In 2009, Shimakawa started his professional career at Vegalta Sendai but never ended up making an appearance for the club. He made his debut whilst on loan at JFL club Blaublitz Akita in the 2012 season. Shimakawa played for two seasons on loan at Blaublitz Akita before joining them permanently ahead of the 2014 season, the club's first in the J3 League. He scored his first professional goal in the 2015 season.
Moves to a number of clubs followed and Shimakawa played in the top-flight of Japanese football for Ventforet Kofu, Oita Trinita and Sagan Tosu.
In 2024, he joined J2 League club Tokushima Vortis but announced his retirement just two months after the start of the season in April.[1][2] He made 274 appearances, scoring 9 goals in a career spanning 14 years.
Career statistics
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[3][4][5][6]