[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!
- [Easy Chords] A collection of popular Japanese songs that are easy to play on guitar
- [Songs I'd love women to sing!] Popular ballads performed by female artists
- I want to perform Vocaloid songs with an acoustic guitar! A collection of recommended tracks for beginners
- Songs I'd love to hear on acoustic guitar! Reiwa-era masterpieces perfect for sing-alongs
- [Guitar] Easy Chord Progressions! A Compilation of Recommended Japanese Songs for Singing and Playing
- An acoustic guitar’s tone that leaves an impression! Recommended Heisei-era hit songs for solo singing with guitar
- [For Beginners] Recommended Songs for Female Vocal Bands: Great for Choosing Your Setlist! [2026]
- [2026] A compilation of Japanese songs/J-pop with cool guitar solos
- Karaoke songs sung by female artists recommended for Gen Z
- A collection of cool songs that sound great when sung by women, originally male songs
- [2026] Easy-to-Sing Enka: From Classic Masterpieces to Recent Hits [Female Singers Edition]
- Good songs recommended for people in their 60s: classic and popular Japanese tracks
- [2026] Easy Enka Songs for Karaoke: Recommended Picks — Women Singers Edition
[Japanese Female Artists] Recommended Songs for Guitar and Vocals [2026] (41–50)
The wind is blowing.ikimonogakari
Ikimono-gakari is widely known across generations and has firmly established itself as a truly national band.
Among their songs, “Kaze ga Fuiteiru” (“The Wind is Blowing”) is one I especially recommend for solo acoustic performance.
Released in 2012, it became NHK’s theme song for that year’s London Olympics and Paralympics, so it’s a tune many people know and remember.
It’s a great choice for situations where you want to perform a solo rendition and for a song that suits any audience.
[Japanese Female Artists] Recommended Songs for Guitar and Vocals [2026] (51–60)
SakuraMyuk
A ballad about spring partings, released in March 2025, where a transparent vocal and piano-centered minimal soundscape quietly portrays the feelings left behind by a departing season.
The lyrics by Kota Takenawa strike a superb balance between restraint and space, avoiding grandiose rhetoric while layering the transience of cherry blossoms over shifting relationships, leaving ample room for each listener to project their own memories.
Composed by Hiroo Yamaguchi and arranged by Tomohiro Okubo, the track begins with acoustic guitar and piano gently intertwining through the intro and first verse, then opens up with string layers toward the chorus.
The chord progression is classic yet enriched with passing chords that add light and shade, achieving scale through emotional temperature rather than sheer note density—an especially striking touch.
Barre chords are used throughout, but the relaxed tempo makes them comfortable to hold.
It’s a song you’ll want to perform solo with guitar on a spring day when you wish to share your feelings with someone.
Dear, boyHump Back
Hump Back, a three-piece girls’ band, released their major-label debut single “Haikei, Shonen yo” in 2018.
If you’re looking for a song to perform as a powerful solo acoustic piece rather than something gentle and laid-back, this one might be perfect.
The vocals are strong and straightforward, sure to make for a moving performance.
It might be a bit challenging for beginner guitarists, but it’s a very compelling, rock-flavored track.
Anytime Anywheremilet
It’s a song that leaves a strong impression with a sound that gradually expands from a quiet beginning and milet’s powerful, emotive vocals.
While poignantly portraying feelings for someone far away, the lyrics also convey a faint hope for reunion, touching the heart.
Released digitally in September 2023, the track gained significant attention as the ending theme of a popular anime.
Its melody line suits acoustic guitar accompaniment, and the lyrics call for deep emotional expression, making it well worth the challenge even for beginner guitarists.
It’s a perfect song to sing with feelings for someone important to you.
First LoveUtada Hikaru
Hikaru Utada astonished the world with her flawless vocals and innate talent.
Cut from her debut album “First Love,” this song is a masterpiece that delicately portrays the pain of heartbreak and the memories of a first love.
Released in March 1999, it reached No.
2 on the Oricon Singles Chart and became a massive hit, topping the karaoke chart for 15 consecutive weeks.
Even at 16, Utada’s sensitivity in distilling her own experiences into lyrics captivated countless listeners.
The bittersweet words carried by a gentle piano melody also suit acoustic guitar accompaniment perfectly.
It’s the ideal song for when you want to reminisce about love or express your feelings to someone special.
Stars, Freckles, and DiamondsRīgaru Rirī
Honoka Takahashi, the vocalist of Regal Lily, expresses a unique worldview with delicate expressiveness and an emotional guitar sound.
Blending alternative rock and indie rock, she formed the band and began performing while still in high school.
She has been active internationally, including appearances at SXSW in the U.S.
and a tour in China, and has released the albums “bedtime story” and “C to shi ikeru mono.” She has also created numerous tie-in songs for films and anime, captivating listeners with her clear, transparent voice and distinctive sensibility.
As an artist who provides music for NHK’s “Minna no Uta,” she enjoys broad support across a wide audience.
A song about being cheated on but still in love.riria.
This is the first digital single by singer-songwriter Riria, who performs on social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube without revealing her appearance.
It’s her first original song, and despite being an indie artist, it became a hot topic for its modern spread, even reaching No.
1 on LINE MUSIC’s weekly rankings.
Most of the chords used are barre chords, but using a capo on the 4th fret simplifies them, making it easier to play while singing.
Also, playing it in arpeggio style brings it closer to the original, so why not give it a try?
