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[From Classics to the Latest] A Roundup of Recommended Japanese Rock Bands! [2026]

In recent years, music festivals of all sizes have been held all over the place, and rock bands’ songs are often used for commercials and TV drama theme songs! Rock bands frequently appear at the top of the charts, and the Japanese rock scene is drawing a lot of attention.

But with so many bands active, plenty of people might be thinking, “I don’t know which songs to start with!” So in this article, we’ll introduce a bunch of classic Japanese rock bands.

First, try listening to the bands featured here and figure out what kind of sound you like!

Playlist

[From Classics to the Latest] A Roundup of Recommended Japanese Rock Bands! [2026]
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1eastRewrite (2016 ver.)ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION
Rewrite (2016 ver.)ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATIONplay_arrow
A rock band from Kanto Gakuin University, captivating music
2eastDream In DriveTHE ORAL CIGARETTES
Dream In DriveTHE ORAL CIGARETTESplay_arrow
A dark, addictive rock band gaining attention in Asia
3eastGuildBUMP OF CHICKEN
GuildBUMP OF CHICKENplay_arrow
BUMP, popular for its original lyrics and rock
4eastWasted NightsONE OK ROCK
Wasted NightsONE OK ROCKplay_arrow
ONE OK ROCK, a rock band that represents Japan
5eastFLY AGAINMAN WITH A MISSION
FLY AGAINMAN WITH A MISSIONplay_arrow
Werewolf band captivates the world
6eastFuzzy NavelConton Candy
Fuzzy NavelConton Candyplay_arrow
Three-piece female rock band Cotton Candy
7eastIrreversible replaceMY FIRST STORY
Irreversible replaceMY FIRST STORYplay_arrow
MY FIRST STORY, the success of the rock band
8eastBe Bold!BRADIO
Be Bold!BRADIOplay_arrow
A sound brimming with the charm of an extraordinary-style rock band
9easttake awayThe Biscats
take awayThe Biscatsplay_arrow
Hybrid rockabilly band, new music
10eastYummy YummyMAYSON’s PARTY
Yummy YummyMAYSON's PARTYplay_arrow
A catchy seven-member ska-punk band
11eastShe, the Ultimate WeaponSCANDAL
She, the Ultimate WeaponSCANDALplay_arrow
The Appeal of SCANDAL, a Four-Member Pop Rock Band
12eastthe four seasonskuriipuhaipe
the four seasonskuriipuhaipeplay_arrow
Creep, popular for its distinctive lyrics and musical style.
13eastmore than wordsHitsuji Bungaku
more than wordsHitsuji Bungakuplay_arrow
Hitsujibungaku captivates with their unique musicality.
14eastconfessionMy Hair is Bad
confessionMy Hair is Badplay_arrow
A rock band from Niigata popular among young people
15eastPegasus FantasyDAIDA LAIDA
Pegasus FantasyDAIDA LAIDAplay_arrow
A melodious hard rock/metal band
16eastTHE PRADOX IN IDEOLOGYUCHUSENTAI:NOIZ
THE PRADOX IN IDEOLOGYUCHUSENTAI:NOIZplay_arrow
A genre-blending rock band dedicated to social contribution
17eastruminatorété
ruminatorétéplay_arrow
été: An alternative rock band centered on Japanese guitar rock
18eastRobinsonsupittsu
Robinsonsupittsuplay_arrow
A legendary rock band that influences young artists
19eastIt doesn’t meltmakaroni enpitsu
It doesn’t meltmakaroni enpitsuplay_arrow
An eclectic rock band of music conservatory graduates
20eastGarnetaoie us fear
Garnetaoie us fearplay_arrow
An emotional four-piece band, music that resonates with the heart
21eastOrangeSPYAIR
OrangeSPYAIRplay_arrow
SPYAIR is a dynamic rock band.
22eastSugar Song and Bitter StepUNISON SQUARE GARDEN
Sugar Song and Bitter StepUNISON SQUARE GARDENplay_arrow
A highly skilled rock band with intense training
23eastInfernoMrs. GREEN APPLE
InfernoMrs. GREEN APPLEplay_arrow
Mrs. GREEN APPLE’s signature song “Inferno”
24eastbroad daylightKing Gnu
broad daylightKing Gnuplay_arrow
A rock band revolutionizing Japan's music scene
25eastRIVER10-FEET
RIVER10-FEETplay_arrow
10-FEET: a representative band of Japanese rock
26eastNew Treasure IslandSakanakushon
New Treasure IslandSakanakushonplay_arrow
A catchy and experimental five-piece rock band
27eastflash[Alexandros]
flash[Alexandros]play_arrow
From Champagne to a rock band
28eastJust the two of usRADWIMPS
Just the two of usRADWIMPSplay_arrow
RADWIMPS is a talented rock band.
29eastKiLLiNG MESiM
KiLLiNG MESiMplay_arrow
Punk reggae rock band from Shonan
30eastStay GoldHi-STANDARD
Stay GoldHi-STANDARDplay_arrow
The legendary hit song by the rock band Hi-STANDARD
31eastsomedaySaucy Dog
somedaySaucy Dogplay_arrow
The feelings and empathy embedded in the chorus lyrics
32eastblinkback number
blinkback numberplay_arrow
Known for forming a band and bittersweet love songs
33eastDECIDEDUVERworld
DECIDEDUVERworldplay_arrow
A six-member rock band from Shiga, fanatical
34eastKICK IT OUTBOOM BOOM SATELLITES
KICK IT OUTBOOM BOOM SATELLITESplay_arrow
The innovative music of BOOM BOOM SATELLITES
35eastEven so, you keep running.BLUE ENCOUNT
Even so, you keep running.BLUE ENCOUNTplay_arrow
The appeal of the guitar rock band BLUE ENCOUNT
36eastswim04 Limited Sazabys
swim04 Limited Sazabysplay_arrow
The captivating musicality of 04 Limited Sazabys
37eastThe Flarethe HIATUS
The Flarethe HIATUSplay_arrow
Moved by the performance, soothing music
38eastTelecaster StripePorukadotto Sutingurei
Telecaster StripePorukadotto Sutingureiplay_arrow
A cool female vocal rock band
39eastGalactic ExpresswayHanbureddāzu
Galactic ExpresswayHanbureddāzuplay_arrow
A rock band like magic that changes everyday life
40eastSynchronicityWagakki Band
SynchronicityWagakki Bandplay_arrow
A rock band blending Japanese and Western styles, popular for their unique musicality.
41eastEndless May DayFurederikku
Endless May DayFurederikkuplay_arrow
Frederic, Y!mobile theme song
42eastUltramarine DaysToukyou Jihen
Ultramarine DaysToukyou Jihenplay_arrow
Tokyo Incidents, led by Ringo Sheena, is an original/innovative music band.
43eastREVOLUTIONcoldrain
REVOLUTIONcoldrainplay_arrow
coldrain is a rock band that is popular overseas as well.
44eastVelonicaAqua Timez
VelonicaAqua Timezplay_arrow
Aqua Timez is popular for lyrics that resonate with the heart.
45eastMelodic Stormsutoreitenaa
Melodic Stormsutoreitenaaplay_arrow
Straightener's classic mainstream rock anthem
46eastMy Instant SongMONOEYES
My Instant SongMONOEYESplay_arrow
Takeshi Hosomi launches a new band with an upbeat song
47eastThe End of the WorldTHEE MICHELLE GUN ELEPHANT
The End of the WorldTHEE MICHELLE GUN ELEPHANTplay_arrow
Killer tunes in a fervent music scene
48eastSunrise&Sunsetandymori
Sunrise&Sunsetandymoriplay_arrow
A relaxed and light music band
49eastSet the heart on fire9mm Parabellum Bullet
Set the heart on fire9mm Parabellum Bulletplay_arrow
Overwhelming live performances and a distinctive rock sound
50eastLook UpNulbarich
Look UpNulbarichplay_arrow
The music of the five-member band Nulbarich
51eastMINTSuchmos
MINTSuchmosplay_arrow
Suchmos, derived from Satchmo, is adult jazz.
52eastFantasistaDragon Ash
FantasistaDragon Ashplay_arrow
A leading Japanese mixture (fusion) rock band
53eastSoldiers of Februarythe cabs
Soldiers of Februarythe cabsplay_arrow
A youthful sound from a band originating from KEYTALK
54eastAdhesion☆NIGHTYabai T-shatsu Yasan
Adhesion☆NIGHTYabai T-shatsu Yasanplay_arrow
A Kyoto-based band that embodies the depth of three-piece rock
55eastAt least for today.TETORA
At least for today.TETORAplay_arrow
The rock band TETORA from Osaka is distinctive.
56eastKiss me here.Shiina Ringo
Kiss me here.Shiina Ringoplay_arrow
Ringo Sheena's debut song gains popularity after first TV appearance
57eastshort haiBase Ball Bear
short haiBase Ball Bearplay_arrow
The youthful sound of the rock band is captivating.
58eastasking for the moonKANA-BOON
asking for the moonKANA-BOONplay_arrow
The striking melody and the subtle emotions in the lyrics are captivating.
59eastSupernovaELLEGARDEN
SupernovaELLEGARDENplay_arrow
A legendary rock band makes a comeback after 10 years
60eastFashion OperationNekura Tōkī
Fashion OperationNekura Tōkīplay_arrow
The captivating musicality of Necry Talkie
61eastBuddha-destroying Trishnahachijuu hakkasho junrei
Buddha-destroying Trishnahachijuu hakkasho junreiplay_arrow
Tokyo three-piece rock perverted sound
62eastPretenderOfisharu Higedan Dism
PretenderOfisharu Higedan Dismplay_arrow
Official HIGE DANDism, with a uniquely rich musical style
63eastsalad bowlAooo
salad bowlAoooplay_arrow
Aooo is a musical collective of distinctive members.
64eastAs a personSUPER BEAVER
As a personSUPER BEAVERplay_arrow
A message-driven guitar rock band
65eastIt is hollow.yurayura teikoku
It is hollow.yurayura teikokuplay_arrow
A psychedelic three-piece band, a revolution in music
66eastRace through youthichou BOYZ
Race through youthichou BOYZplay_arrow
Symbol of youth: ginkgo trees and memories of music
67eastRevolveryonige
Revolveryonigeplay_arrow
yonige moves hearts with songs from a female perspective.
68eastbacklightPeople In The Box
backlightPeople In The Boxplay_arrow
A Fukuoka-born rock band that captivates with irregular time signatures
69eastTAOyahyel
TAOyahyelplay_arrow
The origins of GLIM SPANKY and the initial member lineup
70eastDear, boyHump Back
Dear, boyHump Backplay_arrow
A girls' band from Osaka that plays straightforward rock
71eastsabotageRyokushokushakai
sabotageRyokushokushakaiplay_arrow
A band with a transparent singing voice and high musicality
72eastthorny pathtsubakiya shijuusou
thorny pathtsubakiya shijuusouplay_arrow
Glossy rock; Nakata’s voice is captivating.
73eastAzure DelightWienners
Azure DelightWiennersplay_arrow
A poppy, dynamic classic song
74eastZessoMr.FanTastiC
ZessoMr.FanTastiCplay_arrow
Mr.FanTastiC, a passionate four-piece rock band
75eastTomorrow as wellSHISHAMO
Tomorrow as wellSHISHAMOplay_arrow
A female rock band that portrays youth, with timeless songs that heal the heart.
76eastJOY JOY JOYOKAMOTO’S
JOY JOY JOYOKAMOTO'Splay_arrow
A band with the surname Okamoto plays a hot groove
77eastMUKANJYOSurvive Said The Prophet
MUKANJYOSurvive Said The Prophetplay_arrow
Introduction to Noteworthy Japanese Loud Rock Bands
78eastUrban Discothe telephones
Urban Discothe telephonesplay_arrow
The Telephones’ songs have a good groove.
79eastRed SpringAru kankaku
Red SpringAru kankakuplay_arrow
A four-piece alternative band popular among young people
80eastNex:usa crowd of rebellion
Nex:usa crowd of rebellionplay_arrow
Screamo band from Niigata is hugely popular.
81eastFamily LandscapeHanaregumi
Family LandscapeHanaregumiplay_arrow
Takashi Nagazumi’s solo single, Nostalgic Tones
82eastsonachineTempalay
sonachineTempalayplay_arrow
A band with a laid-back indie rock vibe
83eastcolored wateroishikuru meronpan
colored wateroishikuru meronpanplay_arrow
The distinctive music of Oishikuru Melonpan
84eastwaryoru no honki dansu
waryoru no honki dansuplay_arrow
A danceable, crowd-rousing song from Kyoto
85eastTokyo feat. Mamiko Suzuki, Skaaiyonawo
Tokyo feat. Mamiko Suzuki, Skaaiyonawoplay_arrow
The appeal of yonawo, an R&B band from Fukuoka
86eastBefore the departureWANIMA
Before the departureWANIMAplay_arrow
WANIMA's melodic hardcore sound is captivating.
87eastHowever, background musicNigami 17-sai
However, background musicNigami 17-saiplay_arrow
A stylish and kinky four-piece rock band
88eastStand by Methe peggies
Stand by Methe peggiesplay_arrow
A high-energy track by a three-member girls' band
89eastWhat’s Gonna Be?FIVE NEW OLD
What's Gonna Be?FIVE NEW OLDplay_arrow
A catchy and stylish rock band from Kobe
90eastSunny dropNobel bright
Sunny dropNobel brightplay_arrow
A rock band with a whistling-champion vocalist, boasting a unique charm
91eastMemoryDATS
MemoryDATSplay_arrow
A band that plays sophisticated electronic music
92eastMUSIC VIDEOOkazaki Taiiku
MUSIC VIDEOOkazaki Taiikuplay_arrow
Sublimating everyday 'interesting things' into music
93eastI’m really sorry.Odotte Bakari no Kuni
I'm really sorry.Odotte Bakari no Kuniplay_arrow
From Kobe, the ever-evolving allure of a band
94eastPetalishSorry No Camisole
PetalishSorry No Camisoleplay_arrow
A band that fuses punk and post-punk
95eastLaw of the Seatiny yawn
Law of the Seatiny yawnplay_arrow
A four-piece emo post-rock band
96eastCheckmateCLAN QUEEN
CheckmateCLAN QUEENplay_arrow
CLAN QUEEN, where music and visuals converge
97eastNot fleetingSUPER BEAVER
Not fleetingSUPER BEAVERplay_arrow
SUPER BEAVER is supported by many fans for their strong expressive power.
98eastSuzunari Memoriesthe molars’
Suzunari Memories the Molars'play_arrow
The Appeal of Hiroshima Punk Band the 奥歯’s
99eastGod’s pastimeGO!GO!7188
God’s pastimeGO!GO!7188play_arrow
I recommend the classic tracks from GOGO’s early albums.
100eastConvenience Store HoneymoonChatto Monchī
Convenience Store HoneymoonChatto Monchīplay_arrow
Heartwarming music for a happy couple
101eastRainbow Words0.8-byou to shougeki.
Rainbow Words0.8-byou to shougeki.play_arrow
An unconventional dance-rock duo
102eastBlue BookmarkGalileo Galilei
Blue BookmarkGalileo Galileiplay_arrow
Heartwarming music that evokes memories of an early summer mountain village
103eastSSMEPK shampoo
SSMEPK shampooplay_arrow
A noisy, captivating rock band on the rise
104eastS.Spasupie
S.Spasupieplay_arrow
An original rock band fused with classical
105eastRickenbackerRīgaru Rirī
RickenbackerRīgaru Rirīplay_arrow
Legal Lily, emotionally rich music
106eastTokyoTetsukaze Tōkyō
TokyoTetsukaze Tōkyōplay_arrow
Introduction to the musical activities of the Sendai rock band Tetsukaze Tokyo
107eastMessenger from Sunday↑THE HIGH-LOWS↓
Messenger from Sunday↑THE HIGH-LOWS↓play_arrow
The legend of THE HIGH-LOWS brimming with rock spirit
108eastCreepy-chanammo
Creepy-chanammoplay_arrow
ammo is a three-piece band with a nostalgic, friendly sound.
109eastCHOOSE GO!CHAI
CHOOSE GO!CHAIplay_arrow
A four-member band with the concept of 'NEO kawaii'
110eastIT’S TOO LATETHE BAWDIES
IT'S TOO LATETHE BAWDIESplay_arrow
A live show by a band with a soulful vibe is a must-see.
111east1998Atomic Skipper
1998Atomic Skipperplay_arrow
The energetic rock band's success
112eastKeep on believin’MORGIC
Keep on believin'MORGICplay_arrow
Dash through youth with melodic punk!
113eastYou side meOdd Lazy
You side meOdd Lazyplay_arrow
The Appeal of Odd Lazy, a Rock Band from Osaka
114eastlonelySLACK
lonelySLACKplay_arrow
A youthful three-piece band from SLACK
115eastSupermanSee You Smile
SupermanSee You Smileplay_arrow
Pop-punk band See You Smile from Tokyo
116eastmovementSpecialThanks
movementSpecialThanksplay_arrow
Music full of the exhilarating drive of a melodic hardcore/punk band
117eastpermanentlyTHE FOREVER YOUNG
permanentlyTHE FOREVER YOUNGplay_arrow
A rock band from Kurume, music of passion and sensitivity
118eastI Wanna Keep My Head UpTHUMB
I Wanna Keep My Head UpTHUMBplay_arrow
The appeal and history of the melodic hardcore band THUMB
119eastwind blowingkoe
wind blowingkoeplay_arrow
The compelling musicality and originality of the four-piece band koe
120eastKichijojiANORAK!
KichijojiANORAK!play_arrow
ANORAK, an emo-revival band from Tokyo!
121eastRough LoveDNA STATION
Rough LoveDNA STATIONplay_arrow
A four-piece band from Shimane, delivering emotional, hard-hitting music
122eastminamisenjudownt
minamisenjudowntplay_arrow
An emotionally charged three-piece rock band, downt
123eastOverdriveosage
Overdriveosageplay_arrow
The Shimokitazawa-born band Osage is one to watch.
124eastcheeksayonara poezi
cheeksayonara poeziplay_arrow
Sayonara Poesy: captivating with deep lyrics and passionate performances
125eastdecorationakashikku
decorationakashikkuplay_arrow
Akashic, a rock band with diverse musicality
126eastnineteenRusan’chiman
nineteenRusan'chimanplay_arrow
High school band delivers rebellious music infused with emotion
127eastTomorrow never knowsMr.Children
Tomorrow never knowsMr.Childrenplay_arrow
Mr.Children is a rock band representing Japan
128eastGently, swayingDENIMS
Gently, swayingDENIMSplay_arrow
DENIMS is a rock band from Osaka.
129eastPlan ADISH//
Plan ADISH//play_arrow
DISH// is a notable band that fuses a band performance with dance.
130easthundreds of millions of light-yearsOmoinotake
hundreds of millions of light-yearsOmoinotakeplay_arrow
Omoinotake is a three-member band from Matsue City.
131eastThe world calls it love.Sambomasutā
The world calls it love.Sambomasutāplay_arrow
Sambomaster: The Fiery Torchbearers of Japanese Rock
132easthuge nuisanceyunikōn
huge nuisanceyunikōnplay_arrow
Unicorn Hiroshima-born rock band
133eastSupernova9mm Parabellum Bullet
Supernova9mm Parabellum Bulletplay_arrow
A rock band hailing from Yokohama, popular for its diverse musicality.
134eastWhy I’m MeRIZE
Why I'm MeRIZEplay_arrow
RIZE shakes the soul with their unique music.
135eastAHEADVAMPS
AHEADVAMPSplay_arrow
A rock duo by HYDE and K.A.Z
136eastEnd of HeatFusee
End of HeatFuseeplay_arrow
Fusee is a captivating rock band on the rise.
137eastSummer breeze, you and I in lovekatakoto
Summer breeze, you and I in lovekatakotoplay_arrow
A skilled middle school rock band born in 2000
138eastAnthem of CounterattackRyukku to soine gohan
Anthem of CounterattackRyukku to soine gohanplay_arrow
The success of backpack and sleeping-together rice
139eastHelloAJISAI
HelloAJISAIplay_arrow
The appeal of AJISAI, a rock band devoted to singing in Japanese
140eastSea and Bouquetkinoko teikoku
Sea and Bouquetkinoko teikokuplay_arrow
Kinoko Teikoku, an original/unique rock sound
141eastSuger!!Fujifaburikku
Suger!!Fujifaburikkuplay_arrow
Fujifabric captivates with a wide-ranging musicality.
142eastSong of the Morning Glowaobouzu
Song of the Morning Glowaobouzuplay_arrow
A delicate yet refreshing rock band from Odawara, aobozu
143eastRIDE TOUGH!THE BAWDIES
RIDE TOUGH!THE BAWDIESplay_arrow
THE BAWDIES’ new song RIDE TOUGH!
144eastHide-and-seekROTTENGRAFFTY
Hide-and-seekROTTENGRAFFTYplay_arrow
ROTTENGRAFFTY, distinctive musicality
145eastwishsumika
wishsumikaplay_arrow
A masterpiece by sumika, 'Negai' resonates deeply with the heart
146eastLEOtacica
LEOtacicaplay_arrow
From Sapporo, tacica with a unique musical style
147eastNanahitsujiShinario Aato
NanahitsujiShinario Aatoplay_arrow
Scenarioart delivers captivating music.
148eastWax MuseumSeikima II
Wax MuseumSeikima IIplay_arrow
A signature song by the metal band Seikima-II
149eastSummer VenusKEYTALK
Summer VenusKEYTALKplay_arrow
KEYTALK from high school is lively and charming.
150eastDays without smiles, everyday with laughterKontenporarīna seikatsu
Days without smiles, everyday with laughterKontenporarīna seikatsuplay_arrow
Contemporary life, a spotlighted rock band
151eastspeedSuneo Heā
speedSuneo Heāplay_arrow
Suneo Hair’s distinctive music and charm