Exciting Japanese karaoke hits: Latest rankings [2025]

Water lily flowerShonan no Kaze15rank/position

Shonan no Kaze “Suirenka” MUSIC VIDEO

Men born in the late ’80s to early ’90s might feel a strong sense of nostalgia—this was the go-to song whenever you wanted to hype things up at karaoke, right? “Suirenka” has plenty of moments to get everyone going, like the chorus parts and the towel-spinning! If you’ve got both the main vocalist and the rapper covered, you can enjoy the song with a nice balance.

HAN-KUN, the main vocalist, sings in a relatively high key, so if you’re comfortable with high notes, definitely give it a try.

If you’re not used to high notes but still want to sing it, start by focusing on resonating in your head.

Practicing falsetto and airy tones uses a lot of breath.

It also helps to sing all the lyrics as “hi,” which makes head resonance easier.

Master those high notes and give it a shot!

I'm going to Tokyo.Ikuzo Yoshi16rank/position

I'm going to Tokyo.

Enka singer Ichi Ikuzō, known for his wide-ranging musicality from comic songs to songs in a female voice and heart-wrenching ballads.

Unusual for an enka singer, he also has the side of a singer-songwriter, and his original songs, for which he writes both lyrics and music, are full of creativity and have remained beloved across generations.

Speaking of Ikuzō Yoshii’s masterpieces, it has to be “Ora Tokyo sa Iguda,” doesn’t it? While it has elements typical of enka, it features many spoken-style parts, so the overall difficulty is on the lower side.

As a comic song, it really gets the crowd going, so be sure to add it to your repertoire.

YAH YAH YAHCHAGE and ASKA17rank/position

[MV] YAH YAH YAH / CHAGE and ASKA

Known colloquially as “Chage and Aska,” the music duo CHAGE and ASKA gained popularity for their nostalgic songs and distinctive harmonies.

This is their 31st single.

The song was used as the theme for the TV drama “If You Look Back, He’s There,” and was released as a double A-side single together with “Yume no Bannin.” Its high-energy arrangement and straightforward message make it a perfect choice for men in their 50s who often experience work-related stress.

It’s a refreshing number you’ll want to belt out with friends at karaoke.

Romantic FlightKome Kome Club18rank/position

Kome Kome Club “Roman Hikō” [SHARISHARISM ACE -THE 8TH OF ACE-]

A signature song by Kome Kome Club that sings of a journey of the heart, pursuing dreams and love with burning passion.

Released in 1987, this track has continued to captivate many with its refreshing, upbeat melody and lyrics that resonate deeply.

It also drew attention when it was used in a JAL commercial.

Even now, it remains beloved across generations, covered by a variety of artists.

When you’re struggling with work or relationships, singing it will surely give you courage.

Heart Dancingnobobyknows̟+19rank/position

nobodyknows+ “Kokoro Odoru” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

This is a song that lets you fully feel the wonderful power of music.

The heartfelt emotions put in by nobodyknows+ are expressed through a powerful beat and a melody line that resonates deeply.

The lyrics, carried by an up-tempo rhythm, vividly depict how people’s hearts dance through music and how bonds with friends grow stronger.

Released in May 2004, the song was chosen as the ending theme for the anime SD Gundam Force.

It is included on the album Do You Know? and was also performed at NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen in December of the same year.

It’s the perfect track when you want to steer your feelings in a positive direction or make time with your close friends shine even brighter.

The magical power of music will surely wrap your heart in gentle warmth.

frecklesJUDY AND MARY20rank/position

Freckles – JUDY AND MARY (Full)

Known as one of JUDY AND MARY’s signature songs, this track was released in February 1996.

It was also used as the theme song for the anime Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story.

YUKI’s clear, soaring vocals and the catchy melody make a strong impression.

While depicting the complex feelings after a heartbreak, the lyrics still convey a positive outlook, which is part of their appeal.

It’s sure to be a hit at year-end and New Year parties’ karaoke! With a tempo that’s easy for all age groups to enjoy, it should be an easy pick for company gatherings as well.

Let’s all sing it out with energy and brighten the start of the new year!

astronomical observationBUMP OF CHICKEN21rank/position

[Parody Song] “Stargazing” (Binge Drinking and Overeating) by BUMP OF CHICKEN, sung by Tasukukoma

This is a parody of BUMP OF CHICKEN’s “Tentai Kansoku,” themed around the history of failing to lose weight and staying overweight, and a lifestyle of being unable to stop binge eating and drinking.

It even starts with a scene where the person unconsciously opens the refrigerator at 2 a.

m.

, clearly conveying that they probably won’t be able to slim down.

While it depicts the pain of not being able to lose weight, it basically shows the person always eating, and the gap between the refreshing sound and these lyrics is pretty funny.

Along with the struggle of gaining weight, the joy of eating is also strongly emphasized, and that slightly positive touch leaves a memorable impression.