Kawakami (written: 川上) is a Japanese surname. Notable people with the surname include:
Kawakami Gensai (1834–71), a famous samurai
Hajime Kawakami (1879-1946), Japanese Marxist economist
Hiromi Kawakami (born 1958), an author
Juria Kawakami (born 1993), a singer
Kenji Kawakami (born 1946), the inventor of Chindōgu
Kenshin Kawakami (born 1975), a Major League Baseball pitcher
Kikuko Kawakami (1904–1985), a novelist
Kiyoshi Kawakami (nicknamed "Karl"; 1873–1949), a journalist and author
Masashi Kawakami (born 1972), a boxer
Mieko Kawakami (born 1976), a singer and author
Otojirō Kawakami (1864–1911), an actor and theatrical manager
Yasuhiro Kawakami, a video game composer
Tetsuharu Kawakami (1920-2013), Japanese baseball player "God of Batting/Hitting", and manager
Yū Kawakami (川上 祐), a Japanese pornographic film actress
Fictional characters
Momoyo Kawakami and Kazuko Kawakami in Maji de Watashi ni Koi Shinasai! (Majikoi ~ Oh! Samurai Girls)
