[Latest Featured Artists] List of Bands and Musicians from Shimane Prefecture

POPS writer/editorKEI
Since discovering music during my school days, I’ve mainly listened to Japanese and Korean pop. I have experience writing articles for sites like Utaten. 2000s J-pop and 2010s K-pop were especially the soundtrack of my youth. With the mindset that “good is good,” I enjoy music across genres. Thanks to past work environments and their influence, I was exposed to lots of classic rock and kayōkyoku (Japanese popular songs), which may have broadened the scope of what I love. At RAG MUSIC, I currently focus on K-pop and J-pop. I strive to edit with a feel for the scene and an eye for hit potential.
Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICHane Keisuke
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. After working in a music studio and handling wedding sound, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with a variety of instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in junior high school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on my own musical activities and the experience gained through my work, I produce daily articles, including various song introductions, features on music festivals around the country, and live reports. In music, I enjoy not only rock from Japan and abroad but, lately, a wide range of J-pop as well.

You might know that the smash-hit piano pop bands Official HIGE DANDism and Omoinotake have members who formed or hail from Shimane Prefecture, but did you know Shimane has produced many other artists as well?

From long-active players in Japan’s music scene to up-and-coming bands on the verge of a breakthrough, and powerhouse singer-songwriters—there are tons of artists you won’t want to miss!

In this article, we’ll introduce a wide range of musicians from Shimane all at once.

We especially hope this becomes a chance for you to discover wonderful young bands and singer-songwriters.

[Latest Notable Artists] List of Bands and Musicians from Shimane Prefecture (31–40)

lightHoshimura Mai

HIKARI

lightHoshimura Mai

Mai Hoshimura, who works as a singer-songwriter and pianist, is from Matsue City in Shimane Prefecture.

Her song “Hikari” was chosen as the theme for the drama “Tomorrow: Hi wa Mata Noboru,” and she appeared as herself in the final episode.

Her habit of playing the piano barefoot when appearing on TV programs became a topic of conversation, earning her the nickname “the Barefoot Piano Girl.”

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Fateyūgin

Fate / Yugin

Fateyūgin

Yugin is a folk duo consisting of Shinji and Taku.

They are real-life brothers who formed the duo in 1998 and have been active since then.

Although they paused their activities several times for Shinji’s medical treatment, they have been performing continuously since 2016.

Their name, derived from “minstrel,” reflects their wish to “keep singing together forever.” Lovely, isn’t it? Their signature song “Fate” gained attention when it was chosen as the theme song for the romance reality show Ainori.

Perhaps because the brothers’ voices are similar, their harmonies are both beautifully blended and powerful!

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ONE WAY DRIVEEzumi Makiko

Makiko Esumi One Way Drive

ONE WAY DRIVEEzumi Makiko

Makiko Esumi, who works as an actress and TV personality, is from Izumo City in Shimane Prefecture.

She made her singing debut in 2000 with the single “ONE WAY DRIVE,” whose title track was used as the ending theme for the drama Shomuni, in which she starred.

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In conclusion

We’ve introduced a whole lineup of bands, singer-songwriters, and musicians from Shimane Prefecture! From hugely popular bands at the height of their fame to legendary players who have been driving the domestic rock scene for years, and highly skilled singer-songwriters—there were so many uniquely individual artists.

Not only those widely known to be from Shimane, but you may also have discovered, “Wait, this person is from Shimane too?!”