Japanese pop idol takes 4-hour flights daily to attend university. It costs… | World News
A Japanese pop idol has won widespread admiration for her dedication after revealing she made a four-hour round trip every day to attend university, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported.
Yuzuki Nakashima, 22, a member of the well-known girl group Sakurazaka46, has been balancing her studies and music career with a tough routine that begins at 5 am. According to SCMP, she recently shared a vlog showing her daily journey to university, which quickly went viral online.
Although she lives in Tokyo due to her singing career, Nakashima’s university is in Fukuoka—nearly 1,000 km away in the south of Japan. She wakes up early to do her make-up before heading to Haneda Airport 6am to catch the first flight of the day. She usually lands at Kitakyushu Airport around 9:30am, then takes a taxi or bus to her campus.
Speaking about her motivation, Nakashima said in the video, “It was my dream to attend this university since secondary school.” The one-way journey takes over two hours and costs more than 15,000 yen (about Rs 8,997) every day. To make good use of her time, she studies and finishes assignments during her commute.
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Despite her fame, she said she is treated like any other student on campus and often studies alone in a quiet room with a view. After attending lectures, she flies back to Tokyo for her group’s dance and singing rehearsals, which usually go on into the night.
Nakashima had been keeping her university life private for years, only revealing it now that she has completed her studies and received her diploma. “I felt that graduation was the right time to share this important part of my life,” she explained.
Before becoming a pop idol, she worked part-time jobs to save up and pursue her dream of being a performer. Now, she plans to focus more on her stage career. “If you have a dream, no matter how difficult it seems, be brave and go for it,” she said, as quoted SCMP. “Every second you spend chasing your dream will become one of the most valuable memories of your life.”
Her story has sparked a wave of support on social media. One user wrote that “the true charm of idols lies not just in their looks or talent, but in their inner strength,” while another called her a “superwoman” for managing school, music, and public appearances. A fellow student commented, “I had no idea someone at our school worked so hard. It’s hard to find a job these days, but she’s inspired me not to give up.”
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