Musicians, singers, and bands from Shiga Prefecture
When you think of artists from Shiga Prefecture, home to Lake Biwa—the largest lake in Japan—who comes to mind? For many, the first name that pops up is probably Takanori Nishikawa, who also serves as a Shiga Hometown Tourism Ambassador.
But of course, Shiga has produced many artists across genres like J-pop, rock, and hip-hop beyond just him.
In this article, we’ll introduce a wide range of musicians from Shiga, spanning genres and covering everyone from top-tier mainstream singers to up-and-coming indie bands.
We’ll feature each artist along with one of their signature songs, so enjoy exploring them together!
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Musicians, singers, and bands from Shiga Prefecture (1–10)
SuperCaliTsurubou Shion (JO1)
Shion Tsurubo, a core performer of the global boy group JO1, has roots in Shiga Prefecture.
After appearing on an audition program in 2019, he debuted in March 2020.
JO1 blends EDM and hip-hop in their sound, and their songs “Trigger” and “Love seeker” won the Excellent Work Award at the Japan Record Awards for two consecutive years.
Their win of “Best New Asian Artist” at MAMA also speaks to their prowess.
Tsurubo’s appeal lies in his powerful low-tone rap, honed during his trainee days in South Korea, and his dynamic stage presence.
Beyond music, he has starred as an actor and boasts diverse activities, including ranking first in the NEXT category of ViVi’s National Treasure-Level Handsome Ranking for the first half of 2022.
To Aoki HaruWOMCADOLE
WOMCAODLE is a guitar rock band formed in Shiga Prefecture in 2011.
Centered around their home base of Shiga and Kyoto, they continued their activities and made their major debut in 2019 with the album “Reimei Plumeria.” Having taken on numerous band contests over the years, they’re truly a battle-hardened, field-proven act.
Their appeal lies in high-velocity, hard-hitting songs, fierce guitar sounds, and wild, rough-edged vocals that leave a strong impression.
Their raw, emotionally charged live performances are a must-see—highly recommended for all rock band fans.
AliceKAREN（LUV K RAFT）
KAREN of the twin-vocal unit LUV K RAFT hails from Yasu City in Shiga Prefecture.
Her true forte lies in her multifaceted creative work, which goes beyond vocals and lyric writing to include art direction and video design.
LUV K RAFT drew attention in 2016 with the ending theme for the TV program “Kyuuun!”, and in 2019 they provided theme songs for the anime “When the Flower of Courage Blooms: The Story of Takashi Yanase and Anpanman” and the film “Koukoku Gaisha, Danshiryō no Okazukun.” Their total social media views exceeding 100 million exemplify what makes them a next-generation unit—one that controls both sound and visuals themselves.
Musicians, Singers, and Bands from Shiga Prefecture (11–20)
Lesson IKagawa Ryo
Ryo Kagawa, a singer-songwriter indispensable to any discussion of Japan’s folk scene, was born in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture.
While rooted in pure folk, his music was distinguished by the incorporation of folk rock and West Coast-inspired sounds.
An impromptu appearance at the 1970 Nakatsugawa Folk Jamboree led to his debut the following year with the classic album “Kyōkun” (Lessons).
The oft-told anecdote that Takuro Yoshida once said he was “jealous of the songs Ryo Kagawa wrote” speaks to Kagawa’s extraordinary talent.
Unmoved by commercial success, he stayed true to his path as a traveling troubadour.
His way of life—and music—brims with a charm that deserves to be heard by listeners who believe in the power of words and want to immerse themselves deeply in the world of song.
I wonder why.Tetsu (Tetsu and Tomo)
Familiar in his red tracksuit, Tetsu of the duo Tetsu and Tomo hails from Otsu City in Shiga Prefecture.
He originally aspired to be a singer and actor, studied acting at university, and is known for his clear, resonant singing voice and sharp physical expression.
After forming the duo in 1998, they sparked a social phenomenon in 2003 with their song that sings about everyday questions, “Nandearo,” winning the Grand Prize at the New Words and Buzzwords Awards.
In the world of performing arts, their prowess is unquestioned, with accolades such as the Gold Prize at the Hanagata Performing Arts Awards in 2002.
Their stage, where music and comedy become one, is perfect for anyone looking for music the whole family can enjoy!
The song about letting things that come from the right flow to the leftMūdi Katsuyama
Moody Katsuyama, hailing from Kusatsu City in Shiga Prefecture, took the nation by storm with his unique melodies while dressed in a white tuxedo.
Around 2006, he broke through with comedy songs that set everyday occurrences to mood kayō (moody enka-style) music, charming households across Japan.
His signature number, “The Song of Letting What Comes from the Right Flow to the Left,” became a phenomenal hit, surpassing 2.1 million downloads on mobile platforms.
On the musical side, he also appeared on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen as a chorus singer for Kiyoshi Maekawa.
If you want to enjoy a performance where music and comedy blend perfectly, don’t miss him!
I did not exist.Kuramaru Riko
This is Riko Kuramaru, who was active as a member of the digital voice actress idol group 22/7.
While the group’s musical style centered on idol pop, she showcased a wide expressive range by performing enka-style songs in her character’s solo tracks.
They made their major debut in September 2017.
Affectionately known as “Mizuhan,” she was a mood-maker with her friendly Kansai dialect talk.
Many people may also know her under the name Mizuba Kuraoka.