[2026] Summary of bands, artists, and singers from Hiroshima Prefecture
Who comes to mind when you hear about artists from Hiroshima Prefecture?
From rock bands and singer-songwriters to national idols and Showa-era stars, in fact, many popular figures have taken flight from Hiroshima!
In this article, we’ll introduce a wide range of artists from Hiroshima Prefecture, spanning all genres and eras.
Our research revealed that Hiroshima has produced more veteran, big-name artists than younger ones.
Find your favorite artist!
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[2026] A roundup of bands, artists, and singers from Hiroshima Prefecture (1–10)
No doubtNarazaki Makoto
Official HIGE DANDism is a popular band with many hit songs, including “Pretender,” “No Doubt,” and “Shukumei.” One of its members, Makoto Narazaki, is from Fukuyama City in Hiroshima Prefecture.
In addition to playing bass and double bass, he’s also known for playing the saxophone.
In fact, he holds a music teaching license and reportedly played saxophone with the Shimane Prefectural Police Band.
In 2020, he announced his marriage to Sayaka Yamamoto, formerly of E-girls.
Funky Monkey BabyYazawa Eikichi
A musician from Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, whose impact is so great that when people in Japan hear “rock ’n’ roller,” he’s the first that comes to mind.
After performing as the bass vocalist of the rock band Carol, which had a tremendous influence on Japan’s rock scene, he made his solo debut and is known for leaving behind numerous classics such as “Tomaranai Ha–Ha,” “I LOVE YOU, OK,” and “Jikan yo Tomare.” Beyond his musical style, he also helped elevate the status of rock in Japan by becoming the first rock singer to top the singers’ category in the 1977 income rankings, making him an artist who dramatically transformed the Japanese rock scene.
salad bowlIshino Riko
Riko Ishino, who began her entertainment career as a 20th-term student at Actors School Hiroshima, debuted in 2014 as the lead vocalist of Idol Renaissance.
In May 2018, she joined the girls’ rock band Akai Koen as their vocalist, revealing new facets of her talent through her powerful singing.
After the band disbanded in 2021, she launched a solo career and, in parallel, formed the band Aooo in August 2023.
Active across diverse fields—idol, rock band, and solo—she has earned widespread acclaim for her abilities, including performing the national anthem before a professional baseball game at Mazda Zoom-Zoom Stadium Hiroshima in 2016.
Her voice combines delicate expressiveness with formidable power, spanning genres from pop to rock.
As a new talent in J-pop, she continues to capture the attention of music fans.
[2026] Compilation of Bands, Artists, and Singers from Hiroshima Prefecture (11–20)
STAR TRAINPerfume
When it comes to artists from Hiroshima in today’s J-pop scene, the first that likely comes to mind is the three-member technopop unit.
Produced by Yasutaka Nakata—who DJs for the two-piece band CAPSULE—the group delivers contemporary techno tracks, tightly synchronized dance performances, and live productions that blow audiences away, making them a one-of-a-kind idol unit that stimulates both sight and sound.
Their use of the Hiroshima dialect during MCs and talks is also a big part of their charm.
In 2022, they drew global attention by appearing at events such as Primavera Festival 2022 in Barcelona, Spain.
MonicaYoshikawa Koji
A singer-songwriter from Fuchu-cho, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, renowned not only as a solo musician but also for his work in COMPLEX, the duo with Tomoyasu Hotei—former BOØWY guitarist and global star.
The story of how, before his debut, he sent a letter to a production company declaring, “There’s an incredible guy in Hiroshima—if you don’t come see me, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life,” is almost legendary.
With his distinctive presence, he has also been active as an actor, while his live performances as a musician are highly acclaimed.
In particular, his famous cymbal kick is something many fans long to witness at least once.
He is an unfading rock artist who stands as an emblem of Japan’s rock scene.
GO5Leaf
Born and raised in Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture, 5Leaf is a solo artist who has loved dance since childhood and draws attention with a melodic sound rooted in hip-hop and R&B/Soul.
Since her debut in September 2023, she has released numerous singles, making waves through a powerful partnership with producer ZERO.
She has steadily proven her talent, including creating tracks that have surpassed one million views on YouTube.
Her lyrics, which express her real-life experiences—such as overcoming financial hardship in a single-mother household—in authentic, straightforward words, resonate with many listeners.
In February 2025, she will showcase her further-evolved sound with the album “bud.” Continuing to work out of Hiroshima, she also contributes to revitalizing the local music scene.
Her music is a perfect fit for fans who value honest, emotionally rich expression.
The Maiden with Flaxen HairShimatani Hitomi
Ms.
Shimatani, a native of Hiroshima Prefecture, debuted as an enka singer in 1999 at the age of 18.
The following year she shifted to pop music, and in 2002 she scored a revival hit with her cover of “A Maiden with Flaxen Hair,” originally a 1968 hit by the Village Singers.
Many people may have first encountered the song through her version.
Since then, she has continued to take on various genres, building her career as a singer.
She comes from Kurahashi Island in the Seto Inland Sea, and her family runs an oyster farming business.
She truly embodies the image of a star from Hiroshima.
