A roundup of classic and trending singer-songwriters
Among the musicians active on the domestic music scene, there are artists performing in various formats such as dance groups and bands.
Among them, the “hikigatari” style—singing while playing the guitar oneself—has a unique charm that sets it apart from other performance styles.
In this article, we will introduce musicians, regardless of gender, who perform in the hikigatari style.
Be sure to explore and enjoy the diverse appeal of these musicians.
This will also be helpful for those looking for songs they can perform in a hikigatari style themselves.
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- [2026] A compilation of Japanese songs/J-pop with cool guitar solos
- [Guitar] Easy Chord Progressions! A Compilation of Recommended Japanese Songs for Singing and Playing
- [Songs I'd love women to sing!] Popular ballads performed by female artists
- A must-see for Gen Z men! Easy-to-sing songs by male artists for karaoke
- [Heartfelt] A Collection of Japanese Graduation Songs to Sing and Play on Guitar [2026]
- [Touching the Heart] A Collection of Recommended Ballads for Men
- [Deeply Moving] A Compilation of Recommended Rock Ballads That Move the Heart
- An acoustic guitar’s tone that leaves an impression! Recommended Heisei-era hit songs for solo singing with guitar
- [J-Pop] A compilation of popular songs with irresistible guitar cutting [2026]
- A roundup of duet songs sung by men—classic tracks renowned for their compelling harmonies and call-and-response.
Roundup of Classic and Trending Singer-Songwriter Performers (21–30)
Storysakaiyuu
Yu Sakai’s voice—hailed as a “silky voice that invites tears”—resonates deeply with the heart.
A master keyboard-vocalist, he crafts one-of-a-kind pop grounded in R&B and soul, enriched by a wide musical palette.
He even moved to the U.S.
alone at 22 and taught himself piano.
After making his major-label debut in October 2009 with the single “Story,” he drew major attention, including being selected for power play on 43 FM stations nationwide.
You might also know him from the opening theme of the anime Nodame Cantabile Finale and for singing “Happy☆Boogie,” the theme song of the latter half of the 2023 NHK morning drama series.
His ever-expanding activities—such as collaborations with world-renowned musicians and an appearance on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts—are equally compelling.
He’s an artist you should definitely check out if you want to immerse yourself in soulful piano and vocals.
PledgeAnjura Aki
This is Angela Aki, a singer-songwriter known for her striking performances singing while playing the piano.
Born in the United States, she has been familiar with the piano since the age of three, and her appeal lies in a musical style that fuses pop, rock, and classical.
After making her major-label debut in 2005 with the single “HOME,” her acclaimed album Home became a massive hit, selling over 600,000 copies and drawing wide attention.
Some may know her from the insert song “Kiss Me Good-Bye” for the game Final Fantasy XII.
Her lyrics—deeply reflecting her own experiences—along with passionate piano and a powerful yet gentle voice, profoundly move listeners.
If you love emotional piano ballads, be sure to give her songs a listen.
Recipe for HappinessHirai Dai
Singer-songwriter Dai Hirai captivates many listeners with his gentle, warm vocals and the soothing sound of the ukulele.
Known for a music style centered on surf music and acoustic sounds, he charms audiences with a refreshing vibe that evokes the sea and nature.
He debuted in 2014 with the mini-album “The Light,” and his 2016 album “Life is Beautiful” reached No.
1 overall on iTunes.
His Disney cover albums, including “Disney Island Music,” have also been well received.
His interest in music began with a ukulele gifted by his grandmother.
On national tours and at acoustic live shows, he delivers warm performances together with his band members.
He’s a recommended artist for those who want to enjoy music in a relaxed atmosphere.
We againSG
Despite being half Japanese and half Korean, SG is a multilingual artist who continues to break conventions in the music industry.
Centered on pop, he showcases an expressive vocal range across diverse genres including R&B and ballads.
He began posting on TikTok in June 2020 and quickly rose to popularity with cover songs that blend Japanese and Korean.
In the summer of 2023, he made his major debut by launching LDH Records and his independent label, SUPERGENIUS Entertainment.
A proven talent who consistently ranks high on music charts, he has surpassed 28 million views on his YouTube lyric videos.
From beautiful soaring highs to rich, velvety mid and low tones, his versatile vocals captivate listeners across borders.
ContrastTOMOO
TOMOO is an artist who creates music that gently touches listeners’ hearts with simple piano tones and an emotionally rich voice.
She began her career in the early 2010s and made her major debut in 2019.
While taking on a wide range of genres from pop to ballads, her dedication to a stripped-down, singer-songwriter style is also striking.
Many of her signature songs have been used as drama theme songs, and in 2022 she successfully held her solo concert “Estuary” at LINE CUBE SHIBUYA.
Her strong will, standing on stage after overcoming health issues, moved many fans.
Her songs, often themed around nature and the passage of time, are gentle yet deeply resonant.
She’s an artist especially recommended for those who want to reflect on their inner selves through music.
over the topMiyamoto Hiroji
Hiroji Miyamoto is captivating for his piercing, rough-edged vocal delivery.
As the vocalist of Elephant Kashimashi since the late 1980s, he has been active across a wide range of genres including rock, folk, and blues.
While the band’s early sound was strongly influenced by punk and new wave, it gradually evolved in a more melodic direction.
His powerful voice carries a unique allure—brimming with fervent passion that comes at you hot, yet tinged with a certain wistfulness.
In 2019, he released the solo album “Hiroji Miyamoto,” and in 2021 he received the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s Art Encouragement Prize.
With overwhelming vocal ability and expressive power, he is highly regarded within the music industry.
Highly recommended if you want to be moved by deeply emotional singing.
Boyoyon Rockmanga michi
This project etched an unusual episode into the history of Japanese comic bands.
Formed in April 1989 around Kenji Ohtsuki and Yuichiro Uchida, Manga-do was a temporary unit born from a radio program.
Centered on members of Kinniku Shōjo-tai, with participation from JUN SKY WALKER(S), the songs they produced drew a major response, reaching No.
10 on the Oricon weekly chart.
Their sound, which exquisitely blended hard rock with gags, became a hot topic on TV and radio at the time, suggesting new possibilities for comic bands.
Although their activities ended with the conclusion of the radio program, they left a unique mark from the perspective of fusing music and comedy.
They’re recommended for those who want to enjoy both music and humor.