Star Kingdom! Artist and singer from Kanagawa Prefecture
When you hear “artists from Kanagawa,” do any come to mind right away?
Even when it’s about your favorite artists, it can be surprising to realize, “Oh, they’re from there!”
From venerable legends to idols and that hugely popular musician…
Finding artists from your own hometown gives you a little thrill, doesn’t it?
Kanagawa has produced many nationally beloved artists like Southern All Stars, Yuzu, and Ikimono-gakari,
- [Songs of Kanagawa] A showcase of classic masterpieces that sing of port-town scenes and the feelings of its people!
- Cool band: A rock band that represents Japan
- Iconic songs by Japanese rock bands from the 2000s [J-Rock]
- Top Female Singer-Songwriters and Popular Songs of the 2000s [2026]
- A lineup of buzzworthy artists! Ranking of MAISONdes' popular songs
- Popular female vocal band [2026]
- [2026] Recommended Breakout Artists: A Roundup of Era-Defining Singers and Groups
- Shonan no Kaze’s classic and popular songs
- Ken Yokoyama’s greatest and most popular songs
- Masterpieces by male artists known for their captivating high notes. Recommended popular songs.
- Bittersweet! Love songs by female artists recommended for the Yutori generation
- [2026] A must-see for music lovers! Up-and-coming artists to watch
- Songs I'd love to hear on acoustic guitar! Reiwa-era masterpieces perfect for sing-alongs
Star Kingdom! Artists/Singers from Kanagawa Prefecture (41–50)
A third of pure-hearted feelingsSIAM SHADE
Jun-ji, the drummer, is from Hadano City.
This song was released in 1997 and was used as the ending theme for the anime Rurouni Kenshin.
SIAM SHADE disbanded and has been reuniting periodically, and they also appeared on a Nippon TV music program in 2016.
It became a topic of conversation that Jun-ji’s drum set was small and he was air drumming.
BEATKawamura Ryuuichi
Ryuichi Kawamura is from Yamato City, Kanagawa Prefecture, and this was released in 1997 as his third solo single.
The song was used as the opening theme for NHK’s Pop Jam, and at the 30th Japan Cable Awards it earned him the Most Requested Artist Award.
It reached No.
4 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.
Like the flow of a riverMisora Hibari
Hibari Misora was from Takigashira, Isogo Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, and this was the final single released during her lifetime.
It became a million seller.
After her death, at the 31st Japan Record Awards, she received the Special Honorary Singer Award, the Gold Award, and the Composition Award.
Even now, the song continues to be sung, gently accompanying the hearts of many people.
ChankapanaKoyama Keiichiro
Keiichiro Koyama is from Kanagawa Prefecture.
Chankapāna was the first single they released as a four-member group after Tomohisa Yamashita and Ryo Nishikido left.
Among some fans, NEWS fans are referred to as “Pāna,” taken from the title of this song.
Shake Hip!kome kome CLUB
Vocalist James Onoda and leader/bassist BON are from Kawasaki City.
He met vocalist Carl Smoky Ishii as a club mate during their time at Bunkagaikuin (Bunka Institute), and after graduating they formed Kome Kome Club.
Believe it or not, there was a period when they didn’t have a drummer and the legendary Char filled in! Pretty surprising, right?
I am a storm.SHOW-YA
Miki Igarashi, the guitarist, is from Atsugi City.
I don’t think there’s another all-female rock band as cool as they are, with the kind of grit that doesn’t lose to the guys.
Interestingly, they apparently started out on more of an idol-style path.
But after changing direction, they were a big success.
Back then, there weren’t shops that sold the kind of cool stage outfits you see now, so it seems they put their costumes together from lingerie stores and shops that sold dominatrix-style outfits.
VORTEXthe GazettE
Ruki, Uruha, and Reita are from Kanagawa Prefecture.
I think the GazettE has been at the top of the visual kei scene for years.
Their death growls are powerful and cool.
The sound is simply great, and unlike the stereotype in visual kei of weak singing, they don’t have that issue—at their live shows the whole audience is headbanging like a storm.
This is visual kei in its pure, proper form.
It’s amazing how they stick to this style no matter what.