The highest-paid YouTubers in Japan are Junya Takahashi, Hikakin, and Hiroaki Nakabayashi.
In 2024, YouTube is booming in Japan, with 4.8% of its traffic coming from social media users.
This surge is largely due to kids’ channels, short videos & comedy sketches which have nearly doubled their subscribers in just a year.
Many celebrities like Arisa Nakano, as well as comedian Ryuusei Nakao, have joined the platform, sharing unique content that isn’t available on regular TV.
As a result, brands are turning to influencers to reach their audiences more effectively in this changing digital world.
12 Highest Paying YouTubers in Japan
Junya Official Channel
Junya 1Gou, also known as Junya Takahashi, is a popular Japanese TikToker and YouTuber known for his quirky and nonsensical humor.
He creates entertaining videos that often include comedy skits and challenges, which have captivated millions of viewers.
Recently, he has achieved remarkable milestones, becoming the second most-followed TikToker in Japan with about 44.1 million followers and over 37 million subscribers on YouTube.
His YouTube channel has amassed over 20 billion total views, contributing to an estimated net worth of $1.15 million in 2024.
| YouTube Channel | Junya Official Channel |
| Monthly Earning from YouTube Ads | $305.8K – $917.3K approx. |
| Total Subscribers | 37 million approx. |
| Average Monthly Channel Views | 189 million views approx. |
| Total Views | 22 billion views approx. |
| Joined YouTube on | September 14, 2020 |
| Monthly Uploads | 80 – 100 videos approx. |
ISSEI / いっせい
ISSEI, also known as いっせい, is a rising Japanese YouTuber and TikTok star famous for his comedic videos and film parodies.
He creates a variety of entertaining content, often reimagining popular clips from other creators and adding his own humorous twist.
Since launching his TikTok in September 2019, ISSEI has gained impressive recognition, boasting over 42 million YouTube subscribers and around 12 million TikTok followers.
His most popular videos, especially the “body puzzle” clips, have attracted millions of views, contributing to his estimated net worth of about $110.04 million.
Additionally, ISSEI’s content is mainly in English, reflecting his aim to connect with a global audience while promoting laughter and joy.
| YouTube Channel | ISSEI / いっせい |
| Monthly Earning from YouTube Ads | $1.4M – $4.3M approx. |
| Total Subscribers | 42.8 million approx. |
| Average Monthly Channel Views | 853 million views approx. |
| Total Views | 32 billion views approx. |
| Joined YouTube on | July 23, 2014 |
| Monthly Uploads | 40 – 50 videos approx. |
HikakinTV
Hikaru Kaihatsu, known as Hikakin, is a prominent Japanese YouTuber and businessman famous for his engaging beatboxing and entertaining videos.
He creates a variety of content, including challenges, music performances, and collaborations, making his channel enjoyable for viewers of all ages.
Recently, Hikakin celebrated a significant milestone when his YouTube channel, “HikakinTV,” surpassed 10 million subscribers in September 2021, and he now has a total of around 20 million subscribers across all his channels.
With an impressive estimated net worth of about $29.24 million, Hikakin continues to be a leading figure in the Japanese YouTube community.
Beyond YouTube, he has launched his own brand, HIKAKIN PREMIUM, which sells various products, including food and merchandise.
| YouTube Channel | HikakinTV |
| Monthly Earning from YouTube Ads | $113K – $339.1K approx. |
| Total Subscribers | 18.9 million approx. |
| Average Monthly Channel Views | 68 million views approx. |
| Total Views | 12 billion views approx. |
| Joined YouTube on | July 19, 2011 |
| Monthly Uploads | 10 – 15 videos approx. |
Bayashi TV
Hiroaki Nakabayashi, better known as Bayashi TV, is a popular Japanese YouTuber and former model who shares his **** for cooking through entertaining videos.
He initially started with mukbang content but has since shifted to making engaging cooking videos and TikTok shorts, often featuring cheese and deep-fried dishes.
Recently, he celebrated crossing 28 million followers on TikTok and won the TikTok Creator of the Year award in 2022.
With an impressive estimated net worth of about $111.16 million, Bayashi has amassed over 55 million followers on TikTok, where his unique recipes have gone viral.
Besides his online fame, he is also connected to his family’s apple orchard, Bayashi Farm, in Gunma Prefecture, Japan.
| YouTube Channel | Bayashi TV |
| Monthly Earning from YouTube Ads | $577.7K – $1.7M approx. |
| Total Subscribers | 29 million approx. |
| Average Monthly Channel Views | 430 million views approx. |
| Total Views | 17 billion views approx. |
| Joined YouTube on | January 26, 2021 |
| Monthly Uploads | 4 – 6 videos approx. |
HAYATAKU
HAYATAKU, also known as はやたく, is a 26-year-old Japanese comedian and video blogger who gained fame through his entertaining content on TikTok and YouTube.
He creates a variety of funny videos, often showcasing his adventures in exciting locations around the world.
Although he faced challenges early in his career, his persistence paid off. Within ten months of starting on YouTube, he accumulated 1.4 million followers, and now he has over 17 million subscribers.
Currently, he has an impressive estimated net worth of about $201.28 million, reflecting his success as a content creator.
| YouTube Channel | HAYATAKU はやたく |
| Monthly Earning from YouTube Ads | $1.5M – $4.5M approx. |
| Total Subscribers | 17 million approx. |
| Average Monthly Channel Views | 916 million views approx. |
| Total Views | 15 billion views approx. |
| Joined YouTube on | February 23, 2022 |
| Monthly Uploads | 10 – 15 videos approx. |
Kimagure Cook
Kimagure Cook, run by Japanese YouTuber Kaneko, is a popular channel focused on cleaning, cutting, and cooking a variety of seafood with a humorous twist.
His videos often feature unusual or rare species, like sharks and giant squids, and he starts each episode with his catchphrase, “Let’s prepare it!” While the content can be graphic, he usually avoids showing the killing of live seafood.
With an estimated net worth of about $10.08 million, Kaneko has built a strong international following, thanks in part to English subtitles on his most popular videos.
Beyond his main channel, he also shares off-topic content on his secondary channel, “Whimsical Cook’s Procrastination Zone,” where he explores topics like rare fruits.
| YouTube Channel | Kimagure Cook |
| Monthly Earning from YouTube Ads | $39K – $116.9K approx. |
| Total Subscribers | 12 million approx. |
| Average Monthly Channel Views | 24 million views approx. |
| Total Views | 3.2 billion views approx. |
| Joined YouTube on | August 14, 2008 |
| Monthly Uploads | 12 – 16 videos approx. |
Fischer’s
Fischer’s (フィッシャーズ) is a popular Japanese YouTube group formed by seven friends who graduated from the same middle school, led by a member known as Silk.
They create a wide variety of entertaining content, including challenge videos, mukbangs, and hidden camera skits, often featuring fun games and athletic activities.
Recently, they achieved remarkable milestones, including reaching 15 billion total views on YouTube and being the first Japanese creators to win a Streamy Award in 2019.
With an estimated net worth of about $26.67 million, Fischer’s has become one of Japan’s most recognized YouTube groups.
Beyond YouTube, Silk also ventured into filmmaking, producing a horror film titled “Kakari – Possession” in 2022.
| YouTube Channel | Fischer’s |
| Monthly Earning from YouTube Ads | $183.3K – $549.9K approx. |
| Total Subscribers | 8.6 million approx. |
| Average Monthly Channel Views | 104 million views approx. |
| Total Views | 18 billion views approx. |
| Joined YouTube on | August 24, 2012 |
| Monthly Uploads | 10 – 15 videos approx. |
Sharmeleon
Sharla Katalin Hinskens, known as Sharmeleon or simply Sharla, is a Canadian YouTuber who has been sharing her life in Japan since 2011.
Her channel, “Sharla In Japan,” features vlog-style content where she discusses her experiences, showcases Japanese culture, and provides insights into daily life in Japan.
Recently, she has collaborated with well-known YouTuber Chris Broad on his series “Journey Across Japan,” further expanding her audience.
With an estimated net worth of $118,000, Sharla has built a loyal following by combining her lively personality with her extensive knowledge of Japanese culture.
In addition to her YouTube work, she has partnered with brands like Uniqlo and the Japanese tourist board to promote local specialties.
| YouTube Channel | Sharmeleon |
| Monthly Earning from YouTube Ads | $352.23 – $1.1K approx. |
| Total Subscribers | 785K approx. |
| Average Monthly Channel Views | 188K views approx. |
| Total Views | 120 million views approx. |
| Joined YouTube on | May 16, 2013 |
| Monthly Uploads | 1 – 2 videos approx. |
Kimono Mom
Moe, also known as Kimono Mom, is a former geisha who blends traditional Japanese culture with modern motherhood in her popular online presence.
Her YouTube channel, “Kimono Mom,” features heartwarming cooking videos where she shares family recipes and showcases Japanese home cooking, often alongside her daughter, Sutan.
Since starting her channel in 2020, she has gained nearly six million followers across Instagram and YouTube, reflecting her impact on both Japanese and international audiences.
With an estimated net worth of $6.2 million, Moe’s content resonates with viewers, 95% of whom are from overseas, who appreciate her insights into Japanese culture and family life.
| YouTube Channel | Kimono Mom |
| Monthly Earning from YouTube Ads | $19.2K – $57.7K approx. |
| Total Subscribers | 3 million approx. |
| Average Monthly Channel Views | 15 million views approx. |
| Total Views | 867 million views approx. |
| Joined YouTube on | February 22, 2020 |
| Monthly Uploads | 4 – 7 videos approx. |
Rachel & Jun’s Adventures!
Rachel and Jun are a married American-Japanese couple who create engaging videos about Japanese culture and society on their popular YouTube channel, “Rachel & Jun.”
They cover a variety of topics, including cultural insights, daily life experiences, and travel vlogs, appealing to a global audience of over 1 million subscribers.
Jun also runs a separate channel called “Jun’s Kitchen,” where he showcases his culinary skills alongside his adorable cats, enhancing the charm of his cooking videos.
With an estimated net worth of about $711.15 thousand, their content has garnered attention from major media outlets like the BBC and Japan Times.
Through their videos, they foster understanding and appreciation of both Japanese and Western cultures while connecting with other creators in the YouTube community.
| YouTube Channel | Rachel & Jun’s Adventures! |
| Monthly Earning from YouTube Ads | $579.95 – $1.7K approx. |
| Total Subscribers | 1 million approx. |
| Average Monthly Channel Views | 311K views approx. |
| Total Views | 155 million views approx. |
| Joined YouTube on | November 03, 2013 |
| Monthly Uploads | 1 – 2 videos approx. |
TOKAI ON AIR
Tokai On Air is a popular YouTuber group from Okazaki, Aichi Prefecture, consisting of six members: Tetsuya, Ryo, Shibayu, Toshimitsu, Yumemaru, and Mushimegane.
They create entertaining videos focused on fun experiments and competitions, capturing the playful spirit of childhood.
Since starting their channel in 2013, they’ve become a major presence on YouTube, ranking as the 5th most-viewed channel in Japan with 11.92 billion views and over 7 million subscribers as of October 8.
The group has also served as tourism ambassadors for Okazaki City and was featured in events related to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
With estimated annual earnings of $2-5 million, Tokai On Air continues to engage a wide audience with their lively content.
| YouTube Channel | Tokai On Air |
| Monthly Earning from YouTube Ads | $142.4K – $427.2K approx. |
| Total Subscribers | 7 million approx. |
| Average Monthly Channel Views | 92 million views approx. |
| Total Views | 14 billion views approx. |
| Joined YouTube on | October 13, 2013 |
| Monthly Uploads | 20 – 30 videos approx. |
Risa Sekine
Sekine Risa is a popular Japanese YouTube star known for her engaging beauty and lifestyle content on her channel, SekineRisa.
She started her YouTube journey on February 27, 2012, and has since attracted over 1.2 million subscribers with her makeup tutorials, product hauls, and personal vlogs.
In addition to her YouTube success, she has gained more than 380,000 followers on Instagram, showcasing her influence in the beauty community.
Her estimated net worth ranges from $259K to $1.55 million, reflecting her success as a content creator.
Sekine Risa is often compared to other beauty influencers, like Mia Stammer, for her vibrant and relatable approach to makeup vlogging.
| YouTube Channel | SekineRisa |
| Monthly Earning from YouTube Ads | $2.2K – $6.6K approx. |
| Total Subscribers | 1.2 million approx. |
| Average Monthly Channel Views | 1 million views approx. |
| Total Views | 690 million views approx. |
| Joined YouTube on | February 27, 2012 |
| Monthly Uploads | 8 – 12 videos approx. |
