Bands, artists, and singers from Tochigi Prefecture
Which famous person from Tochigi Prefecture comes to your mind first?
In this article, we’ll introduce bands, artists, and singers from Tochigi!
Of course, we’ll cover well-known names, but we’ll also spotlight artists from Tochigi who may not be very famous yet and deserve to be discovered through this opportunity.
If you’re curious about what kind of artists come from Tochigi Prefecture, be sure to check this out!
If you’re also from Tochigi, you might feel a sense of closeness—don’t miss it!
Bands, artists, and singers from Tochigi Prefecture (1–10)
Saitō Kazuyoshi
Hailing from Mibu, Tochigi Prefecture, singer-songwriter Kazuyoshi Saito was born in 1966.
He broke through in 1994 with Aruite Kaerou, which was featured on the TV show Ponkikkies.
His signature songs include Utautai no Ballad and Wedding Song.
His music is loved not only by fans but also by many fellow musicians.
Akiyama Kiiro
Kiro Akiyama is an artist from Utsunomiya City in Tochigi Prefecture.
Influenced by the anime K-On!, which became a social phenomenon, he started playing bass in junior high school and began writing original songs.
He officially began his music career in December 2017, and his debut digital single “Yasagure Kaidou,” released in 2018, reached No.
2 on Spotify’s Viral Chart, rapidly boosting his profile.
In 2020, he performed “Monologue,” the theme song for the drama Ten no Himitsu (10 Secrets), and the music video has surpassed 10 million views.
Kondō Yōichi
Yoichi Kondo, who handles bass and backing vocals for the rock band Sambomaster—famous for their outrageous self-description as a “butt-ugly rock” band—is from Shimotsuke City in Tochigi Prefecture.
He joined by linking up with members Mr.
Yamaguchi and Mr.
Kiuchi, and has been active since 2000.
As many of you may know, he appeared in the 2010 film Solanin, starring Aoi Miyazaki.
This was reportedly his first film appearance.
Kawasaki Takaya
Takaya Kawasaki is a singer-songwriter born in 1989.
After graduating from a music vocational school and performing in the acoustic duo “Bocco.”, he began his solo career in 2017.
His hallmark is a warm sound rooted in pop and acoustic styles.
His 2020 release “Mahō no Jūtan” (Magic Carpet) became a viral hit with over 3 million views on TikTok and topped Billboard JAPAN, catapulting him into the spotlight.
Created as an expression of deep love for his wife, the song led to numerous media appearances, including Music Station and CDTV.
With simple arrangements centered on piano and guitar and emotionally rich lyrics, his music offers a warm perspective on love and life, making him a recommended artist for those seeking songs that truly resonate.
Kobayashi Yusuke
Yusuke Kobayashi was born in 1985 and is from Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture.
Building on a band he formed with his high school classmates, he founded THE NOVEMBERS and serves as the guitarist and vocalist.
In addition to writing lyrics and composing for the band, he also works as a support guitarist for Chara and yukihiro of L’Arc-en-Ciel.
Sakiyama Tatsuo
Spitz’s drummer, Tatsuo Sakiyama, is from Sano City in Tochigi Prefecture.
He’s affectionately called “Saki-chan” by the band members and fans, and he’s a father of two.
He originally played bass, but in high school he was invited to join a metal band and was brought in as the drummer.
Later, through an introduction from guitarist Tetsuya Miwa—his classmate at Bunka Fashion College—he joined Spitz as a fill-in member.
Apparently, there’s never been any talk of him officially becoming a full member even to this day, and that’s something they joke about at live shows (lol).
Ōshima Yūko
Yuko Oshima, a former member of AKB48—one of Japan’s most popular idol groups—has continued her career as an actress after graduating from the group.
She served as the center for AKB48’s hit song “Heavy Rotation,” cementing her popularity.
While many people first learned about her through AKB48, she actually began her entertainment career as a child actor and has over 20 years of experience.
After graduating from AKB48, she won the Award for Excellence as Best Supporting Actress at the 38th Japan Academy Prize in 2014, achieving success both as an idol and as an actress.
Her future endeavors are highly anticipated.