A bright, Japanese-style song. A roundup of J-POP with a traditional Japanese flair.
Many people probably enjoy J-pop that incorporates Japanese flavors, such as sounds featuring traditional instruments or songs composed with the yo-nuki (pentatonic) scale.
There’s also demand for using Japanese-style tracks as wedding or video BGM.
In this article, we’ll introduce a selection of recommended, upbeat Japanese-style songs all at once!
If you’ve been looking for tracks to use as BGM or simply new songs to listen to, please use the selections below as a reference!
- [Japan] A collection of J-pop with a traditional Japanese (wa) vibe and Japanese-style taste
- [Japanese-style BGM] Beautiful tones woven from Japanese tradition
- [Japanese-style Piano Pieces] A selection of recommended works with a pleasantly Japanese flavor
- Recommended upbeat dance songs. Perfect for performances or entertainment!
- A bright, Japanese-style song. A roundup of J-POP with a traditional Japanese flair.
- A collection of bright, cute songs: recommended tracks to lift your mood
- Nothing but masterpieces! Hit songs from the Reiwa era that are perfect for background music
- A bright love song. A positive and happy romance song.
- Upbeat, bright songs: a collection of tracks that lift your mood when you listen
- [J-POP] I want to listen to songs with impressive, beautiful piano tones! Recommended piano cover tracks
- Stylish songs that are popular and recommended for vlog background music
- Now’s the time to listen! Uplifting Showa-era songs that brightened Japan
- [J-Pop] Bright, upbeat songs recommended for weddings
A bright, Japanese-inspired song. J-POP compilation with a traditional Japanese taste (41–50)
premonitionSUPER BEAVER
SUPER BEAVER’s popular song “Yokan” (“Premonition”).
Its composition evokes old-school youth punk, and the straightforward lyrics are deeply moving.
The vocalist’s moderately high tone makes it accessible even for those who aren’t into rock.
The refreshing melody and rhythm are catchy and will make you want to hum along.
Listen to it while running or driving, and you’re sure to have a exhilarating time.
Moonlit Horizon[Alexandros]
![Moonlit Horizon[Alexandros]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Z58NJIjdp8c/sddefault.jpg)
The exhilarating guitar tones and bouncy rhythm are irresistible.
It’s a song by the four-piece rock band [Alexandros].
It was released in 2019 as a digital-only single.
Since it was used in a commercial, many people have probably heard it.
The sense of openness in the chorus is classic [Alexandros].
By the way, there’s also an alternative arrangement called the “chill out ver.”
Bright and clear!ikimonogakari
It’s a bright, energetic track that evokes a refreshing summer sky.
Released digitally by Ikimonogakari in July 2024, it was chosen as the opening theme for the anime “Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin.” The light, upbeat rhythm and Kiyoe Yoshioka’s clear, expansive vocals are delightful—just listening to it feels energizing.
The message to “survive” resonates deeply and gives you the courage to look ahead.
Perfect for morning jogs or your commute to work or school.
It’s a song I’d love you to play when you want to refresh your mood—you’ll feel ready to start the day on a bright note.
to blossom; to bloom (literally: flowers smiling). Often used poetically to describe flowers blooming or a gentle, smiling expression like a flower.sumi ka
This is a song that delivers a refreshing feeling, as if announcing the arrival of spring.
Released in March 2022, it was created as the first installment of a project by the music SNS app “nana” and the creator collective “Co-Writing Farm.” Sumika’s clear, translucent vocals and the driving, uplifting sound resonate pleasantly.
The lyrics, which sing about the importance of living true to yourself and the courage to take a new step forward, feel like a gentle push during the spring season.
Recommended for those starting a new chapter in life or anyone looking to refresh their mood.
Listening to this track makes you feel as if you’re wrapped in the warmth of spring.
Maybe the wind.Sakanakushon
This is a work by Sakanaction, an electronic band known for releasing many highly original, high-sense tracks.
It was released in 2016 as their 12th single.
Chosen as the song for a Shiseido TV commercial, it became a hot topic.
It’s a four-on-the-floor number that gives you a strange sensation—as if a visible breeze were sweeping through you, even though you’re just listening to music.
On days when a refreshing wind is blowing, add this to your playlist and head out.
It’ll be a perfect fit.
All of the YouthFujifaburikku
Shimamura’s distinctive vocals are striking against the gently moist, mid-tempo accompaniment.
Even long after its release, its popularity shows no sign of fading.
It has a tender, refreshing quality that slowly seeps into the heart.
It’s an unforgettable song that especially resonates when you listen to it alone on your way home in the evening.
As the lyrics suggest, it’s also very popular as a song people want to hear at the end of summer.
breakfastMrs. GREEN APPLE
A buoyant pop number that’s perfect for starting your day.
This track by Mrs.
GREEN APPLE rides on a refreshing melody, singing about the small shifts of the heart and forward-looking energy in everyday life.
Motoki Omori’s clear vocals and the vivid sound will give listeners courage.
Released in June 2025, it was used as the theme song for Fuji TV’s morning information program “Sun! Shine” starting in March 2025.
If you listen when you’re ready to take on a challenge, it’s sure to give you a boost—and it’s great for a change of pace, too.