Retired couple Aki and Koichi never set out to be “influencers.” However, with the help of their daughter Yuri, the pair’s charismatic outfit check Reels and wholesome captions have amassed them more than 1.5 million followers on Instagram.

In fact, their account has generated so much buzz that Instagram itself has taken notice, honoring the couple at its inaugural Instagram Rings ceremony in early October. Along with a physical golden ring conceived by acclaimed designer Grace Wales Bonner, each creator received a digital ring encircling their profile photo in recognition of their outstanding content.

The proud parents (and recent grandparents) never imagined themselves winning awards at star-studded events or being invited to luxury’s biggest fashion shows. “We’ve been traveling so much more than we expected,” Aki and Koichi explained. “It’s funny because we told the kids we’d only take one international trip a year to Japan to see family and friends, but here we are on a plane almost every month.”

It all started when Yuri, who has worked in social media for almost 15 years, posted a video of her mother on her Instagram story. Yuri received an onslaught of positive replies from her followers; notably, many of the comments praised Aki’s style. When Yuri broke the news that her mother had gone “viral,” Aki shared that she didn’t even know what that meant at the time. From there, Yuri laid the groundwork for @akiandkoichi, and called her father in for the endeavor.

“For us, it’s never been about the number of followers or the awards — it’s about family, about doing this together. To be recognized by Instagram for that is truly humbling, and we’re so grateful.”

Even when they reached one million followers, the couple didn’t quite understand what a significant milestone it was. As their daughter emphasized what a feat it is to hit that number in a matter of months, the couple laughed, “Why us?” Having come from humble beginnings as Japanese immigrants, Aki and Koichi said that gaining such a massive audience online is something they could never get used to. “For us, it’s never been about the number of followers or the awards — it’s about family, about doing this together. To be recognized by Instagram for that is truly humbling, and we’re so grateful,” they shared.

While the Japanese-American couple met decades ago in California and have since put down roots in Los Angeles, their sense of style is unmistakably influenced by their heritage. When asked what their favorite brands are, Aki said “Comme des Garçons and Issey Miyake,” while Koichi named Warehouse and BEAMS — “easy pieces and good quality,” he said. Now in their 70s, the couple sees their style as a culmination of their life experiences — a form of self-expression, shaped by their surroundings.

“We tell our children to watch as many films, go to as many shows, and travel as much as possible, because all of those experiences grow and expand your mind. Naturally, that growth influences how you express yourself through your style.”

“I’ve always dressed in whatever makes me feel good, without worrying about trends.” — Aki

Their fashion icons speak to their affinity for the classics. Aki and Koichi said that they’ve always admired Diane Keaton, who recently passed, citing her individuality and confidence. The couple also named Steve McQueen as a core inspiration, describing his sensibility as “simple, timeless, and effortlessly cool.”

“I’ve always dressed in whatever makes me feel good, without worrying about trends,” Aki said. She describes her style as “a mix of unique and timeless pieces,” while Koichi expressed that his style has always leaned “classic” and sometimes “preppy.”

Aki and Koichi may be grandparents, but that doesn’t mean they’re not tapped into newness. Their shoe rotations speak volumes on their ability to keep up. Lately, Aki is leaning into classics: adidas Sambas and Celine loafers. As for Koichi, his daughter is encouraging him to experiment with contemporary styles: “Yuri bought me these adidas x Brain Dead sneakers recently and I love them! I also love my Salomons.”

Though Yuri isn’t in front of the camera as much as her parents, she remains integral to managing their account. With firsthand knowledge of her parents’ tastes, Yuri not only helps them pick outfits, but she also produces the content, from getting the right shots to editing and publishing. “She’s put us in outfits we never would have chosen ourselves, but once we try them on, they just work. It’s truly a family operation.”

“It was always my dream to buy a Giorgio Armani suit, so once I graduated from medical school, I saved enough to purchase one.” – Koichi

Aki and Koichi’s wardrobes are not only filled with the latest products gifted by brand partners, but also pieces they’ve held onto for decades, which carry sentimental value. The oldest piece of clothing in Aki’s closet is an Issey Miyake scarf bought in the 70s, a piece she still loves to wear.

For Koichi, it’s a vintage Giorgio Armani suit that he recently wore in an OOTD video as an homage to the deceased designer. “It was always my dream to buy a Giorgio Armani suit, so once I graduated from medical school, I saved enough to purchase one.”

The couple went from saving up for designer pieces to receiving runway show invitations from the world’s biggest designer labels. For example, attending Dior’s Pre-Fall 2025 Show staged in Kyoto was nothing short of a full-circle moment for the whole family.

“Thinking back to when we immigrated from Japan to the U.S., it’s incredible to imagine that one day we’d be attending a fashion show like this,” Aki and Koichi said. “More than anything, we’re grateful that we get to share these experiences as a family.”

OOTDs aside, an ordinary day for Aki and Koichi is naturally spent together. Recently, the couple has been attending tennis lessons, walking their dog, Kuma, in the neighborhood, and spending quality time with their grandson, Luca. In a major departure from the simple pleasures of retired life, trotting the globe and partnering with name brands represents a new chapter in their lives filled with unfamiliar experiences.

Aki and Koichi’s hope is that their unexpected journey inspires people to make the most of each day — “enjoy it, have fun, and love deeply.” “If our OOTDs have brought even one person a smile, that means everything to us. If our page can bring a bit of joy to someone’s day, that’s more than enough,” they concluded.