciates the simple prospect of seeing her again the next day.

Knowing this background gives his early bedtime a personal significance beyond the clock itself.

In the 2024 film Last Turn: Fukuyama Kenji, 71-sai, Nido-me no Seishun, Iwaki portrayed a widower. The role encouraged him to reflect on what it would mean to lose someone who had shared so much of his life.

His affection for Anna helped him connect with the character and appreciate the everyday moments that couples sometimes take for granted.

The gentle phrase "See you tomorrow" reveals a warm, thoughtful side of a man often associated with motorcycles and adventure.

3. Ramen, Kale Juice, and Cooking Together: Koichi Iwaki's Diet

His Surprisingly Down-to-Earth Food Preferences

Iwaki's eating habits reveal a side of him that feels rather different from his sophisticated public image.

In November 2021, Anna Yuki appeared on a TBS radio programme and discussed her husband's everyday food preferences.

One detail stood out: Iwaki loves eating ramen with rice.

According to Anna, he is not particularly fussy about food. He enjoys eating what he likes without making every meal into an elaborate occasion.

In a 2023 interview with ESSEonline, Anna also mentioned his fondness for ramen with rice and potato chips.

Celebrity wellness stories sometimes give the impression that every meal must follow a highly controlled routine. Iwaki's real-life preferences present a more relaxed and approachable picture.

He enjoys familiar foods, while also sharing meals prepared by his wife.

Kale Juice Mixed with Fruit in the Morning

Vegetables and fruit have also featured in the couple's household.

During her 2021 radio appearance, Anna explained that Iwaki ate salads and drank a morning juice made with kale and fruit.

That does not mean he was particularly enthusiastic about the flavour.

Anna recalled that he sometimes complained about the taste while drinking it.

The story captures an amusing contrast between the couple's food preferences.

Anna enjoys cooking and incorporating vegetables into meals, while Iwaki is perfectly happy with a satisfying bowl of ramen accompanied by rice.

Kale is a leafy green vegetable often used in juices and smoothies. In their household, Anna blended it with fruit and offered it as part of their morning routine.

What makes the story memorable is not a particular nutritional promise, but the everyday interaction between two people who have shared their lives for decades.

Ramen with rice and kale juice may seem like an unlikely combination, yet both have been part of the same family's story.

How Last Turn Led to Making Spring Rolls with Anna

In his seventies, Iwaki discovered another way to share time around food.

In the 2024 film Last Turn: Fukuyama Kenji, 71-sai, Nido-me no Seishun, he played Kenji Fukuyama, a man adjusting to life after the death of his wife.

The character prepares meals for himself, and portraying him encouraged Iwaki to take more interest in helping Anna cook at home.

In his 2024 interview with Yuyutime, he recalled joining Anna in the kitchen while she made spring rolls.

Anna shared the moment on social media, much to Iwaki's mild embarrassment.

For years, he had spent much of his time at home in the garage, surrounded by motorcycles and cars. Now, he sometimes found himself standing beside his wife, discussing food and helping with simple cooking tasks.

He appeared to enjoy the shared conversation as much as the cooking itself.

Choosing ingredients, deciding how to prepare them, and working together provided opportunities for the couple to talk and enjoy one another's company.

For two people whose schedules were once almost completely opposite, preparing food together represents a touching change in their relationship.

4. Motorcycle Racing in His Seventies: Staying Connected to a Lifelong Passion

The Motorsport World That Helped Shape His Career

Motorcycles have been an important part of Iwaki's life since his youth.

They helped open the door to his acting career, introduced him to lifelong friends, and gave him opportunities to develop his skills over many decades.

After entering show business, Iwaki continued participating seriously in racing and became involved in managing racing teams.

A 2007 interview with PRESIDENT described his involvement with Team Iwaki, which participated in both two-wheel and four-wheel motorsport.

In his 2024 Yuyutime interview, Iwaki recalled entering car racing in 1980 and later supporting younger competitors and working as a team manager.

His long experience in motorsport has included not only the excitement of competition but also the challenges of developing skills and working with other racers.

In 2024, he explained that encouragement from fans and people involved in racing had influenced his decision to consider competing again at the age of 73.

He hoped that seeing him race might encourage other participants and generate interest among spectators.

Motorsport has therefore remained more than a private hobby. It also provides Iwaki with a way to connect with fellow enthusiasts and younger generations.

His Racing Victory in 2025 and the Injury He Kept Secret

During an appearance on Tetsuko's Room in January 2026, Iwaki revealed that he had competed in and won a motorcycle race in 2025.

He was 74 at the time and remarked that there were no competitors older than him in the race.

However, the event also included a frightening accident.

On a wet track, Iwaki fell and found himself trapped beneath a motorcycle weighing more than 200 kilograms.

He fractured a finger in the incident.

What made the story even more surprising was that Anna had not known he was competing.

When explaining his injury at home, he initially told her that he had caught his finger in a door.

The real circumstances emerged during preparations for their television appearance, leaving Anna to discover what had happened through the programme.

The exchange revealed both Iwaki's enduring enthusiasm for motorcycle racing and the familiar dynamics of a couple who have shared so many years together.

Anna reacted with relief that his finger had survived the accident, and the pair discussed the incident with humour.

Continuing to participate in racing in one's seventies requires considerable experience and commitment. At the same time, Iwaki's injury illustrates the risks involved in competitive motorsport and the importance of approaching such activities with appropriate caution.

A Motorcycle Friendship with Hiroshi Tachi

Another important figure in Iwaki's motorcycle story is actor Hiroshi Tachi.

The two became friends through Cools before either was widely recognised in the entertainment industry.

In a 2024 conversation with television personality Terry Ito, Iwaki recalled that he and Tachi were together almost every day during their younger years.

When Tachi was working toward obtaining his motorcycle licence, Iwaki even gave him rides to the training centre on the back of his motorcycle.

Both men later became successful actors, but their friendship began with their shared enthusiasm for motorcycles.

That Iwaki can still recount these details decades later shows how much those early friendships have meant to him.

5. Silver Hair, Personal Style, and Koichi Iwaki's Approach to Grooming

Understanding What Suits You, Right Down to Your Shoes

One of Iwaki's most recognisable features is his natural silver hair, complemented by understated yet distinctive clothing.

He retains something of the rugged appeal of his younger years while dressing in a way that feels comfortable and appropriate to his current stage of life.

His approach to grooming and personal presentation is especially apparent in the attention he gives to fashion, particularly footwear.

In a 2017 interview with Japanese shoe manufacturer Madras, Iwaki spoke extensively about how he chooses shoes.

He recalled that men of his generation often paid attention to another person's footwear as a sign of their sense of style.

For him, putting together an outfit involves more than simply choosing a good jacket or shirt. The shoes can change the overall impression.

Iwaki enjoys classic clothing but also pays attention to subtle differences in colour, material, and coordination.

Even two navy suits can have different shades and textures. Depending on the shoes chosen, the resulting outfit may feel traditional, understated, or slightly more playful.

His style is less about following every trend and more about understanding what he likes and how individual pieces work together.

Learning About Style from His Father

Iwaki's interest in fashion has roots in his childhood.

He has described his father as an exceptionally stylish man who wore white suits, matching waistcoats and hats, and distinctive two-tone saddle shoes.

Growing up with that example appears to have influenced Iwaki's own appreciation of clothing and footwear.

He also values how shoes feel when worn, rather than choosing them solely for their appearance.

In his 2017 Madras interview, he recalled ordering shoes for a film production and liking them so much that he wanted to wear them in everyday life.

Even when something was originally intended for work, he was happy to incorporate it into his personal wardrobe if it genuinely appealed to him.

Iwaki has also spoken about the confidence that comes from acquiring practical skills through hobbies.

Learning something new, practising, and gradually becoming more capable can influence how a person carries themselves.

His comfort around motorcycles and automobiles, for example, has helped him perform related actions naturally in his acting work.

Iwaki's mature style seems to draw not only from clothing choices but also from decades of experiences and a clear understanding of his own preferences.

6. Clay Shooting, Hokkaido, and Space Travel: A Life Full of Interests

From Student Shooting Competitions to Running a Shooting Range

Shooting sports are among Iwaki's longest-standing interests.

In a June 2024 interview with manga artist Tetsuya Saruwatari, he recalled taking up air-rifle shooting as a student and working toward the possibility of representing his region in Japan's National Sports Festival.

Although circumstances prevented him from achieving that particular goal, he continued to enjoy shooting and eventually shifted much of his competitive attention to motorsport.

His connection with shooting remained strong over the years.

He has participated in clay target shooting and served as the head of a shooting club. Eventually, he also became involved in operating the Kanagawa Oi Shooting Range.

According to his account, the previous operator was growing older and considering selling the facility. Because Iwaki already had a long association with the shooting community, he became involved in taking over the range.

During a December 2024 radio conversation with musician Ryudo Uzaki, he described arranging financing through discussions with a bank.

A pastime he had enjoyed for decades had developed into a new area of business.

Iwaki also explained that having work connected to the shooting range gave him a greater sense of financial and personal independence from acting assignments.

This development reflects the ambitions he began reconsidering in his thirties, when he wanted more freedom to spend time on things he genuinely enjoyed.

How Anna Came to Understand a Life Where Play Could Lead to Work

Iwaki's unusual relationship between hobbies and work has also shaped his marriage.

In his 2024 Weekly Playboy News interview, he described how Anna had become accustomed to his unconventional plans, including suddenly travelling to the United States to ride motorcycles.

For many people, the usual sequence is to work first and then spend part of their earnings on leisure activities.

Iwaki's life has sometimes unfolded in the opposite direction.

His interest in motorcycles led to an acting opportunity. Racing developed into television projects. Automotive projects created further professional connections.

Anna had spent years observing how his enthusiasm for personal interests could unexpectedly lead to work.

That did not mean she supported every idea without concern.

Iwaki also recalled buying an aircraft intended for aerobatic flying, only to have Anna express serious reservations and urge him to reconsider.

Her response shows a balance between respecting his curiosity and speaking up when she believed a particular activity involved too much risk.

Imagining a New Life in Teshikaga, Hokkaido

Another example of Iwaki's adventurous imagination was his plan to establish a new base in Hokkaido.

Around 2021, he spoke about wanting to create a place to live in Teshikaga, a town in eastern Hokkaido surrounded by remarkable natural scenery.

He imagined having enough space for camping, cars, motorcycles, and even facilities that could accommodate small aircraft.

Reaching the age of 70 had encouraged him to think about rewarding himself for decades of hard work by pursuing a new lifestyle.

In 2022, television programmes followed him enjoying outdoor activities in Hokkaido.

These included driving a Jeep through natural landscapes, riding snow bikes and snowmobiles, and returning to horseback riding after a long interval.

For Iwaki, time in nature is not simply about sitting quietly and resting.

Exploring unfamiliar places, trying different equipment, and sharing experiences with other enthusiasts are all part of the enjoyment.

His Hokkaido plans are best understood as aspirations he discussed at that time, rather than as confirmation of any particular current residential arrangement.

He has also spoken about possible new uses for his shooting range, including educational activities related to drone operation.

Even after decades of involvement with motorcycles, cars, and shooting sports, he remains interested in technologies and experiences that offer something new.

7. Nearly Five Decades with Anna Yuki: Marriage, Family, and Life at Home

Two Very Different Personalities Sharing a Long Life Together

To understand Iwaki's everyday habits and personal philosophy, it is important to know more about his wife, Anna Yuki.

Born in Sweden, Anna began working as a model when she was young and later became known for her interests in cooking, fashion, and home life.

The couple first met at a café where groups of young friends gathered. Anna was still in high school, while Iwaki was a university student.

They gradually became closer through group outings, films, and time spent with mutual friends.

Their personalities, however, were very different.

Iwaki loved motorcycles, cars, socialising, and being out of the house. Anna preferred cooking, reading, painting, and spending peaceful time at home.

Their food preferences, sleeping schedules, and ideas about leisure were often completely different.

Anna has recalled that these contrasts led to frequent disagreements during their younger years.

During their 2026 appearance on Tetsuko's Room, she even spoke candidly about having considered divorce more than once.

Yet the couple continued building their life together, gradually learning to accept their differences rather than expecting each other to become the same kind of person.

Their Legal Marriage Came Years After They Began Living Together

There is also an unusual detail in Iwaki and Anna's relationship.

In a 2017 interview with Shukan Josei PRIME, Anna explained that although they had lived together for many years, they did not formally register their marriage until their daughter was attending university.

As a young couple, they placed greater importance on sharing their lives than on the formalities of a wedding ceremony or legal registration.

They continued their partnership after their daughter was born and registered the marriage later, partly because of the practical convenience of official documents and administrative procedures.

Therefore, when television programmes describe them as celebrating 50 years of marriage, this can be understood as referring to their long relationship and shared life, rather than solely to the number of years since their legal registration.

The story highlights the couple's willingness to shape their relationship according to their own values.

Their early years together were not always financially comfortable.

Anna worked as a model and helped support the household when Iwaki was still establishing himself as an actor.

In her 2017 interview, she shared an amusing memory from those days. When the household needed everyday supplies, she sometimes asked Iwaki to go to a pachinko parlour, where prizes could include items such as soy sauce.

Those humble details offer a surprising contrast to the sophisticated public image the couple later developed.

During their 2026 television appearance, they also recalled financial challenges around the period when Iwaki was filming Kita no Kuni kara.

Location filming in Hokkaido could require him to be away for extended periods, while household expenses continued at home.

Anna sometimes sold possessions or borrowed money to make ends meet.

Iwaki admitted that he had not fully understood the extent of the difficulties she faced at the time.

Behind his successful acting career were many years during which Anna worked hard to support their family.

His Daughter, Family Reflections, and Life with Their Dog

Iwaki and Anna have one daughter.

When she was young, Iwaki was often occupied with acting, motorcycles, and other interests, leaving less time for family activities than he would later wish he had spent.

On Tetsuko's Room in 2026, he reflected on those years and expressed regret that he had not taken his daughter on more outings when she was a child.

As he has grown older, he appears to have developed a deeper appreciation for the ordinary opportunities families have to spend time together.

His daughter later married an American man, and Iwaki has spoken affectionately of his son-in-law, saying that he feels like a son to him.

Alongside these family relationships, the couple's dog has become an important part of their home life.

In his 2024 Yuyutime interview, Iwaki spoke about their dog, Ozzy, as a shared topic of conversation. During their 2026 television appearance, he also explained that having a dog had increased the amount he and Anna talked to each other.

For a couple who have spent so many years together, even small incidents involving a pet can offer opportunities to laugh, talk, and enjoy shared moments.

Iwaki once loved spending long evenings in Ginza. He now finds pleasure in watching television at home and enjoying the company of Anna and their dog.

They continue to pursue their individual interests, but cooking together, chatting about their pet, and simply being at home have become important parts of their relationship.

The couple have also experienced family caregiving. In an earlier appearance on Tetsuko's Room, they discussed caring for Anna's mother at home for approximately six years.

Life together has included challenges, changing responsibilities, and many adjustments over time. Those experiences form the background to the quieter companionship they now enjoy.

8. Friends from Kita no Kuni kara, Ageing on Screen, and Looking Ahead

Breaking His Wrist During a Boxing Scene with Guts Ishimatsu

The television drama Kita no Kuni kara occupies a special place in Iwaki's acting career.

Beginning in 1981, the series followed the lives of people in Furano, Hokkaido, including Goro Kuroita, played by Kunie Tanaka, and his children Jun and Hotaru, played by Hidetaka Yoshioka and Tomoko Nakajima.

Iwaki portrayed Sōta Kitamura, a character who became familiar to audiences over the long history of the drama.

In his 2024 Weekly Playboy News interview, he shared some remarkable stories from the production.

One involved a boxing scene with Guts Ishimatsu, a former world boxing champion who had also become an actor and television personality.

During light sparring for the scene, Iwaki threw a punch and Ishimatsu reacted instinctively. Iwaki fell, put out his hand, and fractured his wrist.

Despite the injury, he later participated in the filmed boxing sequence with a cast on his wrist beneath the boxing glove.

The story illustrates just how demanding and physically involved the production could be.

Iwaki also recalled that actors were expected to perform many practical activities themselves.

For scenes involving farm life, he learned to milk cows. When his technique initially looked unconvincing, screenwriter Sō Kuramoto asked him to practise until his movements appeared more natural.

Another memorable experience involved the filming of a scene depicting a cow undergoing a Caesarean section.

Working in the real landscapes and farming environments of Hokkaido gave the actors experiences that went far beyond simply delivering their lines.

These unusual demands became part of what made Kita no Kuni kara such a significant project in Iwaki's life.

His Gratitude Toward Sō Kuramoto and Long Friendships with Fellow Actors

Iwaki has also spoken about his gratitude toward screenwriter Sō Kuramoto, who played an important role in his career.

Before joining Kita no Kuni kara, he had already developed a relationship with Kuramoto through professional work and earlier productions.

After various experiences and difficulties, Kuramoto invited him to participate in the drama, giving him another opportunity to establish himself as an actor.

Iwaki has expressed a lasting sense of appreciation for that support.

He also remembered his friendships with Kunie Tanaka and Takeo Chii with great warmth.

Working together over many years created relationships that felt almost like family.

Unlike an ordinary production lasting only a few weeks or months, Kita no Kuni kara allowed the cast to return to the same characters and setting over an extended period.

For Iwaki, those years created enduring memories and friendships that remained significant long after individual filming sessions had ended.

Exploring Ageing and Love in Last Turn

In 2024, Iwaki starred in Last Turn: Fukuyama Kenji, 71-sai, Nido-me no Seishun, marking his first leading film role in 26 years.

He portrayed a 71-year-old widower trying to rediscover a sense of purpose in everyday life.

The character experiences changes associated with growing older but gradually finds enjoyment through new activities and relationships.

While discussing the film, Iwaki acknowledged changes in his own body as he has aged.

He spoke about feeling differences in his quickness of movement and memory, along with changes in his eyesight, including problems associated with near- and farsightedness.

Even someone with decades of motorsport experience faces the realities of getting older.

Iwaki appeared comfortable acknowledging those changes while continuing to explore activities that still interest him.

He connected particularly strongly with the emotional aspects of the role.

Playing a man who had lost his wife encouraged Iwaki to think about Anna and the significance of having shared so many years together.

His own feelings for her helped him understand the character's loneliness and memories.

The film also influenced his life off screen, encouraging him to join Anna in the kitchen and take an interest in preparing meals together.

It was a meaningful example of an acting experience inspiring a small but welcome change in his personal life.

Thinking About Retirement While Continuing to Enjoy Life

During his 2026 appearance on Tetsuko's Room, Iwaki discussed having considered retirement after approximately 50 years in entertainment.

He acknowledged that memorising long passages of dialogue had become more demanding with age, prompting him to reflect on how he wanted to approach future acting work.

At the same time, he continues to enjoy his interests and the opportunities that fit his lifestyle.

He has also begun sorting through some of his possessions, including giving watches from his collection to friends.

For someone who has long appreciated motorcycles, automobiles, watches, and other carefully chosen belongings, deciding what to keep and what to pass on is another part of considering the future.

Anna, meanwhile, has encouraged him to enjoy the things he still wants to do so that he can look back without unnecessary regrets.

Iwaki now has the benefit of decades of experiences, professional relationships, and personal interests, alongside a greater appreciation for the quiet moments of everyday family life.

His current outlook combines a sense of freedom with the calm that comes from knowing what matters most to him.

Conclusion: Koichi Iwaki's Approach to Beauty, Wellness, and Growing Older

Looking closely at Koichi Iwaki's beauty and wellness habits reveals a man who has continued enjoying his interests while allowing his lifestyle to change with age and experience.

From his youth, motorcycles and automobiles have been central to his life. Alongside acting, he has pursued shooting sports, camping, and numerous other activities with enthusiasm.

In his thirties, he began reconsidering a life dominated by work and decided to place greater value on his own time.

His food preferences include familiar favourites such as ramen with rice, while his household has also featured salads and kale juice prepared by Anna.

In his seventies, he began helping with cooking, creating opportunities for conversation and shared experiences in the kitchen.

His sleep habits have shifted from a late-night social routine to earlier evenings and mornings. He now speaks warmly about spending time at home with Anna and their dog.

His enthusiasm for motorcycle racing, however, remains part of his identity, as illustrated by his racing victory in 2025.

Professionally, he treasures the friendships formed through Kita no Kuni kara, while his leading role in Last Turn encouraged him to reflect on ageing and the importance of family relationships.

Iwaki's story suggests that growing older need not mean trying to preserve every habit from one's younger years.

There is also value in keeping the interests that bring joy, deepening relationships with loved ones, and choosing a daily routine that suits one's present life.

And before going to sleep, he and Anna can simply say, "See you tomorrow," appreciating the prospect of sharing another morning together.

That combination of adventurous enthusiasm and gratitude for ordinary moments is what makes Koichi Iwaki's approach to life so memorable.