When you think of summer, there are all kinds of events—like the beach, fireworks, and festivals.
As exciting as it is, summer also has a way of leaving you with a bittersweet feeling when the season comes to an end.
The J-pop scene is full of songs that capture those moments.
This time, we’ve focused on Gen Z and put together a selection of summer songs released around 2011 to 2024—the years that generation likely spent their youth.
Whether you’re part of that generation or not, this is a must-see!
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Songs to heat up the season! Summer tracks recommended for Gen Z (1–10)
Blue and SummerMrs. GREEN APPLE
A single released in 2018 by the three-piece rock band Mrs.
GREEN APPLE, their seventh.
Chosen as the theme song for the film “Ao-Natsu: Kimi ni Koi Shita 30-Nichi,” its exhilarating opening instantly evokes the heat of adolescence.
The lyrics and melody carry a touch of melancholy amid the sense of speed, likely resonating with memories of a summer that will never return.
It’s a rock tune perfect for summer, capturing the reality of moments that matter to young people.
In January 2024, it surpassed 500 million cumulative streams and has been covered by many artists, attesting to its widespread popularity and influence.
Scatter! Summer peopleYabai T-shatsu Yasan
A song by Yabai T-Shirts Yasan, a band that’s wildly popular with younger audiences thanks to their high-energy tracks and live performances.
With poppy arrangements and male-female twin vocals coming in rapid-fire, it’s packed with pure summer party vibes.
The lyrics, which lodge real complaints about the summer heat against such an amped-up track, make it a standout among the many summer songs.
This piece is included on the single “Himawari Contest,” released in June 2022.
It’s a modern, upbeat tune that you can easily picture bringing the house down at summer festivals.
sunflowerAdo
A song filled with the desire to walk through days brimming with hope and love, like sunflowers standing tall under the summer sun.
Ado’s signature emotional vocals powerfully convey the unwavering pursuit of light.
Released in July 2023, the track was used as the theme song for the TBS drama “18/40: Dreams and Love, If We’re Together.” It portrays an attitude of acknowledging one’s timidity while mustering the courage to take a step forward.
It’s a perfect song for those who, while sensing the end of summer, carry expectations for the new season ahead.
cotton candyback number
A single with a unique atmosphere that colors summer events, back number’s sixth release.
Chosen as the opening theme for the music show COUNT DOWN TV, this track features an arrangement that evokes the humidity of summer, bringing the song’s lyrical story vividly to life.
The experience of spinning fantasies while outwardly maintaining a calm facade is something many of us went through in our youth.
Released in July 2012, this song is a perfect fit for a summertime moment, with a sentimental story that ends up mirroring your own feelings.
fireworks (launched into the sky)DAOKO × Yonezu Kenshi
A collaborative song by DAOKO and Kenshi Yonezu, used as the theme for the film “Fireworks, Should We See It from the Side or the Bottom?” The beautiful melody woven by piano and strings is layered with DAOKO’s translucent vocals, exquisitely expressing the bittersweet feelings of a summer’s end romance.
Released in August 2017, it became a major hit, topping the Billboard Japan Hot 100 and gaining high popularity both in Japan and abroad.
It’s a recommended track for those who want to immerse themselves in fleeting yet beautiful summer memories, like fireworks.
StarmineDa-iCE
It’s a track with an impressive guitar sound that evokes the feeling of summer.
The lyrics, which portray the beauty of fireworks and a positive outlook on life, resonate deeply.
You could call it a refreshing song that celebrates the importance of trying again and again without fear of failure.
Released in August 2022 as Da-iCE’s 22nd single, the song garnered major attention—amassing 500 million plays on TikTok and winning an Excellence Award at the 64th Japan Record Awards.
It’s a tune that Gen Z can relate to, perfect for moments when you want to revel in summer memories or motivate yourself.
Summer IllusionOmoinotake
A song by Omoinotake distinguished by its delicate piano sound.
The lyrics, which depict the bittersweet feelings of love at the end of summer, and the emotional vocals really resonate.
Released in June 2020, the track was also used as the ending theme for the original drama “love ⇄ distance.” The background of being created around the theme of a romance where you “can’t touch” during the COVID-19 pandemic further deepens the song’s world.
It’s a sentimental piece you’ll want to listen to alone on a summer night—also perfect as background music for a drive.