is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Women's Super League club Manchester City and the Japan national team.
Yamashita was born in Adachi, Tokyo on September 29, 1995. After graduating from high school, she joined Nippon TV Beleza in 2014. The club won L.League championship and she was selected Best Eleven for 3 years in a row from the 2015 season.
On 9 August 2024, Ayaka was signed on a three year deal by Women's Super League club Manchester City. She made her debut for the team in a UEFA Women's Champions League qualifying match win over Paris FC on 18 September 2024.
In August 2015, when Yamashita was 19 years old, she was selected for Japan national team for 2015 East Asian Cup. In that competition, on August 4, she debuted against South Korea.
On 19 March 2018, she was called up to the 2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup, where Japan won the championship.
On 10 May 2019, Yamashita was included in the 23-player squad for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup. On 18 June 2021, she was included in the Japan squad for the 2020 Summer Olympics.
On 7 January 2022, Yamashita was called up to the 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup squad. On 13 June 2023, she was included in the 23-player squad for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023.
On 14 June 2024, Yamashita was included in the Japan squad for the 2024 Summer Olympics. Yamashita was part of the Japan squad that won the 2025 SheBelieves Cup.
Yamashita won the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup with her national team after a 1âÂÂ0 victory over Australia in the final, where she also received the Best Goalkeeper award.
Tokyo Verdy Beleza
INAC Kobe Leonessa
Japan
Individual