Miu Shirahama: “When I Turn 20, I Want to Go to an Izakaya and Enjoy Some Snacks”

19 outifts!

— This is your second time appearing on the cover of “FRIDAY.” How was the shoot?

“It was a lot of fun again this time. Since we were also shooting for my second photo book, I ended up wearing an incredible 19 outfits!? It was my first time wearing so many different outfits, so it felt fresh, and I also had a great time shooting at all the different locations.”

— Did you have a favorite swimsuit?

“There were so many. One was a pink swimsuit paired with a white sheer one-piece dress, and even my manager said it was cute!

“I also want everyone to see the red swimsuit. It had been a while since I’d worn red, and it even had frilly ribbons on it. It was packed with all the things I like, so I thought it was really cute!”

— Was there anything from the shoot that particularly stuck in your memory?

“The scenery of the Seto Inland Sea is burned into my memory. We shot at two different beaches this time, and both were absolutely beautiful. When we were shooting the sunset, the light reflecting across the sea looked like a path of light. It was so magical! We also shot at a place that turns into something like a remote island when the tide goes out, and that was incredibly beautiful too. The water was crystal clear, and the pink swimsuit I mentioned as one of my favorites was really cute as well!”

— I hear you worked hard on dieting.

“Before the shoot, the staff said to me, ‘Why don’t we work hard on your body shaping?’ (laughs).

“I mainly ate slimy foods like mekabu seaweed and okra, and I cut back on my favorite snacks. Honestly, it was tough, but it was worth it because my appearance changed quite a bit. When I actually compared these photos with ones from last year, I was surprised and thought, ‘My face looks different!’”

— Did the change in your appearance also affect how you feel about yourself?

“I’ve always loved myself (laughs), so that part hasn’t changed dramatically. But appearing on the cover of a magazine made me realize once again that it gives me an opportunity to be seen by all kinds of people. Precisely because so many people are going to see me, I’ve developed an even stronger desire to be more confident in myself and become someone people want to look at. Also, when we did the previous cover shoot, I had only just graduated from high school, so I was really happy when the photographer told me, ‘You’ve become more mature.’”

From the perspective of someone who supports an idol

— What kind of summer did you have this year?

“I think my biggest summer memory was going on location for this photo book. Also, I decided, ‘This year, I’m going to get outside in my private life too!’ and went to the beach with some friends. Every time I go to the beach for a shoot, I think, ‘It’s so much fun, I want to come here privately too,’ but I’m usually satisfied after the shoot and end up not going. This time, though, I actually went to the beach, and I got to wear a swimsuit that was a little more modest but still cute compared with the outfits I wore for the shoot, so I had a great time. Actually, the last time I went to the beach privately was when I was in elementary school. It had been such a long time. Although I did get a little sunburned (laughs). The photo book shoot was already finished, so it didn’t affect the project, but my manager got a little mad at me (laughs).”

— You’ll turn 20 in October. Is there anything you’d like to try?

“It’s not like turning 20 suddenly means I can do all sorts of things, but I guess alcohol (laughs). Although, about half the people in my family can drink alcohol and the other half can’t, so I still don’t know whether I’ll be able to drink.

“But I really love eating, so the thought that I might be able to visit even more different restaurants once I can drink makes me happy. I really love the food they serve at izakayas, so I’m looking forward to eating all the snacks that go with drinks (laughs).”

— What do you do on your days off?

“I used to spend most of my days off relaxing and watching YouTube, but recently I’ve been going to concerts to see a female member of a certain idol group. She’s what you’d call my ‘oshi.’ Now that I’ve become the person supporting someone else, I understand more than before how my fans feel when they come to my events. When I think, ‘So this is how everyone feels when they come to see Shirahama,’ they look incredibly cute to me (laughs). I didn’t start being an idol fan because I wanted to understand how my own fans feel, but by chance, I ended up in the same position as them, and it’s made me feel even more affection for everyone. They’re just too cute (laughs).”

— Finally, could you give a message to the fans looking forward to your second “FRIDAY” cover and your second photo book?

“I’m honored to be appearing on the cover of ‘FRIDAY’ for the second time, and I’ll also be releasing my second photo book. I think you’ll be able to see how much I’ve grown compared with before, and thanks not only to my own efforts but also to the support of everyone around me, I think we’ve created a truly wonderful project. I put everything I have into it, so I really want everyone to see it. I promise you won’t regret it!”

Miu Shirahama, 19

Born in Tottori Prefecture. She made her gravure debut in 2023 and won the Newcomer Award at the “Gravuremy Award,” organized by this magazine, in 2025. Her first photo book, “manika” (Shueisha), was published that same year. Her favorite foods are seafood and melon bread. The next-generation gravure queen will celebrate her 20th birthday next month.

Recent Favorite: ANIME
“Horimiya”

I love the contrast between Hori, who is so domestic, and Miyamura, who has such a masculine side. I watch a lot of anime, and I’m especially into school-life and fantasy series. I enjoy settings that could never exist in the real world, like reincarnation stories, and I get all excited watching scenes that make me think, “I wish I could have had this kind of youth when I was a student.” It’s like I’m making up for the youth I never had (laughs).

From the September 25, 2026 issue of “FRIDAY.”