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 (51–60)
fateTerauchi Takeshi
A guitarist affectionately known by the nickname “Terry,” also called the “God of Electric Guitar.” His motto is, “A guitar won’t make a sound unless you play it.” From classical to rock, pop, enka, and folk songs, he masterfully performs a wide variety of music on electric guitar.
He can be considered the pioneer of electric guitar in Japan.
STORMSugizo（LUNA SEA）
Guitarist SUGIZO, who grew up in a musical family with both parents serving as members of the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, has an unusual background: he studied violin from early childhood.
Since debuting in the ’90s as the lead guitarist of LUNA SEA, his dazzling playing and elegant presence have forged a distinct style, making him an object of admiration for subsequent generations of guitarists.
So influential that even his picking technique and stance have been imitated, SUGIZO—though rooted in the classical world—draws flexibly from a wide range of sources including new wave, punk, metal, jazz, and contemporary music, setting him apart from the typical rock guitarist.
To experience SUGIZO’s uniquely individual playing—where classic refinement and innovation coexist—start by listening through LUNA SEA’s catalog.
Explosive Pannier-sanKidamotifo (tricot)
Guitarist of the girls’ rock band tricot.
She also handles backing vocals for the band.
She adds color with her dramatic guitar to tricot’s distinctive songs, many of which feature odd time signatures.
Although she has a cool appearance with striking, calm eyes, she delivers a fiery performance on stage.
Nomura Yoshio
A guitarist with the unique background of being a former idol.
He also works as a music producer.
His nickname is “Yocchan.” He is well known as the guitarist in the backing band for female singer Ayumi Hamasaki.
A devoted guitar enthusiast, he has a collection of over 300 guitars.
[From Shredding to Acoustic] Famous Japanese Guitarists (61–70)
Temptation・Lips・SHADE・HEROESTAKURO（GLAY）
The guitarist and keyboardist of the rock band GLAY, who also serves as the band’s leader.
He is the CEO of the label loversoul music & associates.
He writes the lyrics and composes most of GLAY’s songs.
A huge Beatles fan, he has been greatly influenced by John Lennon.
He is also known as a guitarist with an excellent personality.
Todey’s songYamagishi Ryūnosuke (LIFE IS GROOVE)
Back in kindergarten, he drew attention by doing a guitar session with Char on a TV show.
Since then, he’s been cherished by various musicians and has performed with many of them.
In 2013, he formed LIFE IS GROOVE with KenKen from the rock band RIZE and the late Monsieur Kamayatsu.
With overwhelming technique and groove that belie his youth, he delivers a funky guitar sound.
VenusAnly
Anly, a singer-songwriter from Okinawa Prefecture, is a young artist born in 1997.
Do you know what’s distinctive about her performances? She layers rhythm, backing, lead phrases on guitar, and even choruses through the mic using a loop pedal, building a track on the spot—and then sings and plays over it! The improvisational feel makes her performances a joy to watch, and unlike many other singer-songwriters, she also strongly stands out as a guitarist.
