Lovely birthday

Recommended Japanese birthday songs to give on someone's birthday

POPS writer/editorKEI
Since discovering music during my school days, I’ve mainly listened to Japanese and Korean pop. I have experience writing articles for sites like Utaten. 2000s J-pop and 2010s K-pop were especially the soundtrack of my youth. With the mindset that “good is good,” I enjoy music across genres. Thanks to past work environments and their influence, I was exposed to lots of classic rock and kayōkyoku (Japanese popular songs), which may have broadened the scope of what I love. At RAG MUSIC, I currently focus on K-pop and J-pop. I strive to edit with a feel for the scene and an eye for hit potential.
Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICHane Keisuke
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. After working in a music studio and handling wedding sound, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with a variety of instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in junior high school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on my own musical activities and the experience gained through my work, I produce daily articles, including various song introductions, features on music festivals around the country, and live reports. In music, I enjoy not only rock from Japan and abroad but, lately, a wide range of J-pop as well.

Family, partners, friends—and of course your own birthday—each only comes once a year, so you want to make it a wonderful day, right?

In this article, we’ll introduce Japanese birthday songs you’ll want to listen to and give as gifts.

From timeless classics to tunes that truly touch the heart, we’ve gathered a wide range of birthday songs.

Whether you’re celebrating someone special or sending a message to yourself as you start a new year, try singing or gifting these songs.

They’re also perfect for spicing up a birthday party or using as a BGM playlist!

Wishing you a wonderful year ahead.

J-Pop songs I want to give for a birthday (101–110)

Tears Surprise!AKB48

[MV full] Namida Surprise! / AKB48 [Official]

Tears Surprise!AKB48

I imagine many people feel, “My birthday has really come,” when they hear this song.

It’s the perfect track for birthdays that makes both the ones being celebrated and those doing the celebrating feel happy.

Using this song for a birthday surprise will make the day fun and bright.

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Birthday SongGoose house

Birthday Song / Goose house (original)

Birthday SongGoose house

This is Goosehouse’s original song “Birthday Song.” It was included on the album “Goose house Phrase #03 Wandering,” released digitally on June 3, 2012.

Sung gently with just one acoustic guitar, it’s a tender number with beautiful harmonies.

Not only does it work perfectly as a birthday song, but it’s also ideal for weddings—a heartwarming love song about mutual feelings.

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HAPPY BIRTHDAYOKAMOTO’S

OKAMOTO’S　『HAPPY BIRTHDAY』

HAPPY BIRTHDAYOKAMOTO'S

A song by OKAMOTO’S that contemplates life and the flow of time.

It’s included on their 2014 album “Let It V,” and under the production of Shigeru Kishida from Quruli, it became a work where the band’s unique character rides on a solid groove.

The many repeated celebratory phrases seem to symbolize bonds that deepen over time.

It’s a song that makes you want to treasure human connections, as if reflecting on life through a birthday celebration.

Also recommended as background music to express gratitude to family, partners, and friends.

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Happy birthdayPUFFY

PUFFY “Happy Birthday” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

Happy birthdayPUFFY

A pop number that can be a source of comfort in tough times.

It was released in 2011, the 15th anniversary of their debut.

PUFFY set lyrics to a warm, gentle melody line created in collaboration with a Swedish artist.

The lyrics, packed with the joy of spending each day like a special anniversary, small happinesses, and gratitude for the loved ones who are always by your side, are truly moving.

It’s a perfect song to give to friends, partners, or family on their birthdays—and also to listen to on your own birthday to find the courage to start a new year.

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A bouquet of flowers with loveSuperfly

Superfly “A Bouquet With Love” Music Video

A bouquet of flowers with loveSuperfly

A song that peaked at No.

13 on the Oricon charts claimed the No.

1 spot on the download chart for three consecutive weeks.

You can really feel the shift in music’s main medium from CDs to digital distribution and downloads.

It’s practically guaranteed to be used in touching scenes on TV—truly one of Superfly’s signature tracks.

Lately, I often hear it as wedding BGM too! The lyrics are simply about giving flowers instead of words, but this bouquet is filled with so many feelings.

It’s a must-have track for birthday party BGM.

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Taki no namida pin ku

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Japanese songs I want to give on a birthday (111–120)

Sweet Happy Birthdaytsuji ayano

Ayano Tsuji / Sweet Happy Birthday [VIDEO MUSIC AYA~NO 2009]

Sweet Happy Birthdaytsuji ayano

This is a birthday song by Ayano Tsuji, a singer-songwriter and ukulele musician.

It was used as the ending theme for Niigata TV 21’s “Music to Hige” in December 2006.

As part of the project “VIDEO MUSIC AYA~NO 2009,” held to commemorate the 10th anniversary of her debut, she personally selected, announced, and awarded the best music video.

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Kanreki Celebration SongSen Masao

Kanreki Celebration Song (Masao Sen) kawa

Kanreki Celebration SongSen Masao

During the bubble era, Masao Sen was known as the “singing real estate king” and the “hotel king,” but he later went bankrupt.

Even his trademark mole has since been removed.

As its title suggests, this song is a celebration of turning sixty.

How about gifting this song to someone who’s about to celebrate their 60th birthday?

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