Mariko Kaga's Beauty & Wellness | Skincare, Pilates, Diet & Family

At 82, Japanese actress Mariko Kaga continues to captivate audiences with her elegant beauty, outspoken personality, and unmistakable presence. Nicknamed the "Little Devil" during her younger years, she has enjoyed a career spanning more than six decades, from the films Monday's Yuka and Pale Flower to the television dramas Hana Yori Dango and Yasuragi no Sato, and the film Ume Kiranu Baka (The Lone Ume Tree).

In 2026, she portrayed the 85-year-old version of the main character in the NHK morning drama Blossom and appeared in a special episode of Shiawase wa Tabete Nete Mate (Happiness Comes from Eating, Sleeping and Waiting). Even after a remarkable career, she continues to enjoy discovering new characters and taking on fresh acting challenges.

Her approach to beauty is surprisingly straightforward. Her skincare routine centres on facial lotion, sunscreen, and a cream applied before bedtime. She has also spoken about her personal habit of washing her face and hair once every three days, alongside weekly oil massages and Pilates, which she began around the age of 70.

In 2023, she described a skincare routine focused on a single facial lotion. By 2026, she was also discussing sunscreen and nighttime cream. Her interviews offer an interesting glimpse into the beauty products she has mentioned at different stages of her life and the importance she places on finding a routine that feels comfortable.

Her approach to wellness is equally personal. She has spoken openly about the physical and emotional changes she experienced during menopause, her decision to quit smoking in her eighties, and her use of hearing aids to make everyday conversations more comfortable.

When it comes to food, Kaga enjoys favourites such as tonkatsu, sushi, and ramen. More recently, her acting work has sparked an interest in seasonal vegetables and Japanese medicinal cooking, known as yakuzen. Reading, mahjong, morning walks, and spending time with friends also enrich her daily life.

Drawing on Kaga's interviews and published accounts, this article explores her skincare, haircare, exercise, diet, drinks, personal health experiences, marriage and family life, and friendships. Together, these stories reveal a refreshingly individual approach to beauty, wellness, and growing older.

1. Who Is Mariko Kaga? Her Career, Famous Roles, and Independent Sense of Beauty

Growing Up in Kagurazaka and Entering the Film Industry as a Teenager

Mariko Kaga was born on December 11, 1943, in Tokyo, Japan. As of October 2026, she is 82 years old.

She grew up in a family closely connected to the entertainment industry. Her father was a producer at the film studio Daiei, while her older brother worked as a producer at Shochiku. Her older sister also worked in broadcasting, so films, entertainment, and the arts were familiar parts of her childhood.

Her mother was a spirited Tokyo woman who valued independence and encouraged her children to think for themselves rather than follow social expectations.

Because Kaga's brother and sister were considerably older, she spent much of her childhood surrounded by adults and learned to enjoy spending time on her own.

After school, she sometimes visited second-hand bookshops in Jinbocho, Tokyo's famous book district, where she would read until evening. Even decisions about whether to spend the money her mother gave her on transportation or something she wanted were left to her own judgment.

Her love of books and willingness to act on her curiosity were already taking shape during those years.

While still in high school, Kaga was approached by film director Masahiro Shinoda and playwright Shuji Terayama. She made her film debut in Shinoda's 1962 production Tears on the Lion's Mane.

In 1964, she played a free-spirited heroine in Monday's Yuka and made another striking appearance in Pale Flower. Her delicate looks, frank manner, and independent personality earned her the nickname "Little Devil."

From the beginning of her career, Kaga placed importance on expressing her own opinions. She sometimes negotiated working conditions and appearance fees herself, an unusual approach for a young actress of that era.

Her determination to make her own decisions became one of the defining characteristics of both her professional and personal life.

Moving to Paris at 20 and Discovering a New Approach to Life

At the height of her early popularity, Kaga temporarily stepped away from acting and travelled alone to Paris when she was about 20.

She used money she had earned through her own work to experience the overseas culture that had long fascinated her.

In Paris, she studied French and met people working in film and fashion. She even had an opportunity to visit the home of fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent.

What particularly impressed her was the way people valued everyday experiences: choosing what to wear, deciding whom to dine with, and enjoying the day itself.

Fashion and art felt naturally connected to daily living. That experience broadened her outlook and helped shape her personal sense of beauty.

She later returned to Japan to appear in the Shiki Theatre Company's production of Ondine. The audience's enthusiastic applause inspired her to study acting more seriously.

She trained in voice work, dance, and pantomime, choosing to develop her skills even though she had already achieved fame.

Her subsequent work included Muddy River, Mahjong Horoki, and the NHK morning dramas Mio Tsukushi and Watashi no Aozora. She established herself across film, television, and theatre.

In the 2005 drama Hana Yori Dango (Boys Over Flowers), she portrayed Kaede Domyoji, the formidable mother of Tsukasa Domyoji, played by Jun Matsumoto. Her character opposed the relationship between Tsukasa and Tsukushi Makino, played by Mao Inoue, introducing Kaga to a younger generation of viewers.

She later appeared alongside fellow veteran actresses, including Ruriko Asaoka, in the Yasuragi no Sato television series. In the 2021 film The Lone Ume Tree, she played a mother living with her autistic son.

In the NHK morning drama Blossom, which began airing on September 28, 2026, Kaga played the 85-year-old version of the protagonist, Tama Hano. She appeared in the first three episodes alongside Takako Matsu, who portrayed Tama's secretary, Yuko Fujikawa.

Actress Shizuka Ishibashi portrayed the younger Tama, while Kaga represented the character in later life, helping tell the story of a woman across different generations.

From her teenage debut to roles in her eighties, Kaga's willingness to learn and embrace new experiences has remained an important part of her identity.

2. Mariko Kaga's Skincare Routine: Facial Lotion, Sunscreen, and Night Cream

From a Lotion-Focused Routine in 2023 to Discussing Sunscreen and Cream in 2026

One of the most interesting aspects of Kaga's beauty philosophy is her simple approach to skincare.

During a December 2023 appearance on NHK's morning programme Asaichi, she said that her everyday routine centred on a single facial lotion purchased from an accessible local retailer.

Kaga was 80 at the time, and her appearance prompted admiration in the studio.

When asked about skincare, she explained that she used a generous amount of facial lotion. She also recalled a period in her thirties when she had used expensive cosmetics. Over the years, she came to appreciate products and routines that suited her personal preferences.

In a September 2026 interview, she mentioned facial lotion, sunscreen, and a cream applied before going to sleep.

The 2023 interview focused mainly on lotion, while the 2026 interview also discussed daytime sun protection and nighttime skincare. These accounts provide insight into the products Kaga has described at different times, although they do not establish exactly when each item entered her routine.

Rather than concentrating on the number or price of her products, she appears to value how comfortable they feel on her skin.

Throughout her career, she has worked with professional makeup artists on countless film and television productions. Yet her personal skincare philosophy has remained notably uncomplicated.

Her Once-Every-Three-Days Face-Washing Habit and Her Mother's Influence

One of Kaga's most widely discussed beauty habits is her statement that she washes her face once every three days.

She has explained that, in her personal experience, washing too frequently can make her feel as though she is removing things her skin naturally needs.

Over many years, she has developed a routine based on her own skin and personal preferences.

Appropriate cleansing practices vary depending on skin type, environment, makeup, sunscreen use, and other individual circumstances. Kaga's washing frequency is best understood as her own long-standing habit rather than a universal skincare recommendation.

Her independence in beauty matters reflects the values she developed during childhood: observing her own circumstances and making decisions for herself.

Kaga has also spoken fondly about her mother's beautiful facial contours. Her mother, who died at the age of 90, retained what Kaga remembered as an elegant line from the chin to the neck.

Kaga feels that she inherited some of those features.

Her mother influenced both her appearance and her attitude towards life, making these memories a meaningful part of Kaga's personal beauty story.

3. Mariko Kaga's Haircare and Oil Massages: Beauty Habits Shaped by Her Career

How Film Sets Inspired Her Once-Every-Three-Days Hair-Washing Routine

Just as she has described washing her face once every three days, Kaga has said that she washes her hair at the same interval.

The origins of this habit go back to her early days working in Japanese films during the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Movie scenes are sometimes filmed over several days, meaning that hairstyles, makeup, and costumes must remain consistent between shots.

Kaga recalled arriving at a film set after washing her hair, only to be told by staff that its appearance had changed from the previous day's filming.

She subsequently began leaving more time between washes, and the practice became part of her long-term routine.

She has jokingly linked the habit to her still-full head of hair.

Hair and scalp requirements differ from person to person, and washing frequency is a matter of individual needs. What makes Kaga's story distinctive is that a practical lesson learned on a film set more than six decades ago has remained part of her beauty habits.

Few haircare stories have such a direct connection to the history of Japanese cinema.

Weekly Oil Massages and Enjoying New Experiences on Screen

In September 2026, Kaga said that she made time for an oil massage once a week and continued her Pilates sessions even when her work schedule was busy.

Now in her eighties, she remains active in television, film, and interviews.

After spending decades in a profession that demands physical presence and concentration, she has made regular personal-care time part of her lifestyle.

Her everyday skincare is straightforward, while her weekly body-care sessions give her an opportunity to focus on herself.

In August 2026, she also spoke about filming a bathing scene for the NHK drama special Shiawase wa Tabete Nete Mate: Early Spring Wellness Edition, something she had rarely experienced in her long acting career.

With characteristic humour, she said she had looked forward to showing her skin as it was in her eighties.

Even after more than 60 years as an actress, she continues to encounter new experiences and approach them with enthusiasm.

4. Mariko Kaga's Exercise and Wellness Habits: Pilates, Menopause, Hearing Aids, and Quitting Smoking

Starting Pilates at 70 and Staying Active Every Day

Pilates is one of the central elements of Kaga's exercise routine.

She began practising around the age of 70 and said in a 2023 interview with ESSEonline that she attended sessions once or twice a week.

For Kaga, being able to walk independently and visit places she enjoys is an important part of everyday life. Pilates has made her more conscious of how she moves her body.

She has mentioned paying particular attention to the way she uses her big toes while walking.

During a television appearance in January 2026, she said she had continued Pilates for approximately 12 years.

An activity she began in her seventies had therefore remained part of her lifestyle well into her eighties.

At a photo shoot in 2023, staff were reportedly impressed by the range of poses she moved through and the flexibility and physical control she displayed.

She also enjoys simple movement at home. In one interview, she described walking up and down the slope outside her house in the morning.

The walk covers only a few dozen metres, but she finds small pleasures in the experience, sometimes even feeling a spark of excitement when passing someone on the street.

She has also mentioned sitting in a V-shaped straddle position while watching television, bringing gentle movement into ordinary moments at home.

In April 2026, Kaga commented that Tokyo could benefit from more benches where people could sit and rest during a walk.

For someone who values going out on foot, comfortable and accessible public spaces are part of enjoying daily life at any age.

Her Menopause Experience and the Importance of Enjoyable Activities

Although Kaga has long been associated with energy and confidence, she has spoken candidly about the physical and emotional changes she experienced during menopause.

During a 2023 appearance on Asaichi, she recalled experiencing menopausal changes from around the age of 45.

She described heavy sweating, alternating sensations of heat and cold, and periods when she felt less interested in activities she had previously enjoyed.

In a 2025 interview, she also described having experienced menopausal symptoms from around the age of 49 for approximately five years.

Her recollections differ slightly between interviews, but they consistently describe significant changes during her forties and fifties.

One activity she particularly enjoyed during that period was mahjong, a game she had played for many years.

Gathering with friends and concentrating on the tiles gave her an opportunity to shift her attention. She recalled that, after spending time playing, she sometimes found it easier to memorise lines for work.

In 2023, Kaga joined Tetsuko Kuroyanagi and Jun Fubuki in an Asaichi segment in which they shared perspectives drawn from their life experiences.

When a female presenter mentioned that she was beginning to experience menopause, Kaga responded warmly and drew on her own memories.

Having experienced those changes herself, she was able to offer understanding to another woman facing a similar stage of life.

Using Hearing Aids and Deciding to Quit Smoking in Her Eighties

In a 2025 conversation with psychiatrist Hideki Wada published by HalmeK, Kaga discussed some of the physical changes she had noticed in her eighties.

She mentioned morning stiffness and discomfort involving her neck, lower back, and eyes.

She also said that she had begun using hearing aids to help with changes in her hearing.

Being able to hear another person clearly and enjoy a conversation matters to her.

Her willingness to use practical tools reflects an approach to ageing that focuses on making everyday life more comfortable and enjoyable.

In a 2024 conversation with actress Yuki Uchida published by Fujin Koron, Kaga revealed another important lifestyle decision: she had quit smoking.

The turning point came after she underwent a cardiac catheter examination.

During the procedure, seeing images of her heart and blood vessels prompted her to reflect on the importance of taking care of her body.

Her doctor's explanation of the condition of her blood vessels also contributed to her decision to change a long-standing habit.

She said that, after quitting, she no longer felt an urge to smoke.

Beginning Pilates in her seventies, then choosing to stop smoking in her eighties, demonstrates Kaga's willingness to make new decisions as her circumstances evolve.

5. Mariko Kaga's Diet and Favourite Drinks: Everyday Meals, Coffee, and Seasonal Ingredients

Enjoying Favourite Foods and Everyday Meals

Kaga has always enjoyed food. In a 2025 conversation, she mentioned favourites such as tonkatsu, sushi, and ramen.

She also enjoys a variety of vegetables.

In August 2026, she jokingly admitted that she still often ate what she described as junk food, even in her eighties.

She approaches meals with enthusiasm while remaining attentive to how she feels physically.

During a television appearance in 2026, she described having a good appetite as one of the personal signs she notices when assessing how she feels.

Being able to enjoy a delicious meal is an important pleasure in her daily life.

She frequently eats out with her long-term partner, enjoying food and conversation together.

Although she has said that she does relatively little cooking herself, her curiosity about food extends beyond the dining table.

She also enjoys food descriptions in novels. After reading Haruka Hika's novel Lunch Sake, she recalled how appetising the gyoza and Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki in the story sounded.

Reading, eating, and socialising naturally overlap in her lifestyle.

Discovering Seasonal Vegetables and Yakuzen Cooking in Her Eighties

In 2026, Kaga spoke about developing an interest in seasonal ingredients and yakuzen, a Japanese approach to medicinal cooking, through her work on the NHK drama Shiawase wa Tabete Nete Mate.

The series follows a woman played by Yuki Sakurai as she reconsiders her everyday life through food, community, and the relationships she forms in her apartment complex.

Kaga portrayed Suzu Miyama, the 90-year-old landlady of the complex.

One particularly memorable discovery during filming involved the flavour of seasonal eggplant.

She was surprised by how delicious eggplant could be when prepared in a way that brought out its qualities during its natural season.

Even in her eighties, she was delighted to discover something new about an everyday ingredient and said that she was still learning.

In a separate part of her August 2026 interview, she also commented that she felt she had recently become a little lighter on her feet.

Her growing interest in seasonal produce and cooking is a recent example of how acting can introduce her to fresh ideas beyond the screen.

Drinking Coffee at the Famous Tokyo Restaurant Chianti

During her younger years, Kaga frequently visited Chianti, a fashionable restaurant in Tokyo's Roppongi district, where she met artists, writers, architects, and other cultural figures.

The restaurant attracted celebrated personalities, including author Yukio Mishima and architect Kenzo Tange.

Although Kaga's glamorous social circle might suggest a fondness for drinking, she has explained that alcohol makes her feel unwell.

While others around her enjoyed wine, she usually ordered coffee.

She also insisted on paying for her own drinks.

Even when spending time with older and more established people, she preferred to choose what she wanted and pay her own way.

Those evenings, filled with conversation about films, art, and life, offered the young actress an extraordinary source of cultural inspiration.

6. Mariko Kaga's Daily Life: Reading, Mahjong, and Her Beloved Cat

Reading Books and Enjoying Mental Arithmetic

Kaga has loved reading since childhood. In a 2021 interview, she mentioned that she sometimes read one or two books in a day.

She enjoys entering the worlds of fictional characters and discovering different perspectives on life.

She also finds ways to entertain herself during ordinary journeys.

While riding in a taxi, for example, she sometimes uses the licence-plate numbers of cars ahead to practise addition or multiplication in her head.

Turning everyday numbers into a small game is a wonderfully simple example of her curiosity.

During an appearance on Asaichi in 2023, Kaga also spoke about how her desire to acquire possessions had diminished over time.

Reading, hobbies, and spending time with other people have become increasingly valuable parts of her life.

Mahjong, Her Cat, and Quiet Moments at Home

Mahjong has been one of Kaga's favourite pastimes for many years.

She enjoys gathering with friends, talking, and concentrating on the game.

The game has also played a role in her personal relationships. Her long-term partner, Makoto Kiyohiro, was originally a fellow mahjong player.

Kaga has also treasured time with animals at home.

In a 2021 interview, she said that on days without work, her household routine often revolved around her cat.

The cat was named Sora, meaning "sky." Kaga and her partner had rescued Sora together in 2003.

On screen, Kaga has portrayed formidable mothers and strong-willed women. Away from work, she has also enjoyed the quiet companionship of the animals and people close to her.

These small domestic details reveal another side of a woman whose public career has been exceptionally glamorous.

7. Mariko Kaga's Marriage and Family: Her Long-Term Partner Makoto Kiyohiro

Marriage, Divorce, and a Long-Term Partnership

Kaga married a television producer when she was around 30 and later divorced.

Since approximately the age of 59, she has shared her life with television drama director Makoto Kiyohiro.

The couple have maintained a long-term partnership without legally registering a marriage in Japan.

They had known each other for years through mahjong, but Kaga began to see Kiyohiro differently when she was in her mid-fifties.

At the time, Kiyohiro was occupied with his professional responsibilities and raising his children, and their relationship developed gradually.

Kaga has recalled expressing her feelings over a period of approximately five years.

In a 2021 interview, she explained that sharing a life together mattered more to her than the formal status of marriage.

Their relationship reflects a companionship built over many years, with respect for each other's individual circumstances and experiences.

His Children, Their Family Life, and the Film The Lone Ume Tree

Kiyohiro has a son and a daughter from a previous marriage, and Kaga has developed close relationships with his family.

She has publicly spoken about the fact that his son is autistic.

Following his divorce, Kiyohiro raised his son with help from his own mother and spent years looking for a suitable place where his son could live with support and stability in the future.

Kaga was deeply moved by the care and commitment Kiyohiro showed as a father.

During an appearance on Tetsuko's Room in 2021, she also mentioned her friendly relationship with Kiyohiro's daughter and said that there were grandchildren in the family.

She has spoken warmly about his son, describing him as someone important to her.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions made visits to the son's residential facility difficult.

On one occasion, Kiyohiro visited his son, who reportedly mentioned Kaga by name. She recalled being delighted when she heard about it.

In the 2021 film Ume Kiranu Baka (The Lone Ume Tree), Kaga portrayed a mother living with her autistic son, played by Takehiro Tsukaji.

The story resonated with aspects of her own family experiences.

Kaga initially hesitated to accept the role because of the demanding filming schedule, but Kiyohiro encouraged her to take part.

During production, she suggested including a scene in which the mother expresses gratitude to her son.

Having seen how raising his son shaped Kiyohiro as a person, Kaga felt that gratitude was an important part of the parent-child relationship portrayed in the film.

Kaga has also spoken publicly about losing a child shortly after birth when she was younger.

She lived under the same roof as her mother for many years. After her mother died, Kaga reflected that there might have been more she could have done for her.

These experiences of love, family, and loss have given her personal perspective on the importance of the people who share her life today.

8. Mariko Kaga's Friendships and Philosophy of Life: Finding Joy at Every Age

Her Friendships with Ruriko Asaoka, Yuki Amami, and Yuki Uchida

Long-standing friendships have played an important role in Kaga's life.

She and actress Ruriko Asaoka have visited the same hair salon, gone to films and theatre performances together, and enjoyed meals in each other's company.

They have also worked together on productions including Yasuragi no Sato, building a relationship that extends beyond acting.

During a television appearance in April 2026, Kaga said that when she had not spoken to Asaoka for a while, she sometimes worried about whether her friend was eating properly.

Their friendship has grown from sharing beauty appointments and cultural outings to looking out for each other's everyday wellbeing.

Kaga has also known actress Yuki Amami for more than 20 years.

During a 2021 appearance on Bokura no Jidai, she discussed introducing Amami to her partner, Makoto Kiyohiro.

Amami reportedly found Kiyohiro to be a relaxed and natural person, someone around whom others could feel comfortable.

Another long-standing friend is actress Yuki Uchida.

Kaga has known Uchida since she was about 17. In their 2024 conversation for Fujin Koron, they discussed acting, professional experiences, and health as they grew older.

Their relationship demonstrates how people from different generations can respect one another's individuality and exchange honest opinions.

Kaga also appeared with her friend of approximately 60 years, Manami Fuji, on Tetsuko's Room in January 2026. Their conversation about old memories offered a warm glimpse into a friendship that has endured across decades.

Reuniting with Takako Matsu and Respecting Younger Colleagues

In the 2026 NHK morning drama Blossom, Kaga reunited with actress Takako Matsu.

The two had previously worked together in productions including the 1998 stage play Hamlet, giving them a professional connection stretching back many years.

In a 2026 interview, Matsu said that Kaga's frankness and charming personality had remained much the same over time.

She also expressed admiration for Kaga's dedication to continuing to watch and learn from theatre and other performances.

Even after such a long career, Kaga's curiosity and commitment to learning remain apparent to her fellow actors.

Kaga has also spoken about working with younger performers, including Yuki Sakurai and Hio Miyazawa, on Shiawase wa Tabete Nete Mate.

She tries to respect younger colleagues' private lives while maintaining a warm and considerate atmosphere at work.

Her approach reflects the value she places on respecting the individual character and personal space of the people around her.

Two Hepburns, Changing Beauty Ideals, and Enjoying Life in Her Eighties

Looking back over Kaga's life reveals a long-standing fascination with international film stars, fashion, and art.

As a girl, she admired Audrey Hepburn's hairstyle and took herself to a salon to recreate the look.

Later in life, she also came to admire the dignified presence of Katharine Hepburn, who remained a distinctive figure well into old age.

The contrast is an appealing illustration of how Kaga's appreciation of beauty has developed: from youthful hairstyles and glamorous appearances to the natural confidence and individuality of people with a lifetime of experience.

She also learned from older creative figures, including Japanese painter Fumiko Hori and artist Toko Shinoda.

When there was someone she wanted to meet, she valued taking the initiative and reaching out.

Her curiosity about the lives and experiences of people from different generations has enriched both her career and her private life.

Over the years, she has navigated changing health, family bereavements, and decisions about her everyday habits.

Now in her eighties, she continues to value walking independently, going to places she likes, and enjoying meals and conversations with friends.

New roles, new people, and even small everyday discoveries remain sources of interest and enjoyment. That enduring curiosity is an important part of Mariko Kaga's appeal.