Noritake Kinashi Says Doing What You Want Is the Key to Winning in Life

Fully Enjoying Everyday Life

“I wake up at 3:30 every morning and head out by 4:30. It’s still too early for the newspaper to arrive (laughs). Sometimes I even hop between convenience stores.”

When he gets home, he’s glued to baseball broadcasts, reacting to every at-bat of Shohei Ohtani (31), who plays in MLB.

“If Ohtani’s not hitting, I change the channel right away—just like everyone else (laughs).”

In summer, he’s hooked on the Koshien high school baseball tournament, often dozing off to the sound of the crowd as background music. That’s how a day in the life of Noritake Kinashi (63) begins.

Kinashi, who formed the comedy duo Tunnels with his high school classmate Takaaki Ishibashi (63), took the entertainment world by storm. Their hit show Tunnels’ Thanks to Everyone (Tonneruzu no Minasan no Okage desu, Fuji TV) and many other programs dominated Japanese television in the Heisei era. More recently, he made his first starring appearance in a TV drama in 24 years with Haru ni Nattara (Fuji TV), once again showcasing his distinctive presence as an actor.

With his diverse talents, Kinashi continues to captivate fans. He is currently holding his third national touring exhibition, “Noritake Kinashi Exhibition – TOUCH.” The exhibition features around 230 works, including paintings and sculptures. The highlight is the latest installment of his signature series “REACH OUT,” which has explored the motif of hands for over 20 years. After its start in Osaka, the exhibition will move to the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa (Ishikawa Prefecture) beginning September 13.

“The title TOUCH came from REACH OUT. It’s about human connection — reaching out and linking hands. I add new touches or expressions to existing works. Art doesn’t have to be finished; it can stay in progress. That’s why I tell visitors, ‘Go ahead and touch them.’ Even if something gets chipped or changes, that’s fine. It adds character.”

He continues:

“The touring show is closer to an amusement park or a school festival than a traditional art exhibition. I plan it like a course in my head — starting from A, then B, then C… each with its own theme. It’s like letting people read my diary.”

The current theme is “Meaningful Coincidences.” Kinashi says he also embraces those coincidences in his everyday life.

“I’m not the type to sit still. If something looks interesting, I move right away. And whenever I do, something good always happens. I don’t go out looking for coincidences, but they always roll in my favor.”

A recent meaningful coincidence happened at a family restaurant.

“At 63, I went to Saizeriya for the first time — and it was full of surprises! I went with more than ten people, so if everyone ordered separately, it would take 30 minutes for the food to come, right? So I just said, ‘Three hamburg steaks, two steaks, pasta, and chicken — all at once!’ I wanted to fill the whole table (laughs). The place was packed for lunch, full of foreigners and couples chatting — just watching that made me happy. It was such a fun place that I went again the next day (laughs).”

Riding that excitement, he also tried something new: his first-ever department store basement food hall adventure. Unable to go on his usual summer trip to Hawaii, he and his wife, Narumi Yasuda (58), spent two days exploring department store food floors.

“It was like an attraction! Kimbap! Tempura! Tuna! — all the famous shops lined up. It was the first time we went just the two of us, so we were like, ‘There’s a Tsukiji corner and a Toyosu corner! Which one should we go to?’ (laughs). It felt like being at a festival.”

His eyes sparkle like those of a child.

“I even found a store selling VAN BOYS clothes — my favorite brand from when I was young — and ended up buying three T-shirts. I asked Narumi, ‘What’s the difference between LL and XL? Which one do you think fits me better?’ (laughs).”

Feeling his heart race at everyday sights — that’s the essence of Kinashi’s creativity and the joy of his life. Whether at Saizeriya or a department store, his actions are rooted in a playful spirit, which also defines how he approaches work.

“If it’s a job I don’t like, I’ll start off reluctant. But if it’s something I want to try, then it’s never hard. You start as a part-timer, enjoy it, become a full-timer, then a manager — showbiz is the same. I’ve always worked with that kind of part-timer rhythm.”

Unchanging Freedom x Positivity

Since debuting at 18, Noritake Kinashi’s upbeat energy has never changed. Before he knew it, Tunnels had become a household name and a national favorite—but his own outlook has stayed exactly the same.

“I often say, ‘Don’t overthink it.’ You don’t have to make something perfect—if you go with your feeling, it can still turn out great. Of course, I want to perfect things, to immerse myself in them. But with my current rhythm, I just don’t have that kind of time. So I say, ‘Don’t overthink it.’ It’s fine to have both—things you polish deeply and things you make by instinct.”

Whether he’s painting or doing comedy, Kinashi compares sketches and spontaneous works side by side, deciding which feels right. For him, rhythm and intuition lead the way.

“Worries? Hmm, not really. But maybe most people don’t really worry either—they’re just bored. When life feels dull, you start calling that feeling worry. Most people struggling at work are actually having trouble with relationships. If it were me, I’d just step back or take another path. That can lead to a kekka ōrai(it all works out) moment, you know?”

Those six words—kekka ōrai (it all works out)—are some of his favorites.

“You don’t get a kekka ōrai unless you move. A lot of people miss it even when it’s happening. So I make a point of celebrating it every time. Like in golf—when a bad shot bounces off a rock and lands on the green for a birdie. That’s the ultimate kekka ōrai! (laughs)

It feels best when you’ve practiced, built your skill, and then luck steps in on top of that. You’ve got to keep learning the basics and stay passionate. But really, it’s that joy of movement—something always happens when you keep moving.”

Throughout the hour-long interview, only positive words come out of Kinashi’s mouth. Surrounded by laughter and happiness, he naturally attracts friends who share his energy. Among them, Tokoro George (70) and Bro. Korn (69) are like older brothers to him.

“You can’t imitate Tokoro-san. I admire him a lot, but we’re just built differently. When we did an educational show together, he’d always look things up himself and learn fast. Then, when he hosted another show, even if he already knew the answer, he’d let the expert respond.

I’d probably blurt out, ‘It’s this, right?!’ (laughs) But he never does. Watching that, I thought, ‘That’s a real pro.’ And Korn-chan never tells you what to do—he just shows it through his actions: ‘This looks cooler, right?’ or ‘This way’s more stylish, isn’t it?’ He teaches you manly aesthetics and how to enjoy life. He’s amazing.”

Watching those seniors, Kinashi naturally thinks about his own future.

“When I see those guys in their 70s, I can’t help but wonder what I’ll be like in six or seven years. Will I be healthy? Still smoking as much as I do now? (laughs)”

His face softens as he talks about his family. He affectionately calls his wife of over 30 years, actress Narumi Yasuda, “Naru-san.” She often helps him choose works for his exhibitions.

“When I’m torn between two options, Naru-san decides in seconds: ‘Definitely this one!’ She’s fast. And I always go along with it 100%. Sometimes I think, maybe she doesn’t even need me! (laughs)

When I caught a fever, she took care of everything. She’s basically my producer now. I even had her sing ‘Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind’ with me on stage at a classical concert in September. It was amazing!”

Fueled by his friends’ inspiration and his wife’s steady support, Kinashi keeps moving forward with unshakable energy. And, of course, there’s one more person who has walked beside him for nearly half a century—Takaaki Ishibashi.

At the end of June, Kinashi visited Ishibashi, who is recovering from early-stage esophageal cancer, along with Ishibashi’s daughter Honoka (36).

“I called Honoka and asked, ‘Can I see Takaaki?’ She said, ‘Let me check,’ and arranged it.”

Their hospital conversation was short.

“I told him, ‘You’ve got to beat this. Once you’re better, we’ll do Tokyo Dome.’ And he said, ‘Yeah.’ That was it. If he doesn’t recover, he can’t sing, right? That’s all we said—just like always.”

Behind those words lingers the memory of their reunion concert at Budokan last November—their first live performance together as Tunnels in 29 years.

“While singing, I thought, This feels nostalgic. The audience must have felt the same. It brought back all the emotions from 29 years ago. We were given so many great songs by so many people—it really was special.”

And because of that night, he can now say naturally, without hesitation or explanation:

“Next time, it’s Tokyo Dome.”

That’s Tunnels—no frills, no fuss, just two old friends who keep moving forward.

I want to make a movie someday

Turning everyday life into play and coincidences into happy outcomes — that’s how Noritake Kinashi has always lived. Now, as he enters what he calls the second half of his life, he’s thinking about how to make it just as fun.

“In Hawaii, I saw a couple about my age jogging. I asked, ‘Are you here on vacation?’ and they said, ‘No, we just retired — we’re here to enjoy life now.’ I thought, wow, that’s great! (laughs) They had the biggest smiles. The husband said, ‘We’re thinking of spending half our time here,’ and I thought, whoever finds something that makes them smile like that — that’s a real winner in life.”

For Kinashi, it all comes down to one thing: move and find your own joy.

“In the second half of life, the winners are the ones who do what they want. As long as there’s something that makes you say, ‘This feels great!’ — that’s enough.”

One of the things he wants to do now is make a movie.

“Someday, I want to direct a film. When I eat with friends, we talk like, ‘What about this kind of story?’ or ‘Let’s make something about how we live!’ The casting’s simple — I just call someone and say, ‘Wanna do it?’ and if they say yes, we’re on! (laughs)”

He hasn’t decided whether to start small as an independent project or bring in sponsors. But in his mind, the production has already begun.

“Maybe in 2026, 2027, or 2028 — I want to make it happen within five years. I’ll get my friends together, make it like we’re just playing around. If it turns out bad, they’ll never let me make another one (laughs), but if it’s good, maybe we’ll even do a sequel! That’s how I’m approaching it.”

Always positive, heartfelt, and true to himself — Kinashi’s second half of life is still full of curiosity, movement, and excitement.

From the September 26, 2025, issue of “FRIDAY”