Bands, artists, and singers from Iwate Prefecture
Do you know any artists from Iwate Prefecture?
You might not immediately think of many artists who actively promote that they’re from Iwate, but in fact, the prefecture has produced a lot of outstanding musicians.
In this article, we’ll introduce a wide range of artists from Iwate all at once!
We’ve selected from a broad spectrum of ages and genres, from solo singers and bands to veteran enka performers.
Take this opportunity to give the music of artists from Iwate a listen.
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Bands, artists, and singers from Iwate Prefecture (21–30)
Stars and Nocturnesyasukaa
Yasuka, also known as Yasuka Suzuki (ring name: Suzuzuki Yasuka), is from Mizusawa City in Iwate Prefecture and is currently active as the singer-songwriter Yasuka.
This song was released in 2011 as her debut single.
The music video was supervised by director Kosuke Hirano, who has worked on videos for artists such as Shonan no Kaze and JUJU.
Fantastic ParadeShida Yumi (Yumemiru Adolescence)
Yumi Shida, a native of Iwate Prefecture, is a member of the seven-member female idol group Yumemiru Adolescence.
This song was released in 2014 as their third single.
Departing from their previous idol-style tracks, it takes a sharp turn into a cool, rock-influenced sound with prominent guitar work.
Bands, artists, and singers from Iwate Prefecture (31–40)
Night in AtamiHakozaki Shinichiro
Shinichiro Hakozaki, originally from Iwate Prefecture, made his debut with this song in 1969.
It became a hot topic as a local song for Atami City and was a major hit.
His distinctive falsetto, which sweetly and poignantly conveys a woman’s heart, rode the wave of the mood-kayō boom, earning him a place among popular singers.
Voice of the Cherry Blossomsmoto
moto is a singer-songwriter from Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture.
This song is included on the first debut mini-album “moto,” which was released in 2013.
Even before the album’s release, the song received requests from listeners of all ages on radio and cable broadcasts.
It is inspired by the cherry blossoms in Mizusawa Park in Oshu City, Iwate—an area affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake—and is a moving piece that conveys the sentiment of cherry blossoms that continue to bloom even after the disaster.
Skull KITCHEN (short ver.)Mix Speaker’s,Inc.
MIKI, the vocalist of the visual kei rock band Mix Speaker’s, Inc., is from Kitakami City in Iwate Prefecture.
The fantastical worlds—like something out of a picture book—featured in their music videos, including for this song, are well worth seeing.
RIP VAN WINKLESukafureimusu
Michihisa Ishikawa, who plays alto saxophone for The SKA FLAMES, a band formed in 1985, hails from Oshu City in Iwate Prefecture (formerly Esashi City).
Their lively ska rhythms and outstanding ensemble work have been recognized by top-tier musicians overseas from an early stage.
BRAND-NEW TOMORROWChiba Mika
Mika Chiba is from Kamaishi City in Iwate Prefecture, and this song was released in 1989 as her debut single.
She won the vocalist award at the 1986 HoriPro Scout Caravan, underwent about three years of vocal training, and the song was promoted mainly through live-house campaigns.