[Guitar] Easy Chord Progressions! A Compilation of Recommended Japanese Songs for Singing and Playing
For those who are about to start playing guitar, the first question you’ll run into is: “Which songs have simple chord progressions?” It’s only natural—there are tons of Japanese songs out there, and picking ones that beginners can actually play is surprisingly tricky.
So this time, I’ve put together a list of songs whose chord progressions are relatively easy.
I’ve tried to cover a wide range, from classic tracks often found in instructional books to recent releases.
Be sure to read through to the end and find the ones that suit you!
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[Guitar] Easy Chord Progressions! Recommended Japanese Songs for Singing with Guitar (1–10)
blue skyTHE BLUE HEARTS
The eighth single by the legendary rock band THE BLUE HEARTS, who helped make punk a popular genre in the J-pop scene.
Unlike the band’s usual image, this song carries a lyrical, atmospheric vibe and is famous for having been covered by many musicians.
By placing a capo on the 2nd fret, you can play it using only basic, easy chord shapes, and the tempo is relaxed—making it a great recommendation for those who’ve just started playing guitar.
A Bm barre chord appears here and there, but since it’s rooted on the 5th string it’s easier to play, making this the perfect rock tune for beginner guitarists to practice.
Family LandscapeHanaregumi
A song by Hanaregumi, the solo project of Takashi Nagazumi, who was the vocalist of the funk band SUPER BUTTER DOG that disbanded in 2008.
It’s included on the first album “Oto Time,” and its comfortable acoustic guitar arpeggios and lyrics depicting everyday life evoke vivid scenery.
Most of the chords are simple, but a D# diminished chord appears; you can use the easier option between that and the alternative B7.
Also, there’s a single barre-chord Gsus4 at the end—if that’s too difficult, try substituting C.
Letterback number
This is the 13th single by back number, a three-piece rock band that has garnered support mainly from younger listeners with their poignant lyrics—evoking vivid scenes—and their melancholic melodies and arrangements.
Chosen as a song for an NTT Docomo commercial, its message of gratitude to a mother really hits home.
Chords with slightly unusual shapes like D/F# and A7/C# make an appearance, but since both the tempo and chord changes are relaxed, you’ll be able to play it easily if you practice calmly.
Overall, it mostly uses simple, basic chords.
[Guitar] Simple Chord Progressions! A Collection of Recommended Japanese Songs for Singing and Playing (11–20)
life; livelihood; living; daily lifeKubota Kai
A track by Kubotakai, a Fukuoka-based rapper who’s been gaining recognition for his music that reflects a wide range of influences and lyrics with a literary flair.
It’s a song from his debut EP “Myōjō,” featuring a laid-back shuffle-beat track with guitar sounds that feels really good.
Aside from the barre chord Bm7, you can play it using only simple chord shapes, so it’s recommended even for those who’ve just started playing guitar.
However, while the chords are simple, it’s important to ride the bouncy groove of the shuffle beat, so don’t focus solely on the guitar—practice while feeling the beat with your whole body.
The enigma called the heartAdo
This is the eighth digital-only single by singer Ado, who made a striking debut with the modern title of a current high school girl originating from the utaite scene.
The song was chosen as the theme for the TV drama “Doctor White,” and it really reminds you of Ado’s exceptional vocal ability and expressive range.
The tempo is fast, and it may feel challenging because it features many F chords—the typical hurdle for beginner guitarists—but the chord changes themselves are slow, so it should be relatively playable.
Only the Bm7-5 that appears in the chorus has a difficult form, so practice carefully to avoid dropping sound during the chord change.
Become the windtsuji ayano
This is the sixth single by singer-songwriter Ayano Tsuji, who started guitar in her high school folk song club but switched to ukulele because of her small hands.
The song was used as the theme for the Studio Ghibli film The Cat Returns, and its light, gentle ukulele tones and refreshing melody really stick in your ears.
If you play it on guitar, there are many barre chords like F, Fm, Gsus4, and A#, so using a capo on the 5th fret can simplify it quite a bit.
However, since chord forms like D/C that use the thumb also appear, beginner guitarists should choose whichever approach feels easier based on how comfortable they are with barre chords.
The world is falling in loveCHiCO with HoneyWorks
This is the debut single by the collaborative unit CHiCO with HoneyWorks, consisting of vocalist CHiCO and the creator team HoneyWorks.
The track was used as the opening theme for the TV anime “Blue Spring Ride” (Ao Haru Ride), and its fresh, fast-paced arrangement perfectly evokes the feeling of youth.
While the presence of chords like D/G and diminished, combined with the brisk tempo, might make it seem difficult, the number of chord changes is actually not that high, making it a playable piece even for beginner guitarists.
Barre chords only appear occasionally—mainly Gsus4—so start practicing at a slow tempo and gradually work your way up until you can play it smoothly.