Wonderful entertainment/performances

[2025] Liven Up Your Party! A Roundup of the Newest J‑Pop Hits and All-Time Crowd Favorites

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!
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICSasashina
Deputy Editor of the web media RAG MUSIC. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. In my student days, I studied broadly at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, covering sound, lighting, and video technology, and acquired skills from comprehensive stage production to the fundamentals of creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, and have consistently built my career on the production side, taking on diverse tasks centered around music. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting in my own way, as well as insights and discoveries from interacting with my kids every day. I hope I can be of help to you, even just a little!

Music is essential for livening up year-end parties, New Year’s gatherings, welcome and farewell parties, and other banquets.

If you’re the organizer or in charge of entertainment, you’ll want to pick songs that get everyone excited.

Still, it can be hard to know which tracks will really hype up the crowd.

For those in that situation, this article introduces recommended Japanese songs perfect as BGM to energize any banquet.

Focusing on the latest trend-aware hits while also picking timeless favorites, it offers a lineup that people of all generations can enjoy, making it suitable for a wide variety of events.

Be sure to check it out!

[2025] Get the Party Going! A Roundup of the Newest and All-Time Popular J-Pop Hits (91–100)

KICKBACKKenshi Yonezu

Kenshi Yonezu – KICKBACK

KICK BACK Kenshi Yonezu

Kenshi Yonezu’s 13th single, released in October 2022.

It serves as the opening theme for the TV anime Chainsaw Man, and with the co-arrangement by Daiki Tsuneta of King Gnu, it’s an ultra-sharp, undeniably cool rock number.

With its complex melodic lines and dizzying key changes, it’s a characteristically challenging piece from Yonezu—but just ride the momentum and power through.

It’s also packed with playful touches, like sampling Morning Musume’s “Souda! We’re ALIVE,” so have fun and get hyped!

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Best FriendKana Nishino

Kana Nishino 'Best Friend (short ver.)'

Best Friend Kana Nishino

This is the song “Best Friend” by Kana Nishino, who is immensely popular among high school girls.

People often say her lyrics reveal a heavy view on love, but I think that makes it easier to get emotionally absorbed, which is good.

I’d love to have a close pair of friends sing this song to me—it would be so comforting.

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[2025] Liven Up Your Party! A Roundup of the Newest and All-Time Favorite J-Pop Hits (101–110)

Meta-ri!! (feat. Tom Morello)BABYMETAL

BABYMETAL – METALI!! (feat. Tom Morello) (OFFICIAL)

METALI!! (feat. Tom Morello) BABYMETAL

A BABYMETAL track that delivers the bustle of a festival on a metal groove.

It brilliantly fuses the atmosphere of a Japanese summer festival with heavy music to create a unique sound.

Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello adds even more punch with his guitar.

Released digitally in August 2023, this song is a fitting first step for the reborn BABYMETAL.

Centered on the theme of the “Meta Village Festival,” it’s bursting with the joy of everyone dancing together in a circle.

Perfect not only as background music for parties and festivals, but also for anyone craving energetic music.

One listen and you’re guaranteed to be swept up in a wave of exhilaration.

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astronomical observationBUMP OF CHICKEN

BUMP OF CHICKEN “Stargazing”

Astronomical Observation BUMP OF CHICKEN

A universally known rock classic.

The performance is kept simple enough for high schoolers to play, and the vocal key isn’t too high, so it’s a great pick for those just starting a band.

If you’re unsure, this is the song I recommend covering!

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Yo-kai Exercise No. 1Dream5

Yo-kai Watch: Yokai Exercise No. 1

Yo-kai Exercise No. 1 Dream5

This is a song used in Yo-kai Watch.

Even if you don’t know the anime, the lyrics are funny, and there are some simple dance moves, so I think it’s a lot of fun to just watch the PV and do it together.

The vocal range is easy to sing, so it’s perfect for a quick break.

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fragileEvery Little Thing

Every Little Thing / fragile

fragileEvery Little Thing

This song was the catalyst that propelled Every Little Thing to stardom and is an extremely famous love song.

Featuring Mochida’s clear, translucent vocals and lyrics that capture the sentimental moments of a woman’s everyday life, it remains highly popular even today.

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Shanana☆MINMI

MINMI – Sha Na Na☆ -Trinidad & Tobago ver.-

Shanana☆MINMI

It’s a dance track with an infectious groove that makes you want to get up and dance together.

It’s perfect for waving towels or your hands and having a lively, fun time with everyone.

The sudden changes in the arrangement are really appealing—challenging, but they make it even more enjoyable.

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