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 (1–10)
Fukuwarai (a traditional Japanese “lucky laugh” face-making game)Takahashi Yuu
In addition to warm messages, Takahashi Yu—whose lyrics are compelling for the raw, real messages drawn from his own intense experiences—hails from Akita Prefecture.
He spent his school years in Akita through high school, then moved to Hokkaido for university.
It was there that he began performing street live shows, marking the start of his music career.
Along with his realistic lyrics, his distinctive singing voice is also one of his trademarks.
Moreover, driven by a desire to invigorate his hometown, he founded his own music festival, the Akita CARAVAN MUSIC FES, aiming to change venues each year and eventually tour all 13 cities within Akita Prefecture.
for YOU。haji→
Singer-songwriter Haji→ is from Miyagi Prefecture.
He has been active in music since 2005, but he began performing solo under the name Haji→ in 2010.
He’s a singer with a captivating vocal range, from a masculine tone to a refreshing high register.
Another major appeal of his music is the lyrics he writes—friendly, accessible, easy to relate to, and the kind that draw anyone in emotionally.
Thanks to this, he has gained tremendous popularity, especially among younger listeners.
loadTakahashi Jōji
George Takahashi, the vocalist of the rock band THE Toraba-ryu (THE Tigers and Dragons), is from Kurikoma Town, Kurihara District, Miyagi Prefecture.
Their signature song “Road” has won awards such as the Japan Cable Awards’ Excellence Award in Cable Music and the Japan Record Awards’ Hit Single Award.
Beloved voices and music! Singers and artists from Tohoku (11–20)
One million “I love you”sRake
Rake is a singer-songwriter from Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, who loves the Tohoku region.
Centered on acoustic guitar and vocals, he delivers heartwarming music in the J-POP and pop-rock genres.
He made his major debut in 2010 with “Fly away,” which went on to receive the most power plays in the history of FM stations nationwide—an unmistakably striking debut.
His signature song, a straightforward anthem of love that many people will recognize, is also extremely popular as a wedding song, so you’ve likely heard it before.
It’s a long-cherished classic that set a historic record with consecutive entries on the USEN chart.
He has also released songs imbued with reflections on the 10 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake, and his music is always there to comfort the heart.
If you’re looking to be uplifted by sincere lyrics and a refreshing voice, be sure to give him a listen.
ChronostasisSato Chiaki
Chiaki Sato, the vocalist of the rock band Kinoko Teikoku, which went on hiatus in 2019, is from Morioka City in Iwate Prefecture.
Her career began in 2004 as an actress.
She later formed Kinoko Teikoku in 2007, steadily gaining popularity in the Japanese rock scene.
With her warm singing voice and distinctive presence, many fans can’t help but see her as charismatic.
In addition to fronting the band, she is also active as a solo artist.
huge nuisanceAbe Yoshiharu
Yoshiharu Abe, the keyboardist of the rock band UNICORN who also performs under the name ABEDON, is from Yamagata City in Yamagata Prefecture.
UNICORN is known for a style in which all members write songs and take on vocal duties.
Among them, Abe is a multi-instrumentalist who, in addition to keyboards, also handles guitar and vocals, serving as a key presence that adds color to the band’s sound.
After their debut in 1987, their 1990 album Kedamono no Arashi won the Excellence Album Award at the Japan Record Awards.
Did you also know he’s a top-tier producer who has worked with acts like Kishidan? Exploring his diverse music, which extends beyond the bounds of a band, might lead you to new discoveries.
Lock of the Water FlowNisshoku Natsuko
Nisshoku Natsuko, a singer-songwriter who performs in a piano-and-vocal style, is from Iwate Prefecture.
Alongside the piano—which plays a key role in lightly shaping the world of her songs—her richly expressive voice is incredibly captivating.
She began performing at live houses in high school, and in 2014 she welcomed komaki, the former drummer of tricot, as a support member.
In her signature song “Suiryū no Rock,” in particular, the interplay among piano, vocals, and drums can feel like a three-way battle—this dynamic is a core part of her music’s appeal!