Perfect for driving BGM and karaoke! Recommended summer songs for people in their 40s [2026]

For those in their 40s today, what Japanese summer songs come to mind?

Many of you probably think right away of hit songs from the 1990s, the era when CDs sold the most in Japan.

In this article, we’ll introduce plenty of summer tracks recommended for people in their 40s.

Listening to these songs will likely bring back memories and feelings from back then, and the songs we’re about to introduce might just give you a warm sense of nostalgia.

Use them as a reference for your driving playlist or karaoke selections!

Playlist

Perfect for driving BGM and karaoke! Recommended summer songs for people in their 40s [2026]
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Nagisasupittsu		Spitz’s classic song “Nagisa” colors the summer.
2	Rollercoaster RomanceKinKi Kids		A classic from ’98 that revives the samba rhythm and memories of summer
3	Can’t Say Anything… SummerTHE JAYWALK		A classic hit by J-WALK from the ’90s, a poignant melody of heartbreak.
4	Midsummer FruitSazan Ōrusutāzu		Southern All Stars' Kuwata's classic song “Manatsu no Kajitsu” (Midnight Summer Fruit)
5	Summer Days of 1993class		A classic summer hit from the '90s, class's debut song
6	Sun’s Komachi AngelB’z		B’z’s iconic summer song, “Taiyō no Komachi Angel.”
7	Summer TribeDragon Ash		A summer-friendly party tune by Dragon Ash
8	The End of SummerMoriyama Naotaro		Noriyuki Moriyama’s masterpiece that depicts the poignancy of summer
9	HOT LIMITT.M.Revolution		T.M.Revolution's hit single draws attention for its black outfit
10	Over DriveJUDY AND MARY		A classic summer song by JUDY AND MARY from the ’90s
11	Swaying feelingsZARD		The appeal of ZARD’s signature song, Yureru Omoi (Shaking Feelings)
12	summer festivalWhiteberry		Whiteberry covered a classic summer song and scored a huge hit
13	Summer Colorsyuzu		Natsuiro captures the essence of youthful summer.
14	Don’t avert your eyes.DEEN		A bittersweet summer love song, a classic by DEEN
15	A Perfect SkyBONNIE PINK		BONNIE PINK's summer love song
16	Summer MelancholyL’Arc〜en〜Ciel		L’Arc~en~Ciel’s summer love song
17	It’s summer, isn’t it?TUBE		Introducing TUBE’s iconic early-Heisei-era summer songs
18	Midsummer SunbeamsMōningu Musume.		A classic Morning Musume song that portrays a summer romance
19	The Summer When You Were ThereMr.Children		An early masterpiece by Mr.Children that depicts a summer farewell
20	White kiteMy Little Lover		Classic summer hits of the ’90s, the nostalgic sound of youthful days
21	summer gameHimuro Kyosuke		Kyosuke Himuro, an iconic figure in the rock scene
22	secret base ~What You Gave Me~ZONE		ZONE’s signature song that depicts the end of summer
23	survival dAnceTRF		TRF’s iconic summer song, a high-energy dance track
24	Romantic Flightkome kome CLUB		Kome Kome Club’s signature song “Roman Hikou” has a vacation vibe.
25	Season in the SunTUBE		The fateful song that colors TUBE’s summer
26	The hottest summer in the worldPRINCESS PRINCESS		A famous song by Princess Princess
27	July 7, sunnyDREAMS COME TRUE		A bittersweet Tanabata love song, a heart that wishes upon the stars
28	Summer is comingDaikoku Maki		A masterpiece showcasing Maki Ohguro’s full-on high-tone vocals
29	Ah, summer vacation.TUBE		TUBE’s quintessential summer song “Ah, Summer Vacation” is the best!
30	Et cetera related to the seashorePUFFY		Summer classic, Et Cetera Related to the Beach, memories of youth
31	Island SongTHE BOOM		A classic song that evokes the summer scenery of Okinawa
32	Two People’s Summer StorySugiyama Kiyotaka & Omega Tribe		A summer song showcased by a trendy singer
33	My SummerMoritaka Chisato		Forget the sorrow of parting on a trip to Okinawa
34	My Sweet Darlin’Yaita Hitomi		An exhilarating, catchy song—so good!
35	Driver’s HighL’Arc〜en〜Ciel		A classic by L’Arc~en~Ciel, a track bursting with a sense of speed
36	Summer MemoriesKetsumeishi		A timeless song that colors summer memories and youth
37	Kujira No. 12JUDY AND MARY		JUDY AND MARY’s summer song is fun.
38	Shonan, My LoveTUBE		Summer-song band TUBE, a cross-generational favorite
39	SaudadePorunogurafiti		Saudade is a song that sings of the melancholy of summer love.
40	Twilight SurroundRIP SLYME		Summer dusk, soothing music
41	A Midsummer Night’s DreamMatsutōya Yumi		Yuming’s sensual summer classic, where passion shines
42	Surfing JohnnyKuwata Keisuke		Keisuke Kuwata’s summer classic “Naminori Johnny”
43	astronomical observationBUMP OF CHICKEN		A classic BUMP song that portrays youthful love
44	Return to Myself ~ I won’t, I won’t, summer.Hamada Mari		Mari Hamada’s classic hit “Return to Myself,” a summer song
45	Dan Dan Kokoro HikaretekuFIELD OF VIEW		A refreshing song filled with young love and courage
46	dogwood (flowering dogwood)Hitoto Yo		A masterpiece imbued with prayers for war and peace
47	Eternal, unchanging loveOda Tetsurō		Tetsuro Oda’s classic, a summertime youth melody
48	Mrs. MermaidChekkāzu		A mature summer song by The Checkers
49	Middle-Aged JUMPSazan Ōrusutāzu		Southern's music and nostalgic music videos
50	OCEANB’z		B’z’s “OCEAN” is a love song like the sea.
51	fireworksaiko		Aiko’s classic song “Hanabi” is a summer love anthem.
52	HANABIMr.Children		Mr.Children’s summer song “HANABI”
53	swallowtail butterflyPorunogurafiti		A perfect PornoGraffitti classic for summer
54	The Naked SunYU-KI		Introducing YUKI's liberating summer anthem
55	The Sound of WavesImai Miki		Miki Imai’s summer ballad song
56	July 1stHamasaki Ayumi		The Appeal of Ayumi Hamasaki’s Summer Hit “H”
57	Wake Me Up!SPEED		SPEED “Wake Me Up!”—a classic summer song
58	Ultra SoulB’z		B'z's smash hit song “ultra soul” is hot.
59	Get Myself BackAmuro Namie		Namie Amuro’s tropical summer single
60	Sweet EmotionAikawa Nanase		Nanase Aikawa’s signature passionate summer song
61	The Door of MidsummerGLAY		GLAY's 1994 single
62	SunGO!GO!7188		GO!GO!7188's debut song: exhilarating rock
63	Natsu no HikariGRAPEVINE		GRAPEVINE’s summer song. Bittersweet memories of youth.
64	Good job, summer!HALCALI		Summer anthems of the early 2000s
65	Rococo-tionORANGE RANGE		ORANGE RANGE’s signature summer song
66	I can see you againKetsumeishi		A summer love song that lets you feel like you’re on vacation
67	Harmony at Summer’s EndInoue Yosui & Anzen Chitai		A heartwarming classic, the harmony of late summer
68	You’re my sunshineAmuro Namie		Namie Amuro’s summery dance song, refreshing
69	Goldfinger 99′Gō Hiromi		Hiromi Go passionately sings a Latin song
70	Naughty SunORANGE RANGE		Get in the mood with summer tunes from Okinawa
71	tropical nightRIP SLYME		RIP SLYME’s classic that depicts a passionate summer romance
72	You two, SummerKetsumeishi		A refreshing classic that sings of summer memories
73	Happy Summer WeddingMōningu Musume.		A bright, uplifting song celebrating marriage and graduation
74	Yeah! Super Holiday!Matsuura Aya		A lively hit that brightens Aya Matsuura’s summer
75	LIFEkimaguren		An uplifting song perfect for summer
76	Beautiful finsupittsu		Spitz’s movie theme song resonates with my heart.
77	Summer NudeMagokoro Burazāzu		Summer Nude is the ultimate relaxation song.
78	Sunny day sundaySENTIMENTAL:BUS		A fast-paced song that suits the hot summer
79	A Little Love SongMONGOL800		A love song by MONGOL from Okinawa
80	tsunamiSazan Ōrusutāzu		Southern All Stars' “TSUNAMI” is a poignant song about heartbreak.
81	HIGH PRESSURET.M.Revolution		A refreshing summer song that reached No. 4 on the Oricon chart
82	Slow & EasyHirai Dai		A tropical-flavored song that advocates a laid-back lifestyle
83	sparkleFuji Kaze		A positive message about overcoming hardships with the one you love
84	In the Sun and the DustCHAGE and ASKA		A powerful pop number by CHAGE and ASKA that portrays youth and the struggles of life
85	Embracing SummerTUBE		A huge hit summer song by TUBE that expresses a wistful love
86	Week EndHoshino Gen		Makes you want to dance to Gen Hoshino’s weekend theme song
87	WINDING ROADAyaka × Kobukuro		The CM song of hope and courage by Ayaka and Kobukuro
88	I hope it’s sunny.DREAMS COME TRUE		A lyrical song depicting childhood memories and growth
89	Paradise BabyRIP SLYME		A popular hip-hop song that cheerfully sings about summer love
90	Easy★RiderOkuda Tamio		Okuda Tamio’s liberating spring cheering song
91	BLUE BIRDHamasaki Ayumi		Ayumi Hamasaki’s exhilarating pop tune
92	Like when we first metEvery Little Thing		A love song weaving sweet memories of summer
93	Yes,SummerdaysGLAY		GLAY’s classic song that depicts summer youth
94	Cold KissICE BOX		A summer hit song that sings of a love gone cold.
95	BANG! BANG! Vacation!SMAP		SMAP’s classic summer hit “BANG! BANG! Vacation!”
96	Body & SoulSPEED		SPEED's early signature song, youthful energy
97	I want to become the wind.THE BOOM		A catchy song perfect for summer
98	The sun is burning.THE YELLOW MONKEY		A summer classic of fiery love and powerful rock
99	CANDY GIRLhitomi		A refreshing summer song! A classic by hitomi.
100	Summertime BluesWatanabe Misato		Misato Watanabe’s summer classic, “Summertime Blues.”
101	BoyhoodInoue Yosui		Yosui Inoue’s famous song that sings of the end of summer
102	GOING GOING HOMEH Jungle with T		End-of-summer driving tune
103	beetle (specifically, a rhinoceros beetle)aiko		A timeless song that sings of summer memories, depicting the heart in love.
104	Feel fine!Kuraki Mai		Mai Kuraki’s hit song that feels like the summer sea
105	Music HourPorunogurafiti		Porno Graffitti’s classic song that depicts a summer romance
106	summer festivalJITTERIN’JINN		Summer festivals are timeless classics across generations.
107	NatsuneGLAY		GLAY's iconic songs: heart-touching, bittersweet ballads
108	BOYS & GIRLSHamasaki Ayumi		Ayumi Hamasaki’s classic hit “BOYS & GIRLS”
109	PassionUA		UA’s “Jōnetsu” is a sweet and soothing masterpiece.