The film "Golden Kamuy: Abashiri Prison Attack Arc" continues to draw large audiences since its release. In this film, Kazuki Kitamura, who plays the prison warden Shirosuke Inudo and is at the heart of the story, exudes an overwhelming presence once again. This talented actor, who has built a unique position for himself with his almost obsessive dedication to his roles, will also be showing a new side of himself in the NHK serial drama "Kaze, Kaoru." On his Instagram, we discovered a photo of him with a mysterious wristwatch.
Text by Yukaco Numamoto
Edited by Takashi Tsuchida
Edited by Takashi Tsuchida
[Article published on January 5, 2026]
The villain who adds flair to the climactic moments of the "Golden Kamuy" series: Prison Warden Shirosuke Inudo
The film "Golden Kamuy: Abashiri Prison Attack Arc" has steadily increased its audience since its release, continuing to thrill fans. This latest installment of the historical adventure is set in Hokkaido during the late Meiji era, where a cast of unique characters clash over a vast hidden gold hoard. This film, too, is a deeply moving experience that leaves a lasting impression even after you leave the theater.
In this installment, where the story reaches a major climax, one of the key figures is Kazuki Kitamura. He plays Shirosuke Inudo, the prison warden. He is a ruthless villain who will stop at nothing to acquire money and weapons, and the filming location for the tense battle scene with his arch-nemesis, Toshizo Hijikata, has already been dubbed a "sacred site" among fans of the series. Beneath his restrained and quiet presence lies a dangerous unpredictability, and the atmosphere changes the moment Kazuki Kitamura appears on screen. His unique intensity and frightening presence adds to the story's heights.
Without knowing moderation, he tried everything he could think of... The trajectory of actor Kazuki Kitamura
Born on July 17, 1969, in Osaka Prefecture, Kazuki Kitamura, now 56 years old, began his career in 1990 with a drama appearance. He has revealed that he went through a long period after his debut where he couldn't get many roles, but his unwavering dedication to character development during that time has created the unique presence he has today.
Each of those stories is intense. To play the role of a gay bar owner, she stood on the streets of Shinjuku 2-chome for weeks without any funds, and even accepted the kindness of someone who approached her and took her to a gay bar to conduct research. For a role as a thug, she made the outrageous decision to have a total of nine teeth pulled, including four front teeth, and then file down four more.
"I was trying out everything I could think of, without any regard for moderation, in order to make a strong impression on the audience and on set as an actor," he recalls, revealing the earnestness of his youth and his sincere approach to his roles. He shared a room with several foreigners to learn English, and took on a wide range of challenges, from Japanese dance and horseback riding to karate and swimming, all for the sake of his roles.
Most recently, he is appearing in the NHK morning drama "Kaze, Kaoru," which just started on March 30th. Set in Tochigi and Tokyo in the early Meiji era, he plays Shin'emon, the father of Rin Ichinose, Japan's first formally trained nurse. His character as a kind, gentle, and understanding "ideal father" is a complete departure from the image of Kazuki Kitamura we've seen before. On social media, comments such as "It's so refreshing to see Kazuki Kitamura not playing a scumbag that I unconsciously become suspicious" and "I can't shake the image of Joji from the morning drama 'Scarlet' and I'm wary" have been pouring in, illustrating how deeply his past roles have been etched in viewers' memories.
A watch where only the second hand ticks away the time, freeing you from the constraints of time.
While browsing through Kazuki Kitamura's Instagram, I came across a photo of him wearing a wristwatch. In that snapshot, which appeared to have been taken during a break on set, a mysterious-looking watch was subtly visible.
Kazuki Kitamura is wearing the Franck Muller "Tonneau Curvex Secret Hours" Ref. 7880SEH1 OG. In addition to the crown at 3 o'clock, there is a push button at 9 o'clock, and normally the hour and minute hands remain stationary at 12 o'clock while only the second hand quietly ticks away. When you want to know the time, you can press that button and it will instantly display the current time—this watch is equipped with such a playful and complex mechanism.
With this model, Franck Muller presented the idea that "the concept of time is a discipline defined by humans, and should inherently be free." However, knowing the time is also essential in modern society.
To embody both reality and ideal, "Secret Hours" was born in 2006, and it continues to accompany those who wish to live time as subjectively as possible. Indeed, it is a watch that remains silent unless you actively seek to know the time.
It seems to me that there is a deep resonance between Kazuki Kitamura's way of life, where he has become so engrossed in his roles that he loses track of time, and the philosophy of this watch, which seeks to liberate people from the constraints of time.
Automatic winding. 28,800 vibrations/hour. 34 jewels. 42-hour power reserve. 18K rose gold case (36mm wide x 50.4mm high). Hand-stitched crocodile strap. 7,150,000 yen (tax included). *Reference item (same model as worn by Kazuki Kitamura, but with different materials)
A presence that gains depth as one ages.
Kazuki Kitamura, who until his mid-40s said he "found value in giving his all to everything," seems to be gradually shifting the direction of his "all-out effort" in recent years. He has started learning Excel and video editing at a computer school near the train station and has also started a curry restaurant business. He has also spoken of returning to furniture making, which he used to do as a hobby. If a man who once poured his heart and soul into his roles is now beginning to value the tangible aspects of everyday life, then perhaps that too is a change that is typical of Kazuki Kitamura.
Looking back, from his days as an unknown actor struggling to land roles to becoming widely known as the actor who had nine teeth pulled, Kazuki Kitamura never chose the easy path. Perhaps that's why, now in his late 50s, he has become an actor whose mere presence on screen can change the atmosphere. The memory of his intense villainous roles lingers in viewers' minds, and even when he plays a gentle father, he makes viewers feel suspicious. This is undoubtedly the rich afterglow that comes from a first-class career.
In a past interview, he said, "I want to take on the challenge again in my 60s," and the look in his eyes showed no sign of being intimidated by age. His immersion in his roles, forgetting the passage of time, and his life lived according to his interests, deeply resonates with the philosophy of Franck Muller, who sought freedom from the constraints of time. Behind his mysterious appearance lies an inexhaustible spirit of inquiry. The true essence of actor Kazuki Kitamura is sure to shine even brighter in the future.
