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!
- Recommended bands, singers, and artists from Osaka Prefecture
- Bands, artists, and singers from the Kansai region
- Kansai-dialect Songs | A Kansai-born writer thoroughly explains their charm!
- [2026] A roundup of artists, singers, and bands from Hyogo Prefecture
- [Song of Osaka] A selection of passionate, warm-hearted Osaka tunes
- Bands, artists, and singers from Nara Prefecture
- Pick up bands, artists, and singers from Wakayama Prefecture!
- Bands, artists, and singers from the Kanto region
- Top Male Singer-Songwriter Hits of the 1980s: Ranking [2026]
- Ranking of Popular Songs by Japanese Male Singers from the 1990s [2026]
- An artist and singer from Kyoto Prefecture with a distinctive personality
- I want to sing at karaoke! Songs by male artists recommended for Gen Z
- Cute songs by girls’ bands [popular and classic tracks]
Bands, artists, and singers from the Kansai region (161–170)
DiamondsNakayama Kanako
Kanako Nakayama, guitarist of PRINCESS PRINCESS—the legendary band that has led Japan’s girls’ band scene—made her major-label debut in 1986 with the mini-album “Kiss de Hanzai.” In 1989, they became the first all-female band to perform at Nippon Budokan, leaving a major mark on the music world.
Influenced by Joan Jett, Nakayama combines powerful guitar playing with strong songwriting talent.
After PRINCESS PRINCESS disbanded, she pursued solo work, including the album “HOWLING,” and performs with the rock band VooDoo Hawaiians.
In November 2024, she successfully held a 60th-birthday commemorative live show, proving her rock spirit remains as fierce as ever.
Highly recommended for anyone who wants to experience the essence of powerful female rock.
[ekou]MASCHERA
![[ekou]MASCHERA](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/zqmFunMkC1Y/sddefault.jpg)
MASCHERA is a 1990s visual kei rock band formed in 1992 in Himeji.
As their Italian name, meaning “mask,” suggests, they are known as accomplished musicians with a multifaceted sound.
They made their major-label debut in December 1997 with Teichiku Entertainment, becoming the second visual kei band under Horipro.
Their album ‘Aku-toku no Sakae’ (The Prosperity of Vice), which presents a decadent and literary worldview, earned high acclaim in the indie scene.
During their major-label period, they provided songs for TV dramas, and from 1999 they also hosted their own radio program on Nippon Broadcasting System.
Though they disbanded after a performance at Akasaka BLITZ in March 2000, they have remained influential, participating in a local live-house support project in 2021.
Their unique musical style—melding dark and pop elements—continues to captivate many fans as a quintessential example of 1990s visual kei.
Looking 4uNeibiss
The duo Neibiss, born from Kobe’s hip-hop scene, has been drawing attention with their unique worldview since forming in 2018.
Comprised of beatmaker/DJ/rapper ratiff and rapper hyunis1000, they’re known for their genre-fluid sound.
They debuted in 2020 with the mini-album “HELLO NEIBISS,” and have released a number of buzzworthy projects, including “Space Cowboy,” a collaboration with tofubeats and Pasocom Music Club.
In 2024, they unveiled their long-awaited full-length album “Daydream Marker,” showcasing their musical evolution.
Their natural, everyday-meets-imaginary lyrics and songs that incorporate a wide range of sounds—electronica, pop, ambient, and more—are bringing a fresh breeze to today’s music scene.
Highly recommended for music fans seeking experimental soundscapes and effortless grooves.
Skip To Ma Luuuuweek dudus
Week Dudus, a rapper from Himeji City, has pursued music from an early age, starting to rap in the fifth grade.
In 2019, he became a finalist on ABEMA’s audition show “Rapstar Tanjou” Season 4, placing second out of more than 1,400 applicants, drawing significant attention for his skill and distinctive style.
In 2021, he released a 50-track digital album titled “VEGA.” With a deep, gravelly voice and a laid-back presence, he delivers a unique flow that explores abstract, experimental sounds.
His creative approach involves crafting flows through freestyle and then fitting words to them, showcasing meticulous attention to detail in his tracks.
Marked by positive messages and compact songs around two minutes long, his music is recommended for listeners who seek a smooth, satisfying groove.
Double Suicide in One PieceHamasaki Yoko
As a leading avant-garde artist from Hyogo Prefecture, Yoko Hamasaki—the vocalist of URBANGARDE—stands out with an exceptional presence.
She began performing as a chanson singer in her teens and joined URBANGARDE in 2007.
Establishing the unique genre of “Trauma Technopop,” she brought a fresh breeze to the music scene.
In her solo work, she has released albums such as Film Noir, Blue Forest, and BLIND LOVE, captivating a wide range of listeners with styles spanning from electronica to synth-pop.
Her activities extend beyond music into literature and fashion: she published the anthology La Vie en Rose and launched the fashion brand FORGIVE ME, showcasing her multifaceted talent.
She is an artist highly recommended for those drawn to avant-garde expression and delicate sensibilities.
I love TokyoHanami Zakura Kouki
After making his mark as the vocalist of D=OUT, a visual kei band hailing from Hyogo Prefecture, Koki Hanamizakura ventured into the world of enka and kayokyoku.
He made his solo debut in 2021 and has been gaining attention for his unique musical style that skillfully fuses the seemingly opposite genres of visual kei and enka.
In 2022, together with Tsukasa Mogamigawa and Masatsugu Mira, he formed Saibi O-Zensen, the world’s first “2.5D” enka/kayokyoku group, bringing a fresh breeze to the enka scene with innovative staging and performances.
His shows, highlighted by bold makeup and costumes, appeal not only to traditional enka fans but also to younger listeners.
As a trailblazer expanding the possibilities of music, his ongoing pursuit of a new form of enka is perfect for music fans interested in the fusion of tradition and modernity.
JEALOUSYFujisaki Ken’ichi
Kenichi Fujisaki, a heavyweight of visual kei rock who took flight from Kawanishi City, Hyogo, has continued to express a wide range of genres—from hard rock and glam rock to punk—through his own unique worldview.
Formed in 1987, JUSTY-NASTY captivated many fans with powerful vocals and poetic lyrics, and quickly rose to prominence after their major debut in 1989.
He went on to be active in multiple bands and launched a solo career in 2001, releasing a diverse body of work such as the albums “SEEKING SOUL” and “Ryūsei Graffiti.” In 2015, he revived JUSTY-NASTY, delivering a forceful sound that could be called a return to his roots.
He is an artist highly recommended for music fans seeking a distinctive worldview and melodious songs.