[Hidden Gem] Japanese Songs You'll Want to Share with Someone Right Now
Beyond the trendy songs you often hear on TV or around town, and the tracks tied in with dramas or anime that everyone knows, there are also hidden gems—songs from before an artist got big or tracks without any tie-ins.
This time, we’ll introduce those hidden masterpieces that are especially popular among the artists’ fans.
Many of these songs don’t get much TV exposure, but they’re well-known among fans—once you listen, you’re sure to get hooked! If you haven’t been exploring or adding new music lately and want something fresh to listen to, this is for you.
I hope you find a new favorite track!
- A hidden gem known only to those in the know. A great J-pop/Japanese song.
- Memorable masterpieces. Recommended popular songs.
- [Classic and Contemporary Hits] Emotionally Stirring, Heart-Touching Songs
- A catchy tune that sounds familiar
- [Tearjerker] Songs that make your heart tremble with tears & moving tracks with lyrics that touch the soul
- Hidden gems of love songs. Recommended popular tracks.
- Hidden gems and lesser-known songs by popular Japanese rock bands
- Hidden gems among tear-jerker songs. Recommended popular tracks.
- Hidden gems of inspirational songs. Recommended popular tracks.
- Hidden gems of healing songs. Recommended popular tracks
- [Cheer Song] A hidden gem that stirs the soul. A rallying anthem known to those in the know.
- [Songs with Great Lyrics] Masterpieces you’ll want to listen to while savoring the words that resonate with your heart
- Nothing but masterpieces! Hit songs from the Reiwa era that are perfect for background music
[Hidden Gems] Japanese Masterpieces You’ll Want to Tell Someone About Right Now (161–170)
The DayShimizu Shota
Shota Shimizu, a hugely popular male R&B singer.
“The Day” is included on his fourth album, “Naturally,” released in 2012.
The song expresses a vow to spend a lifetime with a loved one.
It’s perfect as wedding background music.
A melody instead of a bouquetShimizu Shota
With a gospel-inspired arrangement, it delivers a heartfelt ode to pure love.
“Hanataba no Kawari ni Melody wo” (A Melody Instead of a Bouquet) is singer-songwriter Shota Shimizu’s 20th single, released in 2015.
At the time of its release, it was used as the theme song for the drama “Designer Baby: Detective Hayami, A Difficult Case Before Maternity Leave.” The song drew renewed attention in 2021 after a much-discussed performance on the hugely popular YouTube channel THE FIRST TAKE.
It’s a track that showcases authentic R&B—often cited as a core part of Shota Shimizu’s musical roots.
The Wind, the Clouds, and MeKumagai Sachiko
This is the fifth single by singer-songwriter Sachiko Kumagai, who studied music while working as a secretary at a foreign-owned shipping company during her amateur days and was hailed as a genius for her distinctive style.
Chosen as the theme song for the TV drama “Natsuko no Sake,” it became a hit that brought wide recognition to Kumagai, who was active in multiple fields including songwriting for others.
Her clear, translucent vocals and somewhat nostalgic melody, paired with uplifting lyrics, are sure to leave you feeling refreshed.
It’s a pop tune that never loses its luster with time and soothes the fatigue of daily life just by listening.
Become a shadowTanaka Yuri
Yuri Tanaka, the vocalist of Blu-Swing—a nu-jazz band active on Japan’s jazz scene since the 2000s—is also active as a solo singer.
In 2022, she released a cover of Kage ni Natte, a song written by Yumi Matsutoya.
The arrangement transforms the moody original into a resonant AOR sound.
Her crystalline vocals, which narrate a story unfolding in a somewhat mysterious world, are sure to linger in your ears.
It’s a song that paints a sentimental nighttime scene, evoking nostalgic landscapes.
The Last NightAikawa Nanase
Nanase Aikawa’s “Saigo no Yoru” (The Last Night) is a song set at dawn that depicts a couple’s breakup.
It was originally produced as the B-side to “LIKE A HARD RAIN” and was later included on an album.
However, in both cases, the accompanying track became such a big hit that “Saigo no Yoru” came to be regarded as a hidden gem.
I hope you’ll pay attention to the lyrics, which conjure vivid scenes as if you were reading a novel, and to her expressively rich vocals.
Tangerine-Colored Summer VacationFukuyama Masaharu
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.
Plastic LoveTakeuchi Mariya
This is the 12th single by singer-songwriter Mariya Takeuchi, known as an iconic artist in Japanese city pop, which has been attracting renewed attention in recent years.
Among Takeuchi’s songs, it is especially popular and has been covered by many artists, including Tatsuro Yamashita, who handled the arrangement and production.
With its urban-feel guitar comping and funky 16-beat rhythm, the ensemble is a superb showcase of city pop’s allure.
It’s a classic that draws you in with its cool arrangement and has become a staple in live performances.