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 (171–180)
How to tell a lieLOVE LOVE LOVE
LOVE LOVE LOVE is a three-piece male band formed within a university music club in Shiga Prefecture.
They made their major debut in 2009 and are known for their true-to-life songwriting and lyrics that pierce sharply from a slightly unusual angle, as you can tell from their song titles.
Over relaxed, unforced performances, they pursue a sense of realism that expresses, within a single track, universal emotions everyone has felt at least once, as well as moments from the process of everyday growth.
Key -bring it on, my Destiny-Lenny code fiction
The rock band Lenny code fiction also hails from Shiga Prefecture.
Their major-label debut single, “Key -bring it on, my Destiny-,” released in 2016, was used as the theme song for the anime D.Gray-man HALLOW.
They’ve also provided theme songs for numerous other popular anime, so anime fans may already be familiar with their music.
The band is known for its powerful, straightforward rock sound and the sharp, striking vocals of singer Wataru Katagiri.
Hello,I love you.MaRI
MARI of the idol duo YURIMARI is from Koka City, Shiga Prefecture.
Their 3rd single, “Hello, I love you.”, was used as the theme song for the Fuji TV anime Dr.
Slump and also served as the opening theme for the theatrical film Dr.
Slump: Arare no Bikkuri Burn.
YURIMARI disbanded in 1999.
Free NowORESKABAND
They are a girls’ ska-rock band formed mainly by classmates from the school brass band when they were in their third year of junior high.
At the time of their debut, all members were high school students.
They are a girls’ band active not only in Japan but also overseas, and they have received high acclaim internationally.
phantomPOM（can/goo）
POM, the leader of the music band can/goo, is from Shiga Prefecture.
can/goo’s first single, “Maboroshi,” was used as the opening theme for the TV anime Sister Princess RePure.
POM is also active as a solo artist, having released “Wasurenai,” as well as “re/Birth” under the name Takanobu Honda ‘POM’.
Bands, artists, and singers from the Kansai region (181–190)
Roller CoasterRED BACTERIA VACUUM
An alternative rock girls’ band formed in Osaka that was active not only in Japan but also overseas.
They performed at BIG DAY OUT, Australia’s largest rock festival, and garnered attention from abroad.
The band is currently on hiatus.
body pillowSEKIRARA
This is an all-girl band formed in Osaka around guitarist-vocalist Yukari Onami.
Within a year of forming, they performed at NAON no YAON, the girls’ rock festival, were selected as the winning artist in RO69JACK, and also appeared at the major winter festival COUNTDOWN JAPAN, making them a band to watch.