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 exciting classic hits. Beloved Japanese classics and recommended popular songs (21–30)

secret base ~What You Gave Me~ZONE

ZONE “secret base ~What You Gave Me~” MUSIC VIDEO

secret base 〜The Thing You Gave Me〜 ZONE

It became a huge hit as the theme song for the drama Kids War 3.

By the way, although ZONE eventually disbanded, just as the lyrics say “in August, ten years from now,” they made a comeback ten years later—albeit for a limited time—which was an irresistible treat for fans.

Raise the rankinglower

To the futureKiroro

To the Future – Kiroro (Full)

Towards the Future, Kiroro

I think it’s a classic that symbolizes a new beginning, expressing the feeling of “toward the future,” not only for graduations but also for weddings, just as the title suggests.

There may be many things ahead, but we take one step at a time along the “path” beneath our feet and walk toward the “future” that lies ahead.

It feels like it teaches us what’s important in life.

Raise the rankinglower

We Were AngelsHironobu Kageyama

Hironobu Kageyama — We Were Angels (Fuimos Ángeles)

We Were Angels by Hironobu Kageyama

It’s the song that played during the ending of the TV anime Dragon Ball Z.

The lyrics, which evoke the feeling of continuing to walk together, are memorable.

It also happens to be from the period when Goku was dead, and I think it’s a masterpiece that sings about forms of love beyond just romance—such as parental love and friendship—as well as human emotions.

Raise the rankinglower

LA LA LA Love SongToshinobu Kubota

Toshinobu Kubota – LA･LA･LA LOVE SONG with NAOMI CAMPBELL [Official Video Short ver.]

LA, LA, LA LOVE SONG by Toshinobu Kubota

It’s one of Toshinobu Kubota’s classic songs that was used as the theme song for the drama “Long Vacation,” which starred former SMAP member Takuya Kimura and Tomoko Yamaguchi.

It’s a nostalgic hit especially known for the striking line, “Let’s share a kiss so sweet it takes our breath away.”

Raise the rankinglower

Share HappinessBreathe

BREATHE / Share Happiness music video footage

Share HappinessBreathe

Mother, Father, and Friend—and in contrast, “I”.

.

.

There are things you only understand once you’re apart.

Now, having left my hometown and living alone, I look back with a slightly wistful feeling toward that faraway place and the people there, set to a light melody.

It was used as a support song for the Ministry of the Environment’s “Fun to Share” campaign.

Raise the rankinglower

LOVE LOVE LOVEDREAMS COME TRUE

DREAMS COME TRUE LOVE LOVE LOVE Tokyo Skytree

LOVE LOVE LOVEDREAMS COME TRUE

It’s a heartrending ballad that was used as the theme song for the drama “Say You Love Me.” The lyrics are simple—a love song about being unable to express your feelings well, about how just thinking of the other person brings you to tears.

As the lyrics say, it’s “just that,” but it’s a song that makes you feel that might be what true “love” is.

Raise the rankinglower

you’re the onlyGALNERYUS

Masatoshi Ono you’re the only

you're the onlyGALNERYUS

There’s no one for “me” but “you.” So I want “you” to keep looking at “me,” too.

It’s a very straightforward love song, filled with the simple wish to always be together, highlighted by Ono’s powerful singing and remarkable vocal strength.

It’s not something that’s easy to say outright, but isn’t it a feeling anyone—regardless of gender—has for the person they love?

Raise the rankinglower