An artist and singer from Kyoto Prefecture with a distinctive personality
When you hear “an artist from Kyoto,” does anyone come to mind right away? Even with artists you love, it can be a surprise to find out—oh, they’re from Kyoto! From stately, veteran performers to idols and locally rooted musicians… Finding an artist from your hometown gives you a little thrill, doesn’t it? Kumi Koda is famously from Kyoto, but there are also many distinctive bands and singer-songwriters.
I hope this article helps you discover even more music and artists to love.
- Bands, artists, and singers from the Kansai region
- [Kyoto Songs] Masterpieces that sing about Kyoto — songs themed on the ancient capital. The enduring heart of our hometown passed down in song.
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- Kyoto’s folk songs, children’s songs, and nursery rhymes: the enduring spirit of our hometown passed down through song.
- Recommended bands, singers, and artists from Osaka Prefecture
- [J-Pop] Masterpiece by a female duo. A popular two-woman unit [2026]
- Bands, artists, and singers from Okayama Prefecture
- Koda Kumi’s Cheer Songs and Popular Tracks Ranking [2026]
- Kansai-dialect Songs | A Kansai-born writer thoroughly explains their charm!
- [Nagoya] Bands, artists, and singers from Aichi Prefecture
- Top Male Singer-Songwriter Hits of the 1980s: Ranking [2026]
Artists and singers from Kyoto Prefecture with unique personalities (ages 21–30)
Carrying Yousawada kenji
A song Julie released in 1986.
In ballads like this, Julie’s slightly sharp tone and singing style become incredibly sensual.
When he was young, he had a beautiful, sultry vibe, but now that he’s older, I feel like he’s aging in a really cool, seasoned way.
You could say he’s one of the big artists representing Kyoto.
Julie!!
Out of the tunnelBO GUMBOS
Bo Gumbos was formed by vocalist Dont and bassist Toshimitsu Nagai after the breakup of Rosa Luxemburg in 1987.
Their deep devotion to roots music and their formidable groove made them a hot topic among music lovers even before their debut.
This song is a classic that has continued to be covered by many artists even after the band disbanded in 1995.
Unique Kyoto-born artists and singers (ages 31–40)
StarlightLOCAL CONNECT
We are LOCAL CONNECT, a five-member rock band from Kyoto.
We made our major debut in 2015, and our 2017 release Starlight was selected as the ending theme for TBS’s Arita Generation.
Amber-Hued City, Morning of Shanghai Crabskururi
Quruli is a band that has relentlessly pursued the possibilities of music since forming in Kyoto in 1996.
Rooted in rock, their ever-shifting sound incorporates diverse genres such as jazz, classical, and electronica.
They made their major-label debut in 1998 with the single “Tokyo,” and cemented their popularity with songs like “Bara no Hana,” which was also the theme song for the film Josee, the Tiger and the Fish.
The poetic vocals of Shigeru Kishida and the supple bass lines woven by Masashi Sato create a truly one-of-a-kind groove—at times gently swaying the body, at times offering an intellectually thrilling excitement.
Since 2007, they have also hosted their annual festival, Kyoto Ongaku Hakurankai (Kyoto Music Expo), among many other activities.
They’re the perfect band for listeners who want both the mellow sway reminiscent of city pop and Black music and the pleasures of experimental sound.
landscapeLow-Pass
They are an instrumental band formed in Kyoto.
Many of their songs center around post-rock and emo, drawing you into a unique world.
Their sound is notably beautiful with dynamic contrasts.
They’ve performed alongside a wide range of artists both in Japan and abroad, making them one of the standout bands from Kyoto.
Please, Time MachineSadisutikku Mika Bando
Sadistic Mika Band, formed in 1971 by Kazuhiko Kato after the breakup of The Folk Crusaders, debuted in 1973.
Their sound, which quickly incorporated glam rock, was recognized in the UK before it was in Japan.
Another appeal of the band was its stellar lineup, featuring Masayoshi Takanaka on guitar and Yukihiro Takahashi—who would later join YMO—on drums.
female large brown cicada (Aburazemi)Ōsaka bājon
Misono, the vocalist of day after tomorrow who is now active as a solo artist, is also from Kyoto like her older sister Koda Kumi.
This song was released in 2008 as misono’s 11th single.
In this video, she performs a duet with Yutaka Shinagawa.