Japanese Voice Artist based in Tokyo

A voice that welcomes
people into your story.

I am here to quietly open the door.

Trusted by

The Cotton Voice — watch on YouTube

The Cotton Voice

Not a performance.
Something closer to a presence.

Never performed — just spoken, the way you would speak to someone you trust. People stop thinking about the narrator and simply follow where the story leads.

Once they trust it, they stop listening for the voice altogether.

LanguageJapanese (Native, Standard Tokyo dialect)
Voice AgeChild / Teen / Young Adult / Adult
ToneWarm, organic, breathable, unhurried
Best Suited ForBrand film, audio guide, product story, infrastructure narration — airports, museums, tourism, mobility

Voice Credit — Featured Project

Technology moves forward.
A human voice makes it feel welcome.

“iino” is Japan’s autonomous mobility vehicle, moving through airports and city spaces at walking pace — about 5km/h. I provide the Japanese voice guidance on board, helping passengers feel at ease as they step into something entirely new.

Projectiino — Autonomous Mobility
LocationsHaneda Airport / Takanawa Gateway City
RoleOfficial Japanese voice, in-vehicle and passenger guidance

DEMOS

You will know this voice
before you understand a single word.

A product launch. A museum walkthrough. A brand that suddenly feels less like a company. Press play. See what you notice.

Conversational

Approachable, Authentic, Believable, Casual, Friendly, Relaxed, Warm

0:16 ↓ MP3

Cool

Classy, Dynamic, Smooth, Sophisticated, Sultry

0:17 ↓ MP3

About

I do not record scripts. I help people find their way to things they have not met yet — a brand, a place, a craft, waiting just beyond the corner. Like a neighbor who already knows where you would like to go.

I am not the story.
Just the doorway into it.

Specializing in
  • Brand Films
  • Audio Guides
  • Museum Narration
Download CV
Experience10+ years as a professional radio broadcaster and Japanese voice artist, Tokyo
LanguageJapanese (Native)
Voice AgeChild / Teen / Young Adult / Adult
TypeWarm, Organic, Relatable, Breathable

Studio

Sound-treated. Built for listening.

A small, sound-treated studio in Tokyo, designed so nothing gets in the way of what you hear.

Working Together, Wherever You Are

Live-directed sessions, real-time feedback — the same conversation you would have in person, just across a screen instead of a desk.

ConnectivityZoom, Google Meet or Source-Connect Standard
TurnaroundOften within 12 hours for scripts under 300 words; 24 hours for under 1,000 words
Recording ChainAudio-Technica AT4040 · Steinberg UR22mkII · Pro Tools

Reliable Workflow

Send the script. I will take care of the rest.

Native Japanese translation and copy editing, timing adjustments, background music, and finished video delivery are all available on request.

Some projects simply ask for more.

Tokyo Wing

Beyond Voiceover

Support for Japanese localization, casting and post-production — available whenever you need it.

Some projects call for more than one voice. I handle the casting and coordination myself, so you still have just one point of contact from start to finish.

When needed, I can bring together a network of over 400 vetted Japanese voice talents for projects of any scale.
A script that reads naturally in English does not always feel natural in Japanese. I refine each script before recording, so it sounds written for your audience — not simply translated.

Timecode adjustments are also available to match your existing visuals precisely.
Every recording is delivered clean, polished, and ready to use. Noise removal, editing, mixing, and BGM can all be handled before delivery.

The goal is simple: less work for your team, and audio that is ready to drop into your project.

I can also connect you with skilled Japanese music composers and sound designers if your project calls for original music.
If you need more than audio, I can deliver a finished video as well. Japanese subtitles, audio synchronization, and final export are handled for you.

You receive a publish-ready MP4, so there is one less step between approval and release.

I can also introduce you to trusted Japanese video production studios if your project requires full-scale production support.

Testimonials

  • We are consistently impressed by your proactive approach and incredible flexibility. Beyond your superb narration technique, your genuine kindness toward our entire production crew makes every collaboration a pleasure. You are a top favorite among our clients! While your mastery of gentle tones is exceptional, your ability to adapt your voice to a wide range of projects is a huge asset to our team. We look forward to many more projects together!

    The Production Team ByGaudi Creative Production (TVCM / PV / MV)
  • Thank you so much for your incredible narration! I am consistently moved by the depth and texture of your voice. Once again, you delivered a flawless finish that perfectly complements the visual storytelling. Thank you for your exceptional work!

    Takayuki Miura Director / VFX & Animation Artist / Cinematographer
  • A voice is one of the most important elements in shaping a work and the atmosphere of a space. Kana Hirakata's voice blends naturally into each project's world, enriching the overall experience. Her flexibility, quick communication, and reliable delivery make her a narrator I can always trust and confidently recommend.

    Tatsuru Takeishi Sound Designer

FAQ

Two rounds free, for tone or pace. My own errors are fixed immediately, always. Script changes after recording may carry an extra cost.
I am a native speaker, based in Tokyo, speaking Standard Tokyo Japanese. Natural Japanese is only the beginning — what I am really after is making your audience forget they are listening to a translation at all.
WAV or MP3, broadcast quality, via Dropbox or WeTransfer. Clean, edited, ready as they are.
PayPal or Wise. Payment due within 15–30 days of delivery. New clients may receive a watermarked version first.

Podcast

Where Japanese craftsmanship
finds its way into the world.

SHOKUNIN Frontier is where Japanese artisans talk about the real version of their work — not the polished one. The doubts. The small wins. What it actually takes to be seen beyond Japan.

Listeners meet makers they would never otherwise come across. The work finds the people it was meant for.

Contact

Tell me who you are hoping
to reach — I will help them
find their way to you.

A brand film. An audio guide. Something still waiting to be heard.






    Playing demo...