[J-Pop] A Collection of Japanese Songs with Difficult/Technical Guitar Parts [2026]
Guitarists who breeze through technical playing… so cool, right?
If you’ve found your way to this article, chances are you’ve been blown away by jaw-dropping tapping, cutting, or sweeping at some point.
This time, we’ve put together a list of Japanese songs with seriously challenging guitar parts.
From power-packed tunes by rock bands to acoustic numbers by solo guitarists, we’ve picked a wide range!
Will you discover that one track that hits you right in the heart?
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[J-Pop] A Collection of Japanese Songs with Difficult/Technical Guitar Parts [2026] (1–10)
OSCAToukyou Jihen
This is the fourth single by Tokyo Jihen, a five-piece rock band led by singer-songwriter Ringo Sheena, in which every member boasts exceptional performance skills both as a composer and as a player.
While each part delivers a memorable phrase, the ensemble comes together as one, showcasing the band’s high caliber and playful spirit.
The eccentric guitar lines defy expectations, matching the impact of the vocals without being overshadowed, and adding flair to the track.
In addition, the sudden mid-song beat change leading into a brief guitar solo offers a taste of high-difficulty guitar work that would be challenging to replicate.
S.D.I.LOUDNESS
A song by LOUDNESS, the metal band known as a living legend in the Japanese metal scene that drew worldwide attention with the feat of being the first Japanese artists to perform at Madison Square Garden.
It opens their 7th album, HURRICANE EYES, and remains a staple of their live shows today.
With features like wild boss hand-tapping beneath the vocals and a guitar solo that barrels through with impeccably precise speed picking, anyone who loves technical guitar playing will be amped up without question.
It’s a classic of Japanese metal whose guitar work has understandably influenced guitarists overseas.
frecklesJUDY AND MARY
Known by abbreviations like JudyMariu or JAM, this is the ninth single by the four-piece rock band JUDY AND MARY, who have maintained a devoted fanbase even after disbanding in 2001.
It was used as the first opening theme for the TV anime Rurouni Kenshin -Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story-, and with the band’s momentum boosted by the anime’s popularity, it became a huge hit that sold over a million copies.
The song showcases technically impressive guitar work, from the eccentric intro riff to the oblique lines that assert their presence while highlighting the vocals.
With jazzy phrases appearing midway through, it’s a quintessentially JUDY AND MARY track whose richly varied structure is truly outstanding.
[J-Pop/J-Rock] A Collection of Japanese Songs with Difficult/Technical Guitar Parts [2026] (11–20)
Start Our JourneyHAGANE
HAGANE delivers epic melodic speed metal that captivates with overwhelming performance skills and meticulous arrangements.
Guitarist Sakura’s jaw-dropping virtuosity will leave viewers stunned.
Her blistering playing—deploying every technique from sweep picking and tapping to string skipping—reaches truly godlike levels.
Featured on the album “TOP OF THE TOWER,” this piece was released in December 2024 as a passionately crafted track.
Sakura, who also appeared as a guitarist in Suntory’s Craft Boss commercial, goes beyond sheer technical display; her performance deeply enhances the song’s emotional expression.
A must-listen not only for metal fans but for any music lover fascinated by guitar technique.
absolute zeronatori
Natori’s opening theme for the TV anime “WIND BREAKER” delivers a sense of breakneck speed through fierce guitar technique and a driving rock sound.
Despite its ultra-fast BPM of 221, it blends highly sophisticated rhythm guitar—packed with intricate cutting phrases and heavy muting—with lead parts that make extensive use of octave playing, all in exquisite balance.
The production features Jin—also known as a Vocaloid producer—on arrangement and guitar.
With its modern chord progression moving from a IV major to a III7 and then to a vi minor, the track is a bona fide guitarist’s nightmare in terms of difficulty.
It was released digitally in April 2024, followed by an 8cm CD release in May.
Highly recommended not only for guitar-savvy listeners but for all music fans who are captivated by technical playing.
THE REASON WE FIGHTGALNERYUS
Known for their dramatic sound and stunning high-tone vocals, GALNERYUS included this track on their album “THE STARS WILL LIGHT THE WAY,” released in September 2024.
From neoclassical guitar riffs to high-speed tapping and sweep picking, the song is packed throughout with guitarist SYU’s technical playing at its peak.
Even within its melodious phrases, the piece features numerous challenging sections that employ arpeggios and legato techniques, making it a work that truly embodies the essence of GALNERYUS.
Featured as the opening track of their 20th-anniversary album, it’s a must-listen not only for heavy metal fans but also for musicians pursuing technical guitar playing.
NOTOKHitorie
An ambitious work by HITORIE that captivates guitarists with its delicate chord progressions and intricate rhythmic patterns.
Included on the album “Friend Chord,” this track is a landmark piece produced from previously unreleased material by former vocalist wowaka.
The fleeting key change at 1:32 and the seamless return to the original key make the guitar parts exceptionally beautiful, showcasing a virtuosic performance that delicately weaves together arpeggios and tapping.
Released as a CD single in November 2024, it was also included on the album “Friend Chord” on November 27 of the same year.
Positioned as the culmination of their 10th major-label anniversary, this is a highly recommended track for those who want to take on high-level guitar playing or savor a finely crafted musical structure.