hsjhoshi | Nakajima Yuto Instagram

Our very own Nakajima Yuto, who has been gracing the pages of Men's Non-No magazine every month as a regular model, has finally opened an Instagram account! With his extensive knowledge of fashion and photography, expectations are already high as a place to showcase his sense of style and dedication. To commemorate the launch, we had an exclusive interview with him, delving into the story behind the account opening and his enthusiasm. We will also introduce the three photos that were posted. Please follow him now!

What made you decide to start Instagram?

I wanted to create a creative space for myself. I always thought that expressing something through something I love, my "photography", was something I needed to do now that I'm in my 30s. Since Instagram is the platform for sharing photos and is widely used by people around the world, I thought I should start using it. It seems like it could become something fulfilling for me, and I'm really excited about it

You're known for having many hobbies, but among them all, is photography still one of your favourites?

Yeah. Photography ranks quite high. When I'm immersed in photography, I often find myself thinking, 'I do really enjoy this.' That's why I hope Instagram will be a good fit.

How do you wish to express yourself?

In my work, there's often the need for me to present in photos in a certain way, and of course, that is something I value. Amidst that, I enjoy discovering what I can do and what I can convey, and I find a sense of accomplishment in that. But for the photos I take personally, I want to focus more on the aspect where I can decide if it feels "good" on a more intuitive level. Additionally, I want to create works based on themes I've set, revealing aspects of myself that I haven't shown much before. It would make me happy if people who know me as an idol or actor go, 'Huh? Who's this?' and feel surprised. In that sense, I think one of the strong reasons for me starting Instagram is to entertain those who follow it.

With that in mind, how was it like capturing your first post?

For the momentous start, I really wanted to upload photos that had a strong artistic quality. I was assisted by the staff members I work with at Men's Non-No, and it was a happy time. It felt almost too extravagant for me, and I wondered, 'Is it really okay to have something like this happen?' (laughs). I think being able to collaborate in this way with a team that has understood my strengths for many years isn't something that happens often. Things that I hadn't even imagined started coming to life, resulting in a sense of happiness and fulfilment that's hard to put into words. I created references, chose the photos, and worked on the layout all by myself, and I really love doing these things. I'm always working on these things at home while muttering about what to do or not to do (laughs). In the context of thinking about how to present my posts this time, I believe I was able to show, 'I like this creative direction,' and 'This is the side of myself I want to show.'

Do you have any plans for how you want to continue this account in the future?

Eventually, I want to post photos that I take myself. That's why I chose an icon that reflects that. While I've had countless opportunities to share my own photos, if I were to include all my personal preferences and hobbies in them, I feel it might end up being too niche and won't fit anywhere (laughs). I'm more interested in the lighting than how my face looks (laughs). Given that, I think it's perfect for me to showcase my creativity and thematic approach in a personal space like Instagram. I hope to show photos that Men's Non-No readers can also enjoy. So, please look forward to what's to come in the future!

From: https://www.mensnonno.jp/lifestyle/369537/area04/