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Retired Japanese couple with 799,000 instagram followers now fashion icons and travel influencers

By on October 15, 2019

It all started when comments and praises came flooding in after daughter posted photos of her parents Tsuyoshi “Bon” and Tomi “Pon” Seki wearing matching outfits on Instagram.

“You both look good in whatever clothes you wear,” writes one of their followers.

“You seem to get along well. You’re a lovely couple,” remarks another.

“Whatever you wear always leaves a good impression.”

By their second posting, the number of followers had reached well over 600,000.

The well-curated images taken in various locations indoor and out, gave Instagrammers a regular peek into the couple’s day-to-day life.  The Seki couple in their 60s post photos of what they wear everyday in matching prints and colours. People got hooked to their page because of the simplicity and practicality of their style choices which has earned them oohs and aahs.

But it isn’t just their clothes that people are curious about.  “Yesterday, I was interviewed about a topic I’m often asked about – the secret to getting along better with my husband,” confides Pon.

After an interview with Yahoo Japan last year, their photos had gone viral. They now have well over 799,000 Instagram followers who regularly leave comments on their page. When you have an audience this size on social media, you are called an influencer and may be contacted by sponsors to endorse their products, for a fee.

Last year, the couple from Sendai launched their own clothes and accessories brand, “Bonpon 511”, named after their Instagram account and the month and day of their wedding anniversary. The Bonpon 511 collection is sold at Rakuten.

Married for 39 years, the empty nesters are enjoying their claim to fame which has evolved into what only few people can dream about – having fun traveling together doing what they love and getting paid for it.

In recent months, they were on a tour of France and South Korea upon the invitation of the tourism development offices in Japan and, at the same time, endorsing a travel pocket wi-fi device and Peugeot Rugby sport shirts. Here are some of their stunning images.

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