Recommended Japanese bands with female vocals

A Vocaloid producer who is also a music writerWakachan Araki
I started playing guitar in middle school and focused on band activities during my student years. I’ve been a hobbyist Vocaloid producer for over 15 years. After entering the workforce, I gained experience in various roles, including event sound engineering and videography/photography. As a writer, I’ve contributed introduction articles for music and manga websites, and in 2022 I had the opportunity to write the bonus liner notes for IA SUPER BEST. My specialties are Japanese rock, Vocaloid, and manga.
Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICKeisuke Hane
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. After working at a music studio and in wedding sound engineering, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with various instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in middle school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on personal music activities and professional experience, produces daily articles, including song introductions, features on music festivals around Japan, and live reports. Enjoys a wide range of music, from domestic and international rock to, more recently, a broad spectrum of J-pop.

Bands with female vocalists are wonderful—not just for their singing, but also for the expressiveness they bring to the music, lyrics, and every aspect of their performance, in ways only women can.

For that reason, I think many people are looking for recommendations of bands with female vocalists.

In this article, I’ll introduce some great bands with female singers! I’ve picked a wide range—from cool, hard-rocking bands that can hold their own against any male act, to groups known for their beauty and elegance.

Let’s dive right in!

Recommended Japanese female-vocal bands (21–30)

something like thatyonige

yonige “Something Like That” (collaboration music video for the film “A Delicious Family”)

Something like that, yonige

Yonige is a two-woman girls’ band formed in Neyagawa, Osaka.

Their songs, filled with realism and emotional closeness, resonate strongly with women of the same generation and have earned solid support.

That’s no surprise—every lyric is written by vocalist Arisa Ushimaru, based on her own experiences.

They’re a compelling duo whose songs about love feel raw and real, and whose slightly out-of-step-with-modern-society sensibility strikes a chord.

Raise the rankinglower

summer festivalWhiteberry

Whiteberry “Summer Festival” MUSIC VIDEO

Summer Festival Whiteberry

Whiteberry is a five-member girls’ band from Kitami City, Hokkaido.

They made their major debut in 1999 with “after school.” The summer song they released in July the following year became a big hit, reaching No.

3 on the Oricon charts.

They also performed at the 51st NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen.

Their appeal lies in catchy, pop-rock-centered songs and a youthful, energetic stage presence.

Their experience performing at local festivals as “Strawberry Kids” since their elementary school days may have paved the way for their later success.

Recommended for those who enjoy refreshing, youth-themed pop.

Raise the rankinglower

Recommended Japanese female-vocal bands (31–40)

LOVE ZukkyunTheory of Relativity

Theory of Relativity “LOVE Zukkyun” / Soutaiseiriron – “LOVE Zukkyun”

LOVE Zukkyun Relativity Theory

Vocalist Etsuko Yakushimaru and the band Sotaiseiriron deliver this unmatched individuality with top-tier performance and arrangements.

Their lyrics are strange and nonsensical, the instruments are technical, and the vocals feel unstable yet somehow comforting.

They were a band that surprised many listeners when they debuted.

Their albums are pure “Sotaiseiriron world” from start to finish, so they’re a band you should definitely listen to by the album.

Raise the rankinglower

the back of the backPassee pied

PASSEPIED – The Back of the Back

Ura no Ura Passepied

They are a four-piece rock band that made their major debut in 2012.

Natsuki Ogoda serves as the vocalist.

Their sound is pop rock fused with new wave and technopop.

Although the four members have unique backgrounds, their lyrics are emotional and have a captivating quality that draws in the audience.

Raise the rankinglower

Cherry on the beakEGO-WRAPPIN’

EGO-WRAPPIN' 'Cherry on the Beak'

Kuchibashi ni Cherry - EGO-WRAPPIN'

EGO-WRAPPIN’ is a powerhouse Japanese act the country is proud of.

A band whose appeal lies in its eclectic blend of jazz, funk, and more, they boast a vocalist with overwhelming expressive power and gritty, biting songs that are simply addictive.

Their music is distilled into a level of originality that creates a truly one-of-a-kind atmosphere—you get the sense no other band like them will emerge in the future.

Raise the rankinglower

ChronostasisMushroom Empire

Kinoko Teikoku – Chronostasis (MV)

Chronostasis Kinoko Teikoku

Kinoko Teikoku is a female-fronted band loved for their catchy, ear-friendly songs with shoegaze in the background and emotional lyrics.

Due to their bassist’s departure, the band sadly went on hiatus in 2019.

They’ve released many tracks that range from blatantly shoegaze-influenced to those where the influence emerges on closer listen, appealing not only to general rock fans but also to dedicated shoegaze listeners.

If you’re a hardcore music fan, be sure to give them a listen.

Raise the rankinglower

FriendsRebecca

REBECCA “Friends” (Shibuya Public Hall, Dec 25, 1985)

Friends Rebecca

They were a pioneering band with a lineup featuring a single female vocalist among male members.

NOKKO, the lead singer, made a powerful impression with her distinctive fashion and musical style, her dancing on stage, and her unique voice.

They were a rock band that enjoyed legendary popularity.

Raise the rankinglower