Lovely karaoke song

[2025] Carefully selected J‑Pop songs that are easy to sing a cappella and make you want to try singing!

Accompanist / Piano InstructorYuri
Accompanist pianist × piano instructor × web writer. I began piano lessons at age four and, inspired by my piano teacher, decided to pursue music. I went on to specialized music programs in high school and university, where I discovered the appeal of accompanying instrumentalists and singers. Currently, alongside teaching piano, I work mainly in my home region of Aichi as an accompanist for flute, voice, choir, and more. Through lessons, my students often introduce me to trending songs, and my hobby is trying anything on the piano—Japanese and Western pop, commercial jingles, and beyond. Since 2021, I’ve also been active as a web writer, covering music and a variety of other genres.
music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and have been contributing to music magazines and web media for over 15 years. Although Western music is my main field, I always strive to stay curious with the motto, “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in a band, where I was a bassist responsible for songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve performed on include bass, guitar, and piano. I resumed piano lessons after turning 40 and have been continuing ever since!

A cappella, which consists only of human voices, offers all kinds of discoveries and surprises when you listen—like “Human voices are this versatile” and “What beautiful harmony.” In Japan, there are groups like The Gospellers that create J-pop hits in the a cappella format, and many people may be thinking about giving a cappella a try.

This time, for a cappella beginners and those forming a group and wondering what songs to sing, we’ll introduce classic J-pop songs that are great to try in a cappella.

We’ve also included videos of actual a cappella covers, so please use them as a reference!

[2025] A Carefully Selected List of J‑Pop Songs That Are Easy to Sing A Cappella or You’ll Want to Try Singing (21–30)

for a long timeKiroro

For a Long Time / Kiroro [A Cappella Multitrack Recording]

For a long time, Kiroro

Released as their major-label debut single, this song epitomizes Kiroro’s musical style.

Written for a close friend’s wedding, its lyrics resonated deeply with many listeners.

It features a simple yet powerful melody that conveys its beauty even in a cappella, expressed solely through the human voice.

Known as one of the group’s signature tracks within Kiroro’s discography, it has since been covered by numerous artists.

Singing of the bittersweet longing for a distant lover and the joy of being with the one you love, this piece gently accompanies those in love, making it a perfect choice for anyone who wants to sing it at karaoke or perform it a cappella.

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sparklingKazumasa Oda

Kira Kira / Kazumasa Oda [A Cappella] Kunetomo

Sparkling Kazumasa Oda

This is a song by Kazumasa Oda released in 2002.

It was used as the theme song for the drama “Koi no Chikara,” and it’s also been featured in commercials and covered by other artists, which shows how popular and timeless it is.

As the title suggests, the piece is characterized by its sparkling, beautiful tones, so let’s make sure to convey that gorgeous sound world clearly in the chorus.

The harmony that supports the main melody comes in from the chorus, and until then it functions more like embellishment for the lead, which should be easy to grasp.

Keeping the title “Kira Kira” in mind, it could be interesting to have the chorus clearly present the repeated-syllable lyrics to highlight that glittering effect.

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[2025] Carefully Selected J-POP Songs That Are Easy to Sing A Cappella and Make You Want to Try Singing (31–40)

Like the flow of a riverHibari Misora

[A Cappella Cover] Like the Flow of the River / Hibari Misora

Like the Flow of the River by Hibari Misora

Released in January 1989 as Hibari Misora’s final single during her lifetime, this song is one of the most renowned masterpieces in her illustrious discography, through which she consistently sang to the hearts of the Japanese people.

With lyrics by Yasushi Akimoto that convey a profound view of life and a beautiful melody composed by Akira Mitake, Hibari’s flawless performance continues to move many listeners even in the Reiwa era.

Naturally, the song has been extremely popular for karaoke since its release, yet when you actually sing it, the vocal range isn’t overly demanding.

Its structure—building gradually from the calm mood of the first verse—also makes it perfect for a cappella.

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In conclusion

When taking on a cappella, what matters most is choosing songs that feel good to sing and that suit the whole group.

In that sense, it’s no exaggeration to say that song selection can make or break the performance and the group’s cohesion.

That said, the first step is to experience the joy of building harmony using only voices.

Using this article as a guide, why not take your first step toward performing a cappella?