Japanese tap dancer brings rhythm to New York City streets

Emiko Nakagawa learned to tap dance in Tokyo, where she spent her childhood studying meticulous techniques from a serious teacher. But in the videos that have earned her a following on Instagram, Nakagawa combines dance precision with street style, pairing her rhythms and moves with a wide range of pop music — especially hip-hop. She started the Instagram feed to share the style and scenery of New York City with tap dancers back home, in Japan. Now, she’s earned the distinction of making Dance Magazine’s list of 25 dancers to watch in 2026. Jeff Lunden has the story from New York.