Kodai Naraoka (奈良岡 功大, Naraoka Kōdai; born 30 June 2001) is a Japanese badminton player affiliated with NTT East. Born…
Kodai Naraoka (奈良岡 功大, Naraoka Kōdai; born 30 June 2001) is a Japanese badminton player affiliated with NTT East. Born in Aomori, he started playing badminton at the age of 5 with the influence of his father. He won the silver medal at the 2023 and 2026 BWF World Championships. In his junior career, Naraoka has won a silver at the World Junior Championships in 2018, where he previously claimed a bronze in 2017. He represented his country competed at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires, Argentina, won the bronze medals in the boys' singles and mixed team event. He competed for Japan at the 2024 Summer Olympics in the men's singles event.
Famous People from Aomori, Aomori Prefecture
Aomori, Aomori Prefecture: 39 people
Kazuma Tsuya (Japanese: 津屋 一球; born 7 June 1998) is a Japanese professional basketball player for San-en NeoPhoenix of…
Kazuma Tsuya (Japanese: 津屋 一球; born 7 June 1998) is a Japanese professional basketball player for San-en NeoPhoenix of the B.League. He plays as a shooting guard and has represented Japan at youth and senior international level. Tsuya won a silver medal with Japan in the men's tournament at the 2026 Asian Games.
Issei Takahashi (髙橋 壱晟, Takahashi Issei; born April 20, 1998) is a Japanese football player who currently plays for…
Issei Takahashi (髙橋 壱晟, Takahashi Issei; born April 20, 1998) is a Japanese football player who currently plays for Vissel Kobe.
Tatsuo Ebina (蝦名 達夫, Ebina Tatsuo; born September 20, 1997 in Aomori, Aomori, Japan) is a Japanese professional…
Tatsuo Ebina (蝦名 達夫, Ebina Tatsuo; born September 20, 1997 in Aomori, Aomori, Japan) is a Japanese professional baseball outfielder for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Ai Soma (born 15 September 1997) is a Japanese swimmer. She competed in the women's 50 metre butterfly event at the…
Ai Soma (born 15 September 1997) is a Japanese swimmer. She competed in the women's 50 metre butterfly event at the 2018 FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m), in Hangzhou, China.
Hasumi Ishigooka (石郷岡 葉純, Ishigōoka Hasumi; born June 17, 1996 in Aomori) is a Japanese curler from Nagano. She…
Hasumi Ishigooka (石郷岡 葉純, Ishigōoka Hasumi; born June 17, 1996 in Aomori) is a Japanese curler from Nagano. She currently plays lead on the Chubu Electric Power curling team, which won the Japan Curling Championships in both 2017 and 2019. At the international level, she has represented Japan twice at the World Women's Curling Championship (2019, 2022) and the 2019 Pacific-Asia Curling Championships, where she won a silver medal.
Seiya Kinami (木浪 聖也, Kinami Seiya; born June 15, 1994 in Aomori City, Aomori, Japan) is a professional Japanese…
Seiya Kinami (木浪 聖也, Kinami Seiya; born June 15, 1994 in Aomori City, Aomori, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball shortstop for the Hanshin Tigers.
Taishu Sato (Japanese: 佐藤 大宗, romanized: Satō Taishū, born 20 October 1993) is a Japanese modern pentathlete. He was a…
Taishu Sato (Japanese: 佐藤 大宗, romanized: Satō Taishū, born 20 October 1993) is a Japanese modern pentathlete. He was a bronze medalist at the 2022 Asian Games and a silver medalist at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Masatoshi Kushibiki (櫛引 政敏, Kushibiki Masatoshi; born 29 January 1993) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays…
Masatoshi Kushibiki (櫛引 政敏, Kushibiki Masatoshi; born 29 January 1993) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Reilac Shiga FC.
Toshiharu Moriuchi (森内 壽春, Moriuchi Toshiharu) is a Japanese professional baseball player. He was born on January 2…
Toshiharu Moriuchi (森内 壽春, Moriuchi Toshiharu) is a Japanese professional baseball player. He was born on January 2, 1985. He debuted in 2012 for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. He had 37 strikeouts that year.
Takaharu Furukawa (古川 高晴, Furukawa Takaharu; born August 9, 1984 in Aomori) is an archery athlete from Japan, competing…
Takaharu Furukawa (古川 高晴, Furukawa Takaharu; born August 9, 1984 in Aomori) is an archery athlete from Japan, competing in both individual and team archery events. He competed in the 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2020 Summer Olympics. He was the 2006 All-Japan National Champion,
Kinya Oyanagi (大柳 錦也, Ōyanagi Kinya) (born April 26, 1976) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler. He has worked…
Kinya Oyanagi (大柳 錦也, Ōyanagi Kinya) (born April 26, 1976) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler. He has worked extensely in Toryumon Japan and Michinoku Pro Wrestling, where he is a former Tohoku Tag Team champion along with Kesen Numajiro.
Takanori Hatakeyama (畑山隆則, Hatakeyama Takanori; born July 28, 1975) is a Japanese former professional boxer who…
Takanori Hatakeyama (畑山隆則, Hatakeyama Takanori; born July 28, 1975) is a Japanese former professional boxer who competed from 1993 to 2001. He is a world champion in two weight classes, having held the World Boxing Association (WBA) super-featherweight title from 1998 to 1999 and the WBA lightweight title from 2000 and 2001.
Kazuhito Kosaka (Japanese: 古坂和仁, Hepburn: Kosaka Kazuhito; born 17 July 1973), better known by his stage names Daimaou…
Kazuhito Kosaka (Japanese: 古坂和仁, Hepburn: Kosaka Kazuhito; born 17 July 1973), better known by his stage names Daimaou Kosaka (古坂大魔王, Kosaka Daimaō; lit: "Kosaka the Great Demon King") and Pikotaro (ピコ太郎, Pikotarō; stylized in all caps as PIKOTARO), is a Japanese comedian, television personality and entertainer. Kosaka introduced Pikotaro as another personality promoted by him, but they are considered the same person. He is currently signed with Avex Management Inc. under Avex Group. He is best known for his single "PPAP (Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen)". During US President Donald Trump's fall 2017 trip to Asia, Kosaka was chosen to sing at the official state reception, reportedly due to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe's wish to keep the mood "upbeat". Kosaka is also known for portraying Muryou Hakataminami in Mashin Sentai Kiramager (2020–2021).
Ryūshi Yanagisawa (柳澤 龍志; born June 22, 1972) is a Japanese professional wrestler, mixed martial artist and kickboxer.…
Ryūshi Yanagisawa (柳澤 龍志; born June 22, 1972) is a Japanese professional wrestler, mixed martial artist and kickboxer. His real name is Atsushi Yanagisawa (柳澤 敦史). As a martial artist, he competed in K-1, Pancrase Hybrid Wrestling (Pancrase) and Fighting Network RINGS. As a professional wrestler he competed in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and Inoki Genome Federation (IGF).
Naminohana Kazutaka (born 19 March 1969 as Kazuhiro Kudo) is a former sumo wrestler from Namioka, Aomori, Japan. He was…
Naminohana Kazutaka (born 19 March 1969 as Kazuhiro Kudo) is a former sumo wrestler from Namioka, Aomori, Japan. He was active from 1984 until 1997 and his highest rank was komusubi. He fought for Futagoyama stable and won one special prize for Fighting Spirit. After retiring at age 28 because of injury he went into the restaurant business.
Nanae Kumagai (熊谷 奈苗, Kumagai Nanae; born 1964), known by her pen name Riku Onda (恩田 陸, Onda Riku), is a Japanese…
Nanae Kumagai (熊谷 奈苗, Kumagai Nanae; born 1964), known by her pen name Riku Onda (恩田 陸, Onda Riku), is a Japanese writer. Onda has won the Yoshikawa Eiji Prize for New Writers, the Japan Booksellers' Award, the Mystery Writers of Japan Award for Best Novel, the Yamamoto Shūgorō Prize, and the Naoki Prize. Her work has been adapted for film and television.
Yukito Tamakuma (born January 25, 1964), better known as Leopard Tamakuma, is a Japanese former professional boxer who…
Yukito Tamakuma (born January 25, 1964), better known as Leopard Tamakuma, is a Japanese former professional boxer who competed from 1983 to 1991. He won the WBA flyweight title in 1990.
Hitoshi Saito (斉藤 仁, Saitō Hitoshi; January 2, 1961 – January 20, 2015) was a Japanese judoka who won two consecutive…
Hitoshi Saito (斉藤 仁, Saitō Hitoshi; January 2, 1961 – January 20, 2015) was a Japanese judoka who won two consecutive gold medals at the Olympic games.
Sen Yamanaka (山中泉, Yamanaka Sen; born 7 August 1958) is a Japanese businessman, author, and politician. He is a member…
Sen Yamanaka (山中泉, Yamanaka Sen; born 7 August 1958) is a Japanese businessman, author, and politician. He is a member of the House of Councillors, elected in 2025 as a candidate of Sanseito, a right-wing party that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Taikō Yoshio (born 30 October 1953 as Yoshio Yokoyama) is a former sumo wrestler from Aomori, Japan. He made his…
Taikō Yoshio (born 30 October 1953 as Yoshio Yokoyama) is a former sumo wrestler from Aomori, Japan. He made his professional debut in November 1968, and reached the top division in May 1978. His highest rank was maegashira 2. He left the sumo world upon retirement in November 1980.
Tsutomu Yamazaki 山崎 力 (May 8, 1947 – June 2, 2021) was a Japanese politician. He was a member of the House of…
Tsutomu Yamazaki 山崎 力 (May 8, 1947 – June 2, 2021) was a Japanese politician. He was a member of the House of Councillors from 1995 until 2007 and again from 2010 until 2016. Yamazaki was born in Aomori, Japan. Yamazaki died from COVID-19 at a hospital in Aomori on June 2, 2021, at age 74.
Kanemaru Shiratori (白鳥 金丸, Shiratori Kanemaru; born 3 February 1942) is a Japanese boxer. He competed in the men's…
Kanemaru Shiratori (白鳥 金丸, Shiratori Kanemaru; born 3 February 1942) is a Japanese boxer. He competed in the men's lightweight event at the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Futagoryu Isao (born 16 November 1941 as Isao Omura) is a former sumo wrestler from Aomori, Japan. He made his…
Futagoryu Isao (born 16 November 1941 as Isao Omura) is a former sumo wrestler from Aomori, Japan. He made his professional debut in September 1960 and reached the top division in January 1969. His highest rank was maegashira 5. He retired in March 1971.
Kiyoshi Tanabe (田辺 清, born October 10, 1940) is a retired Japanese boxer who won a bronze medal at the 1960 Olympics.
Kyōichi Sawada (沢田 教一, Sawada Kyōichi; February 22, 1936 – October 28, 1970) was a Japanese photographer with United…
Kyōichi Sawada (沢田 教一, Sawada Kyōichi; February 22, 1936 – October 28, 1970) was a Japanese photographer with United Press International who received a Pulitzer Prize for war photography.
Yūichirō Miura (Japanese: 三浦 雄一郎, Hepburn: Miura Yūichirō; born October 12, 1932) is a Japanese speed skier and…
Yūichirō Miura (Japanese: 三浦 雄一郎, Hepburn: Miura Yūichirō; born October 12, 1932) is a Japanese speed skier and alpinist. In 1970, he became the first person to ski on Mount Everest. Forty-three years later, in 2013, he became the oldest person to summit Everest, at the age of 80. He was born in Aomori Prefecture and graduated from Hokkaido University. He was introduced to alpine sports by his father when he was in second grade. Peaks he has skied down include all the Seven Summits. The government of Japan named an award after him and he was recognized by Guinness World Records. He has made many public appearances and has worked with several companies and organizations.
Ichirō Kojima (小島 一郎, Kojima Ichirō; 1924–1964) was a renowned Japanese photographer.
Akimitsu Takagi (高木 彬光, Takagi Akimitsu; 25 September 1920 – 9 September 1995) was the pen-name of a popular Japanese…
Akimitsu Takagi (高木 彬光, Takagi Akimitsu; 25 September 1920 – 9 September 1995) was the pen-name of a popular Japanese crime fiction writer active during the Shōwa period of Japan. His real name was Seiichi Takagi (高木 誠一, Takagi Seiichi).
Jun Tazaki (田崎 潤, Tazaki Jun; 28 August 1913 – 18 October 1985), born Minoru Tanaka, was a Japanese actor best known…
Jun Tazaki (田崎 潤, Tazaki Jun; 28 August 1913 – 18 October 1985), born Minoru Tanaka, was a Japanese actor best known for his various roles in kaiju films produced by Toho, often portraying scientists or military personnel.
Noriko Awaya (Japanese: 淡谷 のり子, Hepburn: Awaya Noriko; August 12, 1907 – September 22, 1999) was a Japanese female…
Noriko Awaya (Japanese: 淡谷 のり子, Hepburn: Awaya Noriko; August 12, 1907 – September 22, 1999) was a Japanese female soprano chanteuse and popular music (ryūkōka) singer. She was dubbed the "Queen of Blues" (ブルースの女王, Burūsu no Joō) in Japan.
Keizo Miura (三浦 敬三, Miura Keizō; February 15, 1904 – January 5, 2006) was a Japanese skier who was born in Aomori. He…
Keizo Miura (三浦 敬三, Miura Keizō; February 15, 1904 – January 5, 2006) was a Japanese skier who was born in Aomori. He was a skiing teacher and photographer of mountain landscapes. He was notable for his fitness and outdoor-sport undertakings at advanced age; at 77 he was the oldest person to climb Kilimanjaro and at 99 descended a Gletscher of Mont Blanc together with his oldest son Yūichirō and grandson Gota. Yūichirō Miura was also the oldest person to climb Mount Everest and the Himalayas, at age 70, at age 75 and later at age 80. Keizo Miura wrote two books on his health routine, one of them co-written with his physician. The Miura family has a strong connection to Utah. On February 15, 2004, Keizo Miura celebrated his 100th birthday with a ski descent together with more than 120 friends and family members, including four generations of his family, at Snowbird ski resort, Keizo's favorite ski resort, near Salt Lake City, Utah. All three of Yūichirō's children attended Rowmark Ski Academy in Salt Lake City. Gota graduated from Rowland Hall in Salt Lake City. Yuta and Gota both graduated from the University of Utah, also in Salt Lake City. Keizo died in 2006 at the age 101.
Takagi Kyozo (Japanese: 高木恭造; October 12, 1903 – October 23, 1987) was a Japanese poet who wrote in the Tsugaru dialect…
Takagi Kyozo (Japanese: 高木恭造; October 12, 1903 – October 23, 1987) was a Japanese poet who wrote in the Tsugaru dialect and an ophthalmologist. His nephew is crime fiction writer Akimitsu Takagi. He was born in Aomori, Aomori Prefecture, Japan. He worked briefly as a substitute teacher and later news reporter. He eventually became an ophthalmologist and opened his own clinic in Hirosaki. October 23 is celebrated in Japan as "Tsugaru dialect day" (Japanese: 津軽弁の日) in honor of the anniversary of his death. There is also a monument dedicated to him with an except from a Marmelo poem in Hirosaki.
Yao Kitabatake (北畠 八穂, Kitabatake Yao; 5 October 1903 – 18 March 1982) was a poet and children's literature writer in…
Yao Kitabatake (北畠 八穂, Kitabatake Yao; 5 October 1903 – 18 March 1982) was a poet and children's literature writer in Shōwa period Japan.
Shikō Munakata (棟方 志功, Munakata Shikō; September 5, 1903 – September 13, 1975) was a woodblock printmaker active in…
Shikō Munakata (棟方 志功, Munakata Shikō; September 5, 1903 – September 13, 1975) was a woodblock printmaker active in Shōwa period Japan. He is associated with the sōsaku-hanga movement and the mingei (folk art) movement. Munakata was awarded the "Prize of Excellence" at the Second International Print Exhibition in Lugano, Switzerland in 1952, and first prize at the São Paulo Bienal Exhibition in Brazil in 1955, followed by Grand Prix at the Venice Biennale in 1956, and the Order of Culture, the highest honor in the arts by the Japanese government in 1970.
Morizo Ishidate (石館守三) (January 24, 1901 – July 18, 1996) was a Japanese doctor of pharmacy who served as the 16th…
Morizo Ishidate (石館守三) (January 24, 1901 – July 18, 1996) was a Japanese doctor of pharmacy who served as the 16th Director General of Japan's National Institute of Health Sciences (NIHS), and a pioneer in treating leprosy. The Federation of Asian Pharmaceutical Associations (FAPA) named the FAPA Ishidate Award in his honor for his contributions to the field of pharmacy.
Ibuki Kido (木戸 衣吹, Kido Ibuki; born November 14, 1997) is a Japanese voice actress from Aomori Prefecture who is…
Ibuki Kido (木戸 衣吹, Kido Ibuki; born November 14, 1997) is a Japanese voice actress from Aomori Prefecture who is affiliated with HoriPro International. She began her career after participating in a voice acting audition held by Horipro in 2011. She played her first main role as Akiko Himenokōji in the 2012 anime series OniAi; she is also known for her roles as Natsuki Andō in Chronicles of the Going Home Club, Nanami Knight Bladefield in If Her Flag Breaks, Megumi Jinno in Eromanga Sensei, and Mio Minato in Aikatsu Friends!. she was a member of the singing duo Everying! together with Erii Yamazaki.
Taihi Kimura (Japanese: 木村 太飛, Hepburn: Kimura Taihi; born 15 March) is a Japanese voice actor affiliated with Ken…
Taihi Kimura (Japanese: 木村 太飛, Hepburn: Kimura Taihi; born 15 March) is a Japanese voice actor affiliated with Ken Production. He starred as Takeru Narihira in the 2025 anime Onmyo Kaiten Re:Birth Verse and won the Best New Actor Award at the 20th Seiyu Awards in 2026.
Rie Saito (斉藤 里恵, Saito Rie; born 3 February 1984) is a Japanese politician and author. Having lost her hearing as an…
Rie Saito (斉藤 里恵, Saito Rie; born 3 February 1984) is a Japanese politician and author. Having lost her hearing as an infant, she wrote a best-selling book about her experience working at a host club, where she communicated with patrons using a notepad and pen.