Beloved voices and music! Singers and artists from Tohoku
Who comes to mind when you hear “a musician from the Tohoku region”? Some people might think of someone right away, while many others may struggle to name a musician from Tohoku.
But if you look, you’ll find plenty—ranging from artists everyone knows to members of popular rock bands—who hail from Tohoku.
In this article, we’ll introduce a comprehensive list of Tohoku-born musicians researched by our editorial team.
We’ve picked a wide range across genres and generations, so please enjoy discovering various artists.
- Bands, artists, and singers from Iwate Prefecture
- [2026] Compilation of Bands, Artists, and Singers from Fukushima Prefecture
- Bands, artists, and singers from Yamagata Prefecture
- [Artists from Akita Prefecture] A comprehensive showcase from famous popular singers to up-and-coming bands
- [Bands and Artists from Aomori] A comprehensive introduction from veterans to up-and-coming talents
- Masterpieces by male artists known for their captivating high notes. Recommended popular songs.
- Top Male Singer-Songwriter Hits of the 1980s: Ranking [2026]
- Miyagi Songs: Popular tracks that celebrate famous sights and specialties, and timeless pieces filled with love for home
- A must-see for Gen Z men! Easy-to-sing songs by male artists for karaoke
- Singers, bands, and artists from Hokkaido
- Hype songs sung by male artists that are recommended for Gen Z
- [For Seniors] Heartwarming Winter Classics: A Cozy Moment with Nostalgic Kayōkyoku and Traditional Songs
- Songs by male artists known for their captivating deep voices. Classic Japanese hits and recommended popular tracks.
Beloved voices and music! Singers and artists from Tohoku (71–80)
Cool boogaloonagisa youko
Yoko Nagisa, a singer who revived kayokyoku during the Heisei era, hails from Shirataka in Nishiokitama District, Yamagata Prefecture.
She burst onto Tokyo’s club scene in the 1990s and won many fans with her sultry voice and performances.
She actively collaborated on projects produced by Ken Yokoyama of Crazy Ken Band, covered Isezaki-cho Blues, which was used as the theme song for the film Yokohama Mary, and more.
In 2018, she appeared as a guest at a live concert celebrating the 20th anniversary of Crazy Ken Band’s debut.
Thanks for the meal.Sugai Tomoaki
Singer-songwriter Tomoro Sugai, who performs Gottsosama featured on NHK’s Minna no Uta, is also from Yamagata Prefecture.
Born into a farming family that has continued since the Edo period, he works as a “singer-song farmer,” balancing agriculture and artistry.
Influenced by Nobuyasu Okabayashi’s 1968 single Sanya Blues, he began his artistic career and made his debut in 1984 with his first album, Tobube!.
In addition to live performances, he also gives lectures on themes related to agriculture.
Song of the DawnKishi Yoko
Yoko Kishi, who shared popularity with Fubuki Koshiji as a chanson singer, was from Sakata City in Yamagata Prefecture.
She entered Tokyo University of the Arts aiming to become an opera singer, but due to cardiac neurosis she gave up that path and switched to chanson, making her debut in 1962 with the release of “Tawamurenaide.” Among her signature songs is “Yoake no Uta,” which won the Vocal Performance Award at the 6th Japan Record Awards; she also made her first appearance on NHK’s Kohaku Uta Gassen with this song.
It was used as the theme song for the film “Yoake no Uta,” starring Ruriko Asaoka.
Shou-chiku-baiUmezu Kazutoki
Kazutoki Umezu is a saxophonist from Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture.
While his style centers on free jazz, he performs across a wide range of genres, including rock.
In the 1980s, he was also active as a supporting member of RC Succession.
The track “Shou-chiku-bai” features characteristically Japanese jazz phrasing and showcases his individuality.
Soul DriveTakemori Masayuki
Masayuki Takemori, who handles vocals and guitar for the three-piece rock band Color Bottle, is from Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, and Junji Okawa “Z,” the drummer, is from Yamamoto Town, Miyagi Prefecture.
Their 8th single, Tamashii Drive, was used as the opening theme for the TV Tokyo anime Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL.
Mileage of LoveArai Kenichi
Kenichi Arai, a member of the a cappella vocal group RAG FAIR, is from Miyagi Prefecture.
Their second single, “Koi no Mileage,” debuted at number one on the Oricon Singles Chart.
The simultaneously released third single, “She Side Story,” reached number two, giving them a sweep of the top two positions.
romanticEndō Michirō
The Stalin led Japan’s punk rock scene through the ’80s and ’90s.
The vocalist, Michiro Endo, was from Nihonmatsu City in Fukushima Prefecture.
They made their major debut in 1982 with the single “Romantist” and the album “STOP JAP.” After The Stalin disbanded, he continued to pursue an active solo career in an acoustic style.
He was a wonderful person whose gentle character and love of ramen were the exact opposite of his band-era’s extreme performances.
Perhaps there’s a root-like quality in his work that resonates precisely because of the times we live in now.
His spirit will continue to live on within us.
