KYOTO - Japanese actress Rikka Ihara, who rose to fame through a viral high school dance performance, celebrated the release of her 2027 calendar at an event in Tokyo on November 7, revealing that the entire photo shoot took place in Kyoto and demonstrating the lightning-fast movements that she believes best represent her busy year.
The 27-year-old actress, originally from Osaka, explained that Kyoto was a natural choice for the calendar because she had spent an extended period there filming the television period drama "Sanada Ten Braves: Shadows of the Ten Ninja." Having visited Kyoto frequently since childhood, Ihara said the city held many personal memories, making it an especially meaningful location for the project.
The calendar, produced under the theme "A Slightly Fantastical Kyoto," combines the city's traditional streets and historic atmosphere with colorful, retro-inspired fashion. Ihara said the production team had asked her in advance about the places she wanted to visit and the experiences she hoped to enjoy, allowing her to incorporate several activities she had never previously found time to try.
One highlight was riding a traditional Japanese rickshaw through Kyoto. Although she had visited the city countless times, Ihara admitted that she had rarely experienced it from a rickshaw and was particularly excited about finally doing so.
Another memorable activity was making plum syrup, something she had long wanted to try because of her fondness for Japanese plums. "They basically made everything I wanted to do possible, so the entire shoot was enjoyable," she said, adding that the rickshaw ride was especially exciting.
The calendar features 12 different outfits, with a new look for each month, marking the first time Ihara has attempted so many costume and makeup changes for one calendar. She said the production required extensive cooperation from the photography, styling and makeup teams, but her experience as a competitive dancer proved unexpectedly useful.
Ihara first attracted national attention in 2017 as captain of the dance team at Osaka Prefectural Tomioka High School, whose energetic "Bubbly Dance" performance became a viral sensation. The routine, inspired by Japan's late-1980s bubble economy, was celebrated for its elaborate choreography, synchronized movements and flamboyant costumes.
Looking back on those years, Ihara explained that performing in dance productions had taught her to change costumes at extraordinary speed, sometimes with only 30 seconds between appearances.
"Ever since I was a student, I've been used to quick costume changes," she said. "I'm actually too quick to start taking my clothes off. Sometimes I start undressing while I'm still walking back to the changing room, and people around me have to stop me."
She laughed that rapid costume changes had become something of a special talent, adding that the skill helped the calendar shoot finish comfortably within its schedule despite the unusually large number of outfits.
Asked which entertainment industry colleague she would most like to give the calendar to, Ihara chose comedian and entertainer Takashi Fujii.
She explained that Fujii had always been someone who shared his positive energy with her, and she hoped the colorful, retro and pop-inspired calendar would allow her to return some of that encouragement.
"He always gives me so much energy, so I'd like to give him this calendar and hopefully return a little of that energy," she said.
Ihara also discussed her expanding acting career, particularly her growing interest in action performances.
She said she had long wanted to try action roles and finally achieved that ambition through "Sanada Ten Braves: Shadows of the Ten Ninja," in which she performed fighting scenes involving a chain weapon.
Although the production gave her an opportunity to explore physical action, Ihara said she now hopes to take on sword-fighting choreography in a future role.
"I've always wanted to do action scenes, and that dream came true with this drama," she said. "But because I mostly fought using a chain weapon this time, I'd really like to challenge myself with sword fighting next."
The actress also reflected on her work in the television drama "Wheat, Butter and Revenge," which added to an increasingly demanding production schedule during the latter half of 2026.
When asked to summarize her year using a single Japanese character, Ihara initially struggled to decide, joking that she had accomplished so many different things, including making bread.
She eventually chose the character associated with a swift, instantaneous movement, explaining that the word captured the pace of her professional life.
"The second half of the year in particular was a whirlwind of filming," she said. "After shooting in Kyoto, I worked on 'Wheat, Butter and Revenge,' and there were so many situations where I had to move quickly, both physically for my roles and while traveling from one place to another."
She described her year as a succession of moments requiring her to act quickly and adapt to changing circumstances.
When reporters asked whether she could express that feeling through dance, Ihara agreed to demonstrate with a brief movement rather than a full routine.
After confirming that a simple gesture would be acceptable, she performed a quick, sharp movement to illustrate the speed she had been describing, drawing laughter from those attending the event.
A reporter praised the precision of her movements and suggested that the impromptu performance might go viral again, recalling the dance routine that first brought her widespread attention nearly a decade earlier.
Ihara responded with a smile and thanked those present.
The 2027 calendar represents another milestone for Ihara, who has continued to release calendars annually while developing a career in television dramas, film and stage productions. This edition marks her eighth consecutive annual calendar and her first in a desktop format, featuring a different outfit for every month.
With its Kyoto setting, colorful styling and activities chosen from Ihara's personal wish list, the calendar reflects both her attachment to the historic city and the lively personality that helped launch her entertainment career.
