[2026] Japan’s Leading Famous Drummers — From Veterans to Rising Stars
Drummers who underpin Japan’s music scene from the ground up.
They tend to be overshadowed by flashy frontmen, but in truth, they’re the indispensable heartbeat of any band.
From veterans who have stayed at the forefront for years to rising talents making their mark with unique styles, Japan is home to many world-class drummers.
In this article, we dive into the appeal of these Japanese drummers.
You’ll not only find the drummers you already know, but you may also discover new talents you haven’t encountered yet.
Be sure to read to the end!
- [J-Pop] A Compilation of Songs with Awesome Drums [2026]
- [2026] A roundup of world-famous drummers who changed the history of music
- [2026] Practice Songs for Beginner Drummers: Easy and Cool Recommendations
- A song with a cool drum intro
- A roundup of cool drum-vocal bands: vocalists who sing while drumming.
- [2026] Summary of Popular Female Drummers Overseas
- [2026] Japan’s Leading Famous Drummers — From Veterans to Rising Stars
- [Low End] A Collection of Japanese Songs Featuring Standout Bass Solos [2026]
- 【2026】A Collection of Beloved Japanese Classics Worldwide【JAPAN MUSIC】
- YOSHIKI's famous and popular songs
- Chosen by professional drummers. Training videos you really should watch.
- Only famous artists! Anime songs that energize the Reiwa era
- 【2026】A Roundup of Japanese Bassists: From Big Names to Rising Stars
[2026] Japan’s Leading Famous Drummers — Introducing Veterans to Rising Stars (51–60)
swimKouhei
KOUHEI, who is making a big splash as the drummer of 04 Limited Sazabys, is one of the top performers among young rock drummers in Japan! Their songs are rooted in melodic hardcore, with GEN’s high-pitched vocals soaring over catchy melodies.
Within that sound, his expressive drumming truly stands out.
From the beats that define a song’s character to the fills in the intros, his playing is full of signature phrases that any drummer would have burned into their memory!
99.974℃komaki
Komaki, who has been active as a drummer for tricot and wrong city and has since supported artists like SUGIZO and Natsuko Nisshoku, is a drummer known for solid playing technique, backed by experience in a school wind ensemble.
During his time with tricot, he was not only adept at handling their mercurial, odd-meter songs, but his detailed drumming—such as powerful yet delicate ghost notes—was especially compelling.
He also works as a drum instructor and drum tech, making him one of the most accomplished drummers in today’s Japanese music scene.
Irreversible replaceMasack
Masack, the drummer of MY FIRST STORY who is active in the loud rock scene.
In addition to the powerful, melodic beats characteristic of loud rock, he plays high-speed fill phrases that make great use of hand-foot combinations—bold and incredibly cool! At the same time, the delicate ghost notes woven between tom runs are exceptionally clean, so be sure to pay attention to the beautiful stick work that shines behind the intense performance.
town/cityAkamatsu Yoshitomo
On Kanjani Eight’s show, there was a segment called “Taiko no Tatsujin,” where they faced off against various drummers, and in the end it was Akamatsu who defeated Okura.
He isn’t a particularly flashy player, but his steady, unwavering performance is truly impressive.
The Goofy Man’s WayŌkura Tadayoshi
Tadayoshi Okura, who grew up in a musical family and shines as the group’s drummer, has been captivating audiences with his steady sense of rhythm and brilliant performances ever since debuting as a member of Kanjani Eight in 2004.
With the unusual background of having mastered the drums in a short time despite starting with no experience, Okura is a skilled musician who handles a wide range of genres centered on J-pop.
In addition to his work as a drummer, he has showcased his versatility by appearing in numerous TV dramas and films as an actor.
Even after the group changed its name to SUPER EIGHT in 2023, he has continued to perform energetically in live shows and on television.
If you want to fully experience the appeal of his drumming, be sure to catch a SUPER EIGHT live show!