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

Ms. Hanako on a high pedestalNEW!back number

back number – Takane no Hanako-san (full)

The single released in June 2013 is a track that portrays unrequited love for an unattainable, idealized woman.

Despite its breezy, up-tempo sound, it poignantly depicts the frustration of being recognized only as “Acquaintance B” and the protagonist’s melancholy as he imagines what her ideal boyfriend might be like.

It enjoyed a long run near the top of the Billboard Japan charts, and in July 2024 surpassed 500 million total streams.

In 2019, it was also featured in a commercial for Kirin Brewery’s Tanrei Green Label.

With disco-style drum beats and a driving melody, the song captures both the ache of unrequited love and the sparkle of youth, making it a track that gives a gentle push to those in love.

cherry (cherry fruit; sakuranbo)NEW!Ai Otsuka

Ai Otsuka / Sakuranbo

Just hearing the title of a song that makes you smile can brighten your everyday life, right? Ai Otsuka’s second single, released in 2003, captivates with its poppy brass arrangement and upbeat rhythm.

The lyrics portray blissful moments spent with a lover and a bond that deepens—even through quarrels—conjuring images of two people in love leaning close to each other.

Chosen as the 2004 ending theme for Fuji TV’s variety show “Mecha-Mecha Iketeru!,” the track also won the Best New Artist Award at the 46th Japan Record Awards.

It’s the perfect song to hype up a get-together with friends or a drive with everyone.

I should be able to fly (in the sky).Spitz

Spitz / I Should Be Able to Fly in the Sky

This is a classic song by Spitz that was used as the theme song for the coming-of-age drama Hakusen Nagashi, starring Tomoya Nagase from TOKIO, Miki Sakai, Takashi Kashiwabara, and others.

The melody and lyrics of the chorus are so pleasant to listen to, aren’t they? It’s one of those timeless masterpieces loved across generations.

Don't give upZARD

Don't Give Up – ZARD (Full)

It’s the marathon theme song for “24-Hour Television.” Before that, it was also used in the drama “Reiko Shiratori Desu.” It’s said to have been created as a cheer song, and unlike typical love songs, it feels less like “I love you” and more like “to the you I love.” From her perspective, she offers words of encouragement, as if watching over you, and that atmosphere makes it a deeply moving song.

StoryAI

AI – Story

What’s great about this song is that it isn’t just about a man protecting a woman; it also sings about the woman protecting the man.

Rather than only being protected, the idea that both can protect each other—albeit in different ways—makes for a very good relationship, doesn’t it? It’s a classic that has been covered by many artists and is a staple at karaoke.

Get WildTM NETWORK

TM NETWORK – Get Wild

It’s a song famous as a theme from the anime City Hunter, a classic in the technopop world, and one of Tetsuya Komuro’s signature masterpieces.

In 2017, an album featuring only this song was released with many artists participating, but in a surprising turn of events, an unexpected overlap occurred among the contributions.

Close your eyesKen Hirai

Hitomi wo Tojite – Ken Hirai (Full)

It’s the theme song of the film “Crying Out Love, in the Center of the World.” It’s a ballad that mourns the loss of a dearest loved one, expressing the inability to move on, yet also the strength to walk forward by drawing on the power received from that person.

I think it’s a song that teaches us we can transform many kinds of farewells—not only to lovers but also to parents, pets, mentors, and more—into strength.