Bands, artists, and singers from Miyazaki Prefecture
Who comes to mind when you hear “an artist from Miyazaki Prefecture”? Some of you might be thinking, “I can’t think of anyone!” But there are actually many artists from Miyazaki, including nationally beloved singers and members of popular bands.
In this article, we’ll introduce a whole lineup of artists from Miyazaki Prefecture.
You might even discover, “Wow, this person is from Miyazaki too!” Let’s dive right in!
Bands, Artists, and Singers from Miyazaki Prefecture (1–10)
FlowerMINAMI NiNE
Formed in Tokyo in 2011, the three-piece band MINAMI NiNE is made up entirely of members from Miyazaki in southern Kyushu.
The band name MINAMI NiNE was chosen to reflect their determination to carry Miyazaki on their shoulders.
They are also known for their deep love for their hometown, openly declaring that they want to become a “tourism ambassador band for Miyazaki,” and many of their songs reference Miyazaki’s specialties and famous spots.
Their straightforward Japanese lyrics and powerful, energizing songs have won them many fans.
Screw you, world—go ahead and mess around.Kuroki Nagisa
Singer-songwriter Nagisa Kuroki is from Hyuga City in Miyazaki Prefecture.
While attending Fukuoka University of Education, she picked up the guitar in the light music club, and from 2010 she performed mainly in Fukuoka with a band named “Kuroki Nagisa,” which is her real name.
What I find impressive and interesting is that instead of focusing solely on band activities, she became a civil servant after graduating from university.
She later left her government job to concentrate on her music career, and after the band disbanded, she debuted as a solo artist.
It’s a very interesting career path, isn’t it?
budKobuchi Kentaro (Kobukuro)
When you think of male duos, who comes to mind? Almost without fail, the name “Kobukuro” comes up, right? Kentaro Kobuchi of Kobukuro is from Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture.
Speaking of Kobuchi, he’s known for the go-to joke about always being called “the smaller one in Kobukuro,” saying, “It only looks that way because Kuroda is too big” (lol).
In Kobukuro, he handles the lyrics and composition for most of their songs, and they’re practically the quintessential male duo with fans across a wide range of demographics.
PRIDEImai Miki
Miki Imai, born in 1963 and hailing from Takanabe, Koyu District, Miyazaki Prefecture, is widely known for her work as both a singer and an actress, but she actually debuted as a magazine model.
She was very active in 1990s television dramas, with many major hits; among them, Pride, the theme song for the drama Doc, became one of her signature songs.
Her gentle, clear, conversational singing voice has many fans.
She’s also well known as the wife of guitarist Tomoyasu Hotei.
Promise of SunflowersHata Motohiro
Singer-songwriter Motohiro Hata has captured the hearts of a wide range of fans with numerous moving songs.
He was born and spent his early childhood in Nichinan, Miyazaki Prefecture.
When he was eight, he moved to Kanagawa Prefecture, which he now considers his hometown.
He began musical activities such as writing lyrics in middle school, steadily leveling up, and made his major debut in 2006.
Since then, he has been so active across so many scenes that his achievements almost go without saying—he’s a singer who captivates everyone from children to adults.
Beyond the cloudsIde Ayaka
Ayaka Ide, a singer-songwriter born in 1993 from Kushima City, Miyazaki Prefecture.
She had been active under her real name, Ayaka Ide (井手綾香), since her debut in 2011, but in 2015 she changed her stage name to the hiragana form, いであやか (Ide Ayaka).
She has been familiar with music from a young age, playing the piano since childhood, and in 2009 she released the indie album “TOY.” The song “Kumo no Mukō” (Beyond the Clouds) from her 2011 major-label debut mini-album “Portrait” was featured in a commercial and attracted attention; its music video was filmed in Kushima City, Miyazaki Prefecture.
TemptationToshi Nagai (GLAY sapōto)
Toshi Nagai, also known as Toshimitsu Nagai, who serves as GLAY’s support drummer, is from Miyakonojo City in Miyazaki Prefecture.
In addition to GLAY, he has supported a variety of artists, including Kyosuke Himuro and EXILE’s TAKAHIRO.
After making his professional debut in 1983, GLAY, who were looking for a drummer, learned about Toshi at a Kyosuke Himuro concert, which led to him becoming GLAY’s support drummer.
His powerful, passionate drumming style—unimaginable from his calm, cool demeanor—has won great popularity, and he is now lovingly called the fifth member of GLAY by fans.
At GLAY’s concerts, the call of “Come on! Toshi!” before the song Yuuwaku is a staple.
