Travis Japan was one of the first groups from STARTO ENTERTAINMENT who opened Instagram, and has since then amassed an impressive following of 1.1 million followers at the time of writing.
Their presence on social media is not only promoting their work as a promising Japanese superstar group, but it also maintains the casualness and transparency of 7 guys having fun together.
Their Instagram is a splendid mixture of promotional piecesโhigh quality, perfectly curated for its purpose, highlighting the current work they are promotingโand cozy behind-the-scenes shots where the boys simply enjoy their adventures together.
Social media can sometimes end up as a platform for branding only, sadly leaving out the personality in the account, but this is not the case with Travis Japan.
The account works as a professional portfolio and provides a glimpse of them as the group Travis Japan, which is trying to conquer the world with their entertainment. However, with member Kaito “Machu” Matsukura in charge of their Instagram and its direction, they keep their personalities intact and let it paint their social media presence even more colorful.
The close bonds and friendships are something that fans have loved and adored about Travis Japan since the beginning, and it’s one of the things that makes you so irrevocably in love with the group.
Their chemistry is evident when you watch them perform on stage or during their YouTube videos, radiating joy and warmth that captivates anyone. These connections are not merely surface-level; they run deep, with each member supporting and uplifting one another through both personal and professional challenges. In their RIDE ON TIME episodes (S2, EP6; S3, EP13-16; S6, EP9-12), you can dive deeper into their history as a group and how they have evolved, both individually and as a group, due to these close bonds.
Throughout all their performances and appearances, this genuine camaraderie is showcased. Their famed synchronized movements reflect not just intricate and complicated choreography but also a shared understanding and trust.
When it comes to Travis Japan, what fans often find themselves drawn toโaside from their artistry on stageโis the heartwarming and precious interactions between the members. It creates an atmosphere that feels like a close-knit family rather than just a group whose sole purpose is to stand on stage and deliver their craft.
With not only Instagram in their hands as social media, YouTube and TikTok also play a big role in their global expansion and accessibility. Just one screen away, they can now reach a wider audience and spread their craft in a matter of seconds. They’re always there, accessible in your hand.
Growing their audience and following on social media has become one of the key factors for artists who want to spread their artistry abroad, outside of their domestic market. “Where can I find them?” is a common question asked, and social media gives a great insight into who the artist is at first glance, and is easy to share when asked.
Branding, concept, personalityโTravis Japan has it all in their social media, and that’s what makes them so attractive in the digital sea of social media.
Aside from their presence as a group on social media, Noel Kawashima, Genta Matsuda, and recently Kaito “Chaka” Miyachika have their own personal accounts they run and handle.
Noel’s project is his YouTube channel “Noel’s Spare Time” (Noeru no Sukima Jikan; ใฎใใใฎ้้ๆ้), also operating on X.
In his first episode, he introduces himself briefly, discusses his background and current work as Travis Japanโs Noel Kawashima, and discusses his plans for the channel, among other things.
On the channel, we can see various videos covering topics with friends, study with me, and a dive into a MBTI test. The videos are as long as they are passionate and reflect Noel’s character perfectly. Known for his long blog posts on their official blog, fans endearingly call them essays due to their length, as expected of our beloved Brain Tiger!
On the topic of essays, on his 30th birthday, Noel will release his very first book, Idol no Filter (The Idolโs Filter), a fully original essay collection that promises to give fans a unique glimpse into his world.
In his new book, Noel steps into the role of a writer for the first time, and heโs doing it in style. Every page of Idol no Filter is carefully penned by Noel himself, filled with his reflections on the curious moments of daily life and the realizations heโs madeโall viewed through the unique lens of an โidol.โ Fans can also look forward to exclusive stories from his time studying abroad in Los Angeles in 2022, a trip thatโs now considered legendary among his fans as a major turning point for him and the group.
That’s not all! On September 29th, fellow member Ryuya “Shime” Shimekake also opened his own solo Instagram! He joins the others in the vibrant digital world, bringing with him a unique blend of creativity and personality that fans have come to love.
With his first post up, showcasing a series of photos of himself, fans all over the world are excited to see what he will present and how the account will evolve.
“”I’ll be posting various photos from now on!”
As the Sweet Tiger sets out to spread his own identity online through this form of self-expression, fans eagerly anticipate what he’ll do to continue to deepen their connection with him. This thrilling new chapter not only amplifies his individual brand but also enriches the close bonds with those who support him dearly.
On his 27th birthday, Leader Tiger Chaka launched his personal TikTok account, surprising everyone with this announcement. In his first post, he is seen dancing smoothly to the groupโs debut song, “JUST DANCE!,” and captioned it with “This is my first post!!! Chaka in a house!!“
The TikTok will be his platform to show off his craft as a dancer, and focus on the way he wants to present himself. Travis Japan as a group is known for their synchronized dancing and their high-level of skill, and Chaka has always been highly regarded among peers, seniors, and fans alike as an exceptional dancer.
His stage presence is out of this world, and it’s hard to take your eyes off him once he stands on stage; with every movement, he draws the audience into his performance as if they are part of it.
Recently, Chaka was one of the four featured Reps in the new Japanese dance battle show “R4 STREET DANCE.” In this show, the four Reps form crews by drafting members from the professional dance league D.LEAGUE and compete in various showcase and dance battles.
Chaka’s leadership and dance skills are highlighted as he works closely with his crew. His crew faces the challenging task of completing a dance showcase with only one full day of practice, which to Chaka might not be an uncommon event. Known for his powerful and passionate dance style, he has impressed both his crew and fellow dancers, creating a performance that blends his artistic background with the technical expertise of the D.LEAGUE members.
Crew members express admiration for him, noting his leadership and the energy he brings to both rehearsals and performances. His work in the show is expected to inspire more people to appreciate dance, blending his leadership and experience from Travis Japan with the skills of his crew to deliver captivating performances.
โโWhat are you most looking forward to with respect to your new solo social media channels?
“I’ve always thought TikTok was a great social media platform to show how music and dance can bring people from all walks of life together. On our group account, we love seeing what kinds of videos get uploaded with our songs embedded by fans, and even people who aren’t yet fans but just think our hooks or moves are catchy and want to share their spin on them. Having my own account lets me be a part of that, not just as a member of Travis Japan but equally a TraJa-TAN myself and a fan of all kinds of other genres and artists from around the world.”
The TikTok will definitely catapult Chaka into even greater heights as he continues to curate content for his new platform and show the world exactly who he is and what he and his dancing represent.
If anyone in Travis Japan (read: Tomonori Jinnai;ใใขใใชใธใณใใค) embodies the name and presence of “Travis Japan,” it is Genta. The youngest in the group is known for taking any given opportunity to flash the TJ pose, and with his natural charm, he manages to pull everyone around him to do the same. So, it was no surprise when his first post was a picture of the TJ pose.
Since the opening of his solo Instagram account, the world has been graced with delicious content. It’s a true treasure box for all his fans, and it’s representing him perfectly with the mixture of his natural charm and genuine portrayal of who he is. Genta is a perfect example of “what you see is what you get,” and his Instagram perfectly encapsulates it.
He lets his photos speak for themselves, adding hashtags to his posts but often without an actual caption. The posts tell a story of who he is, his relationship with his members, seniors, and friends, and the environment he works inโsimply, it gives his fans something to look forward to every day.
โโWhat are you most looking forward to with respect to your new solo social media channels?
“I want my account to be a chill space for fans to get to see what I’m like in my off time. I like posting pictures by myself or with my friends or the members of Travis Japan that you might not see in the official pictures, from our downtime at work or just out and about. I also love doing livestreams, especially late at night. Even though they might not get a lot of people at that time, it’s a great time to just relax, have a drink, and hang out when the rest of the world is quiet.”
The behind-the-scenes photos of himself, and the other members only add to the authenticity of who he is. Genta is undoubtedly one of the most genuine people there is, and his heart is made of gold.
Thanks to him opening a solo Instagram account, we get the chance to be a part of his world and see a part of it through the lens of Genta.
And just like their group account is a platform to promote their work and craft as a group, Genta’s solo account promotes his brand and personality as Travis Japan’s Genta Matsuda. With hit works like “The Blue Skies at Your Feet (2022)”, “The Date of Marriage (2023)“ and recently the 2024 remake of “Tokyo Tower,” Genta is just getting started in the acting industry, making a name of himself.
With their world tour going into the second half, Dumpling Box had the chance to ask Genta about it.
The world tour is something they have never done before, and all the venues are different from what they are used to. Not to mention the differences in cultures in the countries they go to. While it’s a new experience for him, the group, and all the fans, he hopes that they will be able to create amazing memories together.
“Right, so, a lot of the members are really excited since itโs our first world tour, and for me personally, this is a dream come true, getting to do an overseas tour. I donโt want this to be the endโour goal is to make this world tour a huge success so that we can do one every year from now on. The distance between us and the fans is closer this time, with the stage being closer to the audience, so we can really feel the energy of each venue. I promise weโre going to create some amazing memories together, so please look forward to it!”
Seeing fans share their experience from the Asia leg of the world tour, it’s evident that they have created more than amazing memories together. Travis Japan has the magical ability to make every moment with them feel incredibly special, and the moment you start watching them you’re a part of the family. The bond between Travis Japan and their fans is something they treasure and they want to return the love and support a thousandfold.
In this world where artists strive to maintain a balance between professionalism, authenticity, and casualness, Travis Japan and its members are leading by example. Their social media accounts are the perfect examples of digital windows into their vibrant lives as rising superstars in the music industryโboth domestic and globallyโand let their fans feel the close bonds they have developed throughout the years.
This authentic connection is what makes them stand out, and itโs why they continue to win hearts around the worldโone post, one dance, and one unforgettable moment at a time.
The group has always wanted to strive to deliver the best entertainmentโtheir entertainmentโto as many as possible, and with the addition of the members operating their own social media, Travis Japan is accessible at any time, anywhere, in the palm of your hand.
