Japanese Singer-songwriter

Japanese singer-songwriter (J-SS) is a genre characterized by introspective and emotionally charged lyrics, often accompanied by soothing melodies and acoustic instrumentation, such as piano, guitar, or shamisen. Emerging in the 1960s, J-SS evolved from traditional Japanese folk music, incorporating Western influences and poetical lyrics. The genre's golden era was the 1970s-1990s, with artists crafting heartfelt, storytelling-driven songs that resonated with the Japanese youth. J-SS music often explores themes of love, nature, and social commentary, reflecting the cultural values of Japan's post-war era. With its distinctive blend of traditional and modern elements, J-SS has influenced J-pop and J-rock, while maintaining a unique intimacy and emotional depth that sets it apart from similar styles.

Latest Japanese Singer-songwriter Release
undefined album image
烏揚羽
Single - Released October 23, 2025

RecentMusic users are tracking 33 Japanese Singer-songwriter artists for new releases, and have access to the full timeline of 1,369 releases

Join them and feed your new music addiction, and add the Japanese Singer-songwriter artists you love!

Get Started Browse Releases
Aimyon
Akiko Yano
Ayaka Hirahara
Chiharu Matsuyama
HIRAIDAI
Hideaki Tokunaga
Hikaru Utada
Kazumasa Oda
Kei Ogura
Ken Hirai
Kocchi no Kento
Kohmi Hirose
Maki Ohguro
Mayo Okamoto
Mega Shinnosuke
Momoko Hayashi
Motoharu Sano
Motohiro Hata
Naotaro Moriyama
Naoto Inti Raymi
Noriyuki Makihara
Sakura Fujiwara
Shigeru Izumiya
Sonoko Inoue
Takuro Yoshida
Uru
Yumi Arai
Yumi Matsutoya
Yutaka Ozaki
Yuuri
tuki.
岸本勇太
町田ちま
Yuuri
Hikaru Utada
Aimyon
HIRAIDAI
Uru
tuki.
Sonoko Inoue
Kocchi no Kento
Motohiro Hata
Yumi Matsutoya
Noriyuki Makihara
Yumi Arai
Mega Shinnosuke
Ken Hirai
Yutaka Ozaki
Kazumasa Oda
Naoto Inti Raymi
Maki Ohguro
Kohmi Hirose
Hideaki Tokunaga
Chiharu Matsuyama
Mayo Okamoto
Naotaro Moriyama
Ayaka Hirahara
Takuro Yoshida
Motoharu Sano
Sakura Fujiwara
Kei Ogura
Akiko Yano
町田ちま
Shigeru Izumiya
Momoko Hayashi
岸本勇太