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

LaundryLUCKY TAPES

LUCKY TAPES – Laundry (Official Music Video)

LUCKY TAPES is the solo project of Kai Takahashi, notable for its sound that blends J-pop with elements of indie pop and R&B.

Released in October 2020 and included on the album “Blend,” this track portrays the process of facing daily struggles and learning to live with them while moving forward.

The lyrics give voice to the conflict between the pressure to become “someone” and the reluctance to conform, yet ultimately offer a glimmer of hope.

It’s a song that seeps in during moments when you want to pause—while studying or on a walk.

The music video—Kai Takahashi’s first as a director—also drew attention, making this a number that gently accompanies quiet times.

DAY feat. PUNPEENulbarich

Nulbarich – DAY feat. PUNPEE (Official Music Video)

Centered around JQ and known for their sophisticated sound, Nulbarich teams up with rapper PUNPEE on this track, released in August 2023 and included on the album “The Roller Skating Tour.” The interplay between JQ’s soothing vocals and PUNPEE’s sardonic rap makes for an outstanding ensemble.

I hope you’ll take time to really listen to the lyrics, which question a more human form of love.

It’s a chic, mellow number that pairs perfectly with a contemplative nighttime walk through the city.

marble latteRin Oto

marble latte – Rin音 (Official Music Video)

You know how the cold winter air can make your heart feel just a little tense? This is a track by Rin-ne that gently accompanies the everyday life of university students.

The song has a comforting warmth—like a hot drink soaking into your heart—that lets you take a deep breath and relax.

It likens the blending of a latte to emotions, and the choice of words is truly lovely.

Released in December 2023, its rounded keyboard tones and gentle beat are perfect for studying in a café or taking a walk on a nighttime street.

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.