[Japan] A collection of J-pop with a traditional Japanese (wa) vibe and Japanese-style taste
Many people probably feel that listening to songs with a Japanese (wa) vibe is calming, don’t you think?
Here, we’ve carefully selected and will introduce some exceptional masterpieces that let you feel that “wa.”
We’ve gathered tracks that evoke Japan’s seasons and hometown nostalgia, as well as songs that might not seem traditionally Japanese at first listen but use Japanese-flavored scales like the yo scale (yonanuki).
There are also pieces with classical-style lyrics or sounds that conjure a Japanese atmosphere in various ways.
Some even include intense EDM and aggressive rock tunes.
These are all wonderful tracks that reveal new sides of famous songs and highlight the charms of Japanese music!
Be sure to find a favorite “wa” song that resonates with your heart!
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[Japan] A Collection of J-Pop with Traditional Japanese (Wa) Vibes and Japanese-Style Taste (51–60)
The place where the sun risesOmede-tai atama de nani yori
This is the second major-label single by the five-piece loud rock band Omedetai Atama de Naniyori, who perform mainly at live houses and music festivals across Japan under the concept of “Japan’s most celebratory, sweaty, and raucous.” The song was used as the ending theme for the TV anime Hinomaru Sumo, and its loud sound woven with a somewhat nostalgic tone leaves a strong impression.
The arrangement—featuring distinctly Japanese call-and-response shouts and a lyrical guitar solo—carries a hint of traditional Japanese flavor, offering a curious charm that feels comforting even within a modern sound.
It’s an oriental rock tune whose intense yet spacious melody lifts your spirits.
BeautifulSuperfly
This song became a hot topic when it was chosen as the theme for the drama “Mother Game: Kanojotachi no Kaikyū.” It’s a track by Superfly, the solo project of Shiho Ochi known for her soulful vocals, and it’s included on their fifth album, “WHITE,” released in 2015.
The song’s energetic tone, melody, and lyrics—each one stirs the heart.
And perhaps the reason its appeal is so immediately graspable is that it carries a hint of traditional Japanese flavor.
Words are triangular, hearts are square.kururi
The song “Kotoba wa Sankaku, Kokoro wa Shikaku” features the gentle rock sound of Quruli, a rock band from Kyoto.
Released on July 25, 2007 as their 19th single, it was also chosen as the theme song for the film “Tennen Kokekkō,” starring the then up-and-coming Kaho and Masaki Okada.
The track blends a sense of traditional Japanese style with a modern touch.
The lyrics—delivered in Kishida’s tender Japanese vocals—brilliantly convey those frustrating feelings that words alone can’t express.
IrohaTaira Aoi
This song by Aoi Taira, a singer-songwriter from Okinawa, seems to capture the eerie atmosphere of Japanese summer nights.
The prominent use of metallic percussion and the powerful, resonant rhythms are striking, evoking the feel of a summer festival.
The vocals, with their clear and fragile quality, convey a sense of fantasy and create a distinctive floating sensation.
Another notable feature is the active incorporation of language reminiscent of Japanese literature into the lyrics, which reinforces an image that highlights Japan’s traditions and the uncanny mood that resides within them.
[Japan] A Collection of J‑Pop with Traditional Japanese Flair (61–70)
TOKYO GIRLTOKYO GIRL
This song was released under the name HITOMINMI, a collaborative unit by Hitomi Shimatani and MINMI.
The reggae sound with its emphasized beat and the bustling tones of traditional Japanese instruments create an intriguing sense of contrast.
By combining Japan’s traditional timbres with modern dance music, it expresses a wide spectrum of Japanese culture from ancient times to the present.
The worldview depicted in the lyrics also conveys the flashy atmosphere of contemporary Tokyo, resulting in a piece that strongly communicates a sense of fun.
It’s a unique track that projects Japan itself—a country that has evolved by incorporating diverse cultures.
StarlightWagakki Band
A song by the mixed-gender eight-member rock band WagakkiBand, chosen as the theme for the TV drama Ichikei no Karasu.
To dispel preconceived notions based on the band’s image, it was released under the name WGB.
While deliberately toning down the signature WagakkiBand style, its high level of completion still showcases the band’s depth and prowess.
Despite its modern tone, the timbre of traditional Japanese instruments woven throughout the track imparts a distinctly Japanese flavor, resulting in a work that fuses tradition and popular music at a high level—something other artists cannot easily replicate.
Time Traveler: A Song of Dazaifu, a Place Tied to the Reiwa EraNeontetra
A two-member music unit, Neontetra, who made their major debut in 2020 with a musical style that fuses the new Reiwa era with 1990s pop sounds.
This is their debut single, created as an image song for Dazaifu in Fukuoka Prefecture, the birthplace of the Reiwa era name.
Its Japanese-style lyrics and melodies evoke traditional Japanese culture.
Blending the nostalgic elegance of classic Japanese melodies with 90s-inspired pop sensibilities, the song suggests new musical possibilities for the Reiwa era.