Sayuri Yoshinaga's Beauty and Wellness Routine | Skincare, Swimming

Sayuri Yoshinaga is one of Japan's most celebrated actresses, having remained a prominent figure in Japanese cinema for more than six decades. Born on March 13, 1945, she turned 81 in 2026.

Known for her graceful presence, gentle smile, and elegant posture, Yoshinaga has captivated audiences through films such as Foundry Town (Kyupora no Aru Machi), Ai to Shi o Mitsumete, Kabei: Our Mother, and Mom, Is That You?!.

But what beauty practices and healthy lifestyle habits has she embraced throughout her remarkable career?

Her interviews reveal a surprisingly approachable routine: simple skincare involving two or three applications of lotion, a longstanding love of swimming, strength training under professional guidance, and thoughtful eating habits adapted to her demanding filming schedule.

What makes her story particularly fascinating is how her relationship with exercise and everyday wellness has evolved with age. As a young woman, she loved skiing and mountaineering. She later became a dedicated swimmer who once enjoyed competing against the clock. More recently, she has placed greater emphasis on the pleasure of moving comfortably and at her own pace.

Behind her refined public image is also a wonderfully down-to-earth personality. She enjoys staying up late, occasionally eats rice balls at convenience stores, and passionately follows rugby and baseball.

Drawing on her own interviews and official sources, this article explores Sayuri Yoshinaga's skincare routine, beauty products, swimming, strength training, diet, sleep, hobbies, family life, and enduring passion for acting.

1. Sayuri Yoshinaga's Beauty Routine: Simple Skincare and Layered Hydration

Applying Lotion Two or Three Times, Followed by a Little Oil

One of the defining features of Yoshinaga's approach to skincare is her preference for carefully selected products used with attention and care.

In a 2023 interview with the Japanese beauty magazine BiST, she explained that she had long preferred a simple skincare routine, choosing products she genuinely felt she needed.

As an actress, she frequently wears makeup for extended periods during filming and promotional appearances. Away from work, she likes to keep her skincare uncomplicated and adjust it according to how her skin feels.

The routine she described begins with cleansing, followed by applying moisturizing lotion two or three times. She then adds a very small amount of oil.

Rather than applying the oil directly and rubbing it into her face, she warms it between her palms and gently presses her hands against her skin.

Her approach emphasizes not only the products she chooses but also the gentle way she applies them. This thoughtful attention to everyday skincare reflects her naturally understated sense of beauty.

A Ten-Minute Water Pack and Monthly Facial Treatments

Although Yoshinaga prefers uncomplicated daily skincare, she occasionally devotes extra time to her skin depending on its condition.

In her 2023 interview, she described using a water-based facial pack for approximately ten minutes and visiting an aesthetic salon about once a month.

Rather than following an identical routine regardless of the circumstances, she considers how her skin feels and adapts her care accordingly.

She also pays attention to the environment inside her home, including maintaining comfortable humidity levels when the air becomes dry.

From cleansing and moisturizing to creating a pleasant indoor environment, Yoshinaga incorporates small acts of skincare into her everyday life.

2. Sayuri Yoshinaga's Skincare Products: Goto Camellia and Her Approach to Moisturizing

How a Visit to the Goto Islands Led to Her First Skincare Commercial in 36 Years

An important part of Yoshinaga's beauty story begins on the Goto Islands, a group of islands in Nagasaki Prefecture in southwestern Japan.

Around 2011, she visited the islands with colleagues to explore their historic churches. During the trip, she encountered beautiful natural scenery, welcoming local people, and camellia flowers growing across the islands.

Although she had previously been particularly fond of cherry blossoms, she was deeply attracted to the camellias, which bloom with remarkable elegance during the colder months.

Another memorable experience occurred at the harbor, where she witnessed families saying goodbye to young people leaving their island homes.

The encounter inspired her to think about how local industries, including products made from camellias, might contribute to employment and everyday life on the islands.

In February 2020, she became a supporter of the Goto Camellia Project. Then, in 2023, she appeared in a skincare commercial for the first time in 36 years.

For Yoshinaga, the project represented more than an opportunity to introduce beauty products. It was also a way to express her affection for the islands and support the communities she had come to admire.

Camellia Yeast Soap, Camellia Leaf Lotion, and Camellia Yeast Oil

In an official interview for the Japanese skincare brand Goto no Tsubaki, Yoshinaga discussed her personal experiences using several of its products.

She described enjoying the lather of the camellia yeast soap, along with its fragrance and the feeling of her skin after washing.

After spending many hours wearing makeup on a film set, washing her face at home can feel like a meaningful transition from the working day to her private life.

She also spoke positively about the sensation of applying camellia leaf moisturizing lotion to her skin.

When using camellia yeast oil, she prefers a small quantity, adjusting the amount according to her skin's condition.

She has also mentioned occasionally using a small amount of petroleum jelly or a similar product as part of her everyday skincare.

For a 2023 BiST interview, Yoshinaga appeared in a red dress inspired by the camellia flower. She also wore heels approximately ten centimeters high, something she said she had not done for quite some time.

Her choice of clothing reflected the personal meaning of the project and her affection for the flowers.

These product descriptions refer to Yoshinaga's experiences at the time of the interviews. Her current product choices may have changed, and the products discussed here should be understood as part of her personal story rather than general recommendations.

3. Sayuri Yoshinaga's Swimming Routine: A Lifelong Passion for Movement and Relaxation

From Struggling with Swimming at School to 2,000 Metres Twice a Week

Swimming is one of the most recognizable features of Yoshinaga's healthy lifestyle.

Interestingly, swimming was not something she excelled at during her school years. It was only as an adult that she began learning the sport seriously.

In a 2007 interview, she was described as having trained with a female former Olympic swimmer for approximately fifteen years. Other interviews have referred to her taking up swimming around her forties.

What remains consistent across these accounts is that she has enjoyed swimming for many years, often learning under professional guidance.

During her earlier years of training, she attended swimming classes and sometimes enjoyed competing against the clock.

In 2007, she was reported to swim approximately two kilometres per session, twice a week.

In a 2021 interview, she again spoke about swimming around 2,000 metres twice weekly.

Despite the demanding schedule of a film actress, Yoshinaga continued making time for an activity that had become a meaningful part of her life.

Swimming in Cold Seawater for the Film Kabei: Our Mother

Her swimming experience also became valuable in her acting career.

For the 2008 film Kabei: Our Mother, directed by Yoji Yamada, Yoshinaga performed a scene in which her character enters the sea to rescue someone in distress.

According to reporting from May 2007, the sequence was filmed on Amami Oshima, an island in southern Japan.

Wearing a dress, she entered the cold sea and swam approximately twenty metres using a head-up front crawl, keeping her face above the surface.

She entered the water several times, including rehearsals, to complete the sequence.

Swimming while wearing ordinary clothing is a very different experience from swimming in a pool. The scene required her to draw on both her training and her determination as an actress.

For someone who had once struggled with swimming at school, performing such a scene years later was a remarkable personal milestone.

From Racing the Clock to Enjoying Swimming at Her Own Pace

Yoshinaga's relationship with swimming has gradually evolved.

In her 2023 BiST interview, she explained that she now preferred to swim comfortably at her own pace rather than concentrate on achieving faster times.

In 2024, she again described swimming as a relaxing activity, something she enjoyed for her own well-being rather than as a competitive pursuit.

During a radio appearance in November 2025, she continued to describe swimming as a cherished personal activity that helped her unwind.

After decades of enjoying the water, she has found a way to keep swimming meaningful by changing her goals to suit the stage of life she is in.

4. Sayuri Yoshinaga's Strength Training: Squats, Fitness, and Posture

How the Film Sakura Guardian in the North Inspired Her Training

Yoshinaga's decision to take strength training more seriously was influenced by her work as an actress.

While filming Sakura Guardian in the North (Kita no Sakuramori), released in 2018, she had to pull a sled loaded with heavy belongings through the snow.

The demanding scene made her more aware of the physical challenges involved in her work.

Wanting to prepare herself for future roles, she began working with a professional trainer.

In a 2017 interview, she spoke about doing strength exercises using a barbell as part of her preparation for the film.

She continued discussing her workouts in interviews from 2021 onward. By 2023, she was enjoying a personalized training program designed by her coach and taking pleasure in her gradual progress.

She has even compared her anticipation before going to the gym to the excitement a child feels before a school excursion.

Rather than viewing exercise simply as an obligation, Yoshinaga finds satisfaction in learning new movements and discovering what her body can do.

Sixty Squats at Age 79, Completed in Three Sets of Twenty

In an official interview published by Mitsui Fudosan Residential in July 2024, Yoshinaga revealed details of her exercise routine.

At the time, she was performing sixty squats, divided into three sets of twenty with rests between sets.

One of her principal motivations was maintaining the physical strength and mobility she valued as she grew older.

She spoke about the importance of her leg muscles and her desire to maintain stability while walking and moving.

At another event that year, she described visiting the gym once a week and performing abdominal exercises alongside squats.

In November 2025, she also shared details of her Sundays when she had no acting commitments.

She would spend a little over an hour strength training, followed by a massage before returning home.

She particularly enjoyed the view of the sky and mountains through the training room windows.

Her approach combines professional guidance with genuine enjoyment of her surroundings and daily activities.

The number of squats mentioned here reflects her personal training routine in 2024. Exercise programs and repetitions are best adapted to an individual's physical condition and circumstances.

Stretching and Her Preference for Firm Chairs

Even during busy periods of filming, Yoshinaga makes an effort to incorporate movement into her daily routine.

In 2023, she spoke about stretching before going to bed. When time allows, she may also add squats or abdominal exercises.

She has developed particular preferences about how she sits.

Approximately forty years ago, she experienced lower-back discomfort after sitting for an extended period in a soft chair during promotional work for a film.

Since then, she has preferred firmer chairs. While waiting on set, she sometimes chooses to stand so that she can move easily when needed.

These small details show how her awareness of physical comfort extends beyond formal exercise sessions and into everyday working life.

5. Sayuri Yoshinaga's Diet: Breakfast, Filming-Day Meals, and Favorite Foods

A Breakfast of Croissants, Eggs, Salad, Apples, and Yogurt

Yoshinaga has occasionally provided surprisingly detailed descriptions of her breakfast.

In a 2017 interview, she explained that she enjoyed croissants and often ate them in the morning.

Sometimes she filled a croissant with ham, cheese, and egg, pairing it with coffee, vegetable salad, an apple, and yogurt.

Her comments reveal the importance she places on having breakfast before beginning a busy day of work.

During an appearance on the Japanese television talk show Tetsuko's Room in 2023, Yoshinaga also described how her husband, Taro Okada, prepared breakfast for her each morning.

He often made Western-style breakfasts, including scrambled eggs, and prepared her coffee as well.

These everyday moments offer a warm glimpse into the home life that supported her demanding career.

Adjusting Meals to Suit Her Filming Schedule

During film productions, Yoshinaga has adapted her eating schedule and portion sizes to suit her working day.

In a 2017 interview, she mentioned eating a substantial breakfast and sometimes having only a little rice ball or sandwich for lunch.

At an event in October 2023, she again explained that she preferred to eat properly at breakfast and dinner while keeping lunch relatively light during filming.

On some days, lunch might consist of a small portion of bread or a single onigiri, the Japanese rice ball.

She explained that eating a large lunch could make her feel less agile during filming, so she adjusted her meals according to her personal experience.

For dinner, she paid attention to including vegetables and foods containing protein.

In her 2023 BiST interview, she also described eating foods such as garlic, rakkyo (Japanese pickled scallions), onions, and eel more frequently during the preceding three years.

Her choices demonstrate a flexible approach to food, allowing her to enjoy meals while considering how she feels and what her work requires.

These are Yoshinaga's personal eating habits, adapted to her own schedule and physical needs, rather than dietary instructions for others.

6. Sayuri Yoshinaga's Sleep and Relaxation: A Surprising Love of Late Nights

Listening to Music Late into the Night on Days Off

Although Yoshinaga often appears composed and disciplined at film premieres and public events, she has revealed a rather relaxed side to her private lifestyle.

In a 2023 interview, she described herself as someone who enjoys staying up late and sleeping in.

When she has filming or another professional commitment the following morning, she adjusts her bedtime accordingly.

On a free evening, however, she may stay awake beyond 1 a.m., listening to music and enjoying the quiet hours.

She also likes spending time relaxing in bed after waking up in the morning.

For Yoshinaga, rest includes making room for the activities and moments she personally enjoys, while adapting her schedule to her professional responsibilities.

Enjoying Movement and Remaining Curious About New Hobbies

When asked about the popularity of saunas in 2023, Yoshinaga explained that she personally preferred moving her body and working up a sweat through exercise.

From skiing and mountain climbing in her younger years to swimming and strength training later in life, physical activity has remained an important source of enjoyment.

She is also curious about quieter creative pursuits.

In a 2024 official interview, she mentioned an interest in writing tanka, a traditional form of Japanese poetry consisting of five lines with a 5-7-5-7-7 syllabic pattern.

Her mother had written tanka poetry when she was younger, and Yoshinaga's younger sister had also begun practicing it.

Inspired by them, Yoshinaga expressed a desire to try composing poems herself.

She has also shown interest in the slow, flowing movements of tai chi, describing it as something she would like to explore.

Her curiosity about both physical and creative activities is an appealing part of her approach to growing older.

7. Mountaineering, Skiing, and Sports: Sayuri Yoshinaga's Active Hobbies

Taking Overnight Buses to Ski Resorts in Her Twenties

Yoshinaga has enjoyed an active lifestyle since she was young, making time for skiing and mountaineering alongside her acting career.

In her twenties, she sometimes finished work on a film set and immediately boarded an overnight bus bound for a ski resort.

After enjoying time in the mountains, she would return to her filming commitments the following day.

Even during an exceptionally busy period of her career, she was eager to find opportunities to enjoy snow-covered mountains and the outdoors.

During a television appearance in 2019, she humorously recalled falling several times while skiing and injuring her face.

These stories reveal the adventurous and energetic personality behind her elegant screen image.

Her Love of Rugby and an Unexpected Connection to New Zealand

Yoshinaga is also an enthusiastic rugby fan.

At an event in October 2023, she revealed that her uncle had worked as a rugby referee and had even officiated a match during a visit to Japan by New Zealand's national rugby team, the All Blacks.

When she was a student, she found the physical collisions in rugby difficult to understand.

As she grew older, however, she came to appreciate the sportsmanship shown by players who recognize one another's efforts after a match.

She has also shared an amusing story about attending a rugby match with the Japanese entertainer Tamori. Her enthusiastic and sometimes loud cheering reportedly surprised him.

Her uncle's experience refereeing a match involving the All Blacks provides an interesting family connection to New Zealand, a country with a particularly rich rugby tradition.

Supporting the Seibu Lions and Traveling to Baseball Games by Train

Rugby is only one of Yoshinaga's sporting interests. She is also a passionate baseball supporter.

Yoshinaga is known as a fan of the Saitama Seibu Lions, a professional baseball team in Japan.

During a radio appearance in November 2025, she discussed her affection for the club and her interest in its players.

She also spoke about supporting Yusei Kikuchi, a pitcher who previously played for the Lions before continuing his career in Major League Baseball.

In the past, Yoshinaga even traveled by train to watch games at the team's home stadium, Belluna Dome.

The image of one of Japan's most celebrated actresses taking public transport to enjoy a baseball game is a charming example of her unpretentious personality.

8. Sayuri Yoshinaga's Philosophy of Life: Family, Acting, and Embracing New Challenges

Her Long Marriage to Taro Okada

Yoshinaga married television director and producer Taro Okada in 1973.

Because Okada had worked in the television industry, he understood many of the challenges associated with her profession and supported her acting career throughout their marriage.

After retiring, he took on household responsibilities, including cooking.

He also visited cinemas to watch Yoshinaga's films and would share his impressions and advice afterward.

In 2023, the couple celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary by visiting a restaurant together, raising a toast, and reflecting on their years of shared memories.

Okada passed away in September 2024 at the age of 94.

During a December 2025 appearance on Tetsuko's Room, Yoshinaga reflected on the period when she was balancing film production with caring for her husband.

She also expressed her gratitude for the many years he had supported her.

Their long partnership was an important part of her personal life and provided support throughout her extensive acting career.

Building an Extraordinary Acting Career from Childhood

Yoshinaga's career in entertainment began with radio drama appearances during elementary school.

She made her film debut in 1959 with Asa o Yobu Kuchibue and joined the Japanese film studio Nikkatsu after graduating from junior high school.

During the 1960s, she appeared in a remarkable number of films.

At one point in her early career, she was working on as many as sixteen films in a single year, sometimes taking short naps in dressing rooms between demanding shooting schedules.

In interviews, she has also reflected on financial difficulties experienced by her family during her childhood after her father's business encountered problems.

These experiences formed part of the background to a career that would make her one of the most admired actresses in Japanese cinema.

Her performance in the 1962 film Foundry Town (Kyupora no Aru Machi) brought her major recognition.

She continued to explore diverse roles in films such as The Makioka Sisters (Sasameyuki), Kita no Zeronen, Kabei: Our Mother, A Chorus of Angels (Kita no Kanaria-tachi), and Mom, Is That You?!.

Her work extends beyond acting.

Since 1986, Yoshinaga has participated in readings of poetry about the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

After the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011, she also took part in activities that gave voice to poems written by children in disaster-affected communities.

Whether portraying characters on screen or reading the words of others aloud, she has continued to place great importance on communicating people's experiences and emotions.

Getting Her Ears Pierced for the First Time Around Age 80

In the 2025 film Teppen no Mukou ni Anata ga Iru (Beyond the Summit), Yoshinaga portrayed a character inspired by Junko Tabei, the pioneering Japanese mountaineer who became the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest.

Yoshinaga had met Tabei during an interview on her radio program in 2012 and was deeply impressed by the mountaineer's optimistic and energetic personality.

When preparing for the film, she wanted to capture something of Tabei's spirit and appearance.

As part of that preparation, Yoshinaga decided to have her ears pierced for the first time.

She also wore earrings that had belonged to Tabei and were entrusted to her by Tabei's family.

After the piercing, she was advised to avoid swimming for approximately one month.

For someone who had enjoyed swimming for so many years, temporarily staying away from the pool was a significant personal adjustment.

Nevertheless, she embraced the experience as part of her commitment to the role.

In November 2025, Yoshinaga also spoke about one of her continuing ambitions as an actress: to convey a character's feelings through subtle physical expression, much like the legendary Japanese actor Chishu Ryu, whose performances could communicate powerful emotion even through the way he stood or turned his back to the camera.

Despite her extraordinary accomplishments, Yoshinaga continues to look for ways to deepen her craft.

In a 2024 interview, she also expressed the importance she places on living fully in the present rather than becoming overly absorbed in the past.

Her willingness to take on new roles and challenges reflects that philosophy throughout her long career.

Conclusion: Finding Joy in Beauty, Wellness, and Growing Older

Sayuri Yoshinaga's beauty and wellness habits reveal a consistent theme: discovering what suits her personally and continuing to enjoy it over the years.

Her skincare routine emphasizes gentle cleansing, moisturizing lotion, and a small amount of oil, reflecting her preference for uncomplicated and attentive care.

Swimming evolved from an activity involving distances and times into an opportunity to relax and move comfortably at her own pace.

Strength training, meanwhile, became another enjoyable part of her life, supported by professional instruction and adapted to her changing needs.

She approaches meals according to her filming schedule and personal comfort, while also making room for music, sports, friendships, and other activities she genuinely loves.

Perhaps most inspiring is her continued willingness to embrace new experiences, from preparing for challenging film roles to setting fresh artistic goals well into her eighties.

Yoshinaga's appeal cannot be explained by any single beauty practice or fitness routine. Her warmth, curiosity, dedication to acting, and appreciation for the people around her are equally important parts of the life she has built.

Her story offers an engaging portrait of a woman who continues to approach each stage of life with grace, enthusiasm, and an open mind.