Exciting Japanese karaoke hits: Latest rankings [2025]

Effeminate; overly sentimental; being clingy/whiny (context-dependent)Golden Bomber22rank/position

Golden Bomber “Memeshikute” Music Video

A four-member band that created the one-and-only genre of a visual-kei air band and has earned high praise for the quality of their songs, Golden Bomber released this as their seventh single.

It’s a track defined by lyrics that candidly portray the clingy feelings of a man after a breakup, paired with a melody influenced by Showa-era kayōkyoku.

Released in October 2009, it became so popular that it won a JASRAC Award in 2014.

In karaoke, it ranked third on Daiichi Kosho’s annual request chart in 2012.

It’s a perfect song to liven up a karaoke session with friends, and it also works well as background music for events with large crowds.

My Past Life, Many Lifetimes AgoRADWIMPS23rank/position

RADWIMPS – Zenzenzense (movie ver.) [Official Music Video]

RADWIMPS’s hit song “Zenzenzense.” It was released as the theme song for the hugely popular anime film Your Name, which gained nationwide acclaim.

Among RADWIMPS’s tracks, this one has a fairly orthodox rock feel, and features an easy-to-sing vocal line that appears repeatedly throughout.

The vocal range is mid1 F# to mid2 F#, which is somewhat narrow for a male vocal song.

While the chorus has the drawback of having few break points, it doesn’t frequently require long sustained notes, making it exceptionally easy to sing.

It’s a popular song embraced by a wide range of generations, so you can expect it to really get the crowd going.

Japanese rice is the best in the world.Uchikubi Gokumon Doukoukai24rank/position

Uchikubi Gokumon Doukoukai “Japanese Rice Is the Best in the World”

A work that powerfully expresses Japanese food culture and its love for rice.

Released in May 2015 as a signature song by Uchikubi Gokumon Doukoukai.

With a bold sound and humor-filled lyrics, it praises the greatness of Japanese rice while introducing rice bowls, set meals, and various rice brands.

It also helped bring more fans to farmers.

There’s even a phrase reminiscent of Kome Kome CLUB’s songs, reportedly used with official permission.

Sing it at karaoke, and your overwhelming love of rice might just leave everyone around you in awe!

LOVE DokkyunCLUB PRINCE25rank/position

CLUB PRINCE / LOVE Dokkyun

Guaranteed to get the party going at any drinking get-together! CLUB PRINCS’s signature track “LOVE Dokkyun” is a danceable song that portrays the world of host clubs.

Released in May 2007, it was selected as the ending theme for TV Tokyo’s “Webtama ww.” The protagonist’s feelings, swaying between love and career, are conveyed through a catchy melody.

Sing this song, and you might just feel like a host yourself!

men and womenTaro26rank/position

Male and female/Taro

Techno singer Taro’s 2006 release “Danjo.” Haven’t you all heard it at least once? It comically sets a verbal sparring match between a boy and a girl to a rhythmic beat.

Then, partway through, it turns into a kind of wordplay using only the word “danjo” (men and women).

It’s one of those highly addictive songs that sticks in your head for a while after just one listen (lol).

MarigoldAimyon27rank/position

Aimyon – Marigold [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

This is a song whose bittersweet yet warm melody resonates in the heart, like a summer twilight.

Aimyon sings about everyday moments with a loved one and the enduring sparkle of unfading memories.

The lyrics carry the joy and anxiety of love, along with a pure wish to stay connected.

Released in August 2018 as Aimyon’s fifth single, the song became known in 2019 for being the first by a domestic artist to surpass 100 million streams in Japan.

As a nationally beloved track, it’s sure to liven up summer drives and karaoke sessions!

LemonKenshi Yonezu28rank/position

Kenshi Yonezu – Lemon

Kenshi Yonezu, a singer-songwriter who has drawn attention for his sophisticated musicality and continues to evolve, wrote his eighth major single “Lemon” as the theme song for the TV drama Unnatural.

The track made his name known to a wide audience.

With its bouncy shuffle beat and highly dynamic melody, it may be challenging, yet fun to sing.

Its wistful atmosphere captivates listeners even in karaoke, making it a highly recommended mega-hit when you’re unsure what to choose.