Iroha Kishimoto – Rugby Player and Sports Apparel Designer

Prop Iroha Kishimoto has been with the Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix for nearly a decade, but is also one of a handful of Japanese players to have played in Australia, spending two seasons with the ACT Brumbies in the Super W. Outside of rugby, Iroha is also a designer and has helped launch a new sports clothing brand in 2025 called Maresta.

Surprisingly, the Japanese player has yet to be capped by the Sakura XV, which remains a goal for the front row forward who loves the physicality of the sport. 

Iroha Kishimoto watched her brother play rugby when she was growing up. She gave the sport a go and went on to be the first female rugby player from Kagoshima Technical High School.

“At first, I thought I would not play rugby. I used to play volleyball for a long time, but I felt maybe it was not the sport for me. When I saw rugby, and you can hit someone, and I was always fighting with my brother, I thought this could be good for me.”

It was through a friend of her brother’s that she found a place to play, and she was looking to further her career after school, and she was told about the Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix.

“I saw them play on YouTube. They looked good, and I liked the culture. I saw the shiny jerseys too, and I thought, ‘Oh, I want to wear that jersey’, and then I decided to ask my coaches to contact Yohei (the club’s owner and CEO). I met him over the summer and joined them in around 2016.”

Over the past decade, the club has become one of the best domestic Japanese Women’s teams, and last season won the three-peat in securing the Japanese National Women’s Rugby Championship on 2 February 2025, by beating rival Mie Pearls in the final. 

We asked Iroha what the biggest highlight has been in her career, having won titles with the Phoenix, but also fulfilling a lifelong dream of playing overseas.

“For me, it is our second championship we won at Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix. The season before, I had some injuries, but when we won two seasons ago, I played the full 80 minutes in the final, and that is the one I am most proud of.”

The Japanese club had a tour to Australia, and the coaches at the ACT Brumbies (coach Scott Fava) knew Yohei and asked him about potential front row forwards, and Iroha was recommended. She said at the time of her move, “I want to prove I can beat foreigners who are bigger than me.”

She told us, “I had so many great experiences with them. The people stood out, and I felt I was really a part of the Brumbies. I have lifelong partnerships and friendships from my time with them.”

She proudly has on her Instagram account – Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix player #71 & Brumbies Player #69

The Phoenix are in the early stages of the new XVs season and hope to defend their title for the fourth time. She is also hopeful of still representing Japan on the international stage – she was part of the Japan national team training squad in May 2024.

Iroha The Designer – Maresta

Iroha said she started designing about 3-4 years ago after she was recovering from a concussion, and she was thinking about life outside of rugby.

“When I got the concussion, I thought about my life, and I couldn’t imagine life after rugby. Yohei advised me and asked what I wanted to do. It’s been a process, but now I have these other opportunities, and this year we launched a new brand – Maresta.  

You can see from the design of the logo that it means to shine. I like that, as I think anyone can shine – wherever you are. If you look at me, I was born on a small island (Kagushima), but now I’m in Tokyo and play rugby with the Phoenix.”

The logo for the brand is “Wave Your Story. Wear Your Honour” and is a brand born where the sea meets sport, and where passion becomes honour. The goal of Maresta is to empower athletes and dreamers alike to embrace their story, wear their identity, and move forward with pride.”

The sports and rugby leisure brand has been vetted by her friends and teammates, who Iroha says are the best critics and give honest feedback. Her Phoenix and Japan teammates have been modelling the range online too. 

“They love it, and they are so honest. I know they are honest. They give great feedback, and I take that on board and listen to their ideas.”

She hopes to launch the brand overseas in the Australian and New Zealand markets. See more on Instagram and online here.

Rugby Asia 247 has entered a content agreement with the Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix club and will be bringing you player, coach, and staff interviews until 2026.

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• Charity Williams – A New Experience With the Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix.
• Three Japanese Women Players Sign Up For Super Rugby W 2025 Season.
• Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix Coaches – Rhodes Lea & Aimee-Leigh Campbell.