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 (51–60)
Ride on shooting starthe pillows
It’s a classic with a gleaming, jagged-toned guitar riff.
The snappy melody drifts along, and the dreamy lyrics deftly capture the feelings of youth.
“Ride on shooting star” was released as a single in April 2000 and became a hit as the ending theme for the anime FLCL.
Together with the anime’s appeal, it etched itself into the hearts of many.
It’s great to listen to while chatting with friends, and I also recommend singing it at home with a guitar in hand.
Give it a spin when you need a boost or want to push toward your dreams.
PearlTHE YELLOW MONKEY
It’s a rock number with a distinctive atmosphere and an impressive sense of drive.
It’s a song by THE YELLOW MONKEY, released in 2000.
The deep lyrics feel like a metaphor for a journey in search of something lost, and the worldview delicately portrays loneliness and emotional instability.
The striking guitar riff stands out within the band’s sound and has an addictive quality you won’t forget once you hear it.
The balance between the fast-paced sound and the melodic vocals is also exquisite.
It’s a perfect track for driving on the highway at night.
Be sure to give it a spin!
earnest desireSUPER BEAVER
A song by SUPER BEAVER featuring a guitar riff so catchy it’s guaranteed to loop in your head after just one listen.
With a simple chord progression and a somewhat wistful melody, the lyrics directly capture the feelings of people living in the present day.
Included on their full-length album “Ongaku” released in February 2024, the track emphasizes the importance of the smiles that arise through human connection.
It’s a supportive, uplifting anthem that gently gives listeners a push forward.
frecklesJUDY AND MARY
A song marked by an exhilarating, powerful guitar riff that instantly lifts your spirits.
Crisp, cutting guitar tones intertwine with YUKI’s soaring vocals to create music that feels incredibly good.
The driving melody alone is enough to energize you.
The lyrics, which express the joy and bittersweetness of love, are also worth noting.
Released in 1996 as their ninth single, the track was used as the theme song for the anime Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story and became a major hit.
It remains very popular at karaoke even today.
Bright and uplifting, it can be considered one of JUDY AND MARY’s signature songs.
Makes You Want to Play It! Japanese Rock with the Coolest Guitar Riffs (61–70)
RE-BIRTHSPYAIR
It’s a SPYAIR track marked by powerful guitar tones and emotional vocals.
The song carries a message of renewal, as if recalling past dreams and hopes while facing yourself.
Listening to it gives you courage and makes you feel ready to move forward.
The guitar riff is dynamic and catchy—a phrase you won’t forget after one listen and guaranteed to fire up a live crowd.
Give it a try!
Please, Time MachineSadisutikku Mika Bando
Sadistic Mika Band, produced by Chris Thomas, who was a hit-making producer in the 1970s.
For a Japanese band of the time, they had an exceptionally modern sensibility, and in reference to their album title Kurofune (Black Ship), Western media dubbed them the “arrival of the Black Ships.” Even today, Time Machine ni Onegai doesn’t sound dated.
The frontman was Kazuhiko Kato.
Jaguar’13Haruahata Michiya
An instrumental track released under the solo name of Michiya Haruhata from TUBE.
The phrases carry a refined sense of speed—like a jaguar sprinting across the grasslands.
The tight rhythm born of his overwhelming technique is truly stunning.