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

Powerful voices ringing out on festival nights; work songs passed down during rice-planting season… Folk songs that live on across Japan are a musical culture woven together with each region’s daily life and scenery.Many people may associate folk singers with something nostalgic and old-fashioned.But in fact, more and more female folk singers are taking on new forms of expression while faithfully carrying on tradition, and young artists are sharing the appeal of folk music with a fresh sensibility unique to their generation.In this article, we’ll introduce a wide range of singers—from legendary figures who represent folk music to up-and-coming talents.You just might discover a voice from home that resonates in your heart!

Playlist

[2026] The Heart of Our Hometowns Carried Through Song: A Roundup of Japanese Folk Singers, Including Young Talents!
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Hanagasa OndoSaisei		Saisei is a young singer of the folk-song 'three-sword style' who won the newcomer award.
2	Hanagasa DanceShodai Suzuki Masao		The Legend and Achievements of Minyo Singer Masao Suzuki
3	Tsugaru Aiya-bushiRuri Takeno		Ruri Takeno, who won in folk songs and is active across multiple genres
4	Mogami River Boat SongOtsuka Fumio		The Career and Vocal Appeal of Minyo Singer Fumio Otsuka
5	Ho-hai FestivalNakamura Hiroki Kazu		The achievements of Hiroki Nakamura, the world champion of Tsugaru shamisen
6	Sado O-kesa — Ore-Dressing Plant O-kesaKenmochi Yusuke		Biography and Talents of Minyo Folk Singer Yusuke Kenmochi
7	Tsugaru Jongara-bushiHashimoto Daiki		Biography and Activities of Tsugaru Shamisen Player Daiki Hashimoto
8	Chakkiri-bushiichimaru		Geisha singer Ichimaru who fused classical Japanese music with the modern
9	Jōban Coal Mine SongMitsubishi Michiya		The Life and Achievements of Minyo Singer Michiya Mihashi
10	Hanagasa OndoAsakura Saya		Saya Asakura has a unique style that fuses folk songs with EDM.
11	OmoteyanAkasaka Koume		Akasaka Koume’s Achievements and Appeal as a Minyo (Traditional Folk) Singer
12	Scent of plum blossomsYonaha Tetsu		Tohru Yonaha: Successor of Okinawan Traditional Music
13	Tsugaru Yosare-bushiKishi Chieko		The Life and Achievements of Chieko Kishi, a Leading Figure in Tsugaru Folk Music
14	Sakata Funakata-bushiInoue Chiharu		Introduction to the Activities and Achievements of Minyo Singer Chiharu Inoue
15	New Soma BushiHarada Naoyuki		Introduction to Naoyuki Harada’s Folksong Life and Achievements
16	Nambu Cattle-Driving SongFukuda Kouhei		Kohei Fukuda, an enka singer from Iwate Prefecture
17	Tsugaru Ohara BushiKoyama Mitsuna		A Japanese folk singer who specializes in Tsugaru folk songs
18	Kagoshima MikudariShinbashi Kiyozo		Introduction of a folk singer from Tanegashima
19	Iso-bushiHayasaka Mitsue		With parents who were folk singers, they were active from an early age.
20	Tsugaru Jongara-bushiKanazawa Akiko		Akiko Kanazawa is a folk singer from Chiba Prefecture who sings the Tsugaru Jongara-bushi.
21	Obonai-bushiKawasaki Masako		Masako Kawasaki is a folk singer from Akita Prefecture who performs the Sepponai-bushi.
22	Sayama Tea-Making SongSane Mao		Mio Manao sings the Sayama Tea-Making Song
23	Song of Ezo FujiFukushi Yūko		Yuko Fukushi is a folk singer from Hokkaido.
24	Isohara-bushiShitaya Fumiko		Fumiko Shimotani, a folk singer from Yamagata Prefecture
25	Soran BushiItō Takio		A singer who expresses Hokkaido folk songs in a contemporary way
26	Kuro Dando BushiHajime Chitose		Chitose Hajime, Amami folk singer
27	Tinsagu FlowersKojya Misako		Introduction to singers representing Okinawan music
28	rice sectionYoshizawa Hiroshi		Introduction to the activities of folk singer Hiroshi Yoshizawa
29	Dekansho-bushiTsuchitori Toshiyuki		Toshiyuki Tsuchitori, a musician from Kagawa Prefecture
30	Asadoya YuntaNatsukawa Rimi		Rimi Natsukawa is an Okinawan folk singer
31	Akita Nagamochi SongOno Hanako		Folk singer Hanako Ono from Akita Prefecture
32	Gannin FestivalMatsuda Takayuki		Tsugaru Ganjin-bushi, a folk song singer from Aomori
33	Kokiriko-bushiRindō Miyuki		Miyuki Rindo, a folk singer from Toyama Prefecture
34	Etchu Obara-bushiToyoharu Ejiri		The master of Etchū-Obara-bushi, Toyoji Ejiri
35	Esashi OiwakeHamada Kiichi		Kiiichi Hamada, a folk singer from Hokkaido
36	Akita Obako BushiTorii Moririn		Morisuzu Torii is a folk singer from Akita Prefecture who cheerfully sings the Akita Obako-bushi.
37	Kiso-bushiMori Masako		Masako Mori is an enka singer and actress.
38	Akita Grass-Cutting SongFuji Ayako		Aya Fuki is an Akita folk singer
39	Noë’s lemmaKagami Goro		Introduction to the enka singer Goro Kagami and the Noe-bushi