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 (311–320)
Yhoo!You’re!Yhoo!Furuie Manabu
Manabu Furuya, who is active as a musician, is from Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture.
His Wakayama-dialect rap “Yhoo! You’re! Yhoo!” spread by word of mouth mainly in Wakayama and the Kansai region, and has been covered by various media outlets.
In 2011, to mark the 15th anniversary of his debut, he moved his base of activities to Nanki-Shirahama in Wakayama Prefecture.
roadshowfurudokei
James Nishida, who was active as a member of the folk duo Furudokei, is from Wakayama Prefecture.
He made his major debut with “Roadshow,” which became a hit, selling 600,000 copies.
After Furudokei disbanded, James Nishida has been active as a solo artist.
Songstress of Naniwakanou reiko
Reiko Kano is an enka singer from Sakurai City in Nara Prefecture.
Her former stage name was Reiko Kano (written with different characters), but she changed it to Reiko Kano in 2005.
This song was released as her sixth single in 2009.
It is said that Aurora Teruko, a character who appeared in the NHK morning serial drama “Futarikko,” broadcast from autumn 1996 to spring 1997, was modeled after her.
Do you remember?Kazusa
“Do You Remember?” is Kazusa’s fourth single, released in 2012.
Kazusa is a singer-songwriter from Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture.
The song was used in a special movie collaboration: “Do You Remember?” × “55 Things to Do Before Your Parents Die.” It features a very beautiful singing voice.
Shiro Eriko, Yamamoto Ayaka, hoka
The NMB48 members Yuki Azuma, Ayaka Yamamoto, Yumi Ishida, Mai Odan, Eriko Jo, Ayaka Morita, Maria Mizobuchi, Ami Sato, Amiru Yamazaki, Yua Odan, Nao Shinshiro, and Momoka Horinouchi are from Hyogo Prefecture.
As expected from a popular Kansai idol group, quite a few are from there.
Who’s your oshi?
Bands, artists, and singers from the Kansai region (321–330)
A box without a keyDomoto Koichi
Koichi Domoto of KinKi Kids is from Ashiya City in Hyogo Prefecture.
Although he was apparently born in Nagano Prefecture, he spent his years from kindergarten through junior high school in Ashiya, so he is considered to be from Ashiya, Hyogo.
It’s said that during junior high, he commuted from Ashiya to Tokyo for lessons.
Rhapsody in BlueOnishi Junko
Junko Onishi, a jazz pianist, is from Joyo City in Kyoto Prefecture.
Her 1993 album “WOW” achieved unusually high sales for a jazz record.
This piece is “Rhapsody in Blue,” composed by George Gershwin—a treasured masterpiece loved by many.