Yuzuki Nakashima, a 22-year-old pop sensation and member of the popular Japanese girl group Sakurazaka46, has become an online inspiration after revealing her extraordinary commitment to both academics and music. Despite a demanding career, Nakashima made a 1,000-km round trip daily from Tokyo to Fukuoka just to attend her dream university — a routine that cost her nearly ₹18,000 per day.
According to a report by the South China Morning Post, Nakashima has been doing this for four years, waking up at 5 a.m. and catching a morning flight from Haneda Airport to Kitakyushu. From there, she travels by taxi or bus to her university in Fukuoka, arriving around 9:30 a.m. She uses the commute time to study and complete assignments before flying back to Tokyo in the evening to train with her music group.
Her daily one-way journey spans over two hours and costs more than $105 (approximately ₹9,000), making the full round trip a staggering ₹18,000 per day. Yet, she never missed a beat — managing her classes, rehearsals, and performances with unwavering discipline.
Having kept her academic life private during her student years, Nakashima opened up about her journey after graduating, calling it a deeply personal achievement. “If you have a dream, no matter how difficult it seems, be brave and go for it. Every second you spend chasing your dream will become one of the most valuable memories of your life,” she shared.
Social media has exploded with admiration for her grit and work ethic. Fans flooded platforms with praise, calling her a “superwoman” for juggling academics, travel, and performances with grace. One student wrote, “I had no idea someone at our school worked so hard. Nakashima has inspired me not to give up.”
Now, with her diploma in hand, Nakashima is ready to focus full-time on her stage career — her story continuing to motivate thousands across Japan and beyond.
