Makes you want to play it! Japanese rock with the coolest guitar riffs
For guitarists, the spotlight—the very face of a song—is the guitar riff.
Songs with riffs that symbolize the track really stick in your memory, and many classic hits in the rock scene come hand in hand with amazing riffs!
In this article, we’ve rounded up a bunch of songs with killer guitar riffs.
Just listening to cool riffs is enough to get your blood pumping, but if you’re a guitarist, why not pick up your guitar and try playing along?
There aren’t just single-note phrases—there are riffs built around power chords and octaves too, so try tackling all kinds of riffs from different songs!
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Makes You Want to Play It! Japanese Rock with the Coolest Guitar Riffs (61–70)
Yoko of the Port, Yokohama, YokosukaDaun Taun Bugiugi Bando
A hit song by the Down Town Boogie Woogie Band that sparked a huge boom in 1975.
The line “Who are you to that girl, anyway?” even became a popular catchphrase.
The opening guitar riff remains striking even today.
When it was first released, this track was actually the B-side to ‘Kakkomann Boogie’ on the A-side.
INVERSIONSuspended 4th
Suspended 4th, a four-piece rock band known by the abbreviation “Sasfo” and famed for electrifying fans with the high-level musicianship honed through street performances.
Their track “INVERSION,” the title song of their seventh self-produced release, cranks up the energy with a tight ensemble that interlocks with the vocal melody.
The intro—backing parts layered over a single-note riff—creates a destructive, distinctly Suspended 4th-style sonority despite its simplicity.
It’s a modern, stylish rock tune that will make not only guitarists but players of other instruments want to take on the challenge.
todayyyyy[Alexandros]
![todayyyyy[Alexandros]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/OHbhyul0G5g/sddefault.jpg)
The emotional guitar riff leaves a strong impression.
It’s a song by the four-piece rock band [Alexandros].
Yohei Kawakami’s expansive vocals and the melodious sound make it a truly pleasant track.
Released in December 2023, it drew attention as a collaboration with the popular game Monster Strike.
The lyrics, which depict everyday life and the hope of chasing dreams, feel as if they’re speaking directly to you.
It’s a perfect feel-good anthem to blow away the blues and lift your spirits.
Be sure to play it with all you’ve got!
HandroidDAITA
A solo track by DAITA, known as a member of SIAM SHADE.
As one of Japan’s foremost technical guitarists, his playing is astonishingly precise.
The piece is centered around tapping, and in the intro you can hear a riff that darts about with dizzying speed.
ForceSuperfly
When it comes to Japanese rock with a guitar riff that sticks in your head, Superfly’s “Force” is a prime example.
It features a captivating riff that every guitarist will want to try playing at least once.
It also demands dynamic control, making it highly satisfying to play—perfect for those looking to sharpen their technique.
Match Shiho Ochi’s powerful vocals with solid playing, and give it your all.
Experience a new musical journey with “Force”!
COLD BEATZAZEN BOYS
ZAZEN BOYS’ tracks are captivating for their sharp tone, distinctive sense of rhythm, and an addictive musicality that hooks you after a single listen.
Within the cohesive band sound, the tight guitar riffs really electrify.
And you can fully immerse yourself in the mysterious lyrical world crafted by vocalist Hidetomo Mukai.
From uncanny, dreamlike images—like supernatural phenomena set against the shifting hours of dusk, midnight, or dawn—you’ll sense the extraordinary lurking within the everyday and the hidden mystique of moments that are easy to overlook.
This track is included on the 2004 album “ZAZEN BOYS II.”
CHAINSAW BLOODVaundy
Vaundy’s signature track “CHAINSAW BLOOD,” driven by percussive guitar strokes, features an aggressive riff that leaves an unforgettable impact after a single listen.
Chosen as an ending theme for the anime Chainsaw Man, it became a hot topic.
The dynamic soundscape built within the song overwhelms the listener and draws them into a downbeat journey.
It’s sure to capture the hearts of both music lovers and anime fans alike.