RResidents in Japan

Favorite Japanese Musicians and/or Bands?

Theres a lot of great music in Japan, but recently I feel like I’m listening to the same artists too frequently. Some of my favorite singers are Susumu Hirasawa and Yamaguchi Momoe. Does anyone have any suggestions for good Japanese music/musicians? Any favorite songs?

31 comments

  1. There’s a youtube channel called The First Take. They invite singers to perform a song recorded in one take and feature many well known artists in Japan.

    My personal favorite is Inside You by Milet.

  3. I really like Def Tech its kinda like reggae. Catch the wave is a super good song

    You probably know about Orange Range but if you dont you should check them out.

  12. For me one of my favorites has to be Casiopea, they are a progressive jazz band but I get that’s not for everyone. If I’m being honest some of their music sounds like something from a Wii sports soundtrack.

  13. For electronic music: Nujabes, Susumu Yokota, Hiroshi Yoshimura, Satoshi Fumi.
    For more pop sound: Daoko, REKISHI, iri… some Sakanaction songs are still bangers, but I haven’t been a big fan for a few years. Same applies to Shiina Ringo/Tokyo Jihen, but it doesn’t help that she’s a right-wing nutter.
    For more rock: Maximum the Hormone, SiM, coldrain, Crossfaith… can’t think of much more, it’s been a few years.

    If I listen to anything from Japan these days, it’s probably electronic house, techno, or ambient. Luckily Spotify has some nice playlists for those, to help broaden my horizons.
    Definitely not a fan of the modern Japanese male singing voice, especially if it’s paired with some generic piano/acoustic guitar.

    And I love Susumu Hirasawa! MOTHER gives me chills every time I hear it.

  15. LOVEBITES. Chicks in wedding dresses shredding your face off since 2016. They look like a gimmick band but they’re not, they’re fucking brilliant.

  17. If I had to choose, B’z, Show-Ya, and Scandal. Couldn’t really pin down any favourite song, I just like how they sound (Show-Ya especially).

  18. Look for the Weedian compilation “Trip to Japan” on bandcamp. If you can’t find something in those 40 songs, I can’t help you.

  19. Miyuki Nakajima is my go-to singer but she can be a bit dark and depressing at times.

  21. This will probably date me, but Yamazaki Masayoshi, Fukuyama Masaharu, Oda Kazumasa, Kirori, Southern All Stars, X Japan

  22. Boris

    Hebi Katana

    Eternal Elysium

    Church of Misery

    Sigh

    Blood Farmers

    Flower Traveling Band

    Blacklab

  25. Radwimps, L’arc~en~ciel, asian kung fu generation, b’z, tokyo jihen, sambomaster, aiko

  26. Random list of artist from my jp playlist

    Hiraidai

    Eve

    iri

    Vaundy

    JP the wavy

    Official髭男dism

    kiro akiyama

    (Old but gold female artist that were big 2000)

    大塚愛

    安室奈美恵

    滨崎步

    Yui

    Favorite all time song prob either “daybreaks bell” by l’arc-en-Ciel or 春雷 by 米津玄師

  27. Garnidelia, Yoasobi, Radwimps, Polkadot Stingray, POLYSICS.

    POLYSICS are my favourite. Check out New Wave Jacket, Rocket, Electric Surfin’ Go Go, and I My Me Mine.

  28. Fujii Kaze, Vaundy, and Lamp are the only Japanese artists I consistently listen to! Favorite songs of each:
    きらり- Fujii Kaze
    踊り子 – Vaundy
    恋人へ – Lamp

  29. Currently I’m listening to a lot of….

    Yuma Abe

    Shintaro Sakomoto

    Shugo Tokumaru

    Yujiro Kudo

    Junnos

  30. My specialist subject!

    Japan has an *incredible* indie music subculture that gets absolutely none of the recognition it deserves. The average level of quality in Japan’s underground scene is absurdly high, with imaginative, boundary-pushing, original acts playing their hearts out in the country’s livehouses every night to very small crowds.

    My personal favourite acts are Johnnivan (dance rock), For Tracy Hyde (dream pop), Bakyun the everyday (punk), Haru Nemuri (poetry rap), Laura day romance (twee rock), and BROTHER SUN SISTER MOON (psychedelic), but the depths go as far as you dare to sink. You will always be rewarded for your search. [Here is my huge playlist](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/64crfP0vROH0sqWu206hQJ?si=65a8379cb2e54695) of bands I’ve found and loved.

    I also have a YouTube channel where I highlight some of Japan’s best underappreciated acts (link in profile).

    Always happy to point people in the direction of the nearest gig…!

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