Actress Kitagawa Keiko walks 16,000 steps at Louvre exhibition, experiences leg pain

Japanese actress Kitagawa Keiko (39) attended a press conference on June 18 for the exhibition "Louvre Museum Exhibition: Renaissance" held in Tokyo. The exhibition showcases over 50 artworks selected from the Louvre's collection, highlighting the essential characteristics of Renaissance art that flourished across Europe from the 15th to 16th centuries. Kitagawa was appointed as an ambassador for the exhibition and recorded an audio guide.

During her visit to the Louvre for filming purposes, Kitagawa discovered through her manager's pedometer that she had walked 16,000 steps while viewing the artworks. She described the experience as physically taxing, noting that the following day she woke up with leg pain. However, she emphasized that the experience was worthwhile, stating she was able to thoroughly view the masterpieces without other visitors present during the museum's closed day, which felt luxurious. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity, saying it was a wonderful experience to immerse herself completely in the paintings.

During her visit to the Louvre, Kitagawa viewed Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece "Portrait of a Woman," commonly known as "La Belle Ferronnière," which will be shown in Japan for the first time at this exhibition. She reflected on seeing the work again, noting that upon closer inspection she was struck by its power and the subject's intense gaze. The exhibition will be held at the National Art Center in Tokyo from September 9 through December 13, 2026.