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)
YUME WeatherShimatani Hitomi
It’s a warmhearted song that, curiously, brings to mind beautiful Japanese scenery.
It’s by the popular singer Hitomi Shimatani, who rose to fame with the hit “Amairo no Kami no Otome,” and it was released in 2003 as her 11th single.
It drew attention for being used as the ending theme of the TV anime Doraemon and the theme song of the film Doraemon: Nobita in the Wan-Nyan Spacetime Odyssey.
The light, breezy sound pairs perfectly with Shimatani’s rich, soaring vocals.
The latter half of the chorus has such a cool melody!
A bright, Japanese-style song. J-POP collection with a traditional Japanese taste (51–60)
Stars overtaking meToukyou Sukapara Daisu Ookesutora
Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, the ska band affectionately known as “Skapara.” They’ve produced numerous hits, including Beautiful Burning Forest featuring guest vocalist Tamio Okuda.
While catchy phrases like in that song are a hallmark of their sound, Oikoshiteku Hoshi is another track that shines with a similarly poppy vibe.
Written as the theme song for Kyoto Racecourse, which reopened in April 2023, this piece brims with an exhilarating sense of speed that perfectly matches the image of horse racing!
rainbow-coloredayaka
A healing song whose hopeful, courageous vocals and heartwarming melody brighten your morning mood.
The powerful yet gentle singing and the warm tones of the acoustic guitar evoke a resilient, forward-looking spirit that won’t yield to any hardship.
Released as Ayaka’s single in June 2014 and written as the theme song for the NHK morning drama series “Hanako to Anne,” this piece is recommended for anyone who wants to start a new day with a positive mindset.
Set it as your alarm, and from the moment you wake up, you’ll feel ready to move forward at your own pace, one step at a time.
TOKYOYUI
One of YUI’s signature songs where the anxieties and hopes of youth intertwine.
Released in February 2006, this track was issued as the lead single from the album FROM ME TO YOU.
The lyrics, inspired by her experience moving to Tokyo at age 17, vividly depict the courage and confusion of stepping into a new environment.
The warm tones of the acoustic guitar and YUI’s clear, transparent vocals gently resonate with listeners.
It’s a song that softly encourages those starting a new chapter or standing before a big decision.
A refreshing yet powerful number that you’ll want to listen to with the arrival of spring.
To Those Who Know the Blue of the Skyaimyon
Aimyon, a songstress who represents the era from the end of Heisei into Reiwa.
This track, with its refreshing melody, features pleasant drum and acoustic guitar sounds, giving it a hint of nostalgia.
Listening to it on a rainy day can change that damp, heavy atmosphere.
And on slightly cloudy days, it perfectly matches the song’s worldview.
How about immersing yourself in its world while looking up at the sky?
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.