[Hidden Gem] Japanese Songs You'll Want to Share with Someone Right Now

Tangerine-Colored Summer VacationFukuyama Masaharu

Masaharu Fukuyama – Tangerine-Colored Summer Vacation (Fukuyama☆Great Summer Founding Festival, Inasayama)

Towering cumulonimbus clouds floating in the blue sky… It’s a nostalgic, refreshing number that conjures up a summer landscape.

It’s a song by Masaharu Fukuyama, a musician who is also active as an actor, included on his 2001 album “f.” A rearranged version released in 2015 was used as the theme song for the film “Being Like an Ant.” The warm sound, gentle melodic lines, and vocals fit together perfectly.

The lyrics, written based on Fukuyama’s memories from elementary school, are highly relatable.

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Araki Jakkan

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Blue JasmineYonezu Kenshi

[Kenshi Yonezu] Blue Jasmine (Guitar Cover) [With Chord Chart]

It’s a heartwarming love song packed tight with the feeling, “As long as you’re here, I’ll be okay.” It’s a track by singer-songwriter Kenshi Yonezu, who has produced numerous hit songs like “Lemon” and “Kanden,” and it’s included on his third album, Bremen, released in 2015.

The straightforward words and a melody line that feels as if it’s pouring straight from the heart are striking.

Precisely because the arrangement is so unadorned, it makes you think, “He really means it.”

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Araki Jakkan

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Be StrongNishino Kana

Kana Nishino Be Strong LIVE PV (High-Quality Video, High-Quality Audio)

This song is included on Kana Nishino’s fourth original album, Love Place, and was released in 2012.

It served as the lead track from the album and was featured in Honda’s “Honda meets Music” commercial.

The lyrics are striking for expressing a woman’s strong resolve to move on from a broken heart.

You and ISuzuki Ranran

Ranan Suzuki – You and Me

It’s a song that Ranran Suzuki sang on the children’s show “Ponkikkies.” The lyrics and music are by Epo, who also joins on backing vocals.

It really feels like a song that’s very Epo.

Ranran Suzuki, who was positioned as a “baradoru” (variety-idol) at the time, is also a very good singer.

Her androgynous vibe fits this song perfectly.

The scat section makes you want to sing along.

Stalker’s Song: 3rd Block, Your HouseAbe Mao

Stalker’s Song

When you think of Mao Abe, she’s a singer-songwriter known for hit love songs like “I Want to Be Your Girlfriend” and uplifting anthems like “Believe in yourself.” An unexpected track from her is “Stalker’s Song ~3rd Block, Your House~.” The title alone gives off a bit of obsessive-love vibes, but when you actually listen, the song’s feel is super catchy and pop.

That said, the lyrics go so far as to steal a phone tree from the teachers’ office…

Even so, thanks to its catchy sound and her bright vocals, it’s a fun listen—truly a hidden gem!

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Hane Keisuke

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secret baseTakahata Kozue

secret base

This is a song by Kozue Takada, a singer-songwriter from Ibaraki Prefecture.

It was released in 2005 as her second single.

The lyrics and melody evoke childhood memories and create a nostalgic mood.

It was used as the ending theme for the anime Eureka Seven.

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Araki Jakkan

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spring breezeyuzu

Harukaze

A spring song by Yuzu released in 2007! It’s a collaboration with violinist Taro Hakase.

This poignant ballad evokes early spring as winter comes to an end.

It opens with delicate guitar tones, then gradually builds into powerfully strummed guitar and soaring vocals that convey hope for the coming spring.

Hakase’s solo in the interlude is another highlight.

In fact, “Harukaze” is a hidden gem that dates back to their street-performing days.

Treasured ever since those early times, it’s a song filled with memories for fans.

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Tani Satoko

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