In December 1997, when Yanagita was 16 years old, she was selected the Japan national team for 1997 AFC Championship. At this competition, on December 5, she debuted and scored a goal against Guam. She was a member of Japan for 1999, 2003, 2007 World Cup, 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympics. She played 91 games and scored 11 goals for Japan until 2008.