Recommended club and dance music

[J-Pop] Japanese dance music that makes you want to start dancing

DancerFukkun:)Tatsuki Fukuda
Primarily active in Tokyo, I have experience as a backup dancer for artists, a music video dancer, and a commercial dancer. I continue to work as a dancer while also engaging in article production. After discovering Michael Jackson in junior high school, I began dancing in my second year of high school. Since starting dance, in addition to the J-Pop and Japanese rock I had been listening to, I began exploring Western R&B, rap, alternative music, and other tracks commonly used for dance. In elementary school, I spent three years in a choir, and because I love singing, I often go to karaoke for fun. These days, I enjoy a wide range of music, from Japanese rock and rap to K-pop.

Dance music used to mean music from overseas, but lately there’s been more Japanese dance music, and artists’ dance skills have been improving too.

There are now tons of songs that blend Western influences while making the most of the beauty of Japanese lyrics.

We’ve put together a big collection of Japanese dance tracks that will get you hyped!

Dance is shifting from something underground to something mainstream, and I’d be thrilled if it becomes even more commonplace from here on out.

We’ve lined up dance tracks that will make you want to move your body, so find your favorites and let’s all start dancing while we listen!

[J-Pop] Japanese dance music that makes you want to start dancing (171–180)

Effeminate; overly sentimental; being clingy/whiny (context-dependent)Golden Bomber

Golden Bomber “Memeshikute” Music Video

Effeminate by Golden Bomber

This is a smash hit by Golden Bomber, the outlandish group where everything except the vocals is mimed.

Thanks to its distinctive chorus choreography and a key that’s easy for both men and women to sing, it consistently ranks among the top karaoke choices.

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heavy rotationAKB48

[MV full] Heavy Rotation / AKB48 [Official]

Heavy Rotation AKB48

This is the 17th single centered by Yuko Oshima, who won first place in the second AKB48 General Election.

Its cute, easy-to-copy choreography featuring a center microphone, along with girlish pop lyrics and melody, became a hit and made it one of the songs that consistently ranks high on karaoke charts.

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Choo Choo TRAINEXILE

EXILE / Choo Choo TRAIN (EXILE PERFECT LIVE 2008)

Choo Choo TRAINEXILE

I think it’s a highly recognizable song that’s practically synonymous with getting the crowd pumped.

Forming lines, swinging your arms, and everyone spinning together like a spiral makes it twice as fun and raises the energy, so there’s no doubt it will liven things up.

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Future PopPerfume

[Official Music Video] Perfume 「Future Pop」

Future PopPerfume

The title track from Perfume’s 2018 album “Future Pop.” It starts with just a guitar, the vocals come in, and then the sounds layer on one by one, gradually building—then at a certain point it suddenly accelerates.

Perfume is synonymous with dance—in fact, they have a unique world of their own.

It’s a dance song everyone can groove to.

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In conclusion

So far I’ve introduced Japanese dance tracks! Did you find any you liked or new favorites? Dance music isn’t the same as club music, right? What do you think? I feel dance music isn’t just EDM-style tracks; it’s any music that gets you in a great mood and makes you want to start moving.

For example, songs with clear choreography that everyone can enjoy together—like Bon Odori—fit that, too.

In Japan, the level of dance has certainly been rising, and along with that, dance music has been increasing as well.

I think this is where the unique appeal of Japanese dance tracks, something you don’t quite find in Western music, really shines.