From Fast Picking to Acoustic: Famous Japanese Guitarists
When people talk about famous guitarists, overseas names often come up, but there are plenty of incredible guitarists right here in Japan too!
Some of them are active on the global stage as well.
In this article, we’ll introduce a wide range of Japanese guitarists we can proudly present to the world.
From blazing fast shredders to soulful, emotive players, from crisp cutting to slap techniques—each guitarist has their own unique charm.
Be sure to find your new favorite!
Get ready to meet a lot of super cool guitarists!
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[From lightning-fast shredding to acoustic] Famous Japanese guitarists (1–10)
Pandora’s boxEjimaharushi (Porukadotto Sutingurei)
Polkadot Stingray is a rock band that delivers songs showcasing technical ensemble playing to their listeners.
The one who crafts memorable guitar riffs in intros and interludes—and plays them with total freedom—is Harushi Ejima.
After graduating from a music vocational school, he joined the band in 2015.
His guitar playing—featuring groovy, body-swaying cutting and a rich, resonant tone—adds depth to the band’s sound.
A guitarist from Fukuoka Prefecture, he primarily uses a Nash Guitars T72DLX, delivering a style that combines a thick, full-bodied sound with nimble, light-footed execution.
All of the YouthYamauchi Souichirou (Fujifaburikku)
Souichiro Yamauchi, a guitarist from Ibaraki City in Osaka Prefecture, plays in the band Fujifabric.
He began making music at 15, just before entering high school, and made his major debut in 2004 as a member of Fujifabric.
Since 2010, he has served as the band’s vocalist and guitarist, and he also writes and composes songs.
Yamauchi’s guitar playing is versatile; Fender has released the Souichiro Yamauchi Stratocaster, which he primarily plays in half-step-down tuning.
He has created numerous playful guitar phrases that transcend genre boundaries, and he is an artist known for a strikingly free and fluid playing style.
COCOARei
Rei, a guitarist from Hyogo Prefecture, has been active on the music scene.
Having picked up the guitar from a young age, she has forged her own musical identity under the influence of blues, jazz, and rock.
She also works as a singer-songwriter, and her multifaceted talent has drawn significant attention.
Employing refined fingerpicking and thumb-pick techniques, she delivers intricate and beautiful arrangements.
Her performances particularly shine through her effective use of slide guitar and muting.
She mainly plays Fender Telecasters and Stratocasters, whose clear, crisp tones add color to her music.
She is an artist who honors the traditions of blues and rock while incorporating contemporary elements into her playing.
[From shredding to acoustic] Famous Japanese guitarists (11–20)
Love the warzNakajin（SEKAI NO OWARI）
Nakajin, a Tokyo-born guitarist for SEKAI NO OWARI who delivers songs with a unique worldview to listeners.
He learned piano as a child and became devoted to the guitar from middle school.
He often handles the band’s composing and arranging, and is a versatile player who can perform on a wide range of instruments, including bass and mandolin.
His playing style is characterized by the use of Gibson guitars, adding color to the music with broad, song-specific arrangements.
He also takes part in the band’s songwriting and occasionally serves as a vocalist, and is a multifaceted artist who provides songs to other artists as well.
Love is allANCHANG（SEX MACHINEGUNS）
ANCHANG, a native of Ehime Prefecture, is active as the guitarist of SEX MACHINEGUNS.
He is also the band’s founder and writes and composes most of their songs.
Known for crafting a heavy, distortion-driven sound, his guitar playing—centered on metal with masterful use of legato technique—is truly striking.
His performance style blends humor and entertainment, captivating audiences with overwhelming live shows.
He primarily uses custom ESP guitars, whose unique designs and tones have become emblematic of his style.
He is a versatile artist who has also written songs for numerous idols and performers.
Risingmiyako（LOVEBITES）
Miyako, the guitarist of LOVE BITES—a band active at metal festivals overseas—is known for her precise and highly technical playing.
With a classical music background and experience in piano and violin, she delivers outstanding performances.
Her speed-picking skills are exceptional, and her style is characterized by extensive use of sweep and legato techniques.
As a composer, she has created many songs that fuse classical-inspired structures with the energy of metal, resulting in a distinctive sonic world.
She has also earned high acclaim internationally, including the release of her signature model from Dean Guitars.
The End of the WorldAbe Futoshi (THEE MICHELLE GUN ELEPHANT)
You can say with certainty that we’ll never encounter another rock guitarist like him.
Abe Futoshi, who etched his name into the music scene as the guitarist for the legendary rock band Thee Michelle Gun Elephant—a band that stormed through from their major-label debut in 1996 to their breakup in 2003—was born in Hiroshima in 1966.
After playing in several bands on the indie scene, he joined Thee Michelle Gun Elephant in 1994.
With his trademark straight-to-amp curly cable and Telecaster, his godlike, razor-sharp cutting riffs unleashed from his 187 cm frame were nothing short of breathtaking.
Beyond his aggressive playing, he also crafted many catchy riffs, greatly fueling Thee Michelle Gun Elephant’s rise.
Sadly, Abe passed away suddenly in 2009, becoming, in every sense, an eternal, legendary guitarist.
