Inside This Week’s Cover Girl: Riho Takada on Her Perfect After-Work Moment

A First Sense of Accomplishment

— Congratulations on releasing your photobook after three years. How are you feeling right now?

“It really is quite surprising, even for me. When I released my last photobook in 2022, it felt like my last photobook in my twenties, so I never imagined I’d release another one so soon in my thirties (laughs). But seeing myself in my thirties captured as a complete work is deeply moving. During the shoot, I was completely absorbed, but the moment I saw the finished book, a warm, emotional feeling welled up from deep inside me.”

— What was the atmosphere like during the shoot?

“I was fully focused the entire time, and honestly, I had no idea how I was being captured. The photographer didn’t let me see the monitor because he wanted me to stay concentrated. So when I finally saw the finished photos, I almost cried. I realized that I had truly faced each shot, and the sense of accomplishment I felt was unlike anything I had experienced before.”

— You mentioned the photographer said something memorable to you.

“At the end of the first day, he told me, ‘You’re too ordinary.’ That hit me hard. For the first outfit, I could move boldly on instinct, but at some point, I started doubting, thinking, ‘Am I doing this right?’ He noticed that and said, ‘The photos people want to see aren’t ordinary photos.’ That made me stop and rethink, and from then on, I focused on finding my extraordinary self during the shoot.”

— What meaning does the title Sobyo (“Sketch”) hold for you?

“At first, I thought the title ‘Koikoi’ (‘Love Love’) would be good because I wanted to capture the feeling of love in the work. But ultimately, the staff suggested Sobyo, and at first, I didn’t quite get the meaning or feel. As I went through the photos, though, I realized that ‘Sketch’ fit the tone of the work better than ‘Love.’ It’s a title with room to interpret, without overexplaining. I like the clarity of conveying everything in a single photo.”

— Besides the photobook, you’ve also continued acting this year.

“Thanks to everyone, I’ve been consistently working on dramas. Counting them up, I’ve appeared in about eight projects just this year. The schedule is tight, but I really enjoy being busy. I feel restless when I’m not doing anything. Ironically, the busier I am, the more stable I feel. Acting is a space where I live as someone else, but at the same time, it feels like the place where I can be most myself. I love the moments when I express the words in the script through my own body.”

A Fulfilling Private Life

— You don’t seem to get much time off, do you?

“No, not at all! I make sure to take breaks. Since I can’t stay still, I usually spend my days off going out—hopping between vintage stores in Shimokitazawa (Setagaya Ward), checking trends at H&M, or just walking around with a coffee. That alone refreshes me. Sometimes I realize I’ve walked nearly 10,000 steps (laughs). I also enjoy a drink—just one glass after work is pure bliss. I make a little snack at home, play some music, and enjoy a beer in short, I’m very much a home drinking type (laughs). Occasionally, I have days where I do absolutely nothing: lying in bed all day, watching YouTube, streaming movies, scrolling social media, and suddenly it’s nighttime. Those do-nothing days are part of my fulfilling life too (laughs).”

— Will you return to your hometown Fukuoka at the end of the year?

“Yes, every year. I used to just relax at home, but recently I’ve been exploring Tenjin and Hakata, browsing vintage shops, or visiting friends’ bars. A few years ago, I tried the Nakasu street food stalls for the first time and I felt they were more aimed at tourists than locals (laughs). Still, it felt like home, and it was fun.”

— Now that you’re in your thirties, have you become more conscious about your health?

“Yes. In my thirties, my body has become really honest. In my twenties, I could power through shoots with no sleep just by drinking energy drinks, but now that doesn’t work (laughs). Even a little overexertion immediately affects my skin and health. So I try to take care of my body—choosing organic products, cutting back on coffee, and making miso soup every day. I vary the ingredients depending on what’s in the fridge, calling it my miso soup of the day. Drinking a warm miso soup in the morning makes me feel balanced from the inside out.”

— Finally, what are your future goals?

“I want to keep acting for the rest of my life. Performing is the time when I feel most alive. Through a role, I can live a different life while still feeling my own heart present in it. I love that sensation. No matter how it happens, I want to stay connected to this work forever.”

Riho Takada, 31
Born in Fukuoka Prefecture. She began her career as a fashion model in 2007 and starred as a heroine in the 2010 TV series Kamen Rider OOO. She is also appearing in the currently airing drama Warui no wa Anata Desu (It’s Your Fault) on Yomiuri TV.

My recent favorite: “MISO SOUP” – Poached Egg

Since turning 30, I’ve been making miso soup every day for my health. I enjoy classic ingredients like potatoes as well as unusual ones like ume (pickled plum), but lately I’m hooked on a slightly firm poached egg! For the dashi, I use only the local Fukuoka brand “Kayanoya”. It gives a deep umami flavor, so you don’t need to add a lot of miso. I’ve recently discovered the deliciousness of white miso and use it often. The key is to finish with plenty of chopped green onions.

From the December 12, 2025 issue of “FRIDAY”