Lovely karaoke song

A medley of crowd-pleasing classics. Iconic Japanese songs and recommended popular tracks.

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.

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.

A medley of crowd-pleasing classics. Famous Japanese songs and recommended popular tracks (71–80)

Come, spring.Yumi Matsutoya

Yumi Matsutoya – Come, Spring

Spring, Come — Yumi Matsutoya

Originally famous as one of the great songs, it was sung by many people as a charity song in response to the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.

It is also often used at graduation ceremonies, but in both cases, I feel the image is less about parting and more about eagerly anticipating new encounters.

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Sorrow like snowShogo Hamada

Sadness Like Snow (ON THE ROAD 2011 “The Last Weekend”)

Sadness Is Like Snow by Shogo Hamada

This is one of the classic songs by Shogo Hamada—also known as Hamasho—that was used as the theme song for the coming-of-age ensemble drama “Ai to Iu Na no Moto ni,” which starred Honami Suzuki, Toshiaki Karasawa, Yosuke Eguchi, and others.

His husky voice makes it an extremely pleasant song to listen to.

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HELLOMasaharu Fukuyama

HELLO / Masaharu Fukuyama

HELLO Masaharu Fukuyama

It’s one of Masaharu Fukuyama’s famous songs, which was also used as the theme song for the romance drama “The Best Unrequited Love,” starring former Shibugakitai member Masahiro Motoki, Eri Fukatsu, Tetta Sugimoto, and others.

The chorus line “Once love starts running, you can’t be stopped” is incredibly memorable.

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An exciting medley of classic hits. Japanese masterpieces and recommended popular songs (81–90)

Longing, poignancy, and strength of heartRyoko Shinohara with Tetsuya Komuro

Longing, Sadness, and Strength of Heart – Ryoko Shinohara with T. Komuro (Lyrics Included, Full)

Longing, Tenderness, and Strength — Ryoko Shinohara with T. Komuro

This is the song used as the theme for the anime film Street Fighter II.

It’s also one of Ryoko Shinohara’s signature tracks; she’s now a major actress.

Many people were humming this tune in the early ’90s, and by the 2000s it had settled into the realm of nostalgic oldies.

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Just by you being hereKome Kome Club

Just By You Being Here – Kome Kome Club (Full)

Just by you being there - Kome Kome CLUB

It’s Kome Kome Club’s biggest hit, used as the theme song for the drama “Sugao no Mama de,” which featured Narumi Yasuda and Akina Nakamori, and it’s no exaggeration to say it was the best-selling song in Japan in the ’90s.

Tatsuya Ishii’s clear, crystalline voice is always captivating.

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A Love Game Between a Man and a WomanShirou Aoi & Mika Hino

Mika Hino & Shiro Aoi — Man and Woman's Love Game

Man and Woman Love Game - Shiro Aoi & Mika Hino

A duet song that was popular in the Showa era.

It’s also a karaoke classic, sung by many people.

It was originally composed for a commercial for a gastrointestinal medicine, but due to an overwhelming number of inquiries, a full-length version was made.

There’s a sequel titled “Man and Woman Bar-Hopping.”

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TRUE LOVEFumiya Fujii

TRUE LOVE / Fumiya Fujii

TRUE LOVE by Fumiya Fujii

This is a famous song by Fumiya Fujii, formerly of The Checkers, which was also used as the theme song for the romance drama Asunaro Hakusho, starring former SMAP member Takuya Kimura, Anju Suzuki, Hidetoshi Nishijima, and others.

The phrase “I believe only in you, and there’s no one but you” leaves a strong impression.

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