A Japanese female singer with excellent singing ability; an outstanding vocalist.
Even when we say someone is “a good singer,” that can mean many different things.
They might have astonishingly steady pitch, a superhuman vocal range, exquisite sense of rhythm, or a truly overwhelming voice.
This time, I’ve picked out female singers who are widely regarded as “great” from various angles like these, as well as female singers who, from my years of experience as a vocal producer and voice coach, make me think, “She’s outstanding!”
Of course, a singer’s appeal doesn’t necessarily lie only in technical skill.
But every now and then, isn’t it nice to listen with a focus on “skill”?
I hope this will be helpful for those who aspire to become singers as well.
- [Overwhelming Vocal Ability] A Compilation of Popular Female Singers
- Diva of Enka: A roundup of female singers leading the enka world
- Cool If You Can Sing! Popular Karaoke Songs Recommended for Women
- [Feels Great to Listen To!] Popular Songs by Female Artists with Captivating High Notes
- [Powerful] A roundup of Japanese pop singers with incredible vocal power
- 【2026】Difficult Enka Songs to Sing — Women Singers Edition
- Recommended female vocalists for anime songs
- A masterpiece with exhilarating high notes. An enchanting high-tone voice.
- Reiwa era mustn't be missed: an enka singer with excellent vocals.
- [For Teen Girls] Popular Karaoke Songs That Are Easy to Sing
- [Crystal Voice] An artist with a clear, translucent singing voice.
- [For Women] A roundup of enka songs that can score high in karaoke
- Songs you’d want women to sing at karaoke! Karaoke picks recommended for Gen Z
Female Japanese singers with great singing ability (71–80)
Jindo MonogatariTendō Yoshimi
Yoshimi Tendo is an enka singer who had been participating in amateur singing contests since childhood.
Her 1996 release “Jindo Monogatari” became a long-running hit, selling over 1.3 million copies.
She received the Best Vocal Performance award at the 38th Japan Record Awards.
The color of loveHiguchi Ai
Ai Higuchi, who is active as a singer-songwriter, released this digital-only single in July 2023.
Over a simple backing track centered on piano and strings, she delivers a stunning vocal performance.
In particular, the sections sung in her powerful mid-to-high alto range let you fully savor the appeal of her voice.
If you listen with attention to how she closes phrases, her use of rests within the melody, and the effective placement of breath noises, you’ll truly appreciate her exceptional expressive singing technique.
mintUno Misako (AAA)
Released in May 2019 as the third single under Misako Uno’s solo name, the main vocalist of the dance-vocal group AAA (Triple A).
She says she spent a month and a half studying in the UK when she was in junior high school, and perhaps it’s precisely because she has a lived, tactile sense of life in the English-speaking world that she’s able to deliver a Japanese dance track—often prone to sounding a bit clunky—with the polish and feel of Western pop.
She also pays close attention to diet and fitness in her daily life and works as a certified fasting counselor in the areas of nutrition, health, and beauty.
While her voice isn’t the thick, robust type associated with so-called powerhouse singers, it has a firm core—no doubt the result of her steady training in abdominal control.
As with AAA’s songs, the slightly mechanized vocal processing direction also plays to the strengths of her vocal timbre.
blue skySalyu
She says she began singing to build up her strength after a childhood bout of pneumonia that put her in the hospital, and joined the Crown Girls’ Choir.
Even in this song, you can sense how fully she draws on those early experiences: her pronunciation of the lyrics is stunningly clear, with exceptionally crisp diction.
The real showstopper is the ultra–high notes at the end of the chorus.
She reportedly sang children’s songs, modern music, and hymns in that choir, and it seems those experiences underpin a soaring high register that never feels strained or forced.
That endlessly extending high tone brims with a power that pulls listeners’ hearts closer.
Love Storyshiki
The lead track from Shiki’s first album, “Love Story,” released in 2008, by the Kyoto-born singer-songwriter.
This is actually a production of mine—an indie project—but I wanted more people to discover her wonderful voice, so I decided to feature it here.
Shiki studied voice at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, and her singing is truly “beyond what you’d expect from a typical Japanese singer,” fully on par with major-label artists.
I believe many listeners will connect with it.
There’s a lot here that aspiring pop singers can learn from as well, so please enjoy.
You can listen to the recommended album below: https://music.apple.com/jp/album/love-story/1421203383
Tree of WadatsumiHajime Chitose
This was the debut single by Chitose Hajime, a singer rooted in the folk music of Amami Ōshima, released in June 2002.
Known also as an Amami folk singer (utasha), her voice is clearly distinct from singers whose roots are in rock or pop.
In particular, her technique in the higher register and her use of what might be called melismatic ornamentation (I’m a bit unsure if that’s the right term…) evoke a strong sense of “shima-uta,” or island song.
You could say it’s truly a fusion of traditional performing arts and pop music.
wintering swallowMori Masako
Masako Mori, who debuted in 1972, is a former Japanese singer and actress known primarily for enka and kayōkyoku.
Her vocal ability has been highly acclaimed since she won the Grand Champion title on the show “Star Tanjō!” at the age of 13.
She produced many hit songs starting with her debut single “Sensei,” and in 1983 she received the Japan Record Awards’ Best Vocal Performance for “Etto Tsubame.” Cherished by Hibari Misora and known for covering Harumi Miyako’s songs, her talent has been widely recognized.
Masako Mori’s steady vocal technique and rich expressiveness make her a compelling artist that fans of enka and kayōkyoku should definitely listen to.