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 Kanto region
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- An artist and singer from Kyoto Prefecture with a distinctive personality
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- Cute songs by girls’ bands [popular and classic tracks]
Bands, artists, and singers from the Kansai region (251–260)
Love Magic PotionShima-chang
Shima-chang, the bassist of Scanch, is from Akashi City in Hyogo Prefecture.
In 2009, he fell down a staircase and suffered serious injuries, and for a time his life hung in the balance.
However, in 2012 he took part in Scanch’s 30th anniversary concert while using a wheelchair.
He is a person loved by everyone.
Slimcat
Slimcat is a rock ’n’ roll band from Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture.
Formed in 2014 at Kwansei Gakuin University around guitarist-vocalist Satoru Ogawa, they released their first mini-album, “American Youth,” in 2017.
Perhaps their funky style is influenced by Ogawa, the vocalist, who grew up overseas? It’s a rock number that evokes a refreshing early-summer breeze.
At least for today.TETORA
TETORA is a three-piece girls band made up of members from Kyoto and Osaka.
With the raw energy they unleash at live houses and lyrics that are almost painfully relatable, they quickly became popular among live-music kids.
Their three-piece sound is emotional, and vocalist Ueno’s slightly husky, fragile-sounding voice—paired with a delivery that grabs you by the collar—captures listeners’ hearts and doesn’t let go.
Be sure to experience their overwhelming live performance in person!
TOMOMI
TOMOMI, the bassist of the four-piece girls’ band SCANDAL, is from Kakogawa City in Hyogo Prefecture.
She originally belonged to a dance school in Osaka together with NORINA, the drummer, but started playing instruments at the recommendation of an instructor.
SCANDAL was formed by the four of them, including HARUNA and MAMI, who were enrolled at the Nagoya branch of the same school.
TOMOMI also performs with MAMI in a rap duo called “Dobondobondo.”
The Republic Scale
The Republic Scale is a rock band formed by four members from Kobe.
They were active as a vocal-driven guitar rock band and disbanded in August 2018.
The video is “repic,” released as their first single in 2017.
It’s a message song expressing feelings toward one’s past self—an emotional rock track that moves listeners.
The Songbards
The Songbards are a four-piece rock band based in Kobe.
Unusually, all four members are involved in writing both lyrics and music.
It’s also distinctive that they all contribute vocals to their songs.
This track—featuring a refreshing sound, crisp guitars, and lyrics that are philosophical yet uplifting—appears on their 2018 mini-album “Cages in the Room.”
GravityThe fin.
The fin.
is a rock band whose members are all from Takarazuka, Hyogo Prefecture.
Inspired by vocalist Yuto Uchino, they originally started as a cover band of ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION, and since forming in 2010, they have gained popularity primarily overseas with a series of nostalgic, atmospheric songs.
Their stylish sound design incorporates elements like chillwave and a floating, airy feel.
