Exciting Japanese karaoke hits: Latest rankings [2025]

240 Million Eyes - Exotic JapanHiromi Go71rank/position

Hiromi Go – 240 Million Eyes -Exotic Japan- / THE FIRST TAKE

Hiromi Go’s classic “240 Million Eyes – Exotic Japan,” which frequently appears on variety shows and the like, was an exceptionally original piece for its time.

Its arrangement features a song structure that hints at kayōkyoku within J-pop.

Partly due to those kayōkyoku elements, the song is confined to a fairly narrow range of mid1D to mid2F.

Regardless of gender, it should be singable without issue if you choose an appropriate key.

Like on that certain TV show, performing it with parody lyrics can make it even more exciting, so keep that in mind as you check it out.

The Story You Don't Knowsupercell72rank/position

Supercell – The Story You Don't Know

Supercell is popular among anime fans, and “The Story You Don’t Know” might be one of their most beloved songs.

Many of my vocal training students chose to sing this one! To sing this slightly high song all the way through, breath control is the key point.

The melody often sits around A4, so you need to keep a higher tone consistently, but the C section is sung an octave lower, so be careful not to let your pitch drop there.

Keep inhaling through the mouth and aim to resonate in the head.

Lifting your facial muscles helps you visualize this.

If you sing with your hands placed behind your head, your voice will project toward where your hands are, making it much easier to sing.

Don’t change your hand position during the low notes in the C section, either.

Try to always send your voice toward your head so you can stay as accurate as possible with your pitch.

loveGen Hoshino73rank/position

Gen Hoshino – Koi (Official Video)

Gen Hoshino’s hit song “Koi” is beloved not only by men but also by women.

The track served as the theme song for the wildly popular drama “We Married as a Job!” (Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu), which became a social phenomenon and earned nationwide acclaim.

You still see it pop up often in karaoke histories, don’t you? While the song has a catchy melody, it also packs a punch with accents on the second and fourth beats, giving it a surprisingly solid groove.

In terms of name recognition and ease of getting into the rhythm, it’s a surefire crowd-pleaser.

countrysideKoji Tamaki74rank/position

countryside

Even after suspending activities with Anzen Chitai, Koji Tamaki has continued to leave behind numerous masterpieces as a singer-songwriter.

Among his many great songs, the one I especially recommend for being easy to sing and guaranteed to get the crowd going is Den-en.

Although its vocal range is very narrow—mid1D to mid2E—it still has well-crafted points of excitement, making it a song with an outstanding balance of singability and energy.

Definitely consider adding it to your repertoire.

HAPPY BIRTHDAYback number75rank/position

back number - “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” Music Video (Theme song for the TBS Tuesday drama “A Story to Read When You First Fall in Love”)

Many of you may know this song because it was the theme song for the drama “A Story to Read When You First Fall in Love.” Speaking of back number, they have many popular love songs, and among their tracks, this one portrays an unrequited love from a male perspective.

It tells a poignant story of a man waiting for a birthday message from the woman he likes, only for it not to come, realizing his feelings won’t be returned.

How about passionately singing this beloved ballad that’s popular with people of all genders?

Sun’s Komachi AngelB’z76rank/position

B'z / Komachi Angel of the Sun

B’z, the duo that has delivered numerous masterpieces.

While B’z is strongly associated with cool, rock-flavored tracks, they also have some slightly pop-leaning songs.

Among those, one of the most popular is surely “Taiyō no Komachi Angel.” The vocal range is mid2A to hiA—high, but relatively narrow overall.

If you adjust the key properly, you shouldn’t have trouble with vocal production.

It’s also a song everyone can sing together, so consider adding it to your repertoire.

udonGero77rank/position

Gero 'Udon' PV

Among Gero’s songs, this one is especially bright and guaranteed to put a smile on everyone’s face.

It expresses a pure, overflowing love for udon through powerful shouts and playful onomatopoeia that evoke the noodles’ texture! Released in July 2013, when Gero made his major-label debut, it was included on his landmark first album, “one.” It’s perfect for times when you want to go all out at karaoke or share a big laugh with everyone!