[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.
Playlist
| [2026] A compilation of Japanese songs/J-pop with cool guitar solos | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1east | white noiseOfisharu Higedan Dism | play_arrow | Official HIGE DANDism’s “White Noise” chosen as an anime theme song |
| 2east | Guitar, Loneliness, and the Blue Planetkessoku bando | play_arrow | A fiery rock song by Kessoku Band that feels like youth. |
| 3east | flying boatKing Gnu | play_arrow | King Gnu’s moving CM song “Hikotei” |
| 4east | Silent JealousyX | play_arrow | The beautiful guitar solo of the visual kei band X |
| 5east | Stratocaster SeasideSuspended 4th | play_arrow | A rock song with fast picking but no sweep picking |
| 6east | Dreams, Nightmares, and FantasyRyokushokushakai | play_arrow | The pop-rock appeal of Ryokuoushoku Shakai |
| 7east | Warning!BAND-MAID | play_arrow | A rock band in maid costumes is captivating. |
| 8east | ShekiraraChilli Beans. | play_arrow | An exhilarating track from a rock band hailing from a music academy |
| 9east | LOVE ROCKETSThe Birthday | play_arrow | A rock band known for anime theme songs, with dynamic tracks |
| 10east | New Treasure IslandSakanakushon | play_arrow | Sakanaction’s “Shin Takarajima” is a movie theme song. |
| 11east | I…atarayo | play_arrow | A three-piece band that feeds on sorrow |
| 12east | Ultramarine DaysToukyou Jihen | play_arrow | Ringo Sheena of Tokyo Jihen, a melodious guitar solo |
| 13east | I love youCody Rī (Ri) | play_arrow | My college buddies' rock band, Cody・Lee |
| 14east | We areONE OK ROCK | play_arrow | The solo of ONE OK ROCK’s classic song “We are” |
| 15east | To you in the desertHitsuji Bungaku | play_arrow | The translucent, airy sound of Hitsujibungaku is captivating. |
| 16east | SesameKroi | play_arrow | The appeal of Kroi, a rock band creating new music |
| 17east | Girl is GhostSCANDAL | play_arrow | SCANDAL’s latest song: a tale of change and exhilaration |
| 18east | Youth DiaryRyukku to soine gohan | play_arrow | Backpack Cuddling, Youth Rock Band |
| 19east | Judgement DayLOVEBITES | play_arrow | The powerful music of the metal band LOVEBITES |
| 20east | Shibuya hariappa!BUCK∞TICK | play_arrow | The 44th single, infused with the new regime’s challenge |
| 21east | I don’t like it.yangusukinii | play_arrow | A moving song by a four-member band formed on social media |
| 22east | The End of the WorldTHEE MICHELLE GUN ELEPHANT | play_arrow | An iconic rock song brimming with the appeal of punk rock |
| 23east | Teenager ForeverKing Gnu | play_arrow | King Gnu’s diverse music and outstanding song composition |
| 24east | I won’t forget it.kessoku bando | play_arrow | The essence of technically brilliant and moving music |
| 25east | The CastawayLOVEBITES | play_arrow | An inspiring song by the metal band LOVEBITES |
| 26east | SophieAve Mujica | play_arrow | The profound musical world of a Gothic-style band |
| 27east | STORMLUNA SEA | play_arrow | A signature song by LUNA SEA, with a sense of speed and catchiness. |
| 28east | Mahorobaningen ishi | play_arrow | Ningen Isu: A ray of hope through Japanese aesthetics and weighty grandeur |
| 29east | long-distance relationshipRADWIMPS | play_arrow | An original song that stands out for RADWIMPS' distinctive musicality |
| 30east | Driver’s HighL’Arc〜en〜Ciel | play_arrow | L’…, released on August 11, 1999 |
| 31east | Present PerfectBAND-MAID | play_arrow | BAND-MAID’s blazing rock track and the will to move forward |
| 32east | Kiss U Dead Or AliveSeikima II | play_arrow | Seikima-II’s first new song in 37 years |
| 33east | Re:Re:ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION | play_arrow | Impressive solo in ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION’s anime opening song |
| 34east | FIGHTING FISTS, ANGRY SOULHi-STANDARD | ![]() | A song that showcases Ken Yokoyama’s guitar technique |
| 35east | Convergent RaysUnlucky Morpheus | play_arrow | The overwhelming sense of speed in symphonic metal |
| 36east | Ready to RockBAND-MAID | play_arrow | BAND-MAID’s overwhelming songs highlight their brilliant guitar technique. |
| 37east | rainbowELLEGARDEN | play_arrow | ELLEGARDEN’s guitarist Uchikata influenced Japan. |
| 38east | THE REASON WE FIGHTGALNERYUS | play_arrow | A new song by GALNERYUS, a piece of technique and passion |
| 39east | Bad CommunicationB’z | play_arrow | A classic B’z song with a captivating guitar solo. |
| 40east | Metaphor feat. FeryquitousIchika Nito | play_arrow | Ichika Nito’s new song is dreamy and innovative. |
| 41east | In the blue-green eyesAve Mujica | play_arrow | Mysterious, heavy metal with a dreamlike worldview |
| 42east | Next Is The Best!Seikima II | play_arrow | A powerful, heavy metal song by Seikima-II |
| 43east | Beautiful CircusRin to shite Shigure | play_arrow | The distinctive musical style of Ling Tosite Sigure |
| 44east | LonerNEK | play_arrow | NEK!'s shocking technical track |
| 45east | SmokinChar | play_arrow | Char's bluesy music and captivating guitar |
| 46east | whipB’z | play_arrow | B’z hard rock, transcend-limits theme |
| 47east | BLEEZEGLAY | play_arrow | GLAY’s 20th anniversary commemorative single |
| 48east | With youTUBE | play_arrow | A classic of summer: TUBE’s heart-touching song |
| 49east | What’s My NameMIYAVI | play_arrow | MIYAVI’s distinctive guitar playing style is characteristic. |
| 50east | Place to tryTOTALFAT | play_arrow | A song with a captivating metal-style guitar solo |
| 51east | HeavenRei | play_arrow | Rei’s profound songs, versatile guitar work, and musicality |
| 52east | Start Our JourneyHAGANE | play_arrow | HAGANE’s metal: overwhelming performance and emotional expression |
| 53east | CrescendoASTERISM | play_arrow | A virtuoso heavy metal band, anime theme song |
| 54east | Soul DefenderLOVEBITES | play_arrow | A supreme song that embodies the essence of power metal. |
| 55east | OblivionSeikima II | play_arrow | Seikima-II’s 40 years, the heavy ballad “Oblivion” |
| 56east | UnchainedLOVEBITES | play_arrow | A new metal song sings of freedom and liberation |
| 57east | Side by Side (feat. Char)Hotei Tomoyasu | play_arrow | Recreating the guitar battle between Hotei and Char |
| 58east | PrideNovel Core | play_arrow | A rock work that portrays the resolve to stay true to oneself |
| 59east | RUSSIAN ROULETTEHotei Tomoyasu | play_arrow | Tomoyasu Hotei, Japan’s iconic guitar hero |


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