Fukada became a model for the first time in 2003, modeling fashion designer Katsura Yumi's kimono-styled outfits for the Spring/Summer Paris Collection. Since doing "Shimotsuma Monogatari" in 2004, she has been a guest model several times for the magazine KERA and has appeared on the cover of one of their photomooks.
Fukada's most popular film by far is the 2004 hit "Shimotsuma Monogatari", the story of a lolita befriended by a yankee. Shortly after its release in Japan, it was licensed and made available for American audiences (however, it was not until 2006 that the film was released on DVD for Western viewing). It was this movie that truly put Fukada on the radar worldwide, as she has won four different awards for that movie alone. Fukada continues to be one of Japan's most recognized actresses with her continual appearances in dramas, films, and magazines.