Recommended for women: Start your karaoke session with these! A roundup of popular Japanese songs
When you get to karaoke, it’s hard to decide what to sing for the very first song, isn’t it?
Should you kick things off with something upbeat, start slow and ease into it, or just go with one of your personal favorites…?
For women who have this dilemma, here are some great recommendations for the first song at karaoke!
We’ve gathered a variety of hit tunes—from tracks that will get the energy soaring right from the start to songs that gently warm up the vibe.
Use this as a guide when you head to karaoke with friends, a partner, or family!
Nail that opening number and make it a super fun karaoke time!
[Recommended for Women] This Is the Perfect First Karaoke Song! A Comprehensive Introduction to Popular Japanese Hits (1–10)
Mela!Ryokushokushakai
With a dramatic sound, this Ryokuoushoku Shakai track explores the relationship between self and others.
Created by a band formed by four high school classmates, it’s a heartfelt message song.
The lyrics, which weave together a forward-looking desire to help and the insecurity of “someone like me,” resonated with many listeners.
Released in April 2020, it gained major attention after being featured in a segment on Nippon TV’s “Sukkiri.” It became a huge hit, surpassing 300 million streams.
This is a recommended song for those who want to believe in the power sleeping within themselves or aspire to be someone’s hero.
Bluebirdikimonogakari
A signature song by Ikimonogakari that vividly captures the brilliance of youth.
It features a driving sound and powerful vocals, with Kiyoe Yoshioka’s soaring voice resonating straight to the heart.
Used as an opening theme for the anime Naruto Shippuden and released in July 2008, the track reached No.
3 on the Oricon Weekly Chart and has been loved by many.
It’s perfect for kicking off karaoke with friends or a significant other—its refreshing lyrics and melody will instantly brighten the mood.
rainbow-coloredayaka
This is the song that was specially written as the theme for the NHK morning drama series Hanako to Anne.
Composed by Ayaka, it’s an easy-to-remember tune that people of all ages can hum along to.
Its straightforward, cheerful feel makes it perfect as the first song at karaoke, and it’s ideal for expressing your gentle, wonderful self.
Since the morning drama, it’s also been used in several commercials, and it seems poised to be loved as a standard song for years to come.
This is a great chance to learn it.
ROSENEW!HANA
Like a flower that blooms beautifully despite its thorns, this song embodies a determination to live powerfully in any environment.
By accepting past wounds without hiding them and moving forward on one’s own feet, its message of independence and the protagonist’s strong will set listeners’ hearts ablaze.
Released in April 2025, this work is the debut single of HANA, a group formed from the audition program “No No Girls,” led by Chanmina and SKY-HI.
At the end of the same year, they won the Best New Artist Award at the 67th Japan Record Awards.
The commanding rap and rich choral layers create vocal work that will send your energy soaring the moment you grab the mic at karaoke! If everyone belts out the chorus together, it’s guaranteed to take the excitement to the next level.
A Cruel Angel’s ThesisTakahashi Yoko
This song, A Cruel Angel’s Thesis, gained popularity as a track from the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion.
Even if you don’t know Evangelion, many people have heard this song, so it’s easy to sing without hesitation even though it’s an anime song.
It’s also an energy-boosting track, so try picking it as your first song.
frecklesJUDY AND MARY
Here’s a song by JUDY AND MARY released in 1996.
It became a huge hit after being used as the first opening theme for Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story, so many of you may already know it.
Apparently, they were only told it would be an anime theme song, and they created it while imagining the anime Candy Candy, which all the band members knew.
The contrast with the anime’s actual content is striking and pretty amusing.
A karaoke session that kicks off with such an energetic song is sure to be a fun one.
Like when we first metEvery Little Thing
“As Long as We Can Dream” (Deatta Koro no You ni), one of Every Little Thing’s most popular hit songs.
It’s a defining track of the ’90s and one that’s still loved today.
Many who listened to it back when it was a hit probably still sing it often at karaoke.
It’s a bright and cute song that shines with romance, clearly conveying straightforward feelings.
It’s also packed with relatable moments from love that people of any generation can identify with.
