Recommended wake-up songs for high school students: classic and popular Japanese hits

Frenzy Hey Kids!!THE ORAL CIGARETTES

Noragami ARAGOTO OP theme THE ORAL CIGARETTES “Kyouran Hey Kids!!” Music Video

Released in 2015 as the fourth single, it was used as the opening theme for the UHF anime Noragami Aragoto.

The lyrics are structured like wordplay, and the song makes dramatic shifts in tone, making it a very memorable and distinctive track.

Perfect-Sense DreamerONE OK ROCK

ONE OK ROCK "The Totally Sensational Dreamer"

It kicks into the intro from a long drum fill-in, and by the 30-second mark your spirits are lifted.

The unison of instruments and vocals in the A section feels pleasant.

The vocalist’s shouts are satisfying to listen to.

In any case, it’s a good track to play when you want to wake yourself up.

A Little Love SongMONGOL800

MONGOL800 / A Small Love Song

Listening to “Chiisana Koi no Uta” in the morning can blow away your sleepiness.

It’s a classic among classics, a masterpiece among masterpieces.

It was performed at Fuji Rock in 2018.

No matter how many years pass after its release, a good song is still good.

Many artists, both professional and amateur, have covered it.

Blue Springback number

back number – Aoi Haru (full)

This rock number by back number is characterized by its strummed guitars and exhilarating, fast-paced sound.

While wrestling with one’s own shortcomings, the down-to-earth message of desperately trying to keep looking forward carries a heat that can ignite the listener’s heart.

Released in November 2012 as the band’s seventh single, it was chosen as the theme song for the drama “High School Entrance Exam” starring Masami Nagasawa, and also drew attention as the band’s first self-produced work.

For high school students feeling the pressure of daily studies and club activities, why not turn to this song when you hit a wall and use it as strength to push through? It’s sure to rouse a discouraged heart.

NonfictionsDa-iCE

Da-iCE / “Nonfictions” Music Video

This is a song by Da-iCE that I want high school students who are feeling tired from studying for exams to listen to.

Chosen as the theme song for 2025’s Nettou Koshien, its driving sound and emotional melody are sure to boost your concentration while you study.

The lyrics also carry a passionate message: “Everyone is the protagonist of the drama that is their own life.” I think it’s the perfect cheer song for those who want to give their all to both club activities and studying.

Just break the limit!UVERworld

UVERworld　『Just break the limit!』

A powerful UVERworld track that inspires with a bold message: don’t set your own limits.

Released in June 2008 on a double A-side single that included “Gekidou,” this song was also chosen as the support anthem for Pocari Sweat’s “Bukatsu no Tenshi” campaign.

Its catchy, sing-along melody and exhilarating sense of speed are irresistible.

It’s also included on the album AwakEVE, capturing the band’s momentum as they push toward the next stage.

When you feel crushed by mock exam results or daily pressure, it has the energy to fire you up—reminding you, “You can do more.” It’s an empowering anthem we hope every exam taker who wants to break their limits and seize success will listen to.

Future ProjectionRyukku to soine gohan

Rucksack and Cuddle-Sleep Meal / Blueprint of the Future [Lyric Video]

Ryoku to Soinene Gohan have been winning over listeners with lyrics that affirm everyday, subtle feelings and a warm sound.

This track, driven by a sense of speed and a solid, grounded vocal, stays close to a heart where anxiety and hope intertwine, giving you a powerful push forward.

It affirms all the effort you’ve put in so far and gives you the courage to step into a new season—perfect for anyone facing a make-or-break moment.

Released ahead of its inclusion on the March 2024 album “Terminal,” the song was written as a tie-in for Otsuka Pharmaceutical’s Calorie Mate campaign supporting exam-takers, “Dear Us on the Day Before the Exam.” Listen to it on the anxious night before your test, and it’s sure to give you the strength to look ahead.