Rikuya is a young musical sensation and songwriter (born in 2000) from Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan. He is excited to be a part of the Kanileʻa ʻUkulele stable of artists that is growing worldwide.

How It All Began

Rikuya started playing the ukulele when he was 11 years old. The following year, he was invited to perform as a member of the Junior ʻUkulele Orchestra. For five years, he worked on his technique and adding new music to his repertoire. Then in 2017, he took a leap of faith and started performing as a solo artist. That is the year he entered his first big ʻukulele competition…and won.

Accomplishments

In October of his solo breakout year, Rikuya entered and placed first in the 9th National ʻUkulele Contest in Japan. In 2018, he made the trek to the Hawaiian Islands to compete in the 7th International ʻUkulele Contest, taking first place in the teen solo category. He released his first EP album Shine a month after his victory in Hawaiʻi.

Following the release of his first full length album Palette, Rikuya waas honored with a finalist nomination for the 44th Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards in 2020.

He continues to write and record using the ʻukulele. Look for more great music from this talented young artist!

KANILE`A OF CHOICE

Custom Tenor with Slotted Headstock