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


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