Hidden gems for wake-up songs: recommended popular tracks
This is a playlist of hidden gems in J-pop and J-rock that are perfect for waking up in the morning.
From breezy pop tunes that suit a fresh morning to hard rock tracks that blow away drowsiness, why not make your busy mornings more fulfilling by putting on some music?
- Wake-Up Song Rankings [2026]
- [Wake-Up Songs] Energetic and Uplifting! Japanese Pop/J-POP You’ll Want to Hear in the Morning
- Morning BGM: music that lets you start the day feeling refreshed
- Energizing songs recommended for women: songs that make you feel positive.
- [Cheer Song] A hidden gem that stirs the soul. A rallying anthem known to those in the know.
- A hidden gem known only to those in the know. A great J-pop/Japanese song.
- [For a Lovely Morning] A Collection of Vocaloid Wake-Up Songs
- Songs that hype you up in the morning
- Hidden gems and lesser-known songs by popular Japanese rock bands
- Recommended wake-up songs for high school students: classic and popular Japanese hits
- Recommended wake-up songs for college students: classic and popular Japanese hits
- [Alarm Clock] A Collection of Japanese Songs to Listen to on a Day Off Morning [Healing]
- Masterpieces to listen to in the morning. Special morning songs that give a boost to the start of your day.
Hidden gems among wake-up songs. Recommended popular tracks (1–10)
Somewhere today as wellOda Kazumasa
Released in 2011, the song “Kyou mo Dokokade” (“Somewhere Today, Too”) is included on Kazumasa Oda’s eighth album, “Domo.” It’s a famous track that was also chosen as the theme song for Fuji TV’s “Mezamashi TV.” Oda was the leader and vocalist of the former band Off Course.
SunshineYūsuke
Yusuke’s “Sunshine” was released in 2014.
“Yusuke” is a stage name used by Yusuke Kamiji for his singing career.
The song’s music video is set as a story taking place five years after the 2009 debut single “Himawari.”
Hello,world!BUMP OF CHICKEN
“Hello, world!” is BUMP OF CHICKEN’s 24th single, released in 2015.
It includes a hidden track called “Omar” that is irresistible for BUMP OF CHICKEN fans.
Hidden gems of alarm clock songs: Recommended popular tracks (11–20)
Map of the SunMISIA
MISIA’s “Map of the Sun” is included on her eighth album, EIGHTH WORLD, released in 2008.
Above all, the lyrics are wonderful.
The message that each day, you are your most beautiful self is fantastic, and the song was even chosen as the theme for the TV program Mezamashi TV.
Irie Got ~A Poem of Thanks~Def Tech
Irie Got ~Arigatou no Uta~ sung by the two members of Def Tech was a project to create a “Thank You Song” for Fuji TV’s Mezamashi TV.
The two traveled around the country searching through letters sent in from all over Japan and crafted lyrics that matched them.
A wonderful tomorrowMatsuda Seiko
“A Wonderful Tomorrow” is Seiko Matsuda’s 57th single, released in 2002.
The 57th single—impressive! It really shows her long career.
As the theme song for Fuji TV’s “Mezamashi TV,” it brightened up mornings in living rooms across Japan.
Brand New Days Will Love YouJUJU
JUJU’s “Brand New Days Will Love You” is included on her sixth album, “What You Want,” released in 2015.
It’s said that the name JUJU comes from Wayne Shorter’s album “JuJu,” and her real first name is Jun.