I just posted a similar thread in the Korean section since Ive been studying Korean and Japanese. I have mostly JPop songs on my mp3 player. Can you guys recommend some good ones? Last time I was on these boards, there was like no Japanese people on here, but thats cool.

Depends on what you're looking for. Recently I've been listening to the pop/rock of YUI, and enka of Hikawa Kiyoshi.

I have one from Yui, Rolling Star. Most of the songs I have were in anime OP or ED. I like Access, Tamaki Nami, Mizuki Nana (Love her songs!), etc.

BTW, have you been to Misuwa? If you have, did they replace Yaohan? Reason I ask is I keep on seeing Misuwa on tv and I checked them out online and the location seems similar to Yaohans. If youve been there, how is it?

like hideki said, it depends on what you're looking for... do you want some heavy rock songs? pop rock?
In J-Pop and J-Rock, there're lots of music styles

Galneryus:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzAfatAMOQ4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjnNOkjnLVI

Sex Machineguns:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnXUBEJKJtE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3NvyCFqdMc

Blood Stain Child

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WCGMHDj2qw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pG0F8JVEP0Y

Probably not what you're looking for, lol, but give 'em a try, at least Galneryus. However, If you're looking for less heavier stuff, which you probably are, then:

Kagrra, (Yes, they do spell it with a comma):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sVI9cktE7o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQAsCFTDmNE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2inOO1Hvda4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8-pLIxed1E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8xYMhTcOLQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jjbj0qXRLJA

Superb J-Rock band that actually successfully fuses a unique and distinct Japanese-esque sound in their music, unlike most other J-Rock bands.

The GazettE (Formally known as Gazette):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-ulqFn9Eqc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RL7Um_x9vM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iZ8792oPnM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=428GTGyOBGA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F44oPwzz2cM...feature=related


A more fun, energetic, punk-ish sounding J-Rock band, though they do softer songs as well, as of recent. But I prefer their older, energetic stuff.

Buck-Tick

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJpAYyzpBXc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f12qxpRt2oo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5TtAxOigaA

Old band from the 80s that are still around. Their style changes with the time, but lately their music has a more darkly romantic sound, which I like most out of all their music.

Thee Michelle Gun Elephant:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGZisvgrwTw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hEY68M89OM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ch0J9wL074
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlRGbV2js6k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WE1e19Y1Ywk

For a band with awesome old-school, rock n' roll/Garage/Punk/Blues rock sound, check out Thee Michelle Gun Elephant. Unfortunately they disbanded back in 2003. Tis a shame, because they brought back an era of rock long dead in today's American mainstream, which I find a bit ironic.

Jinn:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skCiUmXZDOI

I've never heard of this band until recently, but damn do I love the energy of that girl, 'specially when she headbangs. She so not like those teeny-bopper J-pop stars; hell, she's not even like other J-rock female singers, most of whom are still too teeny-boppish. Oh, and its a pretty good song too.

Shiina Ringo:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZdHuPR7n5E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GblKupEMAdg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oK0yjKI6sfc

Another very unique individual, completely different from most J-pop/J-Rock female stars. Essentially the only Japanese celebrity I have a celebrity crush on. Her voice may take some getting used to, but I love it, and her music is just so awesome and very Jazz/Blues influenced.

Tokyo Jihen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtiPJdg_ar8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7O-IDGXRgE Soooooo damn sexy in this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ru-ciyUAZFI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOIqh3c986E There's a random black guy standing in the corner throughout this entire pv.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVijhLo-f70
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCxFiL-1ecg

Shiina Ringo's band after she put her solo career on haitus. Again, has a big Jazz/Blues influence (sometimes Big Band as well).

Yeah, the Yaohan closest to my house became a Mitsuwa a while ago. So far I've been to three different Mitsuwa stores and they've all been good for what I wanted (food, candy, and magazines). I don't really remember Yaohan (I was like 10 the last time I went), but I'm sure if you like Yaohan you'll like Mitsuwa too.

Like Access - Doubt & Trust, Mizuki Nana - Dancing in the Velvet Night, etc. the ones I listed in my second post to hideki. Those are the types of songs I like.



WOW THATS A LOT! THanks, I appreciate it. Its late now so I cant check them atm but I will reply to them tomorrow. Thanks agaiN! I should be able to find something that I like.



Regarding Mitsuwa (and little tokyo in general) I remember reading an article that someone posted here and it seems that there are more Koreans (lol) than actual Japanese in that area. Is it the same it Mitsuwa? My mom says that when she first moved here to LA, there were a lot of Japanese business' and people in Virgil area before the Hispanics came. Feel sad that the only place that there are a lot of Japanese (to my knowledge) is Gardena. I ahve seen some Japanese girls around in the downtown area though around the Central Library for some reason.

Hey there Saint!

Well I listened to all the bands and Im sorry to have wasted your time, but most of them I didnt really care for that type of music. A lot of them were too hard for me (as you stated) and the other ones were too slow paced for me. You were right though, I did like Galneryus. I also liked the first Tokyo Jihen song but not really the rest of hers. You were right about that one video, when shes in the kimono

Can you recommend any JPop stuff like Yui or stuff like Nana Mizuki:

Mizuki Nana - Dancing in the Velvet Moon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ae8oFLRZiUM

Mizuki Nana - Cosmic Love
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hycdc_G-s0o

Mizuki Nana - Pray
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1H4Xk3flJrk...feature=related

Chiaki Ishikawa - Uninstall
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=argAziUUQIc

Chiaki Ishikawa - Utsukushii Kereba Sore de Ii (its cute)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hnBDW5GNrk

Nope sir, I listen to guzheng music now

Is that Chinese or something?

Uh huh
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Fs7Bse4Q4BQ&feature=related

let's see... ever heard of Aya Kamiki? She does some pop rock, and her voice is what really makes her unique.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjlBkfZFn_0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPnKdjOhN00
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZe3JdlXhXA



There's also Ikimono Gakari. It's pop rock too, but it's very good because they put harmonica in their songs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIGlTSZFprY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oRELz9DeDg...feature=related (audio only)



Another pop rock band is Nakanomori Band.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOEz_c6rsmo

i dont really listen to japanese music but here's a few that i like lol. oh yeah, and i dont listen to rock music. so its mostly soft smooth stuff

SunMin and Kubata- Keep Holding U
http://youtube.com/watch?v=pvDvlLlvxM0

Mika Nakashima- Yuki no Hana
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Z2gAH9HMVec

K- Only Human (this dude is some korean dude i heard)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=OEfXlzvzjPM

Hehe, I figured as much. But it's okay, maybe someone else who looks at this thread might find something for themselves out of the stuff I listed. As for J-pop, I"m sorry but I can't really help you there. The only J-pop I ever really listened to was Hikaru Utada and Ayumi Hamasaki, and I've essentially stopped listening to both artist.