Her First Gravure Photo Shoot in 23 Years [This Week’s Cover Girl] Kumiko Takeda: “I’m at the Peak of My Womanhood Right Now!”

Unwavering Beauty

—It’s been 23 years since your last gravure photo shoot. Why did you accept this offer?

“A friend of mine who’s an editor—we used to work together on photo books—came to visit me at my home in San Diego, California.That was last September. We were looking through old photo albums together when… she said, ‘Why don’t you do another photo book?’ I hadn’t thought I’d ever do a photo shoot again, but after hearing her suggestion, I thought, ‘Maybe I’ll give it a try.’ After all, she’s a professional editor, and she gave me the encouragement I needed by telling me, ‘You’ve still got it.’”

——How did you prepare for your first photo shoot in a long time?

“Since I’ve continued practicing classical ballet—which I’ve been studying for many years—as my life’s work, my figure hadn’t changed at all from 20 years ago. So rather than losing weight, I focused on achieving a well-defined silhouette and a healthy skin tone to look my best in the photos.The shoot was this past March, and for about two months after the schedule was set, I cut out alcohol—which I love. I was so strict that I even avoided cooking wine. Thanks to that, my body became toned to a degree that even surprised me.”

——Did you feel like you were out of practice?

“Strangely enough, once I stood in front of the camera, I didn’t feel self-conscious at all. Being photographed is something I’m good at.”

——I hear the shoot took place on Ishigaki Island in Okinawa Prefecture.

“When I told the staff, ‘I’ll leave the location choice up to you,’ they chose Ishigaki Island, saying, ‘The ocean suits Kumiko Takeda.’ However, I thought it would be warm since it’s Okinawa, but it was incredibly cold (laughs). It was the first time I’d ever shot a photoshoot while shivering like that.”

——Do you have a favorite shot or outfit?

“I’m wearing not just swimsuits and lingerie, but also sexy outfits like garter belts, so I hope you’ll definitely check those out. As a token of my gratitude to my fans, there’s also a shot that pays homage to the cover of my 1987 photo book, *JUST A GIRL*. I’d be happy if you could enjoy seeing how I’ve become even more energetic than I was in my 20s.”

——So that means there’s also the seashell bikini that took the world by storm…?

“That’s right… (laughs). I’ll just give you this hint: ‘This time, I might be wearing something a little different’ (laughs).”

Beauty Secrets

——Ms. Takeda was active during the golden age of gravure idols. I’ve heard that the budget for a single photobook could sometimes reach tens of millions of yen.

“The most lavish one was my first hair-nude photobook, *Lady Casablanca*, which I released when I was 25. Before heading to Morocco for the shoot, I stayed in Paris for about a week, pampering myself at a spa and enjoying fine dining.Two hair and makeup artists accompanied me as well. I stayed at *La Mamounia*, a hotel hailed as ‘the most beautiful place in the world.’ Later, when it served as a location for the movie *Sex and the City 2*, the room I stayed in was actually featured in the film.”

——That’s hard to imagine now.

“It was an absolutely exquisite experience—as if I were in the Palace of the Dragon King. At the same time, I kept telling myself, ‘This is the first and last time I’ll ever experience such luxury.’ I also felt that since I was indulging in such luxury, I had to raise the quality of my work accordingly. I think that sense of tension is reflected in the photos from that time.Ever since I was a teenager, I’ve had a policy of ‘never wanting to create two photo books that are even slightly similar.’ I approached this photo book with that same mindset.”

——How is life in San Diego?

“I attend ballet classes every other day and work up a sweat for about two hours alongside women in their 20s. Ballet is my number one beauty secret—I truly believe that as long as I keep doing it, I’ll be able to release photo books no matter how old I get. From applying sunscreen to exercising, I’ve never neglected taking care of my body, ever since I was a teenager.”

——How did your daughter react to this photo book?

“When I told her, ‘I’m releasing a photo book soon,’ she was really intrigued. I video-called her from the shoot and introduced her to the staff and my outfits. My daughter loves fashion. When she saw the outfits, she was thrilled and said, ‘Those look so cool!’”

——What’s the appeal of San Diego?

“The Mexican food is absolutely delicious. Compared to other cities in California, San Diego is by far the best. I think it’s even better than in Mexico itself. I enjoy margaritas and crispy tacos at my favorite restaurant.”

——Finally, please share a few words for readers who are looking forward to your first photo book in a long time.

“It’s been a long 23 years since my last photo shoot, but I personally feel I’m at the peak of my femininity right now! When I looked at the finished photos, I didn’t feel like there had been any gap at all—I even thought, ‘I wish I’d done this sooner.’ I think it’ll be fun for my fans to look through the book and see which shots are homages to my older photo books.”

Kumiko Takeda, 57
Born in Aichi Prefecture in ’68. Made her acting debut in the 1982 film *High Teen Boogie*. While also active as a singer, she has released numerous photo books. She is currently a beauty icon who enjoys strong support from women

My Recent Favorite: “DRINK”
Boba Tea

Boba tea is a drink that combines tea with chewy tapioca pearls (boba). I’m especially hooked on boba tea made with taro (a type of tuber grown in tropical regions) and coconut milk. I’ve been avoiding dairy products for the past two or three years for beauty reasons, but since coconut milk is highly nutritious, I feel good about drinking it.It’s available in San Diego’s Asian district, and I make sure to buy it once or twice a month.

From the July 10, 2026 issue of *FRIDAY*