[This Week’s Cover Girl] Yuka Ogura: “I relieve stress through yoga and am working toward a body that doesn’t gain weight easily”

Her Commitment to Beauty and Health

—How was your first photo shoot in a while?

“Up until now, it was often a case of them fulfilling my whims, like when I’d say, ‘I want to go overseas!’ (laughs). But this time, the shoot was arranged on short notice at a studio in Kujukuri, Chiba Prefecture.Actually, that’s the same place I used to go six or seven years ago, right when I first started doing gravure shoots—back when I wasn’t yet able to be so selfish. It was incredibly nostalgic and really brought back memories. Since it had been a while since my last shoot, I did find myself wondering, ‘How did I do this again?’ But once we started shooting, I think we ended up with some really great shots!”

——Please tell us about the atmosphere on set and any memorable moments.

“The staff had such great taste in the snacks they prepared! There were lots of beauty- and health-conscious options, like cranberry-filled chocolate and rice-flour cookies—the kind you’d find at ‘Natural Lawson.’ I didn’t feel guilty at all; in fact, I ended up eating way too much (laughs).”

——Do you usually eat a lot of sweets?

“I love them! However, since some foods don’t agree with my body, I strictly follow a gluten-free diet, so I try to avoid wheat flour. Just by avoiding sweets and bread made with wheat flour, I naturally find it harder to gain weight, and my body feels lighter.”

——Can you tell us about your favorite shot from this shoot?

“It’s the shot where I’m on the bed, wearing pale-colored lingerie with a frilly cardigan draped over it. It’s a morning loungewear look that even other girls would think is ‘cute!’—it really got me excited. I also loved the shot on the rooftop where I wore a pink frilly dress; the wind made the skirt flutter beautifully, and the photographer captured it perfectly.”

——What’s your secret to maintaining your outstanding figure?

“Being too strict all the time is stressful, so I make sure to balance things out. I cut out alcohol and increase my exercise a week before a shoot. But in my daily life, the only things I’m really conscious of are eating gluten-free and not letting my blood sugar spike too much.”

——What kind of workouts do you usually do?

“At the gym, I do weight training, Pilates, yoga, and cardio. Pilates helps me improve my posture, while yoga and cardio help me relieve stress and keep my mind calm. I naturally don’t build muscle easily, so I focus on strength training to build a body that doesn’t gain weight easily.”

——What do you focus on when it comes to beauty?

“Rather than focusing on what I put on my skin, I prioritize ‘inner care.’ I avoid putting anything harmful into my body, like oxidized oils. And I detox by sweating through exercise. I’m very particular about that. By the way, I do drink alcohol, but since I can control myself, I never get so drunk that I black out (laughs).”

Her acting career is going well

—How do you spend your free time?

“I relax by watching Chinese dramas and variety shows, or by going out for Chinese food. When I get a long break, I also go on trips. I started studying Chinese after visiting Taiwan for the first time when I was 16, and I’ve now earned HSK Level 5 (the advanced level of the Chinese Proficiency Test).”

——So does that mean you can already speak fluently?

“Since I’ve been studying consistently, as long as there aren’t any technical terms, I can understand just under 90 percent of Chinese dramas without subtitles. I can also communicate quite smoothly with my Chinese-speaking friends.”

——Do you have a favorite travel destination?

“I love Thailand—if you count my filming trips, I’ve probably been there nearly 20 times (laughs). I tend to feel the cold, so the warm climate suits me well, and the people are kind, plus the food is cheap and delicious. It has both the ocean and the city, so it’s just the most comfortable place to be.”

——This year, you’ve returned to acting for the first time in five years. You’re starring in the series *The Great Marriage Hunt of the Shallow Cinderellas*, currently streaming on a short-form drama app. How has the experience been?

“Since it’s a comedy and it had been a while since I’d acted, I was a bit nervous during Season 1. But as the episodes went on, I got back into the swing of things, and during the filming of Season 3—which was recently released—I feel like my understanding of the role and the expressions the director was looking for deepened considerably.”

——The series depicts the marriage-hunting lives of women in Minato Ward. How does that align with your own views on marriage?

“Personally, I’ve never really wanted to get married. So, to get into character, I researched dating profiles on social media. I’m the type who believes, ‘If you love someone, you don’t need to be tied down by the institution of marriage—just being together forever is enough, and that’s what true love is.’ So, understanding why the protagonist wants to get married so badly and portraying that was a fresh challenge for me.”

——Please tell us about your future career goals.

“I’d like to give radio shows another try. I stopped doing them before because I didn’t realize how appealing radio was at the time… Looking back now, I realize it was a truly valuable experience—I got to chat with senior comedians every week and learn new skills. Also, I find the GL (Girls’ Love) works that are trending in Thailand and Taiwan really interesting and love them, so if there’s ever an opportunity to film one in Japan, I’d definitely love to be a part of it.”

——Finally, please share a message for our readers!

“Thank you so much for waiting so long! I think my new way of thinking, my inner growth, and the charm that comes with age are all reflected in this photo shoot, so I’d be happy if you could enjoy seeing these changes and get to know the new me.”

Yuka Ogura, 27
She began her entertainment career in 2013 and has been active in a wide range of fields as a model, actress, and gravure idol. She is fluent in Chinese and holds HSK Level 5 certification. The drama series *The Great Marriage Hunt War of the Shallow Cinderellas 3*, in which she stars, began streaming on August 5.

My Recent Favorite: “SOCIAL SKILL”
Maintaining the Right Balance

Lately, I’ve been trying to interact with my friends while maintaining a healthy distance. Before, even the slightest discomfort would bother me, but I realized there’s no need to be so sensitive. Since then, my circle of female friends has grown significantly, and every day has become more and more fun. I’ve also made more friends I see almost every day—we go from cafes to dinner and then bar-hop together

From the August 21 & 28, 2026, combined issue of *FRIDAY*