Kimiko Nishimoto

Kimiko Nishimoto was a Brazilian-born Japanese photographer and internet celebrity. She was previously a hairdresser, track cyclist and homemaker.

Early life and education

Kimiko Nishimoto was born in Brazil in 1928. Her parents taught agriculture to locals. She was the second daughter of 7 siblings. At the age of 8, her family moved to Kumamoto. She graduated from beauty school.

Career

Nishimoto worked as a hairdresser in her father's salon where she specialized in bridal and Japanese coiffure. After four years working as a hairdresser, Nishimoto attended cycling school and became licensed as a professional cyclist. From the age of 22 to 27, she competed nationally as a track cyclist with her two younger brothers.
In 2001, Nishimoto began her career as an amateur photographer after taking a photography and image processing course taught by her eldest son. In 2011, she had her first solo exhibit at the Kumamoto [Prefectural Museum of Art]. In 2018, she had an exhibition named "Asobokane?" in Shinjuku., Nishimoto had developed a social media presence, with over 220,000 followers of her Instagram account.

Personal life and death

At the age of 27, Nishimoto married Hitoshi, a tax official, and they raised their three children in Kyushu. She was a homemaker for over 45 years. Nishimoto's husband died in 2012 of lung cancer. , Nishimoto resided in Kumamoto Prefecture. In reference to her longevity, Nishimoto stated that she was a daily cigarette smoker and drank a tall glass of Bourbon whiskey every day.
Nishimoto died on June 9, 2025, at the age of 97.