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 (41–50)
Fuki and the chickMaiko
Maiko is a singer-songwriter from Shiga Prefecture.
In 2013, her song “Fuki to Hiyo” was featured on NHK’s Minna no Uta and aired from April to May.
Maiko believes that the origin of her music lies in Shiga Prefecture, and many of her works are themed around nature.
In time for the end creditstricot
Vocalist Ikkyu Nakajima and guitarist Motifour Kida are from Shiga Prefecture, while bassist Hiromi Hirohiro is from Kyoto Prefecture.
The band was formed in September 2010 and has been active mainly in the Kansai region, centered around their hometowns of Shiga and Kyoto.
Influenced by groups like Number Girl, they leverage their high level of musicianship and trickily structured, richly unfolding melodies to perform not only in Japan but also across Europe.
Nakajima, who also handles the design of their merchandise, is well known as a member of Genie High.
They made their major-label debut in the first year of Reiwa with the single “Afureru.”
Run, runOoya Rikako
Rikako Ōya, a member of the idol group Babyraids JAPAN, is from Shiga Prefecture.
Their 11th single, Hashire, Hashire, reached No.
3 on the Oricon Weekly Chart, the group’s highest position to date.
The song was also used as the ending theme for Fuji TV’s Miracle Experiences! Unbelievable.
The Way of ManMori Kohei
Shinsengumi Lien is an idol music group that originated from the Nippon TV variety show “Jinsei ga Kawaru 1-punkan no Fukaii Hanashi.” The first leader, Kohei Mori, was born in Shiga Prefecture and raised in Hirakata City, Osaka Prefecture.
Their debut single, “Otoko-michi,” reached No.
3 on the Oricon weekly chart.
Cherry blossoms flutter and dance toward youDoll☆Elements
Natsumi Gonda, who serves as the leader of the idol group Doll☆Elements, is from Shiga Prefecture.
Doll☆Elements’ “Kimi ni Sakura Hirari to Mau” was released as their major 5th single and was selected as the ending theme for Nippon TV’s Music Dragon.
YAMATO☆DancingKobayashi Yutaka
Yutaka Kobayashi, a member of BOYS AND MEN, is from Shiga Prefecture and also took part in IKEMEN☆NAGOYA, the precursor project to BOYS AND MEN.
This song is their 17th single, released in 2016.
It’s a track brimming with manly spirit.
Requiem: Lark in the Wheat FieldOkabayashi Nobuyasu
Nobuyasu Okabayashi is a musician from Omihachiman City in Shiga Prefecture who made his record debut in 1968.
Known as the “God of Folk,” he earned strong support—especially among young people—as a leading figure of protest songs.
He also had a close relationship with the Showa-era songstress Hibari Misora and contributed songs to her, among other collaborations.