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 Shredding to Acoustic: Famous Japanese Guitarists (21–30)
Love Magic PotionROLLY (Scanch)
The lead vocalist and guitarist of the rock band Scanch.
He has an original technique called the “laughing guitar,” which makes the guitar sound as if it’s laughing.
He gained popularity for his music that incorporates glam rock and for his androgynous visual style.
Real?MIYAVI
A solo guitarist who is active not only in Japan but also on successful world tours.
Thanks to these achievements, he is nicknamed the “Samurai Guitarist.” He specializes in slap technique without using a pick.
His style is characterized by intensely percussive playing, and in live performances he delivers dazzling shows with advanced technique and refined taste.
flower burialKen（L’Arc〜en〜Ciel）
The guitarist of L’Arc-en-Ciel.
He also writes lyrics and composes songs.
He is known as a heavy smoker, so much so that his image of playing while smoking has become well-established.
His guitar sound is characterized by a distinctive feel and nuanced touch.
He is also an artist with a strong sense for arranging music.
Distance of the Starry SkyTakamizawa Toshihiko (THE ALFEE)
Guitarist of the rock band THE ALFEE.
He is also active as a music producer and solo artist.
His nicknames are “Takami” or “Prince.” He frequently uses a distinctive tone characterized by wide and rapid pitch modulation, and his playing features fine, fast arm vibrato.
In his guitar solos, he plays melodic passages using unconventional, irregular phrases.
He is also well known as an enthusiast of uniquely shaped guitars.
KARATEOmura Takayoshi
A guitarist who also performs with the Kami Band of the metal dance unit BABYMETAL.
Beyond his work as a musician and singer-songwriter, he’s an exceptional player who also serves as an instructor at MI JAPAN Osaka, the music vocational school he graduated from.
Having been exposed to instruments from a young age—starting piano at 3 and acoustic guitar at 11—he set his sights on becoming a metal guitarist after a life-changing experience in high school.
Known for his distinctive high-speed playing that employs circle picking, he is a guitarist indispensable to any discussion of the Japanese metal scene.
Forever LovePATA（XJapan）
The guitarist of X JAPAN, the five-member rock band that Japan is proud to present to the world and that helped popularize the term “visual kei.” When it comes to the band’s guitarists, many people strongly associate the role with HIDE, who passed away suddenly in 1998.
However, it’s well known that PATA is an equally phenomenal guitarist.
In X JAPAN, he effortlessly handles backing phrases in high-speed songs and precisely executes flowing twin-lead shred lines.
Thanks to his advanced technique, he has supported the band’s sound since their debut.
HeartŌwatari Akira (Do As Infinity)
Ryo Owatari is a guitarist active in multiple bands, including Do As Infinity, Missile Innovation, and THE JUGGLER.
His depth as a musician is evident not only in the hard rock-influenced sounds and playing heard on tracks like “SUMMER DAYS,” but also in his acoustic guitar skills, such as the memorable arpeggios in the intro of “Heart.” Since 2017, he has performed abroad as part of Do As Infinity, playing live shows in countries such as Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, and Chile, establishing himself as a guitarist active both in Japan and internationally.