Get fired up for the hot season! Summer songs recommended for Gen Z

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!

Playlist

Get fired up for the hot season! Summer songs recommended for Gen Z
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Blue and SummerMrs. GREEN APPLE		Mrs. GREEN APPLE’s summery youth rock song
2	Scatter! Summer peopleYabai T-shatsu Yasan		Yabai T-Shirts Yasan’s summer song
3	sunflowerAdo		Walk on with hope and love like a sunflower
4	cotton candyback number		A summery youth-themed song by back number
5	fireworks (launched into the sky)DAOKO × Yonezu Kenshi		DAOKO and Kenshi Yonezu's Summer Love Song
6	StarmineDa-iCE		Da-iCE’s summer song. Singing about challenge and positivity.
7	Summer IllusionOmoinotake		Omoinotake’s heartrending love song
8	You and the summer music festivalSHISHAMO		A popular song that depicts the youthful romantic feelings of a summer music festival
9	Marigoldaimyon		A song by Aimyon that portrays the bittersweetness of summer
10	Ghost of the SeaYonezu Kenshi		Kenshi Yonezu’s movie theme song, a bittersweet summer memory
11	SummertimeFIVE NEW OLD		A song that expresses the fleeting nature of summer love
12	SUMMER TIMERADIO FISH		A song that fuses the refreshing feeling of summer with the exhilaration of romance
13	Coco☆NatsuMomoiro Kurōbā Zetto		A bright, summery song by Momoiro Clover Z
14	Ghost in the FlowersYorushika		A song depicting summer scenes and memories
15	motion sickness from proximitywanuka		A love song with a traditional Japanese flair becomes a big hit
16	ASOBONiziU		Let's enjoy everyday life with NiziU's songs!
17	HOT LIMITT.M.Revolution		T.M.Revolution Mitsuya Cider commercial song
18	Sea Breeze and SelfishnessHinatazaka46		A bittersweet love painted by the summer seaside
19	Love♡Scream!AiScReam		A summer song that likens feelings of love to sweet ice cream
20	A Long, Short FestivalShiina Ringo		A passionate dance tune for a summer night
21	Shadows of SummerMrs. GREEN APPLE		A poignant classic that colors the end of summer
22	Star-mineBegrazia		Begrazia new song release
23	Immoral SummerNogizaka 46		The impulses and worldview of a mature love that overcomes
24	sun-fadedHatsuboshi Gakuen		Lyrics brimming with youthful vibes from a mobile game track
25	Mahoro in SummerHarukamirai		A passionate rock song that captures the youth of summer
26	Naughty SunORANGE RANGE		ORANGE RANGE’s classic summer song
27	Season in the SunTUBE		TUBE’s signature song about summer love
28	SUMMER SONGYUI		YUI’s signature summer song is going viral on TikTok
29	fireworksaiko		aiko’s signature love songs
30	Summer is comingDaikoku Maki		Summer passion and a woman's conflict before marriage
31	Slow & EasyHirai Dai		Hirai Dai’s relaxing song conveys a view of the value of happiness
32	Atsuatsu Boogie BackSuzuki Suzuki		A summer anthem that hints at the beginning of a summer romance
33	Summer Ice Fade-Outsoshina		An introduction to a song that captures the loneliness and sparkle of summer’s end
34	Ocean living roomSuzuki Suzuki		Suzuki Suzuki’s popular songs that color the summer of the Reiwa era
35	Bluebirdikimonogakari		A song of freedom and determination to the blue sky
36	Full driveKANA-BOON		A four-on-the-floor beat track brimming with a sense of speed
37	lilacMrs. GREEN APPLE		Youthful rock sound, the resonance of blue and summer
38	We’ve gotta do what seems impossible.Sambomasutā		An anthem of encouragement for courage and hope to take on challenges
39	Burning FlowerHANA		A smash-hit summer dance track brimming with passion!
40	mermaidSuiyōbi no Campanella		Summer dance song of the mermaid and the prince
41	Somewhere in the summerWANIMA		A rock song that colors WANIMA’s summer
42	I am the strongest.Uta from ONE PIECE FILM RED		The theme song from the One Piece movie is very popular among elementary school students.
43	Super SummerNiziU		NiziU’s summer anthem: Blue Skies and Soda Pop
44	Midsummer day!Nogizaka 46		Nogizaka46’s bright summer tune, feelings of reunion
45	Bitter VacationMrs. GREEN APPLE		Gently speaking about the importance of resting
46	Naughty Sunorenji renji		ORANGE RANGE’s summer love song
47	July 1stHamasaki Ayumi		Ayumi Hamasaki’s summer songs color the season
48	rainbowFukuyama Masaharu		Masaharu Fukuyama’s exhilarating youth song
49	Live the summerRyokushokushakai		Expressing the vigor of summer and the radiance of youth
50	COCONUTNiziU		NiziU’s summer album “COCONUT” is refreshing.
51	Summer MadnessSandaime Jē Sōru Burazāzu fromu Eguzairu Toraibu		Summer EDM track, an exciting anthem!
52	mixMarushii		Google Pixel CM song, Marcy's heart-touching track
53	Ephemeral FireworksKamisama wa saikoro o furanai		A song like fireworks blooming in the summer night sky
54	This year for sure, a gyaru — early summer ver.hanabie		A song brimming with intense summer energy
55	Summer memories scented by the windAAA		A song that poignantly colors the memories of summer
56	Drowning in summerBocchi		Bocchi delivered a song themed around the end of summer.
57	Chilled Soba with Green OnionsCody Rī (Ri)		A song where memories of summer intersect with the city
58	Summer BikeFANTASTICS from EXILE TRIBE		FANTASTICS' new song, a summer youth melody
59	Emo-ish summerLucky Kilimanjaro		A summer love song with synths and claps
60	Summer Love AdvisorySHISHAMO		A refreshing love song that heralds the arrival of summer
61	sea glassSaucy Dog		Summer youth, memories of love, the thrill of running
62	Hot summerTHE JET BOY BANGERZ		A pop song that captures refreshing summer memories
63	Blue Hawaii Lemon≒JOY		A refreshing love song produced by Rino Sashihara
64	Summer has come.≠ME		Summer youth, ≠ME’s hot sound
65	Stars swimmakaroni enpitsu		Macaroni Enpitsu’s bittersweet summer song
66	NatsuneYuuri		A masterpiece that sings of the bittersweet emotions at the end of summer
67	Summertime CinderellaRyokushokushakai		A heartwarming song that depicts the bittersweet feelings of a summer love
68	Hi-FiveME:I		ME:I’s famous song that depicts memories of summer
69	Roco LotionORANGE RANGE		A refreshing summer anthem from Okinawa!
70	Sugar Song and Bitter StepUNISON SQUARE GARDEN		Abstract lyrics and refreshing pop rock are the appeal.
71	summer festivalWhiteberry		Memories of sparklers at a summer festival with my lover in a yukata
72	Glaring Summernaniwa danshi		A disco-style summer anthem arrives this summer!
73	Mela!Ryokushokushakai		A song that supports people who keep their passion burning
74	Let’s Go to the Sea (feat. PES)Lisa Halim		The pleasant rhythm of surf music
75	Paradise BabyRIP SLYME		A free-spirited love felt on a summer beach
76	Samama Festival!Mrs. GREEN APPLE		Mrs. GREEN APPLE's exhilarating summer classic
77	HIGH PRESSURET.M.Revolution		A refreshing summer song that reached No. 4 on the Oricon chart
78	Fanfaresumika		A song of courage to overcome hardships and step forward into a new self
79	In the Blueikimonogakari		A coming-of-age story about finding bonds with friends and discovering your true self
80	Blue HabitatKitanitatsuya		A refreshing song that portrays the bittersweet memories of youth
81	summer squallarashi		Yuzu’s Kitagawa to produce Koshien cheering song
82	sparkleFuji Kaze		A positive message about overcoming hardships with the one you love
83	All of the YouthFujifaburikku		Fujifabric’s classic song of youth
84	August 888 — This is way too much summerrisaitaruzu		Recitals’ Summer Song Introduction
85	ENDLESS SUMMER NUDEMagokoro Burazāzu		Magokoro Brothers’ summer love song from 1997