Recommended songs for university students. Classic and popular Japanese songs.

An Uncertain NightSUKISHA

An Uncertain Night

A chilled-out number brimming with charm, crafted by SUKISHA, who’s both a singer and a track maker.

It’s the kind of piece you’ll want to listen to on those helplessly anxious nights when you find yourself lost in thought alone.

The track is defined by a sophisticated production rooted in Black music, with whisper-like vocals and a comfortable beat that gently fills the room.

This song is included on the eight-track album “Beside Your Bedside,” released in March 2019.

It’s perfect for nights when you’re feeling vaguely uneasy about the future or relationships, and makes a great companion for studying or taking a walk.

Its calm, mellow sound will soothe your heart.

Turn off the neon.chilldspot

chilldspot – Turn Off the Neon (Official Music Video)

chilldspot, a band hugely supported by people their age.

This track, which they made while still in high school, features a mellow R&B-driven groove that feels incredibly smooth.

While the song centers on the theme of “the beautiful aspects of sexuality,” it also delicately portrays the inner conflicts and subtle, realistic emotions that lie beneath.

Its slightly mature worldview—like facing your true self on a quiet night after the neon lights have gone out—will likely resonate gently with university students.

The song is included on the November 2020 EP “the youth night,” and was later used as an insert track in the film Thorn of Love.

It’s a perfect number to accompany a solitary nighttime walk for reflection or to help you focus while studying.

SUMMER ENDiri

SUMMER END

At the end of summer, when the night air turns a little cooler, the songs I want to listen to on a walk are by singer-songwriter iri.

That irresistibly pleasant groove feels like the fleeting nature of the passing season melting together with the lingering aftertaste of a summer romance.

You can hear that bittersweet frustration in her husky voice—the wish to keep dreaming sweetly while already sensing the inevitable end.

This track was released in September 2019 following iri’s album “Shade,” and it resonated widely as the theme song for the dating reality show “Renai Dorama na Koi ga Shitai ~Kiss to survive~.” It’s a song that gently stays by your side—perfect for nights when you want to sink into a slightly sentimental mood.

A bite on the cheekkojikoji

kojikoji / A Bite on the Cheek (Official Video)

Singer-songwriter kojikoji is beloved by many listeners for mellow vocals and chill sounds.

Among her works, the gentle songs that make your heart feel a little lighter are especially popular.

This track was released as a single in April 2023 and was chosen as the ending theme for the drama “Kashimashimeshi,” which portrays people gathering around home-cooked meals while grappling with life.

Whether you listen on nights chased by deadlines or during a quiet solo walk, you’ll feel a warmth that gently nudges you forward.

Be sure to add it to your playlist.

Mercury feat. Onomatopoeia Ministertofubeats

tofubeats – Mercury feat. Onomatopoeia Minister (PV)

This track, with its floating beats and mellow groove, is a pleasure to listen to.

It’s a collaboration between trackmaker tofubeats and rapper Onomatopedaijin, released in June 2012.

The glittering, urban sound that evokes a city’s nightscape meshes perfectly with a slightly dreamlike worldview that unfolds while depicting everyday life.

The song is also included on tofubeats’s album “Lost Decade.” It drew attention again in February 2022 when it was featured in a Suntory Horoyoi commercial.

On nights when you’re chased by deadlines, take a walk and listen—you might sink into a sentimental mood.

It’s also a calming number recommended for the moments before studying, when you want to clear your mind.

Amber-Hued City, Morning of Shanghai Crabskururi

Quruli – Amber-Colored Town, Morning of the Shanghai Crab

This song features a relaxed groove infused with R&B and hip-hop elements, making it a truly pleasant listen.

It’s a track by Quruli, the Kyoto-based band known for showcasing different musical styles with each release.

Released in July 2016 to commemorate the band’s 20th anniversary, this piece stands out with its rap-like vocal delivery.

It depicts the slightly bittersweet scenery of the city and the feelings of thinking about someone dear.

The blend with UCARY & THE VALENTINE’s airy vocals is irresistible.

It’s a wonderful song you’ll want to play in those moments when you need a breather—while studying, taking a walk, and more.

hazy spring sky (literally: “flower-clouded” sky; overcast sky during cherry blossom season)Sato Chiaki

Chiai Sato – Hazy Spring Sky (Lyric Video)

Chia Sato, a singer-songwriter also known as the central figure of the band Kinoko Teikoku, which went on hiatus in 2019.

Released in April 2023, this track was also included on that year’s album “BUTTERFLY EFFECT.” Its lyrical melody—evoking a cloudy spring sky—and a comfortably alternative R&B-tinged beat create a perfectly chill atmosphere.

The lyrics trace a story that recalls past promises and memories while gently letting them go, likely resonating with the personal landscapes in each listener’s heart.

It’s an emotional pop tune recommended not only for when you want to focus on studying or assignments, but also for a slightly sentimental nighttime walk.