Recommended Japanese pop songs for karaoke for men in their 30s

When the cherry blossoms bloomRyota Fujimaki

Ryota Fujimaki / “When the Cherry Blossoms Bloom” (Music Video)

Ryota Fujimaki, known as the vocalist of Remioromen, is now also actively working as a solo artist and has produced several notable songs.

Among his tracks, the one I especially recommend is Sakura no Hana ga Saku Koro (When the Cherry Blossoms Bloom).

Perhaps because his musical style hasn’t changed, this piece has a classic J-pop finish.

The vocal range is about average, and since there are no sudden pitch jumps or advanced techniques required, it’s definitely a song where it’s easy to aim for a perfect score.

At all times.Noriyuki Makihara

[Official] Noriyuki Makihara “No Matter What” (Music Video) [3rd Single] (1991) Noriyuki Makihara/donnatokimo [No. 1]

A signature work by Noriyuki Makihara that delivers a universal message of living true to yourself, carried by a powerful yet gentle melody.

While acknowledging the doubts and anxieties of life, this classic is imbued with a strong resolve to cherish your true self.

Included on the album “Who Do You Share a Happy Yawn With?”, it became a massive hit, surpassing one million copies within six months of its June 1991 release.

It was also selected as the entrance march for the 64th National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament in spring 1992.

The melody, featuring a distinctive acoustic guitar and a calm tempo, makes it easy to sing.

For many people, it’s a song that resonates in the heart when standing at a crossroads or when they feel on the verge of losing themselves.

SakurazakaMasaharu Fukuyama

Masaharu Fukuyama – Sakurazaka (Full ver.)

Masaharu Fukuyama is undoubtedly one of Japan’s most iconic figures, both as a singer-songwriter and as an actor.

It’s truly remarkable that he has continued to release hit songs from the 1990s through the Reiwa era.

While each generation likely has its own “Fukuyama songs,” Sakura-zaka, released in 2000, is a quintessential Heisei-era classic that achieved a record-breaking double million in sales.

Some may find ballads challenging, but the simply crafted melody line makes it easy to sing, and the relatively low key makes it approachable for those with lower voices.

If you carefully follow the scale, you can definitely aim for a high karaoke score; at the same time, the song’s charm lies in its lower register, so if you’re not confident with low melodies, this is a great piece to practice with.

the red threadKobukuro

Kobukuro “Red Thread”

This is a long ballad that carefully depicts the feelings of a young person entering a rough patch with their partner, unfolding over seven minutes.

As a year passes, the protagonist’s heart gradually starts to look forward, and that progression is portrayed in a striking way.

Included on the album “Root of my mind,” which Kobukuro produced soon after forming, the song gently conveys the importance of trust in love.

It’s recommended for those who, while struggling with a relationship with someone important, still want to cherish their feelings for each other.

It’s a song you’ll want to sing with all your heart at solo karaoke or in the company of close friends.

single bedSharam Q

Sharam Q “Single Bed” (Music Video)

This is Sharam Q’s sixth single, released in October 1994.

It was also used as the ending theme for the Nippon TV anime “D·N·A²: Dokoka de Nakushita Aitsu no Aitsu,” and it became a long-selling hit, marking Sharam Q’s first million-selling single.

So as of July 2023, many people in their 30s have likely heard it.

As this was the 1990s, when the karaoke market was considered crucial for a song’s success, the track is structured to be very easy to remember and sing.

It’s a song I highly recommend even for those who don’t usually sing much.

Since it’s a slightly slow-tempo song, just be careful not to get ahead of the beat when you sing.

ChinatownEikichi Yazawa

Eikichi Yazawa 'Chinatown' / EIKICHI YAZAWA CONCERT TOUR 2023 'Welcome to Rock’n’Roll'

Released in 1978, the song that is artistic, transparent, and refreshing—creating a uniquely pleasant musical space—is Eikichi Yazawa’s “Chinatown.” It’s a refreshingly cool, adult karaoke song that’s perfect to sing during the hot summer season.

Ooochie KoochieOoochie Koochie

Ooochie Koochie 「GOLD」Music Video

Ooochie Koochie is a unit formed by Koji Kikkawa and Tamio Okuda.

Their teaming up—two rock musicians who defined an era—drew major attention when they first formed.

Among their songs, the one I especially recommend for men with low voices is GOLD.

It’s not that the song has a particularly narrow range, but because the low register vocals are mixed to be quite loud, it’s a perfect track for bringing out the appeal of a deep voice.