【2026】A Roundup of Japanese Bassists: From Big Names to Rising Stars
When you hear “Japanese bassists,” which players come to mind? The bass is sometimes described as the unsung hero, but it’s the core of a band’s sound, and a great bassist’s groove has the power to move listeners.
In this article, we’ve carefully selected bassists ranging from legendary figures to promising newcomers from the next generation.
Be sure to check them out—you might just discover a talent you didn’t know about!
Playlist
| 【2026】A Roundup of Japanese Bassists: From Big Names to Rising Stars | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1east | Silent JealousyTAIJI |  play_arrow | Former X JAPAN bassist and guitari... |
| 2east | Yellow ToyHikaru Yamamoto |  play_arrow | Hikaru Yamamoto, a versatile bass guitarist |
| 3east | Active Three MinutesKameda Seiji |  play_arrow | The rock band led by Ringo Sheena, Tokyo Jihen… |
| 4east | HEADHANTHama Okamoto |  play_arrow | The four-piece rock band OKAMOTO’S be… |
| 5east | Ready Steady GoTETSUYA |  play_arrow | A band that represents Japan, L’Arc〜en〜… |
| 6east | BURN OUTJ |  play_arrow | The bassist of the well-known LUNA SEA... |
| 7east | Rolling Stonetakagi shota |  play_arrow | Takagi Shota, the genius bassist of BREIMEN. |
| 8east | A Whole New WorldKIYOSHI |  play_arrow | Mr. Kiyoshi, the noteworthy bassist active on the B’z tour |
| 9east | Goodbye, America. Goodbye, Japan.Hosono Haruomi |  play_arrow | It’s no exaggeration to say he was one of the people who shaped Japanese rock… |
| 10east | NamuTAKUYA |  play_arrow | Metalcore band Sable Hills is on a roll |
| 11east | In the city where cobalt fallsSeki Takuya |  play_arrow | A lyrically driven portrait of tomorrow set to bass, a band drawing international attention |
| 12east | North Windiwaoriku |  play_arrow | Bassist of SIX LOUNGE from Oita |
| 13east | Dance DecadenceOonotatsuya |  play_arrow | Bassist of the Sapporo-based rock band Chevon |
| 14east | NTMOkura Rintaro |  play_arrow | Bassist of the urban J-pop band “Shin Tokyo.” |
| 15east | When I fall in love, babymori natsuhiko |  play_arrow | Natsuhiko Mori’s bass performance spans diverse musical styles |
| 16east | TremoloMaika |  play_arrow | 3-piece girls' band, Chilli B… |
| 17east | I hope I can be your lover.ishihara mei |  play_arrow | Ms. Mei Ishihara from Kaneyori Masaru |
| 18east | UnboundKozaki |  play_arrow | Multitalented musician from the Gen Z band chilldspot |
| 19east | Spicy QueenHettsu |  play_arrow | The achievements of the metalcore band Hanabie. and HETTS |
| 20east | Friday’s highOohara Takuma |  play_arrow | Bassist of the Tokyo-born city-soul band Penthouse |
| 21east | harborTamura Akihiro |  play_arrow | A band that continues to produce many hit songs... |
| 22east | LightningHinata Hidekazu |  play_arrow | The rock band St… formed in 1998 |
| 23east | A star-like manEBI |  play_arrow | The bassist of Unicorn, who successfully reunited, and... |
| 24east | WELCOME TO MY DOG HOUSEHirose Yoichi |  play_arrow | A four-piece rock band that reunited in 2016… |
| 25east | You Can Do It!Sakurai Tetsuo |  play_arrow | Japan’s leading fusion band, Casio… |
| 26east | Wax MuseumZenon Ishikawa |  play_arrow | A member of Seikima-II who wears horns and plays the bass… |
| 27east | Guernicahito toki |  play_arrow | Back in their indie days, there was a movement known as the Nagoya-kei... |
| 28east | ScoopJIRO |  play_arrow | A globally unprecedented scale that mobilizes 200,000 people... |
| 29east | It’s not me unless it’s mekyūjitsu kachō |  play_arrow | A four-member mixed-gender rock band formed in 2012... |
| 30east | KAMIKenKen |  play_arrow | He has worked with numerous bands, including Dragon Ash... |
| 31east | New Treasure IslandKusakari Manami |  play_arrow | A five-member co-ed rock band formed in 2005… |
| 32east | Bassist BOH Bass Play DemonstrationBOH |  play_arrow | Masterfully handling a 6-string bass with effortless control, delivering slap and ta… |
| 33east | Why I’m meTOKIE |  play_arrow | Mixture rock band RIZE’s ori… |
| 34east | MARIONETTEMatsui Tsunematsu |  play_arrow | As an important band in the history of Japanese rock... |
| 35east | ButterflyNaoi Yoshifumi |  play_arrow | BU, which has a wide range of fans from adults to children… |
| 36east | trapOkamine Koushu |  play_arrow | Bassist of THE BACK HORN.… |
| 37east | On the edge (chop)Terasawa Kōichi |  play_arrow | The bass in B’z’s classic song “Giri Giri Chop”… |
| 38east | AMBITIOUSIKUZONE |  play_arrow | Bassist of Dragon Ash. 201… |
| 39east | Over DriveOnda Yoshito |  play_arrow | The legendary four-piece known by the nickname Judy and Mary… |
| 40east | Eric.WHara Masakazu |  play_arrow | Japanese rock bands—and bassists—are numerous… |
| 41east | Now or neverNaruse Yoshihiro |  play_arrow | You can probably imagine it from the nickname “Narcho”… |
| 42east | Bin SmileHino “JINO” Kenji |  play_arrow | A Japanese bassist active on the world stage, and then… |
| 43east | My Past Life, Many Lifetimes AgoTakeda Yusuke |  play_arrow | RAD…, a four-piece rock band from Kanagawa Prefecture |
| 44east | I’ve fallen in love with Mr. Tears.ikariya chōsuke |  play_arrow | The ‘length’ that’s far too famous as a comedian… |
| 45east | Distance of the Starry SkySakurai Ken |  play_arrow | Mr. Masaru Sakurai, who is even called a founder of THE ALFEE… |
| 46east | J.BoyMikuzuki Chiharu |  play_arrow | In 1981, the Duncon Brothers Band's me... |
| 47east | AmenTakimoto Kazuki |  play_arrow | When Gen Hoshino appeared on television, the backing ban… |
| 48east | God of musicAoki Tomohito |  play_arrow | As a studio musician, I have performed on recordings for many artists... |
| 49east | Nakamaru’s beatbox vs. Maruyama’s bassMaruyama Ryuhei |  play_arrow | A member of Kanjani Eight and an exceptional bassist who loves the bass. |
| 50east | The End of the WorldUeno Kouji |  play_arrow | Energized Japan’s rock scene in the late ’90s... |
| 51east | Please stay a woman with color (vibrance).Kishibe Kazutaka |  play_arrow | Now an actor who is one of Japan’s leading supporting players… |
| 52east | Japanese rice is the best in the world.junko |  play_arrow | A loud sound that brings the deep bass to the forefront, and… |
| 53east | The magic of loveTakamizu Kenji |  play_arrow | Beloved by the nickname “Daibutsu-sama,” Studio Beishi... |
| 54east | Maximum the Hormone II ~Let’s Talk About Firm, Rich Noodles from Here On~Uehara Futo |  play_arrow | The emergence of mixture styles in Japan’s rock scene… |
| 55east | Shitada Ken |  play_arrow | MISIA, Hikaru Utada, Sukima Switch… |
| 56east | Peace and highlightSekiguchi Kazuyuki |  play_arrow | The ever-popular Southern All Stars, who have enjoyed overwhelming popularity for many years… |
| 57east | Enigmatic Feeling345 |  play_arrow | The vocalist TK’s distinctive high tones… |
| 58east | walnutNakagawa Keisuke |  play_arrow | Known by the nickname "Mr. Children" (often shortened to "Misuchiru"), now so widely recognized among Japanese people that... |
| 59east | galaxyKatō Shinichi |  play_arrow | …even among domestic rock bands, it enjoys unwavering popularity. |
| 60east | -Step-Murai Kenjirō |  play_arrow | cali≠gari, who made a comeback in 2009… |
| 61east | RunnerEgawa Hōjin |  play_arrow | Hojin Egawa from Osaka Prefecture was a member of Bakufu Slump... |
| 62east | Lizard No. 3Akko |  play_arrow | The three-piece band GO!, which disbanded to much regret… |
| 63east | zean zeanOkano Hajime |  play_arrow | He’s active as the band’s bassist, and L’Arc-… |
| 64east | Overlord CrowIkuo |  play_arrow | Bassist IKUO, who is active in Japan. 1… |
| 65east | Cell QuaiImasawa Kagerou |  play_arrow | BASSNINJA (Base Ninja) and... |
| 66east | As many times as you likeNakamura Masato |  play_arrow | He's the bassist of Dreams Come True that everyone knows. Bo... |
| 67east | SYSTEMATICUeda Takeshi |  play_arrow | A pioneer of mixture rock in Japan and… |
| 68east | Odoru Pompoko RinKuribayashi Seiichiro |  play_arrow | Speaking of moody kayōkyoku that are trending for their comedy song bits... |
| 69east | Waking UpMitsuru Sudo |  play_arrow | Mitsuru Sudo is a bassist from Yamagata Prefecture, T-… |
| 70east | MASAKI |  play_arrow | To rival a guitarist who excels at fast picking, I… |
| 71east | Ju-ken |  play_arrow | The s... that’s in high demand among rock artists |
| 72east | PunchersMr.Okure |  play_arrow | As an indispensable character in Yoshimoto Shinkigeki... |
| 73east | Dance in the palm (of one’s hand)Fujiwara Misaki |  play_arrow | A band formed in Osaka in 2011, Soko... |
| 74east | Gradated GreyIga Wataru |  play_arrow | The recording by Gen Hoshino, who now enjoys immense popularity... |
| 75east | Thinking in Yura Yura Teikokukamekawa chiyo |  play_arrow | Chiyo Kamekawa, the bassist of Yura Yura Teikoku |
| 76east | Akashi Masao |  play_arrow | He’s indispensable when talking about early B’z… |
| 77east | [Bass Solo] Kameda Cup: Final!Meguro Yuya | ![[Bass Solo] Kameda Cup: Final!Meguro Yuya](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xMpDUUSx3OU/default.jpg) play_arrow | A highly skilled bassist who won the first Kameda Cup. |
| 78east | DongaraganOSHOW |  play_arrow | I’m in charge of the upright bass and vocals in Asakusa Jinta… |
| 79east | The crowd, our townShuri |  play_arrow | Born from the anime 'Girls Band Cry'... |
| 80east | ART OF LIFEHEATH |  play_arrow | HEATH is a member of X JAPAN… |
| 81east | MindSetE choppā KOGA |  play_arrow | Ms. F-Chopper KOGA is a member of the girls' band… |
| 82east | Aibou Opening ThemeYorihiro Ike |  play_arrow | Composed the theme for the nationally beloved drama “Aibou”… |
| 83east | Explosive Pannier-sanHiromi Hirohiro |  play_arrow | Highly addictive vibes bursting out from a cute look... |
| 84east | Beautiful night skyTeraoka Yohito |  play_arrow | JUN SKY W... who took the band boom by storm |
| 85east | Night hawkKatsuragi Kyōtarō |  play_arrow | In 2016, he was found lying on the street without a phone or wallet... |
| 86east | Smoke of LoveFukuoka Akiko |  play_arrow | Now an indispensable prese… |
| 87east | Proof of the Lowestkaho |  play_arrow | Kaho, an energetic bassist active in NEE |
| 88east | endlessFujisaki Tasuku |  play_arrow | A young girls' band whose members were all born in the Heisei era... |
| 89east | illShiromizu Yuu |  play_arrow | Hardcore jazz band KAGERO and In... |
| 90east | I Want You, I Need You, I Love YouEto Isao |  | As a Japanese bassist and a studio mu... |
| 91east | TsumamioriMoto Fukushima |  play_arrow | The American fusion band, HOUSE… |
| 92east | Buffalo’3『Mexicoke blood』Studio LiveHayashitatsusa |  play_arrow | Playing ferociously on a driving, manly bass... |
| 93east | Close your eyes and come here.ENRIQUE |  play_arrow | As the bassist of BARBEE BOYS… |
| 94east | FEVERHayashi Koji |  play_arrow | The three-piece band TRICERATOPS's... |
| 95east | PicturesT$UYO$HI |  play_arrow | The legendary loud rock band that went on hiatus in 2013... |
| 96east | You Can Make Me Dance, Sing Or AnythingYamauchi Tetsu |  play_arrow | Tetsu Yamauchi is a bassist from Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture... |
| 97east | OutlawYamamoto Shūya |  play_arrow | Riding on the bass rhythm, the freedom and struggles of life… |
| 98east | RISING MOONTakita Isamu |  play_arrow | Isamu Takita is from Yokosuka City in Kanagawa Prefecture... |
| 99east | The season of CRAZY FOR YOUSekine Shiori |  play_arrow | Shiori Sekine is a bassist from Saitama Prefecture, B… |
| 100east | FULL HOUSEMina |  play_arrow | Mina is a mem… of GIRLFRIEND. |
| 101east | OVER DRIVEYoshinaka Miyu |  play_arrow | The flamboyant style used in hard rock and metal… |
| 102east | boyShinoda Tomohito |  play_arrow | A passionately intense vocal and a powerful bassline... |
| 103east | BOXER’S ROADTakeshi |  play_arrow | A mixture rock band active since 1996… |
| 104east | I got a girlfriend.Matsuoka Aya |  play_arrow | Aya Matsuoka is a bassist from Osaka Prefecture, 20… |
| 105east | Dirty rainbowUeda Daisuke |  play_arrow | Into garage rock, jazz, country, and so on… |
| 106east | Living Dead of the LabyrinthNakamura Kazuhiko |  play_arrow | Kazuhiko Nakamura is the bassist of 9mm Parabellum Bullet… |
| 107east | Blue MinorOtsuka Megumi |  play_arrow | Megumi Otsuka is a bassist from Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, … |