[2026] A compilation of Japanese songs/J-pop with cool guitar solos
In any era, when it comes to the star players of rock bands, most people would say the guitarist—that’s the common image, isn’t it?
Not only in guitar-centric bands like rock and metal, but across various styles such as pop as well, there are countless classic songs where the guitar solo leaves an impression just as strong as the vocals.
In this article, we’re focusing on those “guitar solos” and have put together a selection of Japanese hits that feature awesome, exhilarating solos.
While there’s been a recent trend claiming that guitar solos are unnecessary, the reality is that many songs still incorporate them.
To prove it, we’ve compiled a lineup packed with recent hits and hidden gems alike.
- [J-Pop] A Collection of Japanese Songs with Difficult/Technical Guitar Parts [2026]
- [2026] Classic and Recommended Popular Anime Songs with Cool Guitar
- Makes you want to play it! Japanese rock with the coolest guitar riffs
- [J-Pop] A compilation of popular songs with irresistible guitar cutting [2026]
- [2026] A roundup of classic Western songs with awesome guitar solos
- [2026] Classic Japanese hard rock songs: A roundup of must-listen hits
- Popular Band Songs Ranking [2026]
- [Low End] A Collection of Japanese Songs Featuring Standout Bass Solos [2026]
- [Japanese Female Artists] Recommended Songs for Guitar and Vocals [2026]
- The depth of guitar sound. A collection of songs with cool guitar.
- Supreme guitar riffs from both Japanese and Western music: songs with badass intros
- Japanese shred guitarist
- [Western Music] A Collection of the Coolest, Most Rocking Guitar Riffs [2026]
[2026] A Collection of Japanese Songs/J-POP with Cool Guitar Solos (21–30)
The End of the WorldTHEE MICHELLE GUN ELEPHANT
A song by THEE MICHELLE GUN ELEPHANT, a four-piece rock band that featured the late guitarist Abe Futoshi.
Influenced by punk and garage rock, it’s a track where you can fully enjoy Abe’s trademark high-speed cutting.
In the outro guitar solo, he plays noisy phrases with extensive use of double bending, but by reducing the number of notes within the fast rhythm, he actually makes the guitar’s presence stand out even more.
Teenager ForeverKing Gnu
A four-piece eclectic band, King Gnu features members with diverse musical backgrounds and careers.
This track showcases a high level of craftsmanship: despite the rapid shifts in rhythm and mood throughout, it maintains a strong core as a single cohesive piece.
In the guitar solo, the backing employs a challenging rhythm—shuffle beat with the drums accenting on the downbeats—yet the energetic phrases, which capitalize on the song’s atmosphere and tension, feel satisfying.
The interplay with the bass is also excellently constructed.
I won’t forget it.kessoku bando
This standout release from December 2022 perfectly blends eye-popping technical playing with a deeply emotional soundscape.
Its array of virtuosic techniques—octave playing, sweep picking, full picking, and more—makes it a must-hear for guitarists.
The exhilarating, fast-paced phrases fuse seamlessly with melodious arrangements, showcasing the band’s full capabilities.
The track was used as the insert song that closes episode 12 of the anime Bocchi the Rock!, heightening the show’s climax.
It also appears in the compilation films Bocchi the Rock! Re: and Re:Re:, and is included on the album Kessoku Band.
Highly recommended for anyone eager to tackle advanced guitar performance or captivated by technical rock sounds.
The CastawayLOVEBITES
LOVEBITES is a band leading Japan’s heavy metal scene and highly acclaimed overseas.
Released in December 2025 ahead of their February 2026 album Outstanding Power, The Castaway is a track that conveys an unyielding will that won’t bow to rough seas or storms.
Its driving beats, dazzling twin guitars, and soaring vocals weave a sound that stirs the listener’s spirit.
It’s a song you’ll want to hear when you need the courage to face adversity.
SophieAve Mujica
Ave Mujica is a girls’ band that stands out with a gothic aesthetic.
This track from their third single, “’S/’ The Way / Sophie,” released in December 2025, captivates with a lyrical world so deep that new interpretations emerge with every listen.
Layering motifs like celestial motions and fate, it evokes a ritualistic grandeur and an almost suffocating sense of ecstasy.
While rooted in heavy metal, the sound carries symphonic shadings that leave a strong impression.
Immerse yourself in this mysterious musical experience!
STORMLUNA SEA
A five-member rock band that influenced many visual-kei bands, LUNA SEA, and one of their songs.
Despite having relatively few notes throughout, it shines with LUNA SEA’s signature sense of speed and catchiness.
The melodic, wah-infused guitar solo imparts a floating feel within the driving track, prioritizing the flow and dynamics of the song rather than showcasing the guitar itself.
It’s a track that encapsulates the band’s appeal in a single piece and is counted among their signature songs.
long-distance relationshipRADWIMPS
A song by RADWIMPS, a four-piece rock band known for their wide-ranging musical activities, including composing for animated films.
It’s a track that sticks in your ears with its irregular structure alternating between 3/4 and 4/4 time and its delay-laden guitar phrases.
While the drum beat is kept restrained, the guitar solo engages in a call-and-response with a slap bass solo.
It’s not flashy, but it preserves the song’s atmosphere and enhances the bass solo’s lines, adding color to the track.