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.

Playlist

A medley of crowd-pleasing classics. Iconic Japanese songs and recommended popular tracks.
	Title	Playlist	One point
1	lilacMrs. GREEN APPLE		Summary (20 characters): Expresses the bittersweetness of youth through guitar rock. Winner of the Japan Record Award Grand Prize.
2	astronomical observationBUMP OF CHICKEN		Summary (20 characters): BUMP OF CHICKEN's "Tentai Kansoku". A song expressing a protagonist searching for answers, along with anxieties and hopes for the future.
3	LemonKenshi Yonezu		Summary (20 chars): Kenshi Yonezu’s “Lemon” is the theme song of “Unnatural,” depicting loss and memories.
4	MiracleGReeeeN		GReeeeN’s seventh single became a major hit as the theme song for the drama “ROOKIES,” and it also received a Guinness World Record.
5	A Little Love SongMONGOL800		Summary (20 characters): A classic by MONGOL800. Candidly sings of love and became a legendary hit, surpassing 2.8 million karaoke sales.
6	PretenderOfficial HIGE DANDism		Summary (20 characters): A delicate song portraying the bittersweet feelings of unrequited love and a wish for a love that won’t be returned.
7	broad daylightKing Gnu		An anthem of support that portrays human frailty and regret over mistakes, expressing a resolve to face the past and move forward.
8	My Past Life, Many Lifetimes AgoRADWIMPS		Summary (20 characters): Theme song of “Your Name.” A masterpiece that expresses destined love with exhilarating rock.
9	Until the world endsWANDS		Summary (20 characters): The ending song of SLAM DUNK and a signature track by WANDS. A masterpiece depicting heartbreak and urban loneliness.
10	Happinessstorm		A cheering song by Arashi. A gentle message that encourages courage and strength to move forward even in the face of difficulties.
11	Spot the differenceMasaki Suda		A theme song performed by Masaki Suda, written by Kenshi Yonezu. A signature track that powerfully depicts fateful love.
12	The One and Only Flower in the WorldSMAP		Summary (20 characters): A classic SMAP song. A message that respects individuality and says there’s a place where each person can shine.
13	Promise of SunflowersMotohiro Hata		Theme song of the Doraemon movie. A song of empathy that portrays a chain of one-sided kindness and love.
14	moonlightChihiro Onitsuka		Chihiro Onitsuka’s eerie melody and vocals leave a strong impression. It’s the theme song for the drama “Trick,” with the theme of liberation from oppression.
15	Ms. Hanako on a high pedestalback number		Summary (20 characters): A 2013 single portraying unrequited love for an unattainable woman. Surpassed 500 million views.
16	cherry (cherry fruit; sakuranbo)Ai Otsuka		A song released by Ai Otsuka in 2003. With a pop arrangement and an upbeat rhythm, it’s a bright track that portrays the bond between lovers.
17	I should be able to fly (in the sky).Spitz		A classic hit by Spitz and the theme song for the drama 'Hakusen Nagashi.' A song loved across generations.
18	Don’t give upZARD		Summary (20 characters): A cheering song from her perspective, encouraging and watching over the one she loves. A moving track.
19	StoryAI		A classic song, widely covered by many artists, depicting a relationship where a man and a woman protect each other.
20	Get WildTM NETWORK		The theme songs of City Hunter were turned into a remake album in 2017, featuring contributions from multiple artists.
21	Close your eyesKen Hirai		A ballad about remembering a lost loved one and drawing strength from that memory to move forward.
22	secret base ~What You Gave Me~ZONE		ZONE, which shot to fame with a TV drama theme song, reunited for a limited time ten years after disbanding.
23	To the futureKiroro		A classic that teaches the importance of taking life’s first steps, overcoming difficulties one by one, and walking toward the future.
24	We Were AngelsHironobu Kageyama		A classic ending theme from Dragon Ball Z that sings about love and friendship.
25	LA LA LA Love SongToshinobu Kubota		Toshinobu Kubota’s classic, the theme song of “Long Vacation.” Noted for its memorable phrases.
26	Share HappinessBreathe		A song in which “I,” having left my hometown, looks back with a light melody on the bittersweet feelings for family and friends.
27	LOVE LOVE LOVEDREAMS COME TRUE		A ballad that serves as the drama’s theme song. It sincerely expresses feelings for the other person and asks what true love really is.
28	you’re the onlyGALNERYUS		Summary (20 characters): A love song that sincerely expresses unwavering feelings for a loved one with a powerful vocal performance.
29	Poem of SunlightLe Couple		A classic insert song from a drama. Its poignant feelings toward parting are moving, and the charm of the husband-and-wife duo is timeless.
30	Miracle of BondsMAN WITH A MISSION×milet		Summary (20 chars): A fusion of Wa and rock. A collaboration between MAN WITH A MISSION and milet, and the opening theme of Demon Slayer.
31	My First KissReassured Dad		A signature song from Kiteretsu Daihyakka, a pure love song with a cute singing voice.
32	Snow BlossomMika Nakashima		A winter classic marked by Mika Nakashima’s commanding vocals and a poignant, heartrending melody.
33	I’ll give you romanceShoko Nakagawa		Shoko Nakagawa covers Ushio Hashimoto’s songs and continues singing them as her favorites.
34	I look up as I walkKyu Sakamoto		"Sukiyaki" has been sung since the 1960s and is a representative Japanese song that has been covered by many artists both domestically and internationally.
35	Something CertainKazumasa Oda		A universal song gently sung by Oda-san with the theme of “love.”
36	Christmas EveTatsuro Yamashita		A staple winter song that virtually everyone knows by now…
37	Sakura (Solo)Naotaro Moriyama		One of Naotaro Moriyama’s signature songs and a graduation ceremony classic. Its lyrics, which frame parting as a prologue to what comes next, leave a lasting impression.
38	FUNK FUJIYAMAKome Kome Club		A hit song by Kome Kome Club that was also used in a commercial…
39	If IHanabusa Sekitori		A song that acknowledges the harshness of the world while expressing a parent's wish for their child to live strongly.
40	[J-POP CAFE] Classic J-POP arranged in Jazz & Bossa Nova! CAFE MUSIC J-POP Medley!!		Arrange J-pop into jazz styles like bossa nova…
41	A world without tearsAAA		Their 52nd single. With this song, at the 58th Japan…
42	I don’t need wings.AKB48		It was the No. 1 best-selling single of 2016 and...
43	SAY YESCHAGE and ASKA		Featuring actors such as Tetsuya Takeda and Yosuke Eguchi...
44	Full of memoriesH₂O		Summary (20 characters): “Climbing the stairs to adulthood~” is so famous that complaints arose wanting to hear other parts.
45	This is the best!HKT48		The 8th single by HKT48. The center is…
46	frecklesJUDY AND MARY		Used for the opening of the anime Rurouni Kenshin…
47	Having someone you likeJY		A single by Jiyoung, a former member of KARA. …
48	KNOCKIN’ON YOUR DOORL⇔R		Yosuke Eguchi, Shinji Takeda, Kotomi Kyono, and…
49	EverythingMISIA		The last million-seller of the 20th century. The theme song of Yamato Nadeshiko, a bittersweet love ballad.
50	Tomorrow never knowsMr.Children		Former SMAP member Takuya Kimura, Masato Hagiwara, and Suzu...
51	DiamondsPRINCESS PRINCESS		A girl who was active from the 1980s to the 1990s…
52	Moon DropsRUI		The theme song of the film “Yomigaeri.” A beautiful piece about longing for someone you can’t meet, it became a major hit thanks to its synergy with the movie.
53	STEADYSPEED		Ai Sato and Takashi Kashiwabara appeared in the blue...
54	addressing someone without honorifics (calling someone by name without a title)Sexy Zone		With their 12th single, they appeared on the 67th NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen…
55	Sand TowerTHE YELLOW MONKEY		They went on hiatus in 2001, and then in 2004…
56	Beautiful WorldV6		In their 46th single, member Kaito Inohara...
57	Swan[Alexandros]		Their 13th single, “ON: Abnormal Crime Inv…
58	Happy Endingback number		The film “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time for Me Tomorrow, Yesterday’s…” starring Sota Fukushi
59	Erotica SevenSouthern All Stars		Yoshie Okuyama, Eri Fukatsu, Takako Tokiwa...
60	Sly womanSharam Q		Tsunku, who had a smash hit in the ’90s…
61	Harbor Yoko, Yokohama, YokosukaDown Town Boogie Woogie Band		An impressive song title and a sensibility that feels like watching a drama…
62	Shadows of YouthTulip		Summary (20 characters): A love song that abstractly expresses the poignant shift from romance to love.
63	Strawberry Statement Once Againbang bang		While Hirofumi Banba, who is still active today, was a member…
64	Between the Sky and YouMiyuki Nakajima		Scripted by the master Shinji Nojima and starring Yumi Adachi...
65	The meaning of goodbyeNogizaka46		It's the first center song by popular member Nanami Hashimoto, and...
66	Riverside HotelYosui Inoue		A singer-songwriter who represents Japan. Inde...
67	YosakuSaburō Kitajima		One of the signature songs by Saburo Kitajima, a giant in the enka world. He…
68	Kanda RiverKosetsu Minami		The folk band that Kōsetsu Minami belonged to, Minami Ko...
69	Photograph of the HeartWataru Kuniyasu		Summary (20 characters): Ending theme of “Mister Ajikko.” A beautiful, bittersweet song whose nostalgic melody evokes fond memories.
70	La La LaMaki Ohguro		Former SMAP member Masahiro Nakai, Nenji Kobayashi, Yanagi...
71	The Bride of SetoRumiko Koyanagi		In the ’70s, Rumiko Koyanagi sang it and it became a huge hit...
72	The High-Class Mermaid of the ShoreKyoko Koizumi		Kyoko Koizumi topped the Oricon chart for the first time...
73	Love stories happen suddenlyKazumasa Oda		Yuji Oda, Honami Suzuki, Yosuke Eguchi, a...
74	MasqueradeShonentai		Songs born from Johnny's are great, and the dances are too...
75	A Good Day to Set Out on a JourneyMomoe Yamaguchi		Momoe Yamaguchi’s “Ii Hi Tabidachi” is a complex song about setting out on a journey, carrying more darkness than brightness.
76	TOMORROWMayo Okamoto		Misako Tanaka, Hidekazu Akai, Tsuyoshi Domoto...
77	loveGen Hoshino		The drama I appeared in, 'We Married as a Job' (Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu)…
78	Come, spring.Yumi Matsutoya		A renowned song sung together as a charity piece after the Great East Japan Earthquake. Also used at graduation ceremonies, it emphasizes hope for new encounters over farewells. (20 characters)
79	Sorrow like snowShogo Hamada		Honami Suzuki, Toshiaki Karasawa, Yosuke Eguchi, a...
80	HELLOMasaharu Fukuyama		Masahiro Motoki, formerly of Shibugakitai, and Eri Fukatsu...
81	Longing, poignancy, and strength of heartRyoko Shinohara with Tetsuya Komuro		The main ... of the animated film “Street Fighter II”
82	Just by you being hereKome Kome Club		Featuring Narumi Yasuda, Akina Nakamori, and others…
83	A Love Game Between a Man and a WomanShirou Aoi & Mika Hino		A duet song that was popular in the Showa era. Kara...
84	TRUE LOVEFumiya Fujii		Former SMAP member Takuya Kimura, Anju Suzuki, West…
85	Things I like about youKana Nishino		It is the 58th single, and Otsuka Foods’ “Vita…
86	High-Teen BoogieMasahiko Kondo		Masahiko Kondo’s seventh single, and the theme song for the film “High Te…”
87	Azure RabbitNoriko Sakai		Noriko Sakai, Yutaka Takenouchi, and … are being sung about.
88	It’s nothing good.Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi		The drama Oyako Zigzag, which Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi himself starred in…
89	Give Me loveHey! Say! JUMP		Member Ryosuke Yamada appears in the Monday 9 p.m. drama ‘Kai…’
90	UNLOCKKAT-TUN		It is KAT-TUN’s 26th single song, and…
91	There’s always tomorrowRe:Japan		A heartwarming classic theme song from a drama featuring Yoshimoto comedians
92	Journey of the HeartTulip		The immortal work released by Tulip in 1973…
93	Surely more than anyone else in the worldMiho Nakayama & WANDS		A romance in which Miho Nakayama and Koji Matoba appeared…
94	Tears aren’t just for show.Akina Nakamori		It’s a hit song by Akina Nakamori, with lyrics and music by I…
95	Paradise GalaxyHikaru Genji		A social phenomenon from the 1980s to the early 1990s...
96	Happy endingEiichi Ohtaki		Former SMAP member Takuya Kimura and Takako Matsu appear...
97	HeroNamie Amuro		Their 45th single. This work served as the theme for an NHK…
98	chase the chanceNamie Amuro		Noriyuki Higashiyama of Shonentai and TOKIO’s Taichi Kokubun...
99	I’m glad I met you.Kyoko Koizumi		Kyoko Koizumi, Masakazu Tamura are being sung about...
100	Playback Part 2Momoe Yamaguchi		An undisputed signature song by Momoe Yamaguchi. Even today...
101	Festival Ninjaninja		A sing-and-dance pop song born from Johnny’s…
102	My lover is Santa ClausYumi Matsutoya		A classic Japanese Christmas song. Surprisingly, it...
103	Rizo RavaBakufū Slump		It starts right off with the chorus, “It’s all a lie~,” and the re…
104	DAY BREAKOtokogumi		The big band formed from Johnny’s, Otokogumi…
105	By the time of the Christmas carolsJunichi Inagaki		Starring Masaharu Fukuyama, Toshiaki Karasawa, and others...
106	SubaruShinji Tanimura		A signature song by Shinji Tanimura. It's so famous that it's almost too famous...
107	NOROSHIKanjani Eight		The film “The Mole Song: Hong Kong Capriccio” starring Toma Ikuta…
108	Ghibli Medley [Piano]		Ghibli Masterpieces: A Soothing Piano Medley to Heal the Heart
109	I won’t fall in love anymore.Noriyuki Makihara		With an exceptional sense for lyrics that makes you want to hum along…
110	balladKetsumeishi		It’s a big hit song by Ketsumeishi. You mustn’t love…
111	dogwood (flowering dogwood)Yo Hitoto		A song born in the wake of a terowai summary incident has been elevated into a classic wedding tune, a masterpiece that reflects deep care for others.
112	Believe in your dreamsHidemasa Tokunaga		Summary (20 chars): The anime theme song for Dragon Quest. It's their biggest hit, but since they didn’t write the lyrics, it isn’t performed on stage.