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)
Tell Mehide（X JAPAN）
He debuted in 1989 as a member of X, performing under the name HIDE during the X era.
Until his passing in 1998, he left behind many classic songs not only as X’s guitarist but also through his solo work under the name hide.
Even among the original visual kei bands, he displayed a distinctive fashion sense, and many fans were influenced by his style.
From his many technical guitar solos in X JAPAN to his composition techniques brimming with pop sensibility—and including the way he lived his short life—his charisma has never faded.
Active Three MinutesUkigumo (Tōkyō Jihen)
The guitarist of the rock band Tokyo Jihen.
Under his real name, Ryosuke Nagaoka, he performs with the rock band Petrolz.
He is known for a technical guitar style brimming with improvisational flair.
His note choices show great taste, and his delicate, distinctive guitar sound is captivating.
#1090Matsumoto Takahiro (B’z)
The guitarist of B’z, a two-piece rock unit whose total CD sales exceed 80 million and who are likely known by every generation in Japan.
Beyond B’z, he is widely active with solo work and songwriting for other musicians.
Although he enrolled in a music vocational school, he dropped out after an instructor advised him to ‘learn by performing in the real world,’ and his playing skills were highly regarded even before his debut.
In addition to his impeccably precise technique, his guitar tone is especially distinctive—its one-of-a-kind sound has such impact that it has earned praise from major musicians around the world.
guitar soloTakasaki Akira (LOUDNESS)
The guitarist of LOUDNESS, a metal band Japan proudly presents to the world.
He is also famous for being the first Japanese artist to perform on the stage of Madison Square Garden in the United States, and it’s no exaggeration to say he was the first guitarist to bring Japanese metal to global recognition.
His exceptional technique stood out worldwide in the early 1980s metal scene, and his advanced guitar playing—led by blazing-fast tapping—had a profound influence on guitarists across the globe who later became heroes of the technical guitar boom.
If you love guitarists, he’s absolutely someone you need to know—one of the guitarists Japan can truly boast to the world.
thrillHotei Tomoyasu (BOØWY)
A guitarist who debuted as the guitarist of the legendary rock band BOØWY and has also made a name for himself on the global stage.
After the band broke up, he not only pursued a solo career but also formed the unit COMPLEX with singer-songwriter Koji Kikkawa, while writing songs for and collaborating with many musicians—engaging in a wide range of musical activities.
His guitar playing features instantly recognizable phrases and tones; in particular, his cutting technique is said to reflect true mastery, as he plays with the intention of muting the sound at the very moment he produces it.
Given that style, it’s no wonder he has found success worldwide.
single-minded; wholehearted; devoted; earnestTsuneta Daiki (King Gnu)
Daiki Tsuneta, a native of Nagano Prefecture, composes many of King Gnu’s songs as the band’s primary composer.
With a background in cello studies at Tokyo University of the Arts, he is also active as a member of MILLENNIUM PARADE, a project themed around the sound of Tokyo as heard from a global perspective.
Drawing influence from a wide range of genres—including classical, hip-hop, and rock—he has produced numerous works that showcase his rich musicality.
He has also earned high acclaim as a guitarist, with Fender releasing his signature SWINGER model.
He is an artist who delivers a richly colored tone created with a diverse array of effects, paired with technically sophisticated performances.
infinite loopImai Hisashi (BUCK-TICK)
Hisanori Imai, who has long performed as the guitarist of BUCK-TICK, has supported the band’s distinctive musical style from the late 1980s to the present.
Formed with members who attended the same high school, their music had a major impact on the visual kei scene.
His guitar playing is characterized by a rich array of effects and a unique approach to sound creation, producing passionate and original tones that incorporate elements of gothic rock and electronic music.
He excels at phrases employing techniques such as sweep picking and legato, and he is an active guitarist in a wide range of settings, having participated as a guitarist on albums by Tomoyasu Hotei and hide.