Lovely summer song

Famous and popular Japanese summer songs you’ll want to sing at karaoke

Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICKeisuke Hane
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. After working at a music studio and in wedding sound engineering, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with various instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in middle school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on personal music activities and professional experience, produces daily articles, including song introductions, features on music festivals around Japan, and live reports. Enjoys a wide range of music, from domestic and international rock to, more recently, a broad spectrum of J-pop.

What songs come to mind when you think of summer tunes?

Maybe you’re one of those people who think, “If I go to karaoke in the summer, I want to sing summer songs, but I can’t think of any!” and end up struggling to pick a track.

It’s true—“summer songs” cover a wide range, from tracks that get you hyped to ballads that capture the unique, mellow emotions of the season, making it hard to choose.

In this article, we’ll introduce plenty of summer songs for various situations.

From high-energy anthems to moving, mellow listens, we’ve selected popular karaoke picks.

Use this as a guide for choosing your songs!

Japanese summer hit songs you’ll want to sing at karaoke: classics and popular picks (11–20)

Summer SongYUI

YUI　『Summer Song-short ver.-』

Summer SongYUI

For YUI, it’s a rare, very refreshing, summery song.

Fans even say it has the vibe of chilled barley tea! It’s catchy, and the chorus—sung with a slightly falsetto tone—radiates an elegant coolness that’s truly appealing.

Please sing it in a cute style!

Raise the rankinglower

secret base ~What You Gave Me~ZONE

secret base ~What You Gave Me~ ZONE (Full)

secret base 〜The Thing You Gave Me〜 ZONE

One of ZONE’s signature songs.

It grabs your heart right from the intro, doesn’t it? It’s filled with that uniquely summer kind of bittersweetness, and for many people this song makes your chest tighten for no reason at all.

The lyrics are truly lovely too, so it’d be great to sing it while paying fresh attention to them.

Raise the rankinglower

Summer Colorsyuzu

Natsuiro – Yuzu (Full)

Natsuiro Yuzu

Listening to this brings to mind refreshing summer scenery, doesn’t it? As one of Yuzu’s signature songs, it’s upbeat and instantly lifts your spirits! It even has a charm that makes your body start dancing before you know it.

It’s guaranteed to be a hit at karaoke, too!

Raise the rankinglower

Surfing JohnnyKeisuke Kuwata

Keisuke Kuwata – Surfin' Johnny (Short ver.)

Surfing Johnny Kuwata Keisuke

When you think of Keisuke Kuwata, many people probably think of this song! It’s a pop tune that captures the sparkling freshness and bittersweet vibe of summer.

Pay attention to the cool piano riff and slide guitar.

Sing it at karaoke and you’ll be in a summer mood in no time.

Raise the rankinglower

Water lily flowerShonan no Kaze

Shonan no Kaze “Suirenka” MUSIC VIDEO

Suirenka Shonan no Kaze

When it comes to summer, this is the one! It’s an absolute must at karaoke—a super hype track that never fails.

It captures that summer party vibe and the blazing sun—just an all-around uplifting song.

It’s especially fun if you split the chorus and Wakadanna’s part with friends and sing by parts—highly recommended!

Raise the rankinglower

NagisaSpitz

Spitz / Nagisa

Nagisa Spitz

When it comes to Spitz’s summer songs, this is the one! Interestingly, though, the word “summer” never actually appears in the lyrics.

It’s a track with an intro so striking it makes you want to head out somewhere on a whim.

It’s easy to remember and catchy, so I think anyone would find it easy to sing.

Raise the rankinglower

Japanese Summer Song Classics and Popular Tracks You’ll Want to Sing at Karaoke (21–30)

summer festivalWhiteberry

Whiteberry “Summer Festival” MUSIC VIDEO

Summer Festival Whiteberry

A classic oldie that everyone can sing.

It’s a song you’ll want to listen to during fireworks season.

It starts gently, builds up little by little, and by the chorus your excitement is guaranteed to hit MAX! Go ahead and sing it as cute as you can.

Raise the rankinglower