Bands, artists, and singers from Nara Prefecture
Can you think of any musicians from Nara Prefecture?
From chart-topping singers and bands to indie groups active mainly around Kansai, there are so many artists worth checking out!
In this article, our editorial staffer from Nara will pick recommended artists—major or indie alike—and introduce what makes them so appealing.
People sometimes say Nara has nothing but deer and the Great Buddha, but the music scene here is full of charm that rivals any other prefecture!
So let’s dive right in and take a look at the artists Nara is proud of!
- Bands, artists, and singers from the Kansai region
- Classic Songs About Nara: Local Anthems and Popular Hits [2026]
- Recommended bands, singers, and artists from Osaka Prefecture
- Bands, artists, and singers from Miyazaki Prefecture
- Girls’ rock: female vocal bands that were active in the 2000s
- Bands, artists, and singers from Iwate Prefecture
- Indie hit song rankings
- Kansai-dialect Songs | A Kansai-born writer thoroughly explains their charm!
- Recommended for high school students! Stylish J‑pop and songs by trending popular artists
- From cute to cool: iconic and recommended songs from uniquely individual girl bands
- [Song of Osaka] A selection of passionate, warm-hearted Osaka tunes
- Tear-jerking motivational songs by Japanese bands: recommended classics and popular tracks
- Songs related to Mie Prefecture. Beloved local tunes of Mie that continue to be cherished.
Bands, artists, and singers from Nara Prefecture (41–50)
Super Never-Give-Up Dancechōtokkyū
Bullet Train is an unconventional group consisting of two vocalists and five dancers—the first ever to feature dancers as the main act with vocals in the background—and member Koichi (Koichi Yoshino) hails from Nara Prefecture.
This song was released in 2017 as their 12th single.
It’s a track that maximizes the coexistence of “cool” and “uncool.”
Bands, artists, and singers from Nara Prefecture (51–60)
DREAMSHIPIkuta Aiko
Aiko Ikuta, who is active as a singer, is from Nara City in Nara Prefecture.
At the time of her debut, she performed under the name Ikuta☆Aiko, but in 2005 she changed it to her real name, Aiko Ikuta.
“DREAMSHIP” was selected as the ending theme for the Fuji TV anime One Piece.
Miracle Go! Princess Pretty CureIsobe Karin
Karin Isobe is a voice actress and singer from Nara Prefecture, and this song was released in 2015 as the opening theme for the TV anime Go! Princess Precure.
It’s a song packed with the bubbly excitement of girls who admire princesses and all things cute, and listening to it fills you with happiness.
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.
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.
In conclusion
We’ve rounded up artists from Nara Prefecture across the board, from major-label acts to indie musicians.
We’ve picked a wide range: popular idols, the artists behind the songs that defined an era, bands now playing major rock festivals, and groups that are the talk of rock-loving listeners.
If you find a favorite, be sure to check out their other songs and catch them live!