はっぴいえんど (Happy End) was a pioneering Japanese rock band which formed in 1969 and is regarded as a key figure in the development of modern music in Japan. The core members included Haruomi Hosono (bass, vocals), Eiichi Ohtaki (vocals, guitar), Shigeru Suzuki (guitar, vocals), and Takashi Matsumoto (drums, lyrics). They are often credited with introducing the West Coast sound to Japan and have been influential in melding Western rock with traditional Japanese music.

With albums like "はっぴいえんど" (1970), "風街ろまん" (1971) also known as "Kazemachi Roman," and "HAPPY END" (1973), the group showcased their distinct sound, characterized by poetic lyrics and sophisticated musical arrangement. Their track "Kaze wo Atsumete" from the album "風街ろまん" gained international recognition after being featured in the soundtrack of Sofia Coppola's film "Lost in Translation." Though the band disbanded in 1973, their influence lingered, inspiring later generations of Japanese musicians. The retrospective collections like "CITY/はっぴいえんどベスト・アルバム" and live recordings such as "ライブ!!はっぴいえんど" continue to attract new fans and secure their legacy as one of the most iconic bands in Japanese music history.