Taira Shinohara
Born and raised in Chicago.Represents the United States as a junior figure skater.
Born on May 11, 2006, currently 18 years old.His father is from Hokkaido, and his mother is from Fukuoka. They met in the United States.
Shinohara started skating when his childhood friend, who is currently in Japan, invited him and his younger sister Tamaki to a public skating session.
Tamaki started taking skating lessons and classes and Shinohara began skating as well, while he continued to play soccer.
Tamaki is a synchronized skater who also competes as a singles skater.
This spring, Shinohara graduated from high school and will move away from his family in fall to attend a university, where he will begin his new season in a different environment.
Continuing from last year, he trained with Yuma Kagiyama and coach Masakazu Kagiyama in May and June.
During the latter half of his stay in Japan, he practiced at MF Academy before returning home.This time, he came to Japan alone without his family.
The interview took place midway through his stay.
We found a time after his practice and before he went out with his friends, on a rainy day in Harajuku, Tokyo.
He remarked, "I usually bring the sun out, so I'm sure the rain will stop once I go outside," but the rain got heavier, and I ended up buying an umbrella for him.
It seems my strong influence as a "rain woman" prevailed that day.
"I hung out with Yuma a lot. We went to the aquarium, visited Toyota, etc.
We ate and traveled together. I also received a lot of advice from Yuma and coach Masakazu.The experience was fun once again, and I spent quality time in training.
I want to compete in the JGP and make it to the JGPF this season.
I also hope to compete in the same competitions as Yuma somewhere.
It was nice of him to suggest we should train together again next year."
Shinohara talks about it with a sparkling smile.
He had originally made contact with Yuma Kagiyama through Instagram.
After a disappointing end to Shinohara’s 2022-2023 season, he was thinking about who he wants to train with the most in order to get excited and motivated for the following season. Kagiyama came to mind.Not expecting much, Shinohara sent a message via Instagram DM to Kagiyama, and to his surprise, Kagiyama replied.
Thanks to Kagiyama, Shinohara was able to train with him in Fukuoka that summer in 2023.Shinohara was naturally delighted, but Kagiyama was too.
It was Kagiyama’s first time that someone reached out to him to train together.
The training in Japan paid off, and Shinohara placed second in the junior category at the 2024 U.S. Championships.He also won the Bavarian Open at the end of his season.
His triple Axel has become more stable and he has landed quadruple jumps in practice.
To me, he is a well-balanced skater with everything.
My first impression was that he resembled Yuzuru Hanyu with his tall, slender build and long legs.
As a side-hustle, Shinohara also develops apps and works as a figure skating YouTuber.
He is a rapidly growing standout player this season.
We started with ten questions.
1. What are your strengths?
People often say I have a good air positions and light-weight jumps.
I also think my skill of jumps, spins, and steps are quite balanced.I’m also proactive in taking opportunities that come my way through skating, which has allowed me to meet various people and learn many things.
(What about in terms of personality, outside of skating?)
Oh, I see, that kind of thing... (laughs).
I think maybe my ability to get hyper-focused in certain things.
I often get so into something that I lose track of time.
That might be helping my skating and school.
Once, I spent half an hour peeling the white part off a tangerine while working on my homework (laughs).
I was given a tangerine as a snack and then half an hour just went gone.
2. What is your favorite color?
Blue.
3. What is your favorite food?
Probably curry. I also like ramen, sushi, and gyoza.
4. What made you the happiest recently?
Probably training with Yuma. Also the fact that Yuma said he had a great time too!
5. If you could swap places with someone for a day, who would it be?
Hmm... (long pause).
What about a penguin (laughs)?
Probably came to my mind because I saw penguins at the aquarium recently (laughs).
Being a penguin seems nice. I've always loved penguins.
They're cute, they huddle in their colonies, and they don't seem to be thinking much (laughs).
Though that's probably not true. I just like penguins.
6. What is your favorite movie?
I don't watch many, but I like "Your Name." I also like "Totoro."
So, basically any Ghibli and Makoto Shinkai.
7. Where in Japan would you like to visit?
I've been to quite a few places... Actually, Okinawa! I’ve never been there.
8. Which language comes to you first, Japanese or English?
I think for most bilingual people, it's often the idea that forms in their head first.
And I don’t think that has a language.
We just translate them into languages based on the setting we’re in.I'm stronger in Japanese, so it might be Japanese, but really depends on the situation.
Like in school, English naturally comes first.Recently, I've been writing more in English, so maybe English? Well, probably still Japanese.
(You also play the taiko drums, right?)
I used to, but I haven’t recently.
For the language thing, I write a daily diary, and it’s mostly in Japanese.
I mix the two but mainly use Japanese.
When something can be better expressed or can be written shorter, I sometimes use English. Kanji also takes time so I just use English there too.
I've been writing a diary since around 2017.
I sometimes forget, but I usually write every day.
I currently use a 10-year diary, since 2020, which lets me see what I wrote in previous years on the same day. This is quite enjoyable.
9. What are you into recently?
Not sure... Maybe video editing. I've been trying to do it more actively.
(Have you monetized your YouTube channel?)
I was able to meet the requirements around April, based on subscribers and watch hours.
I haven't started the monetizing process yet because I just turned 18 in May and haven’t got to it yet.
(I hope the revenue helps cover various costs)
Yes, I don't know how much it will be, but I'll work hard to get more viewers.
10. What are some recommendations for places in Chicago?
Probably "The Bean" (officially Cloud Gate).
It's a mirror sculpture that looks like a bean and is a symbol of Chicago.
Also, Willis Tower. If you can go up, it's great. And Chicago pizza, the deep-dish.
Let's delve a bit deeper...
- What was the first jump you landed?
I guess the waltz jump. The first jump I did in a competition was probably a single Lutz.
- When did you land your double Axel?
When I was 13 years old.It took about two years.
I wasn't always practicing it the entire duration, but I worked on it with my first coach, then got some help in Japan, and finally landed it with my current coach, Jeremy, in the US.
- Have you always trained in Japan periodically?
In 6th grade, I trained at the Iizuka Rink for about a month in Fukuoka during my stay in Japan, which was in total about three months.
I used to visit Japan every two years before the pandemic.
As an elementary student, I stayed in places like Hokkaido, Fukuoka, and Tokyo for about three months at a time.In Fukuoka, I attended the public schools for over a month.
- What are your goals as a skater?
The Olympics is a milestone I definitely want to reach.
I guess my other goal as a skater is to connect the generations.
I've grown up watching many skaters, thinking "I want to be like them," and have been receiving inspirations.
When I first started watching skating, I was into Yuzuru Hanyu, then Nathan Chen, and now Yuma Kagiyama.
I want to also be a skater like them, where the next generation can look up to me and think "I want to be like him."
- Who has influenced you the most?
Probably my parents.
They have always let me pursue what I want, both skating and soccer, and it was probably busy and expensive for them, but they supported me the entire time, taking me to practices and talking out struggles.
Their attitude of "If you want to continue, you can" has been significant.
Their influence shapes my character too, the way I think during situations and how I go about solving problems.
My approach towards skating and reality has greatly been influenced by my parents.
- Did you ever have the teenager rebellious phase?
People say I am currently in one (laughs).
Maybe it's been going on for years (laughs).
It's not like I don't talk to them, but I do get annoyed sometimes.
- Your programs for this season
SP: Choreography by Jason Brown
FS: Music from a Japanese anime.
- Goals for this season
I want to participate more in international competitions.
I had a lot of fun at the competition in Germany and want to be more on the international stage.
Now I feel ready for it.I want to be a “prepared skater.”
I want to compete internationally like in JGPs and do well at my first senior nationals, hoping to be in the top 10.
I’m also going to start college, so I don’t want to get lost either.
I’m starting to understand my relationship with skating, like why I skate, so I want to keep that positive relationship.
- Can you recommend a skater for the next interview?
Maybe Beck. I know him pretty well, he knows you, and he’s fun to hang out with!
Also, Lucas? We keep in touch from time to time. Camden?
- Message to skating fans
Subscribe to my YouTube channel! (laughs)
Go watch my videos!
If you have any questions or things you want to know, feel free to message me!
You can leave a comment on YouTube or send a DM on Instagram; it might take a while to respond, but I always read them.
It really motivates me, and it makes me feel more connected to the community, so I’d be happy if you reach out.
*Shinohara will have a domestic competition in July, and then it will be decided if he can participate in the JGP.
He has never competed in the JGP before.
Since last season, he has shown remarkable growth in every aspect – physically, technically, and mentally. He comes across as bright, honest, and very intelligent.
It was evident from his choice of words during the interview.
I believe it won't be long before he performs in front of the Japanese skating fans.
(Taira Shinohara’s Instagram and YouTube channel) https://www.instagram.com/taira.shinohara?igsh=ejMxNGc0bDhoYWkz http://youtube.com/@tairashinohara
*The photos of Kagiyama and Shinohara were taken in Fukuoka during last year's visit to Japan.
The photos were provided by Shinohara, and we have received permission from both Kagiyama and Shinohara for the photos and the article.
Translator : Kanako.O
Special thanks...Taira Shinohara
Interviewer,Writer : Kasumi.N
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