TOP 5 Japanese Shred Guitarists 🎌

[@dottibrothers]

Daita Itoh (Siam Shade) is the best

[@oyc7946]

Syu is my favorite out of them, insanely technical while still being stankface-ingly melodic. His solos just hit right and his use of chromatic passing notes in solos is just *chef kiss*

[@Ruki_gazette_fans]

Ohmura

[@from-pointing]

しゅうさんのギタープレイいいね😊

[@iqbalmuhammad2920]

Syu *the best* for me too, at least currently. Considering that there is no more Hide (X Japan) & I don't see Akira Takasaki as prominent as before.

[@Dark_Lord_Mr_B]

I'd have had Mikio Fujioka in there. He may be gone, but he'd earned his name of "Little God."

[@realhighendglassforsale5226]

agreed.....and Leda as well..

[@DannyHood-j]

Back in 1987 I lived LA. KNAC Long Beach was heavy metal radio station before ‘Z rock’ came out 89 or 90? No radiostation in the world (I knew) of played ‘angel of death’ at 6: am. KNAC was a lifestyle, gave information to all local metal bands and clubs in southern calif . Every Sunday night KNAC played ‘beast from the east’ Japanese metal bands. Japanese bands were always worth listening for guitar solos alone

[@zultomanto]

Syu is the best for me, his career with Galneryus is simply spectacular. He´s not only a godly guitarrist but also a grenius composer.

[@jan-jan4806]

Mikio Fujioka🔥🔥🔥

[@Tony-shakespearean]

I felt need to point out how genius Yas Nomura actually blended fast alternative picking + oull-off legato into sweep picking. He does a legit sweep picking, then does different things, with more than 1 note ofc, with different string in that speed. I am so stunned.

[@callmesmile6434]

And I need his hair care routine 😐

[@jimshomestudio]

All of them are amazing for certain but Mikio Fujioka has the music I enjoy. Always thought Ohmura was incredible. They all are. Just to watch his stage presence. I will NEVER be anywhere close to this good. Never.

[@richardaaron4454]

Mikio threw me his guitar pick the year before he passed (R.I.P.) and I put it in a display case where it remains.

[@jimshomestudio]

@@richardaaron4454 Nice.

[@greekfreak1980]

No Akira Takasaki, seriously?! He's like the godfather of Japanese shred guitar and still going strong. Also worth mentioning, there are a ton of insanely talented female Japanese guitar players.

[@facemelters]

Yeah think I dropped a clanger there 😰! If I redid it, he'd be in there.

[@prs149]

Love him not my top 5,my fav is still takayoshi?, i still dont think Yngwie clones are the best 10yr olds can copy the maestro Malmsteen

[@edynasilemak9224]

yeah..omg..akira was an idol for a lot of mlysian legend guitarist dude..hail loudness..shadow of war!??

[@pilotamurorei]

Oh hi there weeb, proving outsider weebs like you know nothing of good guitar playing in Japan.

[@KhinMyatMyatMoe-lf6xn]

LOUDNESS the band that blew motley crue off stage

[@dorun]

Leda-DELUHI Norifumi Shima-Concerto Moon Shiren-Unlucky Morpheus Jinya-Unlucky Morpheus Karukan-Onmyoza Luke Takamura-Seikima-II IRON-CHINO-LIGHTNING Nozomu Wakai-Nozomu Wakai's Destinia

[@Bass-Sama87]

Love both of Unlucky Morpheus's guitarists!

[@johnp.johnson1541]

Akira Takasaki (Loudness) Atsushi Yokozeki (solo, The Bronx, Lance of Thrill) Hideaki Nakama (solo) Hiroya Fukuda (Anthem) Hiroyas "Iron" Chino (Iron Attack!, Lightning) Isao Nakayama (Cerveteri) Katsu Ohta (Ark Storm) Kikyo Oikawa (Mardelas) Kouta (Thousand Eyes, Dragon Eyes, ex-Thousand Leaves) Norifumi Shima (Concerto Moon) Satoshi Katada (solo) Takayoshi Ohmura (solo, Marty Friedman, Baby Metal) Toru Noya (Thosuand Eyes, Tears of Tragedy) Yuji "You" Adachi* (Dead End) Akihito Kinoshita (Saber Tiger) Akira Kajiyama (Precious, Goldbrick) Ejima Harushi (Polkadot Stingray) Gentaro Satomura (solo,Naked Machine) Hideshi Ueki (Rachel Mother Goose, Agnes, KREENAKOORIE) Issei Ambo () Kelly Simonz (solo) Masahiko Kuroki (Wolf, Masahiko Kuroki Band) Myu (Imy) Niya (Unlucky Morpheus) Syu (Galneryus) Takeshi (uncrowned) Daisuke Kurosawa Naoki Morioka *Females* Narumi / solo / ex-Lonesome Blue, ex-Destrose, ex-Disqualia, Li-sa-X / KOIAI, ex-Li-sa-X Band Hazuki / Nemophila Midori Tatematsu / Lovebites yuki / East of Eden, D_Drive Miyako Watanabe / Lovebites Erika Van Halen / Whiskey Dust Mitsuru Madaseka / ex-Bridear Hanako / octaviagrace Misato "Misa" Ono / ex-Bridear Sakura Yoshida / Hagane Haruka "Hal-Ca" Noma / Asterism Omi / ex-ExistTrace Tomoko "TOMO-ZO" Midorikawa / Doll$BoXX, Gacharic Spin Blood Saki / Nemophilia / ex-Mary's Ayumi / Bridear, ex-Astrovery Misaki / ex-Bridear Mayto / Hagane Moe / Bridear Ayano / (ex-G∀lmet) Ruki / (ex-G∀lmet) Shoka / Allinone Miki "Sun-go" Igarashi / Show-Ya Kaho / fleufleu Marin Miyazawa / ex-Lovendor Toki / Aldious Yoshi / Aldious Yui / ex-Cyntia Yui / ex-TELECiDE Kana / Letitout-lelia EITA / ex-Gacharic Spin Gina / BabBubble Rie aka Suzaku / solo

[@jeppyjep]

Dont forget Anchang and Circuit V Panther from Sex Machineguns. They are amazing players.

[@zultomanto]

NO Hal-Ca? ;(

[@johnp.johnson1541]

@@zultomanto She is there. How did you miss her? Haruka "Hal-Ca" Noma / Asterism

[@zultomanto]

@@johnp.johnson1541 Found her haha i'm blind

[@可晴邱]

When did Nuno Bettencourt became Japanese?

[@LoePenzz]

My review of this, no offense if y disagree: - Syu definitely the best overal, he's all about complete package shred, slow, melodic, mimic/ekspresion, high control, timing, etc. He's not only cares just about guitar but has big responsibility as composer & take his band into the top game in the business. (Honorably mention Akira Takasaki of Loudness, who share the same duty as him). - Takayoshi Ohmura, I've find there's kinda similarity playing style with Syu with less emotional mimic, slow, melody. But he has way lighter responsibility than him. - Kelly Simmons, kinda lack of originality. Sounds like cover guitarist. 90% of his style playing other guitarist style with rarely improve within own style. His performance with Kamijo were better than in this clip, got his own style shine. - The number 2 & 1. Typical your nonsense circus guitar player. I'm tired seeing this type of guitarists, especially there's a lot of bedroom & YT guitarists doing similar in the same path. They should be in notable band/backing band musician instead showing this one prominent style.

[@Sian_Brimms]

Every time I think I'm getting pretty good at guitar I see a video that humbles the crap out of me. These guys are insane! I feel like they're on a level I can't even really comprehend. Someday I want to be able to play as fluently as these guys do. Seriously phenomenal.

[@facemelters]

Keep at it! ✊️

[@rockr8840]

Me too bro..

[@hystericbunny76]

good list man, since its only top 5 i cant just put someone without pulling out one on the list, since your list is so good, i cant argue, but i have some that might have made it, daisuke kurosawa, sakura yoshida, miyako(lovebites), lisa (lisa x band) and hal-ca (asterism). i dont know if eddy ironbunny is a japanese or not, but if he is, then he can join the list too.

[@facemelters]

There's far too many good shredders for a top 5 😅 thanks for watching!

[@neoclassicalfanatic8416]

Syu is one of the greatest shredders of all time tbh He's the complete package,a good composer,a scary guitarist and has one of the best sense of melody I've seen in any guitarist. Many people don't like the music style he plays because it can sound cheesy sometimes But in my opinion,in the modern guitar scene,syu is unparalleled, not just in Japan.

[@robertriggs7789]

A list of great Japanese shredders has to include Akira Takasaki.

[@1sotheary]

I'll always have soft spot for Akira Takasaki. He may not be the fastest or most technical player compared to today's players, but Loudness was one of the first Japanese metal bands to be known worldwide, including the US back in the 80s.

[@geoffh8077]

Plus he’s a riff lord

[@julianschulz1620]

I'm not sure how any guitarist can be faster or more technical than Akira? The "Soldier of Fortune" album, has some of the most insane playin i've ever heard.

[@user-hong8shug2koug8]

​@@julianschulz1620さんへ 高崎(Takasak)i 晃(Akira)は大阪(OSAKA)出身です。実力に加えて運も持ち合わせていました。 　昔、DEEP PURPLE のLive in Japanが録音されたのが大阪です。Led Zeppelinのライブ盤LPが無かった事もあり大阪はHardRockのsanctuaryと呼ばれました。競争が激しく加えて客の数も多かったです。当時の大阪は練度が抜きん出ていました。

[@wittwfiii]

Loudness began as EZO, search the song "Fire Fire"

[@julianschulz1620]

@@wittwfiii They did not, Loudness began as the band Lazy. They used the former singer from EZO, on a couple later period albums.

[@kimbah_1975]

Norifumi Shima - Concerto Moon Katsu Ohta - Ark Storm

[@blue_rabbit6996]

Where's Akira Takasaki - Loudness ?

[@Metalhead_P]

As someone else mentioned, Norifumi Shima should be a candidate for inclusion as well. Akio Shimizu (of the legendary band Anthem) is another one. Maybe not quite as fast as some of the others mentioned here, but still very fast and very precise. Very melodic shredding. As for the ladies, Miyako and Midori from Lovebites, Toki and Yoshi from Aldious, Saki from Mary's Blood, Rie a.k.a. Suzaku, Halca (Haruka) from Asterism, and Yuki from D_Drive are no slouches themselves. And, of course, there is the perpetually cheerful Li-sa-X. (And there are more where those came from.)

[@TD06S25G]

Akira Takasaki - Loudness Mikio Fujioka - Babymetal Syu - Galneryus Jinya - Unlucky Morpheus Midori - Lovebites

[@Rolacko]

Gentaro Satomura is also a great shred Japan player.

[@2good2betrue3]

Very much agree with the rankings mate.👍 I would rank them the same. Onityan as Number 1 in terms of technique but number 2 Yas is breathing on his neck. Been a fan of this guys. Have you noticed something they all sound like "the Maestro"?🤭while Yas licks sound like Shawn Lane.

[@facemelters]

Agreed, made some impression in Japan did the Maestro! The wide interval Yas licks are bananas! Thanks for watching! 🙏

[@tereora37]

Where is Akira Takasaki??? Best of the best Japanese guitarist

[@johnnygrind77]

Takafumi Matsubara from Mortalized and GridLink had a stroke a few years ago and wasn't able to use his fretting hand. He took karate classes to help with his rehabilitation and he's able to play like he used to, but with wrist pain if he uses a 7 string or higher. Also, yes, I'm severely biased because he's a buddy of mine, but he is still someone you should look into, especially with a story of perseverance like that!

[@elgreco502]

Syu is the best of them all. He has the whole package.

[@arfstd_desain_interior]

Totally agree

[@PLOT_Vorpalkitty]

I was curious, did anyone mention Norifumi Shima? He's one of the guitarists for Concerto Moon, and the last original member. He's insanely good at guitar, and a masterful shredder.

[@samiRetro777]

Norifumi Shima from Concerto Moon She-ja from Volcano & Animetal

[@stu73ke]

Big Kelly Simonz fan, great at Malmsteen, Gary Moore and his own stuff of course. Awesome technical ability with great soul.

[@itagaki-hero]

後半の2人は凄すぎて凄いと思えない。

[@thestampium3295]

Syu is my favourite Japanese metal guitarist

[@joeyjet3031]

Growing up my idol was,Akira takasaki as Asian guitarist player n Mr. Scary was all time favorite.. crazy no Akira on the list

[@DennyBob521]

Takayoshi has a lot of Yngwie in his style. Nice to see a real ESP, nothing wrong with LTD, but real ESP guitars are insane! SYU is quick, damn! Definately Paul Gilbert influence there, but more original style in there too! Kelly Simonz, more Malmsteen influence - They must love Yngwie as much in Japan as I do in the US 💛. Yo Onityan reminds me of Michael Angelo Batio - he looks like it's being played on fast forward - pretty amazing! Lot of finger strength there and a long stretch.

[@prs149]

I love my ltd and at almost 60 i've owned a lot of guitars people need to give LTD a break

[@powerbuilder1019]

Yngwie is treated like a God in Japan. They idolize him there so much and Japanese are Shred connoisseurs.🤘

[@kazkylheku1221]

Takayoshi is rather Joe-Stump-like to my ears.

[@TaRuang]

Akira takasaki..pecinta group band Loudness sejak masih kecil .song never again .25 days from home.

[@viktormedina4631]

Awesome content as always! Thanks!

[@techniqueswithtodd]

Great vid!!!! Thanks for making it.

[@Celion27200]

strange that you put no woman in this top. Just check any song live from Lovebites. you'll see 2 of the best guitarist, not only in japan, but in the world. Midori Tatematsu, and Miyako Watanabe.

[@rampage222555]

Ohmura's picking technique is incredible.

[@rinnakahara3653]

Hide matsumoto is my Japanese favorite guitarist but why Akira takasaki like no one care about him. His skill incredible and masterpiece. He is the legend of Japanese guitarist.

[@prs149]

Im a 59yr old who loves shred but your #1 is slowly catchin' to my #1Takayoshi O.

[@NitroModelsAndComics]

Akira is always going to be #1. I heard a ton of technical.playing here but little soul. It is possible to inject soul into shredding. Wothout it all I hear are notes

[@ericnaylorguitar]

That Yas Nomura lick at 10:14 is crazy going to have to try & learn that 👍🙂

[@mohdfazli5259]

The Best Japanese Guitarist Kyoji Yamamoto All The Best One 😀

[@AbuMaryamAzri]

U already mentioned Loudness when introducing Kelly.. How can u missed Akira Takasaki 😅

[@imangorgon6914]

Akira takasaki?

[@K-D-qv3rg]

Syuの流麗な速弾きソロと泣きのギターが心打たれる

[@RockWen]

My most favorite: Katsu Ohta (Ark Storm) & Norifumi Shima

[@mikometal4882]

You forgot Kanami Tonoo guitarist from Band-maid. Her's newest guitare, PRS SIGNATURE has sold-out an on hour this week in USA. Cost more 6k$.

[@RussKarlberg]

Nice list. But I agree with the other on Lovebites - Midori and Miyako can shred but are also very melodic and being part of a great band helps tremendously...

[@bits-bytes]

1st of all kudos. I will never read this technical level. But I also have to say, not everything that's technically possible is really enjoyable. I am missing feelings, emotions, something that really touches heart & soul. This is pure technique and by this a little boaring. You listen to it onc, are impressed, but thats it. After reaching a certain level of maturity you will hopefully discover, that it is better to subordinate yourself to the higher goal of wanting to deliver a piece that is worth listening to, and that is usually not possible with a pure soloist mentality when everyone wants to be the most beautiful, fastest, loudest.

[@semiemi]

Yeah, it's almost like who can play the fastest. That doesn't sound good to me. I enjoy more melodic playing. But it is called "shredding" so maybe that's why we are seeing these types of guitarist.

[@bosco_bosco]

Where tf is Akira?!

[@dannyhood7433]

'Akira' was my favorite during the 80s. Although I bought loudness albums (I was big fan of 80s dokken sound) Akira had more finesse than Paul Gilbert. But these guys are 80s elite and they remained top shredders for decades. Until 2010 but even most guitar players didn't see Modern guitarist 'Marcin patrzalek' Ichika, tim Henson, Manual Gardner, Charlie Robbins etc. These guys shred even 80s elite guitarist. Nuno bettencourt and Michael Angelo are now taking back seat especially Nuno bettencourt.

[@davidkiefer9875]

All great players for sure but how can you not have AKIRA TAKASAKI at number 1??? I know you did disclose that this list is your “personal “ choices but come on dude, Akira is the one that started it all in the East. He has always been a constant shredder and he is still doing it now in top form! All these players on this list are heavily influenced by Takasaki... But hey, it’s your list man. I just cannot see how you didn’t have him there at all...

[@gustafafrizal4524]

Loudness

[@noteg4742]

Have you forgotten? Akira Takasaki (loudness) kzbin.info/www/bejne/mp7KamihpNKjo7csi=Hvfa2BJjt1AmZfSz

[@edidamanik4146]

Akira takashaki, the song, soldier of fortune

[@user-xm9sb5zv8t]

...as an Oldskool of 80s rock n metal enthusiast Akira Takasaki always favourable

[@조비밀-p5v]

hizaki syu akira

[@akidk1499]

Ohmura is the fastest with Yo Onityan. Ohmuras solo in High Works has some of the fastest nps I have heard.

[@sotiristsallis]

... there is a band called Bow Wow the guitarist is Kyoji Yamamoto...he was born in 1956....Bow Wow And Loudness were the pioneers of Japan metal music scene... and YES...generally speaking Japanese guitarists can seriously SHRED .....also compose very nice music...

[@jvang3744]

also Earthshaker band

[@johngalt2054]

hmm Akira not on this list? Guess subjective.

[@Dan_Ranger]

Akio Shimizu from ANTHEM. Just so tasty!

[@Aka-Chan0519]

Syu are beat for me❤

[@dannyh773]

Very good guitarist. But I’ve never heard of any of them. Except Takayoshi Ohmura. What bands do they play for. Where we can hear their contributions. I don’t know if what I’m asking makes sense.

[@signal_rr]

My personal favorites: MiA, Hizaki, Randy Uchida

[@Afurthyclays]

And on this day, no mention of the OG, Akira Takasaki. 😥 Still, this is an extremely impressive list! 👍

[@detlevpomp]

I think, the first guitarheroes from Japan come from the 80's by the Metalgroup of Loudness!

[@ariefmulyono]

I like Syu, & Akio Shimizu of Anthem.

[@tsnamm]

Always liked Hiroyasu Chino from Iron Attack...Kouta from Dragon Guardian is pretty ripping too...

[@zamriahmad8415]

Midori & Miyako - Lovebites

[@Punisher_550]

Yes👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@northerners2828]

Galneryus power metal band..🎸🔥😎

[@michaeldillard5887]

I admire there ability to play with such speed and accuracy, but what's the point, trying to get into Guinness Book of world records, i myself am a Classical Piano Player and i can play like this on piano, but this is fleeting, i get greater joy playing beautiful chords mixed with speed than just up and down up and down up and down the fretboard of the guitar, think about this, these players aren't that Widely known so it must not be that highly Rewarding.

[@HoExcel]

Daita Ito of Siam Shade

[@banyarling]

I have Caparison's Cazqui model, which is an AWESOME guitar. He claims on the product page, "I have overcome all adversities both in Japan and abroad" lol. I've only seen a few live clips of his playing, and it's pretty sloppy. Maybe he's really high or something.

[@PistolsPlayground]

I have the same guitar, it's such a sick axe. Cazqui is a great player, but he has George Lynch syndrome, where when he's on, he's ON, and when he's off, well...

[@turboromy]

I didn't even know until I googled now. I like 2 players from Nameless One: Goichang and Jaw. And Ryoji of Ryujin. Not super player like listed, but they make best use of their instruments and make very good pieces. Listed here sound way too technical. Not saying they're bad in anyway. Samples just don't show beauty of their styles.

[@JonMurray]

Yas Nomura was number 1 for me. Ridiculously clean and tight and loved his style of playing. Just outrageous. Awesome as per dude ✌🏻

[@callmesmile6434]

I loved how he always had that stoic face all along when playing 😂

[@JonMurray]

@@callmesmile6434​​⁠yeah totally haha 😂 I was pulling faces just watching him playing! 😂

[@MathewAlibangbang]

Kindly add, Shinichi kobayashi, anchang, circuit v panther and a2c

[@STAND-ALONE]

Akira Takaski from the band loudness should have immediately been in your top five though seriously.

[@DanielOrtega-h2i]

YM influenciou toda uma nação, TODOS aprenderam da mesma forma, não há muita diferença entre eles, todos extremos virtuoses neo-clássicos

[@danielsato4410]

You gotta add Isao from Cube Ray as well as Jinya and Shiren from Unlucky Morpheus! :)

[@jeffbeck6501]

I agree with your choices of #1 and #2. Their physicality of long skinny hard fingers, like Eddie Van Halen, but even skinnier, sets them up perfectly for shredding. Their scales or licks that they play when their hands are stretched way out wide are what sound the best. You can get the same note on 2 strings that way, and get way more illusion of speed. Other than that, I think shredding is BORING. They sounded the best when they were not shredding.

[@radeznigitpamungkas]

Agreed

[@fajardwi2419]

My fav guitaris...pata,sugizo... Xxxxxxxx......and the legend char...

[@karhlhenselien2260]

Yo Onityan is on another level, absolutely Fuckin Wicked 🤘🤘

[@Ripplin]

I'm a big fan of Sex Machineguns, so I'd definitely have Anchang and Circuit V. Panther on the list. And though he's not strictly a shredder, Shinji Wajima from Ningen Isu is awesome too!

[@ericjeune3594]

Akira takasaki

[@docmetal8194]

Kanami Tono of BAND-MAID is a great guitarist AND amazing songwriter!

[@icelinx]

That's a joke, dude ... "Band-Maid" 😂

[@docmetal8194]

@@icelinx How is that a joke?

[@icelinx]

@@docmetal8194 I think that Band-Made is just an average band, but if you like them, OK. Music taste is different.

[@sandwich4916]

Kanami is more of a rock guitarist than a metal shredder

[@docmetal8194]

@@sandwich4916 YES, BAND-MAID is more rock than metal, but shredding isn't exclusive to metal. There have been more great rock shredders than in other genres, and Kanami is one of the best.

[@amievil3697]

Top five shredders from Japan!? Good luck with that! Maybe make it easier with top 30 maybe 50!! Piano and guitar seems to be in Japaanese DNA!

[@BlackCatBCB]

There can be only one and that’s 大村孝佳氏！🤘✨

[@allendean9807]

Left out the OG? Takasaki-San opened all the doors these guys smashed through

[@CavyWheek]

Takayoshi's playing is smooooooooth. 😌

[@BoyAlbanjari-km3gk]

u... WAW .. and Love Tune Rigth in Melody in yours Loved Guitar..for ALL 😘😍😉

[@zens554]

still akira takasaki numero uno

[@volodymyrlevin8099]

My favorite is the leader of Galneryus, Syu. He doesn't just have great technique, he creates music.

[@Lohengrin1966]

There are some more: Katsu Ohta, Mikio Fujioka, Yuji Adachi, and the immortal Akira Takasaki

[@ruthiermoskito949]

For Syu that was a Vetelgyus Album live 2014, the songs he play is Endless story, Ultimatum, Bash out. And for the content creator of this video next time give more screen time for syu your disappointing!

[@Tmogangsta714]

The first thrash band i ever saw was heritic had Japanese one on guitar one on bass changed my life forever

[@carmalo3754]

島 紀史／Norifumi Shima 😎

[@DosrinMosin]

Please listening to Norifumi Shima

[@mazawmapachuauchawnglul1226]

Akira Takasaki is the god father of Japanese guitarist. He is totally advance and the living legend 🤘🤘

[@bluepingu1]

off course ... AKIRA TAKASAKI - LOUDNESS

[@bluesyjaz3905]

Akira Takasaki...Akira Takasaki...Akira Takasaki 👌🤟🤘👍👍👍

[@yangerjamir0906]

What's the bpm at which Kelly was playing Turkish March? That was insanely fast.