[2026] A roundup of chill Japanese music artists and bands, featuring many up-and-coming acts!

Orange SeaJU!iE

JU!iE / Orange Sea (prod. Tokimeki Records) [Lyric Video]

JU!iE has an international background—born in China and a graduate of Berklee College of Music.

She’s a singer-songwriter who ramped up her activities in Japan in 2022, and her sophisticated groove—rooted in jazz and interwoven with R&B and soul—leaves a strong impression.

Collaborations with leading creators on the scene, such as Ayatake Ezaki of WONK and Tokimeki Records, attest to her musical excellence.

Many may have discovered her through her appearance on the Netflix show “Who Is a Wolf?” Her sultry vocals, delivered in Japanese, English, and Chinese, are soothing, and her refined melodies bring a sense of calm as you listen.

She’s an artist we highly recommend for anyone seeking relaxing, mature chill music.

Send To Youluv

luv-Send To You (Official Music Video)

Luv is a next-generation future soul band from Kansai, with all members born in 2003.

Formed in 2023, they draw on black music roots like neo-soul and acid jazz, delivering a refined, urban groove.

A track from their first CD release, “Garage,” which dropped in March 2024, became a hit on streaming, and the lead track from their mini-album “Already” was selected for power play on 39 stations nationwide, catapulting them into the spotlight.

In addition to winning the top prize at the ICHIGOICHIE -SEED- contest, their popularity is undeniable—tickets for their first headlining tour sold out immediately.

Their chill, satisfying grooves, born from exceptional musicianship, are the kind you’ll get hooked on after just one listen.

Tonight’s kisstonun

tonun – Tonight’s Kiss (Official Lyric Video)

Singer-songwriter tonun, originally from Hiroshima Prefecture, writes, composes, and arranges his own music.

He specializes in a sound where groovy tracks influenced by R&B and soul blend with his sweet, smoky vocals.

In February 2023, he made his major debut with “Friday Night,” which reached No.

1 on Billboard Japan’s Heatseekers Songs chart.

Even before his debut, in 2022, he was selected for Spotify’s “RADAR: Early Noise 2022,” spotlighting the next generation of artists, drawing significant attention to his talent.

His urban, mellow music is perfect as everyday background music, and he’s an artist we highly recommend to anyone looking to enjoy a comfortably chill time.

Turn off the neon.chilldspot

chilldspot – Turn Off the Neon (Official Music Video)

Chilldspot is a four-piece band whose members were all born in 2002.

While still in high school, they released the EP “the youth night” in 2020, drawing attention for a mature sound that belied their teenage years.

In 2021, they were selected for Spotify’s “RADAR: Early Noise 2021” and YouTube’s “Foundry,” boosting their profile both in Japan and abroad.

Vocalist Hiyune’s clear, transparent voice, combined with groovy performances rooted in soul and R&B while flexibly incorporating elements of funk and hip-hop, creates a truly one-of-a-kind soundscape.

They’ve also provided theme songs for TV dramas and commercials, and their refined, urban groove is perfect for relaxing downtime.

TorieBillyrrom

Billyrrom – “Torie”【Official Lyric Video】

Billyrrom is a music collective known for its urban sound rooted in soul and funk.

Formed in 2020, they’ve been championing what they call “Tokyo Transition Soul.” Their genre-free groove—born from the members’ diverse backgrounds—feels irresistibly comfortable.

Drawing attention at home and abroad, they performed at FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL ’23 and were selected for Spotify’s “RADAR: Early Noise 2025” and Fender’s “Fender NEXT 2024” as Japan representatives.

In 2024, they released the album WiND, showcasing a sound filled with the growth and curiosity of a band that even included members with no instrumental experience at the start.

Their sophisticated, chill music is perfect for relaxation time.

If you’re looking for something new, be sure to check them out.

ice creamgoethe

goethe / Ice Cream [MUSIC VIDEO]

If you want to immerse yourself in a refined, urban groove, check out goethe, a Sapporo-based act.

Their sound comfortably blends elements of R&B, soul, and jazz, elevating them with melodies that complement the nuances of Japanese.

They began in 2020 and gained attention with their EP “Zanzō no Yukue” (Where the Afterimage Goes), released in September 2022.

Their signature track “middle” highlights their distinctive style, where a mellow atmosphere coexists with tight beats.

While they don’t boast major awards, they continue to hone their sound through collaborations with cutting-edge creators like Shingo Suzuki of Ovall.

Music that hides a danceable texture within quietude, it’s perfect for a relaxed night or as a companion for a drive.

ExcuseArche

Arche – Excuse [Official Lyric Video]

Singer-songwriter Arche crafts a comfortable sound centered on R&B and neo-soul.

He began his activities around 2022, steadily releasing tracks mainly via streaming and growing his fanbase.

His world, where hip-hop-derived grooves blend with lyrical Japanese lyrics that make room for silence, draws you in before you know it.

In April 2025, his song “you are” was featured in a vocational school TV commercial and selected for J-WAVE’s SONAR TRAX, which sparked a rise in attention.

Riding that momentum, his first full-length album, “sublimated,” released in June 2025, may well have cemented his place on the scene.

His intimate, whisper-close vocals are perfect for chill time.