Kawakami (written: 川上) is a Japanese surname. Notable people with the surname include:
Bertha Kawakami (1931–2017), American educator and politician , Japanese writer Gensai Kawakami (1834–1871), a famous samurai Hajime Kawakami (1879–1946), Japanese Marxist economist Hiromi Kawakami (born 1958), a Japanese author Juria Kawakami (born 1993), a Japanese singer Kenji Kawakami (born 1946), the inventor of Chindōgu Kenshin Kawakami (born 1975), a Japanese Major League Baseball pitcher Kikuko Kawakami (1904–1985), a Japanese novelist Kiyoshi Kawakami (nicknamed "Karl"; 1873–1949), a Japanese journalist and author Lynn Kawakami (born 2006), a Japanese singer, rapper and dancer, member of the K-pop group tripleS Masashi Kawakami (born 1972), a Japanese boxer Mieko Kawakami (born 1976), a Japanese singer and author Mine Kawakami (born 1969), Japanese pianist and composer , Japanese electrical engineer Otojirō Kawakami (1864–1911), a Japanese actor and theatrical manager Richard Kawakami (1931–1987), American politician Sadayakko Kawakami (1871–1946), a Japanese actress known professionally as Sada Yacco Saena Kawakami (born 1997), Japanese badminton player Shuta Kawakami (born 1998), Japanese Paralympic athlete Takeshi Kawakami (born 1972), a Japanese professional shogi player Tetsuharu Kawakami (1920–2013), Japanese baseball player "God of Batting/Hitting", and manager Tim Kawakami, American sports journalist Yoohei Kawakami (born 1982), a Japanese singer-songwriter and musician, leader of the band Alexandros
Fictional characters Momoyo Kawakami and Kazuko Kawakami in Maji de Watashi ni Koi Shinasai! (Majikoi ~ Oh! Samurai Girls) Sadayo Kawakami in Persona 5 Tomie Kawakami in Tomie