Bands, artists, and singers from the Kansai region
How familiar are you with bands and artists from the Kansai region?
In this article, we’ll be introducing lots of bands and musicians from Kansai!
Some artists proudly announce their hometown during live shows, while others usually speak standard Japanese and don’t bring up where they’re from—but are actually from Kansai!
You might also find yourself searching for Kansai bands because you want to support local artists.
From household-name musicians to up-and-coming bands we’re excited to see break out, we’ve handpicked recommended artists for you to check out.
Be sure to take a look!
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Bands, Artists, and Singers from the Kansai Region (111–120)
ESCAPEKashiyama Kei
Kei Kashiyama, who played drums for the rock band MOON CHILD—which announced its breakup in 1999 despite scoring a major hit with their 5th single “ESCAPE,” used as the theme song for the TV drama FiVE—is from Kamitonda, Wakayama Prefecture.
Active as a central figure since the band’s earlier days as Tambourines, he now showcases his talents by producing visual kei bands and working as a drum tuner.
He also remains musically active in a wide range of projects, including performing with DECAYS, led by DIR EN GREY guitarist Die.
Bands, artists, and singers from the Kansai region (121–130)
RealizeTamaki Nami
In addition to her musical activities, Nami Tamaki—a female singer known for her wide-ranging work as an actress and voice actress—is from Wakayama City in Wakayama Prefecture.
Influenced by the classical ballet she began studying in childhood, she originally aspired to be a dancer, but her talent drew attention from her teenage years, including winning New Artist of the Year at the 18th Japan Gold Disc Awards in 2004.
Many people may have heard her direct, translucent singing voice at least once.
She is also known as a gamer and launched a YouTube channel in 2021, making her an artist you still can’t take your eyes off.
A woman… a solo journeyTagawa Toshi-mi
Enka singer Toshi Mi Tagawa, who hails from Wakayama City in Wakayama Prefecture, won the Grand Prix at the 13th Nagasaki Kayō Festival at age 13 on the recommendation of MBS Mainichi Broadcasting and made her debut in her teens.
In the year of her debut, she won the Best New Artist Award at the 25th Japan Cable Awards, making her talent widely known at a young age.
In addition, with her 2002 release “Nyonin Kōya,” she delivered a performance that set her apart from traditional enka—singing while strumming an electric guitar and wearing an outfit that fused elements of a kimono and a dress—showcasing her remarkable spirit of challenge.
She continues to be an energetic performer, winning the Masato Fujita Prize in 2018, among other achievements.
Go, my hometown!Yabushita Masato
Singer-songwriter Masato Yabushita, who has released many songs connected to his hometown—including “Ganbare Furusato,” which won the Eigo Kawashima Music Award for Best Work—is from Yura Town in Hidaka District, Wakayama Prefecture.
Centered in Wakayama, he is active across the Keihanshin area and has earned excellent results in various contests thanks to his powerful yet gentle singing voice.
For the production of “Mugi no Sato,” which focuses on a social welfare corporation engaged in support for people with disabilities, he actually visited the workshop facilities, learning about the organization’s early history and the thoughts of people with disabilities—an effort that reflects his deep love for his hometown.
Beyond his musical activities, he also appears on television and radio, showcasing his multifaceted talents as a musician.
Summer FighterKamogawa
As their name suggests, Kamogawa is a band from Kyoto Prefecture.
The group was originally formed when vocalist-guitarist Kiyotora Mezaki, bassist Tsugu, and drummer N met through a band club at Ritsumeikan University.
Currently, Kiyotora Mezaki is active as a solo artist under the name “Kamogawa.” A distinctive trait is that every album title includes the single character for “kamo” (duck).
Their song “Summer Fighter” was used as the ending theme for the anime Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
National Route 2gagaga supi
When it comes to youth punk bands from Kobe, you simply can’t leave them out! They’ve produced countless classics and, beyond their large following in the rock scene, they’re widely known in living rooms across Japan for things like their commercial work, including a cover of “Ningen tte iina.” Their appeal lies in singing honestly and unadorned, just as they are—an approach that hasn’t changed since their formation in 1997 and continues to grip the hearts of many fans.
They’re a band whose raw, high-energy, and sincere live performances you should absolutely experience in person.
hereMaruyama Ryuhei
He’s Kanjani∞’s variety-show specialist—an idol with his own signature gag—yet he also shines as a bassist on music programs.
His sweet singing voice is popular among fans, and many are captivated by that contrast.
His solo songs are all uplifting.
At concerts, he gives fan service more wholeheartedly than anyone.
He’s the only member from Kyoto, and the gentle Kyoto dialect that comes out when he speaks is soothing.
