“I Want People to See My New Curves”—Kana Nakada Talks About Her Latest Photo Shoot

A grown-up journey through Vietnam

— You traveled to Vietnam to shoot your third photobook. How was the experience?

“We were there for three nights and five days. The weather was just right for wearing short sleeves. Most of the shoot took place in Da Nang, while in Hoi An we photographed against the backdrop of the illuminated night scenery. My first photobook was shot in Japan, the second in South Korea, but this time it really felt like I was traveling, and I had an amazing time. There were several candidate locations, but I chose Vietnam myself. Now that I’m in my 30s, rather than emphasizing youthful energy, I wanted to express a calmer mood and a sense of mature sophistication.”

— What were the two cities like?

“Hoi An was beautiful at night with all the lanterns glowing, and I got to experience releasing floating lanterns. I think you can really see my natural expressions there. I wore a white tank top with a reddish skirt, and I had so much fun that maybe my childlike side came out a little too (laughs). Da Nang, on the other hand, had resort cottages and villas—it was exactly the kind of relaxing, grown-up trip I had imagined. The beach also has completely different atmospheres during the day and at night, so I’d love for people to notice that contrast.”

— What left the strongest impression on you?

“Definitely the floating lanterns. I was also really impressed by the temple we visited while wearing a luxurious green dress, as well as Marble Mountains, one of Vietnam’s most popular tourist attractions. I wore an outfit decorated with sequins, and I think we captured a beautifully exotic image that really reflects Vietnam. The location was at a high elevation with incredible scenery, so I think we made great use of that backdrop.”

— Did you try anything new for this photobook?

“One of the staff members suggested, ‘Why don’t you try gaining a little weight?’ So I intentionally put on about two kilograms before the shoot. To be honest, I was worried about whether it was really the right decision. For magazine shoots, I usually watch my diet carefully to maintain my figure—staying slim but not becoming too skinny. This time, though, I simply ate more. That said, I didn’t want to look soft or out of shape, so I paid close attention to balancing my meals by eating more protein. I already eat a lot of vegetables, but I increased foods like natto, tofu, and protein supplements. I also went to Pilates regularly for about a month at a studio my friend attends. The idea was to build on my usual physique rather than change it completely.”

— Now that you’ve seen the finished photos, how do you feel about gaining those two kilograms?

“Honestly, I’m still not sure whether it was the right answer (laughs). It may only be a subtle difference to people looking at the photos, but based on my own experience with weight fluctuations over the years, I felt two kilograms was the ideal amount. I hope readers will notice the slightly fuller, softer look I intentionally aimed for. My stomach, thighs, upper arms… I hope people can appreciate those more feminine curves. I may not be able to compete with professional gravure idols, but I’d be happy if readers could see the commitment I put into this gravure shoot in my own way.”

Giving her all in gravure and mahjong

—What was the biggest point of emphasis for this photo book?

“This time, I focused on expressing emotion and creating a sense of narrative. For example, there’s a sequence where I’m wearing a T-shirt over lingerie and gradually take it off. I wanted to explore the drama within that progression, so that’s one of the things I’d really like people to pay attention to. Another highlight is the nighttime pool shoot. I wore a white bikini, whereas during the day at the same location I was in a green swimsuit. I think that contrast creates a much sexier mood, so I’d love for readers to notice that as well.”

—In addition to your entertainment career, you’ve also become very active as a professional mahjong player.

“Right now (at the time of the interview), the M.League season is underway, so mahjong has become my main focus. This year I finished eighth in the individual regular-season standings. Luck certainly played a part, but once I started getting good results, everything became much easier, and the team’s positive atmosphere helped keep me mentally stable. That said, there’s no guarantee that playing the same way next season will produce the same results. I still have plenty of weaknesses to work on. I don’t want to be underprepared, so I need to play even more and keep improving. Right now, all I can do is give everything I have in every single match.”

—How do you unwind from your busy schedule?

“Talking with people. Chatting about random things with my teammates or meeting friends for lunch is the best way for me to relax. I also love eating delicious food. Sometimes I’ll splurge by visiting famous restaurants that require reservations months in advance. When I was a child, I didn’t like seafood, but after trying truly good seafood as an adult, I completely got over it. Now I love sea urchin and greater amberjack. I think experiencing seasonal ingredients through French cuisine or sushi is also a great way to refine my palate.”

—Lastly, do you have a message for your readers?

“Over the past year, I’ve really challenged myself in gravure and pushed myself to evolve. Now that I’m 31, I’d love for everyone to see a more mature side of me. I hope you’ll continue following Kana Nakada as I keep taking on new challenges and growing.”

Kana Nakada, 31
Born in Saitama Prefecture. In 2011, she passed the first-generation audition for Nogizaka46 and remained with the group until 2020. In 2021, she passed the professional mahjong certification exam and is now active as both a television personality and professional mahjong player. Her third photo book is scheduled for release on August 25.

My Current Favorite Hobby
Tamagotchi

“I got into Tamagotchi about a year ago thanks to a friend, and I’ve been playing both the ‘Uni’ and the newest ‘Paradise’ versions. Since I’m away from home so often and can’t keep a real pet, I chose a Tamagotchi as my companion instead (laughs). But when I traveled to Vietnam for the photo book shoot, the time difference threw off its care schedule by several hours, and by the time I got back… it was gone. I was heartbroken, but after returning to Japan I received a new egg, and I’ve been taking great care of it ever since.”

From the June 19, 2026 issue of “FRIDAY”