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]
Kansai-born bands, artists, and singers (341–350)
I love you with a smile.Tane Tomoko
Singer-songwriter Tomoko Tane, from Nagaokakyo City in Kyoto Prefecture, released “Egao de Aishiteru” in 1989.
The song was later covered in 1997 by voice actress Mariko Kouda as her fifth single.
Its soft, adorable vocals are especially appealing.
Okuhida BojoRyū Tetsuya
Tetsuya Ryu is a singer born in Yoshino District, Nara Prefecture, and this song was released in 1980 as his debut single as an enka singer.
He wrote the song during a 15-day stay in 1972, when he had a singing engagement in a hot spring resort area in the Hida region.
It gradually gained attention through cable radio, and six months after its release, it made its first appearance in the Oricon Top 10.
With this song, he made his only appearance at the 32nd NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
China NightsKo Bihō
Hu Mifang, who was active as a singer, was from Wakayama City in Wakayama Prefecture.
She debuted in postwar Japan and gained popularity with covers of songs by Hamako Watanabe and Li Xianglan (Yoshiko Yamaguchi).
One of her signature numbers is Hamako Watanabe’s “Shina no Yoru,” which was used as the theme song for the film China Nights.
Night of ThirteenFujita Makoto
Raised in Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, the renowned actor Makoto Fujita—well known for the Hissatsu Shigotonin series—was also popular as a singer.
In addition to this song, he released many kayōkyoku (Japanese popular songs), including Tsuki ga Waratterā, Tenamonya Sandogasa, and Tomo… Soshite Jinsei.
Our HistoryNishitsukasa
Singer-songwriter Tsukasa Nishi, who formed Honey & Bee Boys in 1986 with Kazuhito Murata, Keisuke Yamamoto, and Eri Hiramatsu and later made his solo debut, is from Wakayama City in Wakayama Prefecture.
Alongside his own musical activities, he is known for his energetic work producing commercial jingles, providing songs to other artists, and forming the vocal unit The Pip Pops.
He is currently a musician who, while serving as a lecturer in songwriting practice at Showa University of Music, also performs live in the Kansai region—including Wakayama Prefecture—in response to requests from many fans.
Natsu no HikariNishikawa Hirotaka (GRAPEVINE)
Hirotaka Nishikawa, the guitarist for the rock band GRAPEVINE, is from Nara Prefecture.
Their 12th single, Natsuno Hikari, reached their highest position to date, peaking at No.
16 on the Oricon chart, and the title track was used as the ending theme for TBS’s program King’s Brunch in June and July 2002.
Well, you know…aka tonbo no uta
A comic folk band formed by Kuniaki Shimizu and Noburo Harada during their time at Kyoto Sangyo University.
Their debut song became a big hit thanks to its comical worldview and broke them into the spotlight.
Even listening to it now, it still makes you chuckle.
They’re now fully grown adults each active in their own pursuits, but as someone from Kyoto, they might be a source of quiet pride.