Recommended for high school students! Stylish J‑pop and songs by trending popular artists
We’ve picked out stylish Japanese songs to brighten up high schoolers’ everyday lives! Music tastes have really diversified lately, and it’s common to hear “Do you know this song?” conversations heating up at school.
From tracks trending on social media to hidden gems you’ll want to share with friends, we’re introducing songs that fit perfectly with a high school lifestyle.
These are all super tasteful tracks you’ll want to listen to on your commute or at your favorite café.
They’re by artists who are especially popular with high school students, so be sure to read to the end!
Recommended for High School Students! Stylish J-Pop and Trending Hits by Popular Artists (1–10)
Burning Friday NightLucky Kilimanjaro
Lucky Kilimanjaro, whose theme is “making every day around the world dance,” is a hot topic even among high school students! Their electro dance sound is popular for stylishly coloring everyday life.
This track is beloved as one of their signature songs, packed with the excitement of a Friday night when the long-awaited weekend begins.
The sparkling synths and buoyant dance beats make your body move naturally just by listening! Although this piece was included on their mini-album FULLCOLOR, released in July 2015, it spread in recent years alongside dance videos on social media, so many people may have discovered it there.
Put it on when you want to hype things up with friends or kick off the weekend on a high note, and you’re guaranteed an amazing day!
Blue JeansHANA
It’s a mid-tempo ballad that sings of the bittersweetness of being in love and the down-to-earth longing to see the person you like.
The lyrics cleverly and stylishly overlay complicated feelings of love onto worn-in jeans and sneakers.
It portrays the emotions of nights when you feel insecure and lack confidence—something many high school students will surely relate to.
The song is by HANA, a girl group born from an audition program, and it was released as their second single in July 2025.
Their debut track, ROSE, even hit No.
1 on the Billboard JAPAN HOT 100, showing no signs of their momentum slowing down.
This release also features a collaboration with the casual brand DIESEL, and its visuals drew considerable attention.
It’s the kind of song you’ll want to listen to on your way to school or on nights when you’re feeling a bit sentimental.
chameleonKing Gnu
King Gnu, who lead the J-pop scene with each member’s outstanding musicianship and wide-ranging musicality.
Although they’re beloved even by listeners who don’t usually listen to rock, this work is a bittersweet yet beautiful ballad written as the theme song for the drama “Don’t Call It Mystery” starring Masaki Suda.
The song portrays the contrast between the “true self” everyone has and the “face we show others,” as well as the inner conflicts hidden deep in the heart, making you feel as if you’re facing your own feelings as you listen.
Released as a single in March 2022, it has been loved for a long time, surpassing 300 million streams.
It might be the perfect track to listen to on the train to school while lost in thought.
FloriginalMrs. GREEN APPLE
It’s a song that offers a stylish, introspective charm, distinctly different from Mrs.
GREEN APPLE’s colorful and pop image.
The minimal, pleasant beat makes you feel as if you’re strolling somewhere.
The lyrics convey a delicate, somewhat philosophical sense—wishes to be cherished and a gentle closeness to anxieties carried alone.
Released in November 2022 as part of the single “Soranji,” this track emerged from a unique collaboration project called “PARFA TUNE,” which pairs perfume with music.
It’s a number with a mysterious allure that you can listen to as if you were wearing a scent.
Perfect for when you want to feel a bit grown-up—on the train to school or at a café after classes.
Bedroom TalkOfficial HIGE DANDism
This track, co-arranged with mabanua, is perfect for late-night vibes.
It’s included on the album “Editorial,” released in August 2021, and was written and composed by guitarist Daisuke Ozasa.
For Official HIGE DANDism, it’s a slightly unusual but pleasantly neo-soul-tinged number.
Its laid-back beat and mellow melody feel like they gently wrap away the fatigue of the day.
The song depicts the importance of stepping away from social media and outside voices to face your own heart on a quiet night, or to have an honest conversation with someone you care about.
It’s recommended for when you want to relax in your room after studying, or spend a peaceful moment in a café.
A stylish, warm song that softly stays by your side.
TATTOOOfficial HIGE DANDism
Official HIGE DANDism keeps releasing hit songs with sophisticated arrangements and stylish sound.
This work is a moving number that sings about an unbreakable bond with a precious person—like a pattern etched into the skin that will never fade.
The song was written as the theme for the drama “Pending Train: 8:23, Ashita Kimi to.” Its lyrics, which say that the feelings you have for someone become a light toward the future even in extreme circumstances, resonate perfectly with the drama’s worldview and are truly stirring.
Released in April 2023, it became a massive hit, surpassing 100 million total streams.
With its groovy, comfortable mid-tempo vibe, it’s perfect for listening on the train to school or while reflecting at a café after classes.
It’s a song that makes you want to think of the people who matter to you—friends, family, and loved ones.
giftRADWIMPS
RADWIMPS, the rock band also known for the music in the film “Your Name.” This song was written as the theme for the NHK morning drama series “Anpan,” airing from April 2025.
Its stylish sound—blending city pop and jazz—matches beautifully with the warm vocals.
The lyrics carry a gentle message from the creators: even in a world that isn’t always fun, it’s okay to look forward to tomorrow.
Like a letter, the song gives you a push to take on new challenges.
Listening to it on the train to school or during a reflective moment after classes might make the everyday feel a little more special.