Hit J-Pop songs of 2014: recommended classics and popular tracks
AKB48, EXILE, Golden Bomber, Tohoshinki, JUJU, Kana Nishino…
From among the many famous and popular songs that colored the 2014 J-POP hit charts, we’ve selected hit tracks recommended by our studio staff.
It’s a luxurious playlist packed with Heisei-era blockbuster numbers.
Playlist
| 2014 Japanese hit songs | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1east | DarlingNishino Kana |  play_arrow | Lastly, this person: Kana Nishino. She is a young... |
| 2east | Snow Magic FantasySEKAI NO OWARI |  play_arrow | Representing Japan and affectionately known by the nickname 'SekaOwa'... |
| 3east | Why not? / Who cares? / It’s all good.Janīzu WEST |  play_arrow | This group, formed by members from the Kansai region, is the cu… |
| 4east | THE REVOLUTIONEXILE TRIBE |  play_arrow | They're a kind of younger-brother group to EXILE, but their popularity… |
| 5east | R.Y.U.S.E.I.Sandaime Jē Sōru Burazāzu fromu Eguzairu Toraibu |  play_arrow | What commands overwhelming popularity among young people in rural areas is... |
| 6east | silhouetteKANA-BOON |  play_arrow | A NARUTO theme song that portrays growth and resolve |
| 7east | Last sceneJUJU |  | Japan’s music scene is tied to cable broadcasting, so you can make requests, and… |
| 8east | I can only face forwardAKB48 |  play_arrow | A hit song praised as an AKB48 ‘god-tier’ track! Da… |
| 9east | NEW HORIZONEXILE |  play_arrow | As the original trailblazers of dance performance groups, ... |
| 10east | We ate cherry blossoms together.HKT48 |  play_arrow | This group is based in Hakata, Fukuoka... |
| 11east | Another FutureJUDY AND MARY |  play_arrow | |
| 12east | Falling (feat. Taka)JINTAKA |  play_arrow | An inspiring musical collaboration between Jin and Taka |
| 13east | A box without a keyKinKi Kids |  play_arrow | They’re a duo who are still active and going strong… |
| 14east | Footsteps ~ Be StrongMr.Children |  play_arrow | A rock act that represents Japan and has been active for decades... |
| 15east | The Apple on a High BranchNMB48 |  play_arrow | Osaka’s version of AKB is this NMB48. |
| 16east | What is the future?SKE48 |  play_arrow | And this one is also an idol group that’s like a little sister to AKB… |
| 17east | stylishSMAP |  play_arrow | Personally, I feel like SMAP’s singles don’t sell as much as they used to... |
| 18east | ER2Eitorenjā |  play_arrow | For a song by an idol group, this track is kind of... |
| 19east | The 101st CurseGōruden Bonbā |  play_arrow | This band is a famous air… that has been popular for many years. |
| 20east | Your smiling face is like the sun / There’s no one who can replace you / What is LOVE?Mōningu Musume ’14 |  play_arrow | The most popular female idol group when I was young… |
| 21east | How many times has the blue sky appeared?Nogizaka 46 |  play_arrow | A female idol group following AKB, Nogi... |
| 22east | GUTS！arashi |  play_arrow | The artist who will sell big after AKB is this o... |
| 23east | Sweat／AnswerTōhōshinki |  play_arrow | Lately, Korean groups have stopped selling well in Japan... |
| 24east | Promise of SunflowersHata Motohiro |  play_arrow | This song was also extremely popular on cable music channels throughout the year... |
| 25east | rainbow-coloredayaka |  play_arrow | As a female artist, she has established a unique position... |
| 26east | a windfall; an unexpected piece of good luck (literally, “rice cakes falling from a shelf”)busai-ku |  play_arrow | Even though he's an idol from Johnny & Associates, glue... |
| 27east | AinoArika / If You Love, Life Gets HappierHey! Say! JUMP |  play_arrow | This group is also a popular act from Johnny & Associates… |
| 28east | In FactKAT-TUN |  play_arrow | A troublemaker within Johnny & Associates... |
| 29east | Head over heels for youSexy Zone |  play_arrow | Johnny & Associates has produced many male idols... |
| 30east | King of Men!Kanjani∞ |  play_arrow | An idol group with popularity rivaling SMAP and Arashi is... |
| 31east | Gera Gera Po SongKingu Kurīmusōda |  play_arrow | I didn’t know about this group or their song, but… |
| 32east | Let It Go ~As I Am~Matsu Takako |  play_arrow | This song was the most popular one on cable radio. Matsu… |
| 33east | Labrador RetrieverAKB48 |  play_arrow | The biggest hit single of 2014 is this song... |