[Japanese Rock] Recommended Japanese Rock Bands

Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICHane Keisuke
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. After working in a music studio and handling wedding sound, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with a variety of instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in junior high school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on my own musical activities and the experience gained through my work, I produce daily articles, including various song introductions, features on music festivals around the country, and live reports. In music, I enjoy not only rock from Japan and abroad but, lately, a wide range of J-pop as well.
Composer/arranger, guitarist, and bloggerSaitō Ayumu
I started playing guitar in elementary school, and in junior high and high school I played the horn in the concert band. In college I became engrossed in composing and began using DTM. These days, I provide songs to artists as a composer, run a blog under the name “Sakki,” and post music lesson videos on YouTube. My musical roots are in rock, but I also love dance music!

In Japan, large-scale rock festivals keep increasing, and the popularity of rock bands is really on the rise! On subscription services like Spotify and Apple Music, band tracks frequently appear in playlists and rankings, so I’m sure many of you listen to them regularly.

As opportunities to encounter rock bands grow like this, I bet more and more people are getting interested in the domestic rock scene.

That said, there are so many rock bands out there that you might be thinking, “I don’t even know where to start listening…” That’s why in this article, I’ll introduce rock bands you should definitely check out, in recommended order! Start by listening to the bands introduced at the beginning of this article!

[Japanese Rock] Recommended Japanese rock bands (211–220)

Lingering Regret Refrainbando gokko

Band Pretend 'Lingering Refrain' MV

Lingering Regret Refrainbando gokko

Band Gokko is a three-piece band based in Osaka.

Since forming in 2009, they’ve continued to deliver high-quality music along with their unique personas.

With the motto “seriously playful,” they’re known for catchy melodies and addictive ensemble work.

The fact that Getschi is set up as a half-demon is also one of the band’s charms.

In 2018, they released their fourth mini-album, The Beginning of the End.

Their crowdfunding campaign far exceeded its target, demonstrating strong support from fans.

Their live performances are highly regarded, captivating audiences at various festivals and events.

Rooted in guitar rock while incorporating diverse genres, their music is recommended not only for rock fans but also for listeners seeking a unique worldview.

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LaughterOfisharu Higedan Dism

Official HIGE DANDism – Laughter [Official Video]

LaughterOfisharu Higedan Dism

They began gaining popularity around 2018, had a major breakthrough with “Pretender” in 2019, and since then this four-piece has been on an unstoppable roll.

True to their self-billing as a piano pop band, every song is both poppy and catchy—immediately accessible and the kind you want to listen to over and over.

On top of that, Satoshi Fujihara’s beautifully clear, soaring vocals—he handles both singing and keyboards—match the mood of their songs perfectly and are surely one reason for their rising popularity.

In contrast to their pop-friendly accessibility, the meticulous craftsmanship heard in every corner of their music impresses even hardcore music fans.

It’s precisely this dual appeal that explains why they’re so popular.

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In conclusion

We’ve rounded up a bunch of recommended Japanese rock bands.

Even though we call them all “rock bands,” the genres they play and the eras they come from vary widely.

This article highlights a variety of bands, but there are still so many we couldn’t cover! We’ll keep updating and adding more over time.

For now, try finding a favorite from this list and give them a deep listen.

And if you find a band you really love, we highly recommend going to see them live!