釈由美子の美容法・健康習慣|スキンケア・愛用コスメ・食生活・ダイエット・登山・温泉

Yumiko Shaku's Beauty & Wellness | Skincare, Diet, Hiking & Onsen

OBARASOTARO

Japanese actress Yumiko Shaku is known for her starring roles in the television dramas Sky High and Seven Female Lawyers, as well as her performances in films such as Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla and Princess Blade. From her early popularity as a gravure model in her twenties to becoming an action actress, a leading television star, and a mother, she has experienced many different chapters in her life.

Shaku has long attracted attention for her beautiful figure and graceful appearance. Yet a closer look at her beauty and wellness habits reveals much more than her glamorous public image. Behind her success are years of dedication, personal struggles, and an increasingly relaxed attitude toward beauty and ageing.

When she was younger, Shaku pursued her ideal figure through strict dietary rules and demanding workouts. As she approached her thirties, she began cooking meals based on brown rice and vegetables and developed an interest in traditional Japanese martial arts and Pilates. After marriage and motherhood, her priorities gradually shifted toward maintaining the energy to enjoy time with her son and finding opportunities to care for herself.

In 2024, she declared that she was leaving dieting behind. Today, she enjoys skincare products she has used for years, including serums and creams, along with facial masks after bathing, while choosing a lifestyle that feels comfortable and fulfilling.

She also has a surprisingly adventurous side. During serious mountain hikes, she leaves her makeup kit at home and often spends time in the mountains almost completely makeup-free. Her love of nature has become such an important part of her life that, in 2026, she revealed that her family had begun dividing their time between the city and a traditional countryside house surrounded by mountains.

Born on June 12, 1978, in Tokyo, Yumiko Shaku made her entertainment debut in 1997 and first gained attention through modelling and variety television. In 2001, she took on demanding action scenes in the film Princess Blade. The following year, she played the central character Akane Yashiro in Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla. In 2003, she became widely recognised for portraying Izuko in the television drama Sky High, a character remembered for the catchphrase "Oikinasai." She later starred in the Seven Female Lawyers drama series beginning in 2006.

In her personal life, Shaku married a businessman on October 10, 2015. She gave birth to their son on June 12, 2016, which also happened to be her 38th birthday. In 2026, she turned 48 while her son celebrated his tenth birthday on the very same day.

Shaku has published several books about beauty, holds a rank in traditional Japanese martial arts, and is a qualified onsen sommelier. Drawing on her interviews and public statements, this article explores her skincare routine, eating habits, fitness philosophy, bathing rituals, mountain adventures, relationships, and the personal experiences that have shaped her approach to beauty and wellbeing.

1. Yumiko Shaku's Beauty Philosophy: From Strict Weight Control to Feeling Comfortable in Her Own Skin

To understand Yumiko Shaku's approach to beauty, it helps to begin with how her thinking has changed over the years.

Although she became popular through modelling, television appearances, and major acting roles, Shaku has spoken openly about the insecurities she experienced when she was younger.

As a child, she strongly wanted recognition and praise from her strict father. Even after entering the entertainment industry, she often found herself working hard to meet other people's expectations.

By her late twenties, she was appearing in advertisements related to dieting and beauty treatments. Her public image increasingly became associated with an attractive figure and carefully maintained appearance.

However, there was a considerable difference between how she appeared to others and how she felt about herself.

In a 2014 interview with GQ JAPAN, she recalled following severe food restrictions before photo shoots or interviews, only to eat large quantities of sweets afterwards.

She also dedicated herself intensely to exercise and sometimes pushed her body harder than was comfortable.

In a 2024 interview with BiST, she reflected on her twenties and thirties and explained that her tendency to push herself too hard had sometimes affected her wellbeing.

Behind her polished public image, she was working through her own insecurities and learning what it meant to feel comfortable with herself.

Changing Her Eating Habits and Publishing Her First Beauty Book

An important turning point came shortly before Shaku turned thirty.

She began reconsidering her eating habits and started preparing meals featuring brown rice and vegetables.

In 2009, she published her first beauty book, Shaku Beauty!. Alongside the beauty techniques she had practised, the book discussed her insecurities about her body and the different dieting approaches she had tried.

It also introduced stretching routines for different times of day, full-body care after bathing, and ideas related to everyday meals.

Rather than simply presenting beauty tips, Shaku wanted to share the experiences she had accumulated through her own struggles and discoveries.

In 2013, she published another beauty and lifestyle book, Shaku Body, featuring her eating habits, exercises, and interest in traditional Japanese martial arts.

During a 2014 interview, she explained that learning to cook for herself had changed how she thought about both eating and physical activity.

Those changes also influenced her approach to relationships and work. Having spent many years worrying about others' expectations, she gradually became more interested in making choices that would bring her happiness on her own terms.

Her thirties were not without challenges. She faced questions about her acting career and how to balance professional ambitions with the possibility of marriage.

Through these experiences, she continued to reassess what mattered most to her.

Why She Decided to Stop Dieting in Her Late Forties

In a 2024 interview with BiST, Shaku revealed that she had decided to leave dieting behind.

At 46, she explained that she was no longer following the restrictive diets or demanding gym routines that had once been part of her life. Instead, she paid more attention to how her body felt.

Her appetite and food preferences had also changed naturally with age. For example, she found herself less interested in rich, fatty meals than before.

Her enthusiasm for beauty, however, remained strong. She continued to enjoy the serums and creams she had used for years while exploring new skincare products.

Beauty, which had once been closely tied to seeking approval from others, had become something she could enjoy for herself.

Marriage, motherhood, and the passage of time helped her recognise different priorities.

On her 48th birthday in June 2026, she shared a heartfelt wish to remain healthy and energetic until her son reaches adulthood.

Her desire to keep creating happy memories with her family captures the philosophy that now guides her approach to beauty and wellness.

Yumiko Shaku Trivia 1: She Once Dreamed of Working in Advertising

Before entering show business, Shaku was interested in creating advertisements and television commercials. She has said that she enjoyed collecting memorable advertising slogans and writing down phrases that caught her attention. Her curiosity about creative expression began well before she became an actress.

2. Skincare, Moisturising and Facial Masks: Favourite Products and Makeup-Free Days in the Mountains

Although Shaku has published several beauty books, motherhood brought a period when she had little time to devote to her own skincare.

In a 2024 interview with STORY, she recalled being so occupied with caring for her son that even taking time to apply facial lotion carefully could be difficult.

She also loved spending time outdoors, especially hiking, and admitted that she had not always been as attentive to sun protection as she would have liked.

As her son grew older, Shaku gradually regained time for herself. Becoming more aware of changes in her skin also encouraged her to enjoy skincare again.

Facial Masks, Serums, Creams and Everyday Skincare

One of the skincare rituals Shaku has discussed is using a facial mask after taking a bath.

In her 2024 BiST interview, she mentioned using a facial mask from FEMMUE.

Taking a few moments for a face mask after bathing has become an opportunity to focus on herself amid a busy schedule.

She also spoke about her long-standing preference for Obagi serums and creams, which have been familiar products in her routine for many years.

At the same time, Shaku remains curious about newer skincare options. She has mentioned liking the feel of products from TOUT VERT and using an ELIXIR wrinkle-care cream as part of her targeted skincare routine.

Her approach combines familiar favourites with an openness to trying something new.

She has also developed an interest in the towels she uses after washing her face.

After seeing an influencer introduce ITO facial towels, she decided to try them and discovered that she liked the way they felt.

She also shared a relatable first impression: she initially wondered how they were different from ordinary kitchen paper towels.

Even after years of writing and speaking about beauty, Shaku still enjoys discovering products and making up her own mind about them.

These are products she personally discussed during interviews at the time. They provide insight into her skincare preferences rather than serving as endorsements of any particular retailer or product collection.

Why She Stopped Taking Makeup Into the Mountains

One of the most interesting examples of Shaku's relationship with beauty comes from her hiking experiences.

In a 2021 interview with BRAVO MOUNTAIN, she explained that she spends her time in the mountains almost entirely without makeup.

When she first began hiking seriously, she used to carry a complete makeup kit because she was conscious of her appearance as an actress.

As she gained experience, however, she realised how important it was to reduce the weight of her pack.

Eventually, she stopped bringing the makeup kit and began embracing a simpler approach to life on the mountain.

At mountain huts, hikers may sleep beside people they have never met. There can also be days without an opportunity to bathe. Shaku has come to appreciate these experiences as part of mountain life.

In her acting career, clothing, hairstyling, and makeup help her transform into different characters. In the mountains, by contrast, she can enjoy being herself without those preparations.

Her love of skincare at home and her relaxed, makeup-free appearance while hiking may seem like opposites, but both reflect her willingness to adapt to the situation and enjoy it.

In August 2026, she also shared photographs of herself doing garden maintenance at a countryside house. She wore work clothes and boots from Workman, covering her skin carefully while working outdoors.

It was another glimpse of the practical choices she makes when spending time in nature.

Yumiko Shaku Trivia 2: A Memorable Suntan in the Canadian Wilderness

Shaku once wrote on her official blog about visiting the Canadian Rockies and Dinosaur Provincial Park. Despite applying sunscreen, she returned from the trip with noticeably tanned skin. It is a lighthearted reminder of just how much she enjoys exploring the outdoors.

3. Food, Hydration and Staying Warm: Brown Rice, Vegetables, Nuts and Sparkling Water

Shaku's relationship with food has changed considerably between her twenties and forties.

During her younger years, she sometimes followed strict dietary rules in an effort to maintain her figure. As she approached thirty, she became increasingly interested in selecting ingredients and preparing meals for herself.

In a 2009 interview, she discussed eating brown rice and mixed-grain rice and preparing vegetable-based Japanese dishes, including simmered vegetables and pork-and-vegetable miso soup.

She also enjoyed incorporating seasonal ingredients and frequently cooked Japanese-style meals at home.

During her 2014 GQ JAPAN interview, she again described her preference for organic ingredients, brown rice, and vegetables.

Learning to enjoy the process of preparing food became an important change in her everyday life.

Nut-Topped Salads and Strong Sparkling Water

In 2024, Shaku discussed some of the foods and drinks she was enjoying at home.

One favourite was a nut-based product from natur source that she had discovered in Canada.

She liked adding it to salads because its pleasantly salty flavour complemented vegetables.

The combination of different flavours and textures made everyday salads more enjoyable for her.

She also mentioned a preference for NABEGHLAVI sparkling mineral water.

According to Shaku, she particularly enjoys its strong carbonation.

Rather than choosing foods and drinks only according to rigid rules, she now enjoys finding flavours that appeal to her.

In 2024, she also noted that her appetite had naturally changed with age and that she was less drawn to rich or fatty dishes than she used to be.

Her eating habits have evolved alongside her changing preferences and lifestyle.

Ginger, Root Vegetables and Her Earlier Warming Habits

Shaku has also spoken about paying attention to warmth through her everyday clothing and meals.

In a 2018 interview with Josei Seven, she said that she was incorporating root vegetables and ginger into her cooking.

At the time, she also wore a belly warmer in summer and sometimes layered socks.

Her interest in wearing a belly warmer had attracted attention even earlier, during the period when she was regularly practising martial arts and Pilates.

These details illustrate the small adjustments she made to her clothing and daily routines according to her preferences.

They describe habits she followed at the time of those interviews and should not necessarily be interpreted as her current routine.

Her enjoyment of food also extends to travel. During a visit to the Ise-Shima region in 2026, she spoke about enjoying local seafood, including spiny lobster and the adductor muscle of pearl oysters.

Whether cooking at home or enjoying regional specialities, Shaku appreciates food as part of the experience of everyday life and travel.

Yumiko Shaku Trivia 3: Her 2014 Morning Routine

A 2014 GQ JAPAN interview described Shaku going to bed before midnight, eating an organic breakfast, and practising traditional Japanese martial arts in the morning. Although this does not establish her present-day sleeping schedule, it offers a fascinating glimpse into the structured lifestyle she followed at the time.

4. Exercise, Core Training and Hiking: Finding Joy in Movement and Nature

Throughout her life, Shaku has explored various forms of movement, including traditional martial arts, Pilates, yoga, core training, and mountain hiking.

Earlier in her career, exercise was closely connected with her work and maintaining her figure. After becoming a mother, staying active took on another meaning: she wanted the strength and energy to enjoy life with her son.

Personal Training and Breathing Exercises After Childbirth

In 2018, when her son was two years old, Shaku was attending personal training sessions approximately once a week.

After noticing physical changes following childbirth, she began learning exercises from a trainer and recorded the movements on video so she could practise them at home.

Her routine at the time included exercises involving lifting her bent legs and bringing her knees toward her abdomen while paying attention to her core muscles.

She also sometimes incorporated playtime with her son into her movements, letting him sit on her abdomen while she exercised.

Instead of separating family time and exercise completely, she found ways to enjoy both.

Shaku explained that being able to play energetically with her child and enjoy family outings, including trips to the seaside, motivated her to stay active.

In the same interview, she introduced a breathing routine she practised during household tasks.

It involved slowly breathing out, briefly pausing her breath, and inhaling through her nose. She sometimes practised it while washing dishes.

These activities show how she found small opportunities to pay attention to movement while managing work and motherhood.

They are descriptions of her personal routine in 2018. Breathing exercises that involve holding one's breath may not be suitable for everyone and are presented here as part of her experience rather than as general medical guidance.

By 2024, Shaku was candid about having less time for exercise.

During an interview with STORY, she laughed about becoming breathless after trying to skip for the first time in a while. She also admitted that ambitions such as regularly practising yoga or exercising did not always become lasting habits.

Like many people balancing different responsibilities, she has adjusted her relationship with exercise as her circumstances have changed.

Hiking Even on Her Days Off: Yatsugatake, Mount Okuhotaka and Tateyama

Among all her activities, mountain hiking has remained one of Shaku's greatest passions.

As a child, she regularly accompanied her father, who had belonged to a mountaineering club, on climbs including Mount Fuji and Tateyama.

At the time, she often found hiking exhausting and sometimes wished the family could go to an amusement park instead.

Her interest in mountains was rekindled in 2013 when she became a presenter on the NHK programme Jissen! Nippon Hyakumeizan, which introduced Japan's famous mountains.

Learning about different mountains through the programme inspired her to explore them on foot again.

She eventually began tackling more demanding routes, including hikes in the Northern Japanese Alps, the Yatsugatake range, and snowy mountain environments.

In her 2021 BRAVO MOUNTAIN interview, she said that she sometimes heads for the mountains whenever a single free day appears in her filming schedule.

Among her favourite places are Yatsugatake, Mount Okuhotaka, and Tateyama.

In the northern part of Yatsugatake, she is especially drawn to the atmosphere of moss-covered forests.

At Mount Okuhotaka, she admires the magnificent mountain scenery seen from the Karasawa area.

Tateyama holds particularly personal memories because she walked there with her father as a child. Returning with her own son years later brought back powerful feelings of nostalgia.

Some mountains appeal to her through their natural beauty, while others carry memories of important people in her life.

Alpine flowers, wild rock ptarmigans, sunrises, and panoramic views from mountain ridges are also among the experiences that make hiking special to her.

Enjoying Accessible Trails and Hiking as a Family

Although Shaku enjoys challenging hikes, she encourages beginners to start with mountains suitable for day trips and their personal fitness levels.

She has mentioned Mount Takao, Mount Kintoki, and Mount Mitake as possible places for people in the Tokyo area to begin discovering mountain walking.

For her, the appeal of hiking is about much more than reaching a summit.

Walking through forests, admiring seasonal scenery, and noticing small changes in nature can be rewarding in themselves.

She has also enjoyed walking through the forest at Hakuba Iwatake with her son, choosing places where the family can appreciate the outdoors together.

Another part of her hiking routine is staying at accommodation near the mountain before starting an ascent the following morning.

Meals at mountain huts and local inns, as well as conversations with people she meets along the way, are part of the experience.

For Shaku, hiking is not simply about physical activity. It is a way of enjoying an entire journey.

Yumiko Shaku Trivia 4: Mount Fuji Was Part of Her School Trip

Having spent much of her childhood hiking with her father, Shaku was already an experienced walker by the time she went on a school trip to Mount Fuji. She has recalled walking faster than many of her classmates, discovering that the mountain experiences she had sometimes found difficult as a child had given her valuable confidence.

5. Family, Marriage and Motherhood: How Mountains Connected Three Generations

Some of the most moving stories in Shaku's life involve relationships shaped by time spent in the mountains.

Mountaineering helped her reconnect with her father, influenced how she viewed the man she would marry, and later became a treasured activity to share with her son.

Reconnecting With Her Father Through Mountain Hiking

Shaku grew up as the second of four sisters.

Her father was a passionate mountaineer who often took the family hiking, including trips to Mount Fuji and Tateyama.

He was also a strict parent and initially opposed her decision to enter the entertainment industry.

As she grew older, differences between them sometimes created emotional distance. Family difficulties, including challenges involving her father's work, also contributed to a complicated period in their relationship.

An important change came when Shaku began presenting an NHK programme about mountains.

Her father was delighted that his daughter had become involved in something he loved so deeply.

He began sharing his knowledge of mountain routes, changing weather conditions, and the pleasures of the natural world.

They climbed Mount Kisokoma together and even stayed overnight at a mountain hut.

On the mountain, her father became an experienced guide whom she could admire and rely upon.

Walking together for hours created opportunities for them to reconnect in a different setting from everyday family life.

Her father died in 2015 at the age of 66, but Shaku has continued to speak about how grateful she feels for the mountain experiences they shared during his later years.

An activity she had once found difficult as a child became a way to rediscover respect, gratitude, and closeness with her father.

Yumiko Shaku Trivia 5: Mistaken for a Married Couple at a Mountain Hut

While staying at a mountain hut on Mount Kisokoma, Shaku and her father were reportedly mistaken for a married couple. She was surprised, but recalled that her father seemed a little embarrassed and quietly pleased. It remains one of her affectionate memories of their time hiking together.

The Seven-to-Eight-Hour Hike That Helped Her Decide to Marry

In 2015, following the death of her father, Shaku met the businessman who would become her husband.

They were introduced through an acquaintance and married on October 10, 2015, after approximately six months together.

One of the experiences that helped her consider their future was a hike through the Oze region.

Her future husband had little hiking experience and was generally more comfortable with indoor activities.

Shaku suggested walking together because she believed a long hike could reveal how someone behaves when tired and facing a challenge.

They spent approximately seven to eight hours walking.

Even when tired, he continued to enjoy the natural scenery and showed concern about the weight of the things Shaku was carrying.

His thoughtfulness left a strong impression on her, helping her imagine building a life together.

It is a particularly meaningful story because mountain hiking had already played such an important role in reconnecting her with her father.

After they married, Shaku discovered that her husband actually preferred the sea to the mountains.

The family now enjoys seaside trips as well, embracing their different interests and finding activities they can share.

Climbing Mount Fuji With Her Six-Year-Old Son

Shaku gave birth to her son on June 12, 2016, her own 38th birthday.

Since then, mother and son have shared the same birthday each year.

In 2022, when her son was six and in his final year of kindergarten, they took on Mount Fuji together as a family.

Shaku herself had first attempted Mount Fuji with her father at the age of six.

During that climb, she experienced altitude sickness near the eighth station and had to turn back.

She returned the following year, reached the summit, and gained a sense of confidence from achieving what she had previously been unable to do.

Her son reached the summit on his first attempt at the age of six.

According to Shaku, he kept walking on his own and did not ask to be carried.

She was deeply impressed by his determination and happily recalled his accomplishment.

Afterwards, he developed a growing interest in hiking and enjoyed acquiring his own boots, backpack, and other equipment.

The love of mountains that Shaku inherited from her father is now becoming part of her son's childhood too.

Their experiences on Mount Fuji are a beautiful example of how a shared passion can connect three generations.

6. Bathing, Hot Springs and Relaxation: The Rituals of an Onsen Enthusiast

Alongside hiking, hot springs have long been one of Shaku's favourite interests.

She holds an onsen sommelier qualification and appeared on television in 2026 as an onsen sommelier ambassador.

Her enthusiasm for bathing can be seen both in her travels and in the rituals she enjoys at home.

Epsom Salts and Netflix During Bath Time

In her 2024 BiST interview, Shaku talked about adding Epsom salts to her bath.

She described enjoying the sensation of perspiring while soaking in warm water.

She also sometimes watches Netflix on a waterproof monitor, turning bath time into a quiet opportunity to enjoy a favourite film or television series.

When her son was younger, finding uninterrupted time for a bath could be difficult.

As he grew older, she gradually regained the opportunity to spend time relaxing on her own.

Watching something she enjoys while taking a bath has become one of the small pleasures of her everyday life.

Bringing Her Own Bath Bucket on Hot Spring Trips

In June 2026, Shaku appeared on a television programme about visiting hot springs and revealed an unusually thorough approach to preparing for a visit.

She brings not only her own towel but also a personal bathing bucket.

She uses the bucket to carry items such as shampoo and keeps it in her car so it is ready whenever she visits a hot spring.

Her fellow television personalities Kayoko Okubo and Emiko Kawamura were surprised by how seriously she took her bathing equipment.

For Shaku, visiting a hot spring is also an opportunity to enjoy local scenery, regional food, and the atmosphere of an inn.

She sometimes stays at accommodation near a mountain before hiking the next morning and then relaxes in a hot spring after descending.

Returning to a familiar inn can feel almost like coming home, she has explained.

Mountain adventures and hot spring visits are therefore closely connected parts of her favourite style of travel.

In a 2023 interview, she also discussed her longstanding love of driving, which began in her twenties.

She often travels by car to mountains and hot springs, enjoying the journey as well as the destination.

Yumiko Shaku Trivia 6: An Unusual Experiment With Hot Spring Water

During a television appearance in February 2026, Shaku described experimenting with water brought back from a hot spring, including using it to make coffee and cook rice. The rice developed a distinctive sulphur-like smell that she did not particularly enjoy. It was a memorable example of her curiosity about hot springs. Hot spring water should only be consumed when the facility specifically confirms that it is suitable for drinking.

7. Parenting, Countryside Living and Emotional Wellbeing: Making Time for Family and Nature

Shaku's lifestyle changed significantly after the birth of her son in 2016.

In a 2024 interview with STORY, she reflected that even during periods when her acting career was going well, she had sometimes felt that something important was missing.

Motherhood brought a new sense of fulfilment through watching her son grow and sharing everyday experiences with him.

Parenting is demanding, and finding time for herself can still be difficult, but she values the experiences they can enjoy together while he is growing up.

Encouraging Her Son to Think and Make His Own Choices

Shaku has spoken about wanting her son to learn how to make decisions for himself.

Rather than always choosing for him, she tries to present different options and allow him to decide.

She discussed this approach during a 2024 interview with BiST.

She and her husband also talk about their son's education and future.

Academic progress matters to them, but Shaku also values social relationships and the ability to communicate personal feelings.

Having grown up strongly wishing for recognition from her own strict father, she now makes a conscious effort to express affection and encouragement to her son.

Her parenting philosophy reflects the lessons she has drawn from her own childhood.

Dividing Family Life Between Tokyo and a Countryside House

In August 2026, Shaku revealed on social media that her family had adopted a lifestyle divided between the city and the countryside.

They spend time at a traditional house in a mountainous area approximately two to three hours by car from central Tokyo.

Shaku explained that her son's upbringing was an important reason for choosing this arrangement.

During the school term, the family visits several times a month, often on weekends. During longer school holidays, they can spend more time enjoying rural life.

Each season offers a different experience.

In spring, they admire flowers. Summer brings river play and insect collecting. Autumn offers colourful leaves and apple picking, while winter is a time for snowball fights and skiing.

Barbecues and nights spent looking at a sky full of stars have also become treasured family memories.

Her son especially enjoys visiting the countryside house. According to Shaku, he runs around energetically and sometimes says that he wants to stay longer when it is time to return to the city.

Shaku wants him to experience nature with all his senses.

The smell of earth, the feeling of river water, the sound of wind, and the calls of birds and insects all offer a different environment from everyday urban life.

While appreciating the convenience of city living, she also wants her son to learn to enjoy an environment where he can use his imagination and make his own discoveries.

Shaku herself takes part in looking after the property, including cutting the grass and spending time in the garden.

In an August 2026 social media post, she described a neighbour kindly giving her salt-replenishment tablets while she was working in the heat. She also shared how local residents had offered freshly harvested vegetables.

These encounters show that countryside life has brought opportunities for connection with the local community as well as with nature.

Just as her father introduced her to the mountains when she was young, Shaku is now creating opportunities for her son to develop his own relationship with the natural world.

Her Wish for Health on Her 48th Birthday

On June 12, 2026, Shaku celebrated her 48th birthday while her son turned ten.

She looked back on the decade since his birth with gratitude and happiness, while acknowledging the bittersweet feeling of watching him gradually become more independent.

She also reflected openly on changes in her own energy and physical condition.

Above all, she expressed a wish to remain healthy until her son reaches the age of twenty and to continue building happy memories together as a family.

After many years devoted to acting, beauty, and physical fitness, the opportunity to share everyday life with the people she loves has become one of her greatest priorities.

Mountain walks, visits to hot springs, and watching her son grow are all part of the life she now values.

Yumiko Shaku Trivia 7: Her Son Attended Summer School in Canada

During the summer of 2026, Shaku's ten-year-old son spent approximately one month attending summer school in Canada. Their happy reunion after his return was also shared publicly. Shaku herself had previously worked on a Canadian film, making their separate experiences of exploring opportunities abroad an interesting family connection.

8. Acting, Friendships and Her Evolving Approach to a Fulfilling Life

Throughout her career, Yumiko Shaku has embraced a wide range of opportunities, from modelling and television dramas to films, theatre, variety shows, and international productions.

In addition to her starring roles in Sky High and Seven Female Lawyers, she has continued challenging herself through action performances and work abroad.

Studying English at 4 a.m. for a Canadian Film

One particularly memorable challenge was her appearance in the Canadian film Lockdown Hotel, known in Japan as Lockdown Hotel: Shi, Rei, Kan, Sen.

When the opportunity arose in 2018, her son was still very young.

With support from her family, Shaku decided to accept the role and began studying English to prepare for filming.

What makes the story remarkable is how she found time to study.

She sometimes began online English lessons around four in the morning, before her son woke up.

Because speaking indoors might disturb him, she occasionally took lessons outside on the balcony.

She also received English coaching as she prepared for the international production.

When she arrived in Montreal, however, she discovered another unexpected challenge: the city is in a predominantly French-speaking part of Canada, and French was being spoken all around her.

Shaku has recalled the surprise of encountering that language environment after preparing so carefully in English.

She also travelled to the Canadian film production without her manager.

She arranged flights and dealt with practical matters herself, gaining experience outside the familiar structure of her work in Japan.

For an actress who had spent many years in the entertainment industry, managing these responsibilities independently became a valuable learning experience.

Her willingness to pursue an unfamiliar challenge while raising a young child illustrates the curiosity and determination that have remained part of her personality.

More Than Twenty Years of Friendship With Chiharu Niiyama

Another warm aspect of Shaku's life is her longstanding friendship with fellow actress Chiharu Niiyama.

In July 2026, Niiyama shared on social media that the two had enjoyed lunch together after some time apart.

Their friendship dates back to their twenties.

They once lived near each other, adopted Chihuahuas from the same pet shop, and drove similar vintage cars.

They have also shared memories of travelling overseas together.

In 2026, they appeared together on the NHK travel programme Ee Toko, visiting the scenic Miyama area of Kyoto.

On her official blog, Shaku described how comfortable she feels with Niiyama, explaining that even though she can be shy around people, she is able to relax and be herself when they are together.

She also expressed appreciation for Niiyama's cheerful personality and considerate treatment of the people around her.

During their visit to Miyama, they enjoyed the traditional thatched-roof village scenery, beautiful countryside, and opportunities to meet local residents.

Spending time travelling with someone she has known for many years is another meaningful pleasure in Shaku's life.

Over the course of the Seven Female Lawyers drama series, she also worked with actresses including Sachie Hara, Wakana Inoue, Yoko Minamino, Yoko Nogiwa, and Rieko Miura.

Her years of collaborating with different performers and production teams have helped shape her rich professional experience.

Today, Shaku continues to appreciate the opportunity to take on new roles while also making time for her family, friendships, and personal interests.

Her life brings together the excitement of creative work and the quieter pleasures she has discovered outside the entertainment industry.

Yumiko Shaku Trivia 8: A Kamen Rider Role Led to an Unexpected Opportunity

In Kamen Rider Zi-O, Shaku attracted attention for playing a character who used a manhole cover as an unusual weapon. The memorable performance later led to involvement in publicity activities related to manhole covers and sewerage. It is one of the more unexpected ways her acting career has opened doors to a completely different field.

Conclusion: Yumiko Shaku's Personal Approach to Beauty and Wellbeing

On her 48th birthday in 2026, Yumiko Shaku expressed a simple but deeply meaningful wish: to remain healthy as her son grows into adulthood and to continue creating happy family memories.

In her younger years, she devoted enormous energy to achieving her ideal appearance. Today, she enjoys caring for her skin, eating foods she likes, spending time outdoors, and appreciating the people around her.

The mountain trails she once walked with her father are now places she can explore with her own son. At the family's countryside house, the changing seasons offer opportunities to enjoy flowers, rivers, fresh air, and starry nights together.

Her journey suggests that beauty and wellness can become something more personal than meeting an external ideal. They can be part of living comfortably, finding enjoyment in everyday experiences, and making time for what matters most.

After decades of change and discovery, Shaku continues to embrace ageing with curiosity, warmth, and a determination to enjoy life in her own way.

References and Further Reading

1. BiST ONLINE (Japanese) — Yumiko Shaku's Skincare, Beauty Habits, Diet and Motherhood

2. GQ JAPAN (Japanese) — Changes in Diet, Physical Training and Personal Beauty Philosophy

3. Josei Seven Plus (Japanese) — Core Training, Breathing and Everyday Warming Habits in 2018

4. BRAVO MOUNTAIN (Japanese) — Hiking, Favourite Mountains and Family Memories

5. CHANTO WEB (Japanese) — Her Relationship With Her Father and Climbing Mount Fuji With Her Son

6. CHANTO WEB (Japanese) — Marriage, Her Canadian Film and Learning English

7. ORICON NEWS (Japanese) — Countryside Living and Raising a Child Close to Nature in 2026

Note: This article is based on publicly available information and interviews with Yumiko Shaku. Some beauty and wellness practices described here reflect her routines at the time of the original interviews.

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