[Japanese Female Artists] Recommended Songs for Guitar and Vocals [2026]
There have always been many people who, upon picking up a guitar for the first time, start by learning a few easy chords and trying simple strumming-and-singing.
Since the spread of the internet, it’s also become common for people to post “I tried singing” videos with an acoustic guitar, covering famous songs by well-known artists and even using that as a springboard to a debut.
In this article, we’re focusing on “strumming-and-singing,” the timelessly effective way to deliver a song straight to listeners, and introducing J-POP by female artists only—from the latest hits to classic masterpieces—that we’d love you to try performing on guitar.
We’ve also included videos of actual performances, so use them as a reference and enjoy!
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[Japanese Female Artists] Recommended Songs for Guitar and Vocals [2026] (41–50)
The summer you gave meieiri reo
If you’re looking for a bittersweet solo song to perform gently and tenderly, I recommend Leo Ieiri’s “Kimi ga Kureta Natsu” (“The Summer You Gave Me”).
This track was the theme song for the drama “Koinaka,” a poignant love story that garnered much attention and starred Sota Fukushi.
Especially for female performers, a love ballad that makes the most of higher notes is sure to capture listeners’ hearts.
Since it’s a ballad with a relaxed tempo, it might be perfect to take your time with—and even use as a practice piece.
pupilŌhara Sakurako
This is the second single by singer Sakurako Ohara, whose father is the narrator Naochika Hayashida and who herself also works as a radio personality.
The song was chosen as the support anthem for the 93rd All Japan High School Soccer Tournament, and its fresh melody woven with a clear, translucent voice evokes the vividness of youth.
Since the song uses many barre chords overall, you can make it easier by putting a capo on the 4th fret; however, that can make the diminished chord shapes trickier, so choose whichever is more comfortable for you.
While the original features a strings-focused arrangement, it’s also a great pick for acoustic guitar and vocals only.
soupFujihara Sakura
This is the debut single by singer-songwriter Sakura Fujiwara, who is the daughter of Koji Fujiwara—the bassist of Takenouchi Quartet, a progressive rock band that thrived during the band boom of the 1980s—and who pursued music under his influence.
The song was chosen as the theme for the TV drama “Love Song,” and its arrangement feels both airy and sophisticatedly modern.
Since it uses many barre chords throughout, if you’re not comfortable with them, try placing a capo on the 3rd fret to simplify the chord shapes.
However, be aware that this will introduce some slightly tricky chords to fret, such as B7.
It’s a perfect piece for solo performance, allowing you to deliver the vocals at a relaxed pace.
rainbow-coloredayaka
This song by Ayaka, released in 2014 as the theme for the NHK morning drama series “Hanako to Anne,” is a well-known and highly popular track.
As is often mentioned, it uses the chord progression known as the canon progression and is built on its repetition.
So once you can play it on guitar, you can mostly rely on that repeated pattern and focus on the vocals.
It suits a simple accompaniment, making it one of those songs that can captivate with just a single guitar.
omnidirectional beautynozomi
Noshi, a female artist representing the 2020s, has been drawing attention mainly on social media.
This track blends pop sensibilities with a fantastical worldview, depicting a girl who’s captivating from every angle.
Released in January 2024, it’s become a hit, having been used in about 95,000 videos on TikTok.
The lyrics carry a message that boosts self-esteem, offering a warmth that resonates with listeners.
Noshi’s translucent vocals pair beautifully with the simple yet memorable guitar tones, making it an easy song for guitar beginners to sing and play.
It’s a recommended track for anyone who wants to cherish their individuality or lift their spirits.
threadNakajima Miyuki
Beyond her own songs, singer-songwriter Miyuki Nakajima has written numerous works for others, with her productions topping the Oricon singles chart across five different decades.
This is her 35th single, released as a double A-side with “Inochi no Betsumei” (“Another Name for Life”), and it’s also well known for being covered by many artists, including Bank Band and Chris Hart.
It uses many barre chords, but placing a capo on the 3rd fret makes it easier.
However, since it includes the chord Am7/D, which requires barring from the 1st to the 5th strings, be sure to press cleanly so all strings ring out.
It’s a classic that everyone knows, making it perfect to showcase as a solo acoustic performance.
Letter to TomorrowTeshima Aoi
How about trying a self-accompanied performance of “Ashita e no Tegami” by singer Aoi Teshima, whose voice is so moving it grips listeners’ hearts and won’t let go? Teshima, who has also sung theme songs for Studio Ghibli films, is loved by a wide range of generations.
Released in 2016, this song was the theme for the drama “Love That Makes You Cry” starring Kasumi Arimura and Kengo Kora.
It’s such a heart-grabbing piece that performing it with just vocals and an instrument might even bring some listeners to tears.