Ina Enohara Sets Sights on Prime-Time Variety Shows, Inside This Week’s Cover Girl’s Ambitions

“I want to become someone people say, ‘You’re the one I see the most at convenience stores.'”

— This is your fifth time gracing the cover of our magazine! How does that feel?

“I’m truly honored to be trusted with the cover five times. It’s been about a year since my first appearance, but it feels like I’ve had an intense and rich experience. At the same time, it feels like it all went by in a flash, which is a strange feeling.”

— This time, the shoot took place in the hot spring towns of Atami and Ito, facing Sagami Bay, right?

“The theme was retro cute, and the nostalgic streets perfectly matched that. I’d been to Atami before but it was my first time in Ito. In Atami, I had a meal at ‘Steak House Hamada,’ a favorite spot of Sugako Hashida, the scriptwriter of ‘Wataru Sekai wa Oni Bakari.’ Since it comes highly recommended by the writer herself, the taste was guaranteed, and the food was cooked right in front of me on the teppan, which was super exciting.

Across the street was the ‘Sugako Hashida Memorial Street Gallery,’ showcasing her everyday life, where a notebook and pen were available. I wrote my name there, so if you’re nearby, look for it!”

— Recently, you also appeared on the cover of the Self-Defense Forces’ public relations magazine, didn’t you?

“Yes! I went to the Yokosuka base in Kanagawa Prefecture and even boarded the escort ship ‘Kumano.’ They kindly explained their daily training and disaster relief activities in detail. I truly think it’s a very cool job and I have a lot of respect for them. Wearing the uniform made me feel proud. I’ve been showing off the nameplate and the ship’s hat to my friends.”

— Your radio show, Enohara Ina no Sukini Shicha Ina! (aired on AuDee), ended in March after 21 episodes. How do you look back on it?

“I started the show to let fans know what I’ve been up to. On the last episode, I even got to talk with four fans on the phone. I enjoyed it so much that I wish I had started it earlier. I have no regrets. I stopped the radio to start something new, so please look forward to good news!”

— You’ve also launched your own YouTube channel.

“People who know me from magazines tend to think I’m pure and quiet, but when they meet me at events and I talk, they often say, ‘Oh? That’s different from what I expected.’ Since I want to appear on variety shows, I felt I needed a platform to show my true personality. So, in my second year, I decided to take on the challenge of YouTube.”

— What are your goals for this year?

“As for gravure, I want to become someone people say, ‘You’re the one I see the most at convenience stores.’ Including upcoming shoots, I think I’ll be able to appear on the covers of weekly magazines and young men’s manga magazines that you find on convenience store shelves by May.”

The Reason Behind the Tears at the Grademy Awards Ceremony

— In a previous interview, you mentioned wanting to appear on variety shows, and recently you’ve achieved that goal.

“My next goal is to be on prime-time variety shows. I want to be on programs that appeal to all generations, like ‘London Hearts’ (TV Asahi) and ‘Sake no Tsumami ni Naru Hanashi’ (Fuji TV).

Also, since I love animals, I’d like to appear on animal shows like ‘Sakagami Dobutsu Oukoku’ (Fuji TV) and ‘Aa!! Minna no Doubutsuen’ (Nippon TV).”

— You really like animals, don’t you?

“I’ve had hamsters, chicks, flying squirrels, guinea pigs, dogs, and cats. I took care of them myself. The flying squirrel was very smart — it would perch on my hand when I called its name. I want to keep one in Tokyo too, but since I do gravure work, I sometimes have to be away for several days for shoots. If I can manage care during those times, I’d love to have one. I’m also interested in rescue dogs, so I won’t buy pets at pet shops but would adopt rescued dogs.”

— Your love for pets runs deep.

“Actually, in February this year, my guinea pig ‘Juni,’ who I had for five years and two months at my parents’ home in Osaka, passed away. My parents are feeling very lonely… I used to travel a lot, even on short trips when I had free time, but now I think I want to prioritize going home to them over my own hobbies.

Juni died just two days before the ‘Grademy Awards’ ceremony held to celebrate the 40th anniversary of FRIDAY magazine. At the ceremony, the first question I was asked was, ‘How do you look back on this past year?’ But memories of Juni being lively rushed through my head, and I suddenly started crying from the sense of loss… But since it was a formal event, I didn’t mention Juni at all. The next day, when I saw the online news, it reported that ‘she cried overwhelmed with emotion after winning the grand prize’ (laughs).”

— Juni was clearly a very important presence for you.

“My mother called me ‘Juni-chan’ — short for Junior — when she was still pregnant with me. I heard that story when I was little, so I named my guinea pig after that. I really loved Juni. To make Juni happy, I want to continue working hard on my career from now on.”

Ina Enohara

A talent from Osaka Prefecture. She made her gravure debut in FRIDAY magazine last February. Her first photo book, Inaism (Kodansha), is currently on sale. In February this year, she launched her own YouTube channel. For the latest updates, check out her official X, Instagram, and TikTok accounts (all @ina_enohara)!

 

My Recent Favorite Hobby:
Strength Training

I increased my personal training sessions from once a week to twice a week. As my muscle mass grows, my metabolism speeds up, so even after a binge eating day, my appearance doesn’t change much! I want to maintain my muscles, lose about 5 more kilograms of fat, and aim for a soft, feminine body line. I’m still in the process of transforming my body, so I haven’t reached my ideal shape yet. For now, please focus on my cute face rather than my body line! (laughs)

 

From “FRIDAY” May 9, 16 & 23, 2025 Combined Issue