[J-Pop] A compilation of popular songs with irresistible guitar cutting [2026]

Cutting is a guitar technique that mixes rests and brushing within the strum to produce a crisp, snappy sound.

That chaka-chaka tone feels great, doesn’t it?

If you’re into guitar, you’ve probably tried it at least once.

In this article, we’ve put together a list of popular Japanese songs that feature cutting!

From the latest buzzworthy tracks to classic hits, we’ve selected a wide range of Japanese music across various genres—funk tunes, city pop, pop, and even gritty garage rock.

Guitarists, this is a must-check!

Playlist

[J-Pop] A compilation of popular songs with irresistible guitar cutting [2026]
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	chandelierTHEE MICHELLE GUN ELEPHANT		A classic of high-speed guitar cutting
2	SPARKLEYamashita Tatsuro		A classic masterpiece by Tatsuro Yamashita, a leading figure in city pop
3	BAD FEELINGBOØWY		The Appeal of BOØWY’s Classic Song “JUST A HERO”
4	ZION TOWNthe band apart		the band apart’s delicate, floating sound
5	Sugar Song and Bitter StepUNISON SQUARE GARDEN		Anime songs by UNISON SQUARE GARDEN
6	Killer tuneToukyou Jihen		A jazz-tinged single brimming with the charm of Tokyo Jihen
7	Yellow ToyAooo		A high-velocity track colored by Surii’s guitar
8	Telecaster StripePorukadotto Sutingurei		Polkadot Stingray’s heavy rock
9	A New JourneyYONA YONA WEEKENDERS		An urban track brimming with a sense of groove
10	Destruction!!Chevon		The sharp guitar tone and sense of speed are captivating.
11	Once Upon a NightBillyrrom		Transform your everyday life with stylish music
12	CharacterRyokushokushakai		Ryokuoushoku Shakai’s new frontier, infused with a positive message
13	blue lightmuque		Depicting the loneliness of sophisticated city pop
14	CustardKroi		A rhythmical track brimming with a funky vibe
15	Russian HuskyTHEE MICHELLE GUN ELEPHANT		A classic song by THEE MICHELLE GUN ELEPHANT
16	I got a girlfriend.SHISHAMO		A love song that portrays the pure feelings of romance
17	SHININ’ YOU, SHININ’ DAYChar		B-side guitar of the funk classic 'NAVY BLUE'
18	Night Talk Deceivejin		Representative songs by Jin, a popular media-mix producer
19	pearl earringsMatsutōya Yumi		A sophisticated 80s city pop classic
20	SUMMER B LUEBureddo & Batā		Refreshing city pop of Shonan summer
21	hide and seekPorukadotto Sutingurei		From Fukuoka: a supernaturally catchy rock band
22	TremoloChilli Beans.		A catchy, funk-infused track
23	Good luckNoguchi Goro		Goro Noguchi’s classic 16-beat cutting song
24	Punishment9mm Parabellum Bullet		The intense musicality of metal punk rock
25	Senseless WonderHitorie		Hitorie’s first major-label single, wowaka’s posthumous work
26	Enigmatic FeelingRin to shite Shigure		A track by Ling tosite sigure brimming with a sense of speed
27	My instincts were spot on, and it’s frustrating.zutto mayonaka de ii no ni.		A cool, fast-paced song with a sense of midnight all the way through
28	SmokyChar		A signature song by Char, featuring captivating, fast-paced guitar work.
29	Baby who doesn’t danceodoru! disuko muromachi		The captivating music of a funky Kyoto band
30	ASAYAKECASIOPEA		A jazz fusion masterpiece and one of CASIOPEA’s signature songs.
31	To be happyFLYING KIDS		The debut song of FLYING KIDS from Tokyo Zokei University
32	Waitress, Waitress![Alexandros]		Akogirhythm has a South American vibe [Alexandros]
33	FrisbeeBRADIO		BRADIO’s sophisticated rock number
34	Get WildTM NETWORK		The iconic songs of TM NETWORK, the trailblazing music group of the 80s
35	I hold a grudge.Zainichi Fanku		A masterpiece by Zaiko Funk that conveys the allure of funk music
36	How Wonderful, This World — What a Wonderful World —MIYAVI		MIYAVI's original rock tune
37	ACTION (with ZAZEN BOYS)CHAI		CHAI’s collaboration song with ZAZEN BOYS