[2026] The Heart of Our Hometowns Carried Through Song: A Roundup of Japanese Folk Singers, Including Young Talents!

Dekansho-bushiTsuchitori Toshiyuki

Dekansho Bushi / Toshiyuki Tsuchitori (vocals, shamisen, drum)

Toshiyuki Tsuchitori is a musician from Kagawa Prefecture.

He works in a wide range of genres, not only folk music.

The Dekansho-bushi, a folk song from Sasayama City in Hyogo Prefecture, is famous as a song sung during Bon dances and was also sung as a student song.

Asadoya YuntaNatsukawa Rimi

"Asadoya Yunta" Rimi Natsukawa (Ryukyu Traditional Song and Dance Troupe Team Ryujin)

Rimi Natsukawa is a Japanese singer from Ishigaki City in Okinawa Prefecture.

The Okinawan folk song “Asadoya Yunta” is a song handed down on Taketomi Island in the Yaeyama Islands of Okinawa, and it is clear that it is well known nationwide, having been recorded in standard Japanese as early as 1934.

Akita Nagamochi SongOno Hanako

Hanako Ono Akita Nagamochi Song Fumio Otsuka, Chairman, Shinagawa Ward

Hanako Ono hails from Kanda, Sotoasahikawa Village, Minamiakita District, Akita Prefecture (now Akita City).

She is a Japanese folk singer who is still active today.

“Akita Nagamochi Uta,” a folk song from Akita Prefecture, was sung by the bearers of the nagamochi (long storage chest) during bridal processions.

Ono’s clear, expansive singing voice is a pleasure to listen to.

Gannin FestivalMatsuda Takayuki

Rie Sasaki / Tsugaru Ganjin-bushi

Takayuki Matsuda is a Japanese folk singer from Aomori Prefecture.

The Aomori folk song “Tsugaru Ganjin-bushi” is said to be called “Ganjin-bushi” because it was sung by itinerant monks known as ganjin-bōzu, who performed acts such as proxy pilgrimages, proxy ablutions, and praying on behalf of others.

With its sharp shamisen melody and lively singing style, it’s a tune that makes you want to dance.

Kokiriko-bushiRindō Miyuki

Miyuki Rindō “Kokiriko-bushi”

Miyuki Rindo is a Japanese folk singer from Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture.

She is one of the accomplished folk singers whose songs have been widely used in commercials and films.

The Kokiriko-bushi, a representative folk song of the Gokayama region in Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture, is regarded as one of Japan’s famous ancient folk songs nationwide.

Etchu Obara-bushiToyoharu Ejiri

Etchu Obara-bushi (EJIRI Toyoji)

Toyoharu Ejiri is a Japanese folk singer from Yatsuo, Nei District, Toyama Prefecture (now Toyama City).

He is renowned as a master of the Etchu Obara-bushi and is also said to be the originator of “Kōmyōji Owāra.” Etchu Obara-bushi, a folk song of Toyama Prefecture, is a bon dance song sung during the event known as the Owāra Kaze no Bon.

Esashi OiwakeHamada Kiichi

Esashi Oiwake (Mae-uta / Hon-uta / Ato-uta) — Kiichi Hamada (First Generation)

Kiichi Hamada is a Japanese folk singer from Esashi, Hokkaido.

He learned folk songs from his father, who was a professional performer of Esashi Oiwake.

Esashi Oiwake, a Hokkaido folk song, is said to have originated in the mid-Edo period.

It is also well known as a Hokkaido Heritage.