[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 Songs You'll Want to Share Right Now (31–40)
HugMrs. GREEN APPLE
When your heart feels like it’s about to be crushed by loneliness, this song might stay by your side.
It’s a track by the rock band Mrs.
GREEN APPLE, included on their first album “TWELVE,” released in 2016.
Its gently pulsing four-on-the-floor beat, tinged with a dreamy atmosphere, leaves a strong impression.
You’ll find yourself drawn in by the bittersweet tone and melody line.
For instance, when you can’t grasp the right distance with your partner and don’t know how to interact—this song might be there for you.
Rainbow-Colored WarSEKAI NO OWARI
This is a work from before SEKAI NO OWARI’s major debut, back when the band was still called “Sekai no Owari.” The current fantasy feel of their style is a bit subdued here, and the four-on-the-floor groove gives it a catchy, danceable vibe! Also, you don’t see Fukase singing while playing the guitar much these days, do you? It’s a hidden gem that deserves to be called a masterpiece, brimming with a different kind of charm from what they have now.
April windElefanto Kashimashi
This is the B-side track to the 1996 single “Kanashimi no Hate” (“At the End of Sorrow”).
It was the first 8-centimeter CD they released after being dropped by Sony and moving to a new label.
Among the works Elekashi was releasing at the time, it stands out as an unusually pop and gentle song.
True to the title “Shigatsu no Kaze” (“April Wind”), the lyrics are strikingly upbeat, evoking a vibrant April in full bloom rather than the bittersweet early spring.
Hiroji Miyamoto, who wrote the words and music, reportedly struggled with this stylistic shift, but it was well received by the staff around him and marked a step into new territory for Elekashi.
LetterSHE’S
This is a moving song that portrays conflict and growth in human relationships through a dialogue with oneself.
Its deep melody, where poignancy and warmth coexist, and its lyrics that delicately weave subtle emotions resonate deeply with listeners.
SHE’S released the track as a digital single in October 2019, and it is also included on their album Tragicomedy.
In 2020, it was featured as the commercial song for Nintendo’s game Animal Crossing: New Horizons and the Nintendo Switch Lite.
It’s a song I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone who wants to face the many emotions of life or who is struggling with relationships with loved ones.
I can’t put it into words well.yuzu
If you feel too shy to express your feelings to your partner, this song might help.
Created by the music duo Yuzu—known for hits like “Glory Bridge” and “Muscat”—it’s included on their eighth album, WONDERFUL WORLD, released in 2008.
It’s a heartrending love ballad that’s warm yet moving.
Listening to it will surely make you think, “I want to cherish the person who’s by my side right now.”
[Hidden Gems] Japanese Songs So Good You’ll Want to Tell Someone Right Away (41–50)
filmHoshino Gen
It’s a comforting song that feels like it captures small, everyday moments.
The relaxed rhythm and gentle melody intertwine beautifully, soothing the worries and loneliness of daily life.
Released in February 2012, it was written as the theme song for the film “The Woodsman and the Rain.” Gen Hoshino’s delicate vocals tenderly paint the memories reflected deep within eyes like frames of film.
For those who’ve seen the movie, it brings the entire story back to mind; for those who haven’t, it offers a standalone world to enjoy.
It’s a warm, heartfelt track you’ll want to listen to on a quiet night—alone or with someone you cherish.
Dream FireworksNovelbright
The rock band Novelbright rapidly gained recognition in 2019 through promotions that leveraged street performances and social media.
If you use TikTok, you’ve probably seen clips users uploaded of their street shows; conversely, those who don’t use TikTok might not be as familiar with them.
This song—adopted as a commercial theme for the mobile game app “Houchi Shoujo: Hyakka Ryouran no Mohime-tachi”—is a mid-tempo love ballad that showcases vocalist Yudai Takenaka’s exceptional singing ability.