Naoya Kihara: The Story Of Japan’s First WSOP Champion

Quick Facts: Naoya Kihara

• Total WSOP Bracelets: 3 (including two historic titles won in 2026)
• Biggest Achievement: Japan’s first-ever WSOP Champion (2012)
• Key Event Won: $5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Six-Handed
• Background: Former top-ranked competitive backgammon player
• Alma Mater: University of Tokyo

If there is one name that defines Japanese poker, it is Naoya Kihara . Most poker fans know him as the first Japanese player to win a World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet. He achieved this historic milestone in 2012 by winning a $5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Six-Handed event, becoming Japan’s first-ever WSOP champion and claiming a massive $512,029 first-place prize.

More than a decade after that breakthrough achievement, Naoya Kihara poker journey continued; he has not disappeared from the spotlight. In fact, he is shining brighter than ever. At the 2026 WSOP , he captured two championship titles in just three days and finished as the most successful player of the series according to the Somuchpoker Poker Index .

But how did a young man from Japan become one of the most recognized names in the poker world?

How Did Kihara Transition From Backgammon To Poker?

Kihara’s story is unique because he grew up in a country where poker has almost no tradition. In Japan, games like pachinko, shogi, and mahjong dominate the world of strategy and entertainment. For many years, the country remained largely disconnected from Western casino and card game culture. Even today, many Japanese people associate poker mainly with Five Card Draw, a format that became popular during the American occupation after World War II.

When Kihara discovered poker, only a small number of people in Japan considered themselves professional players. There were no major poker rooms, no developed tournament scene, and limited opportunities for great improvement. He later became the first Japanese professional poker player to sign a sponsorship deal with a major foreign company, which makes his rise even more remarkable.

How Did Online Poker Shape Naoya Kihara’s Career?

Before poker, however, Kihara had already achieved success in another strategic game. He was one of Japan’s top backgammon players, and a fellow backgammon competitor introduced him to poker around 2008.

“Poker is the game of the future. You can play online poker anytime, with anyone from anywhere in the world,” – his friend advised him at the time.

That idea changed everything for Kihara. Online poker became his primary path to improvement. It allowed him to compete against strong players globally on a daily basis. Kihara has stated in interviews that one year of intensive online poker can make someone a stronger player than decades spent only in traditional, physical poker rooms. In his opinion, the internet made it possible for a world-class player to emerge from a country where poker was barely part of the culture.

Within just a few years of playing online, he reached the highest level of the game, putting Japanese poker on the global map, along with fellow players such as Masashi Oya , Jun Obara ,  and Masato Yokosawa .

What Is Naoya Kihara’s Poker Strategy and Mindset?

Many people believe Japanese culture gives players a unique advantage at the poker table because Western players often find it difficult to read Japanese emotions or body language. Kihara, however, sees things differently.

He believes modern poker is no longer about simply reading facial expressions. Instead, the most important skills are mathematical thinking, understanding probabilities, and making consistent decisions. Still, he acknowledges that one traditional Japanese characteristic provides a real advantage: patience.

This mindset is reflected in the way he handles losses. If he loses a hand where he had an 80% chance of winning, he does not become frustrated. He simply accepts that the statistically unlikely outcome happened this time. Naoya Kihara does not believe in luck, momentum, or short-term results. Successful players, he argues, are those who consistently make decisions with the highest Expected Value (EV), rather than allowing emotions to dictate their choices.

His approach to poker is closely connected to his philosophy of life. As he often notes, his favorite motto is:

“Do your best and leave the rest to heaven.”

As a graduate of the University of Tokyo, Kihara sees poker as a miniature version of life itself. No matter how carefully we prepare, unexpected things can always happen. An opponent can make a surprising move, or even the perfect decision can still lead to a disappointing result. The same is true outside of poker; illnesses, accidents, and unexpected events can affect anyone.

According to Kihara, the goal is not to control everything, but to make the best possible decisions with the available information. He observes that there are two types of competitive people: those who “hate losing” and those who “love winning.” The first group may avoid difficult challenges out of fear . The second group is willing to keep trying, even after repeated losses, because the joy of success outweighs the frustration of failure. Kihara clearly sees himself as the second type.

What Is Naoya Kihara’s Life Like Beyond Poker?

Today, this analytical yet patient mindset shapes not only his poker career but also his life as a father. Kihara has two young sons. Before becoming a parent, he often played online during the night to match the busiest hours for European and American players. After his children were born, he changed his schedule to prioritize family time.

He believes raising children is a shared responsibility and accepts that some career sacrifices are necessary. He wants his sons to enjoy challenges, stay persistent, and never be afraid of losing. For Kihara, one of the greatest joys in life comes from embracing the fact that things do not always go according to plan.

When his children win a game or a race, he celebrates with them to help them understand the value of success. At the same time, he hopes they will find their own path in life and discover activities where they can show their true passion and talent.

This family-focused mindset is especially interesting considering the ambitious goal Naoya Kihara shared in a 2015 interview. Back then, he stated he did not want to be remembered as a random, one-time champion; he wanted his name to appear on top-ten lists around the world.

Live Poker

Recap

WSOP

Naoya Kihara Becomes First Double Bracelet Winner of 2026 WSOP Following Incredible Three-Day Blitz

Naoya Kihara makes history at the 2026 WSOP by capturing two gold bracelets in just three days. Full recap of his historic Las Vegas run.

06/08/2026

More than ten years later, that dream has become a reality. After his incredible multi-championship performance at the 2026 WSOP, Naoya Kihara WSOP performance made him not only Japan ’s first WSOP bracelet winner. He is one of the defining figures of modern poker – and judging by his journey so far, his biggest achievements may still be ahead of him.