A medley of crowd-pleasing classics. Iconic Japanese songs and recommended popular tracks.
Doesn’t your heart feel warm with memories when you listen to a medley of nostalgic J-pop hits? Timeless masterpieces that continue to be loved are filled with special moments etched into our memories.
In this article, we’ve gathered popular Japanese songs that anyone will find themselves humming along to.
From theme songs of TV anime and dramas, to unforgettable tracks once heard on the radio, and timeless classics that still shine today, we present a collection of gems cherished across generations.
An exciting medley of classic hits. Famous J‑Pop masterpieces and recommended popular songs (1–10)
lilacNEW!Mrs. GREEN APPLE
Set to a lively rhythm and a catchy melody, this song vividly sings of the sweet-and-sour, bittersweet feelings of youth.
Its message—embracing even our imperfections and the pains of the past—resonates deeply.
Released in April 2024 and chosen as the opening theme for the TV Tokyo anime “Oblivion Battery,” the track won the Grand Prize at the 66th Japan Record Awards.
It marks the first-ever back-to-back win by a band in history.
While aiming to return to the roots of guitar rock, it shines with technical, standout riffs.
Brimming with positive energy, it’s a song that supports anyone who has experienced the struggles and growing pains of adolescence.
astronomical observationNEW!BUMP OF CHICKEN
Released in March 2001, this song by BUMP OF CHICKEN portrays a protagonist who keeps searching for answers in a world that offers none.
The word “fumikiri” (railroad crossing) carries a double meaning—both stopping and taking the plunge—expressing a state of mind where anxiety and hope for the future intersect.
Used as an insert song for the Kansai TV/Fuji TV drama Observatory, it quickly boosted the band’s recognition.
With guitar-driven arrangements and a catchy yet melancholic melody, it resonates deeply with young people confronting themselves and growing.
It’s also perfect for karaoke when you want to get the crowd going—a rock tune loved across generations.
LemonNEW!Kenshi Yonezu
The theme song for the TBS Friday drama “Unnatural,” which aired in March 2018, is one of Kenshi Yonezu’s signature works, depicting profound grief for someone lost and unwavering feelings that remain.
It reflects his personal experience of losing his grandfather during production, and carefully portrays a protagonist who faces death while living on with cherished memories of a loved one.
The bitterness and tartness of a lemon symbolize complex emotions that resonate deeply, and the song became a massive hit with over 900 million views on YouTube.
It’s a perfect track for times when you want to share sorrow or quietly heighten your emotions.
If you watched the drama, it will surely spark fond reminiscences in conversation.
MiracleNEW!GReeeeN
GReeeeN’s seventh single, released in May 2008, became a massive hit as the theme song for the TBS drama “ROOKIES.” It debuted at No.
1 on the Oricon Singles Chart in its first week and ranked fourth on the 2008 year-end chart.
In 2009, it also achieved the remarkable feat of being recognized by Guinness World Records.
The lyrics portray a vow of everlasting love, intertwining the miracle of the two meeting with the path they have walked so far.
The straightforward words conveying ever-deepening affection resonate deeply with listeners.
It’s a perfect song for looking back on memories with a loved one or finding the courage to step into the future.
A Little Love SongNEW!MONGOL800
This classic, with lyrics that express the feeling of being in love straight from the heart, is included on MONGOL800’s 2001 album “MESSAGE.” Despite never being released as a single, it spent 14 consecutive weeks at No.
2 on the karaoke charts and achieved legendary status with sales exceeding 2.
8 million copies.
Its exhilarating melody and universal message about cherishing the people close to us have been loved across generations, and it was even adapted into a film in 2019.
It’s the perfect song for when you want to bask in the bittersweet memories of your youth or reaffirm your feelings for someone special.
PretenderNEW!Official HIGE DANDism
Precisely because I love you, I wish for your happiness, and keep pretending to be someone I’m not while holding on to an unfulfilled longing.
This work delicately portrays the bittersweet feelings of unrequited love, powerfully expressing the painful gap between ideals and reality in romance.
The beautiful words repeated in the chorus symbolize a complex tangle of emotions—respect for the other person and a yearning that refuses to fade.
The wish of “If only we had met in a different timeline” is heartbreaking yet deeply moving.
Released to the world in May 2019 as the theme song for the film The Confidence Man JP: The Movie, this track became the fastest ever to surpass 100 million streams on the Billboard Japan streaming chart, leaving a significant mark on the Japanese music scene.
It’s a song I especially want those struggling with unrequited love, or those who can empathize with wishing happiness for someone dear, to hear.
broad daylightNEW!King Gnu
Released in February 2019 as the theme song for the drama “Innocence: False Accusation Lawyer,” this track portrays the fragility of humans who, often without realizing it, end up hurting others, and the regret that follows irrevocable mistakes.
It conveys a desperate wish for everything to be buried like falling snow, while also expressing the resolve to take a step toward tomorrow.
The struggle to move forward while accepting a present that is continuous with the past is brought to life through the interplay between Satoru Iguchi’s commanding high tones and Daiki Tsuneta’s deep vocals.
Debuting at No.
9 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 and surpassing 500 million total streams, this work is a powerful anthem that encourages those standing at a crossroads in life or trying to take a step forward while facing their past.