Commuting Four Hours by Plane for Four Years... Japanese Idol Graduates from University, Drawing Attention

Nakashima of Sakurazaka46 Draws Attention for University Life
Four Hours of Commuting Each Day... Transportation Costs Reach 300,000 Won

A Japanese idol group member has attracted attention after it was revealed that she commuted by plane for four hours round-trip over four years to attend university and eventually graduated.

According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on April 20, Yuzuki Nakashima, a member of the popular Japanese girl group Sakurazaka46, is originally from Fukuoka but currently lives in Tokyo, which is about 1,000 kilometers away from her hometown, to pursue her entertainment career.

However, she enrolled at the University of Kitakyushu, a school she had dreamed of attending since middle school, and did not give up on her studies despite her busy schedule.

According to Nakashima's YouTube channel, as introduced by SCMP, she would wake up at 5:30 a.m., spend 30 minutes on makeup, and then head to Haneda Airport around 6 a.m. to catch her flight.

The flight from Haneda Airport to Kitakyushu Airport takes about one hour and thirty minutes. Nakashima made the most of her time by studying or working on assignments during the flight.

Girl group 'Sakurazaka46' member Yuzuki Nakashima
[Image source=Captured from Yuzuki Nakashima's official website]

Arriving at Kitakyushu Airport around 9:30 a.m., Nakashima would take a taxi or other transportation to school. It is reported that her daily transportation expenses amounted to an average of 30,000 yen (approximately 300,000 won).

After classes ended, she would return to Tokyo to focus on her main career, never skipping dance and vocal training at night.

Nakashima maintained this routine for four years and recently received her diploma.

She kept her school life private and only revealed it after graduation. Nakashima explained, "I thought graduation was the right moment to share such an important part of my life."

She also encouraged others by saying, "If you have a dream, challenge yourself bravely no matter how difficult it may seem," and added, "Every moment spent pursuing your dream will become one of the most precious memories in your life."