RAG Music
Lovely music

[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!

Playlist

[Japan] A collection of J-pop with a traditional Japanese (wa) vibe and Japanese-style taste
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1easthyururira-pappatuki.
hyururira-pappatuki.play_arrow
tuki.’s light and fun music
2eastPlan ADISH//
Plan ADISH//play_arrow
You can get courage from DISH//'s fiery rock songs.
3eastOni BanquetTomonari Sora
Oni BanquetTomonari Soraplay_arrow
Advocating the value of enjoying life through a fusion of Japanese tradition and modernity
4eastKamakura Stylebotchiboromaru
Kamakura Stylebotchiboromaruplay_arrow
Expressing the charm of Kamakura through Japanese-style dance rock
5eastNight Festival OndoRyokushokushakai
Night Festival OndoRyokushokushakaiplay_arrow
A pop tune that expresses a summer festival in a modern way
6eastvague; ambiguous; unclear; left unsettledSixTONES
vague; ambiguous; unclear; left unsettledSixTONESplay_arrow
SixTONES’ modern song with a Japanese flair is making waves
7eastIgniteWagakki Band
IgniteWagakki Bandplay_arrow
A song that fuses traditional Japanese instruments with rock, featuring soothing, distinctly Japanese melodies.
8eastGrim ReaperYonezu Kenshi
Grim ReaperYonezu Kenshiplay_arrow
A song that modernly arranges classical rakugo
9eastZankyo SankaAimer
Zankyo SankaAimerplay_arrow
Aimer, the epic ballad opening theme of Demon Slayer
10eastfestivalFuji Kaze
festivalFuji Kazeplay_arrow
A song by Fujii Kaze that blends the spirit of traditional Japan with modernity
11eastEver-Night, Ever-AgesREOL
Ever-Night, Ever-AgesREOLplay_arrow
An innovative track that fuses traditional Japanese elements with EDM
12eastmotion sickness from proximitywanuka
motion sickness from proximitywanukaplay_arrow
Songs with the unique worldview of university student singer Wanuka
13eastChangeMonkey Majik+Yoshida Kyoudai
ChangeMonkey Majik+Yoshida Kyoudaiplay_arrow
A collaborative song between rock and Tsugaru shamisen
14eastfemme fatale Amurasaki ima
femme fatale Amurasaki imaplay_arrow
A groundbreaking track with a Japanese flair is creating a buzz
15eastsympathetic tearsHitoto Yo
sympathetic tearsHitoto Yoplay_arrow
Morainaki, a signature song by Yo Hitoto
16eastResetHirahara Ayaka
ResetHirahara Ayakaplay_arrow
A song with a strong will to move forward
17eastTogetsu Bridge ~Thinking of You~Kuraki Mai
Togetsu Bridge ~Thinking of You~Kuraki Maiplay_arrow
Mai Kuraki to sing theme song for Detective Conan movie
18eastTaisho RomanticismYOASOBI
Taisho RomanticismYOASOBIplay_arrow
A timeless love story: the music of YOASOBI
19eastRed spider lilymafumafu
Red spider lilymafumafuplay_arrow
Mafumafu’s spider lily–themed song is popular.
20eastWeek EndHoshino Gen
Week EndHoshino Genplay_arrow
The captivating songs and vocals of Gen Hoshino.
21eastTears of Tropical FishFlower
Tears of Tropical FishFlowerplay_arrow
Flower7 seventh single song
22eastS.A.K.U.R.A.Sandaime Jē Sōru Burazāzu fromu Eguzairu Toraibu
S.A.K.U.R.A.Sandaime Jē Sōru Burazāzu fromu Eguzairu Toraibuplay_arrow
A dance track with a Japanese flair, expressing life with cherry blossoms as its motif.
23eastI’d rather die.Fuji Kaze
I'd rather die.Fuji Kazeplay_arrow
Fujii Kaze delivers a love song imbued with Japanese sentiment
24eastthunderous applause singing contestsupercell
thunderous applause singing contestsupercellplay_arrow
Supercell’s Japanese-style song is trending
25eastDreams and Leaf-Cherry TreesAoki Gekkou
Dreams and Leaf-Cherry TreesAoki Gekkouplay_arrow
Aoki Gekkou’s Japanese-style Vocaloid song.
26eastFLASHPerfume
FLASHPerfumeplay_arrow
Chihayafuru-style Japanese technopop
27eastSenbonzakuraKurousa-P
SenbonzakuraKurousa-Pplay_arrow
Senbonzakura is a famous Vocaloid song with a traditional Japanese style.
28eastGASSHOWillion
GASSHOWillionplay_arrow
illion's grand and profound music
29eastCome, spring.Matsutōya Yumi
Come, spring.Matsutōya Yumiplay_arrow
Spring, the signature song by Yumi Matsutoya
30eastBloom, oh bloomEGOIST
Bloom, oh bloomEGOISTplay_arrow
A Japanese-style song by EGOIST celebrating spring
31eastSAKURAikimonogakari
SAKURAikimonogakariplay_arrow
Graduation song by Ikimonogakari
32eastDancer in the NightSakanakushon
Dancer in the NightSakanakushonplay_arrow
Sakanaction-style Japanese dance rock
33eastAh, Osaka dreamin’ nightDoutsuitare Honpo
Ah, Osaka dreamin’ nightDoutsuitare Honpoplay_arrow
Osaka Division's signature song in Hypnosis Mic
34eastEphemeral FlowerShikata Akiko
Ephemeral FlowerShikata Akikoplay_arrow
Akiko Shikata’s translucent singing voice and piano
35eastake-kazeHayashi Asuka
ake-kazeHayashi Asukaplay_arrow
Dispel anxiety with a fiery classic by a young singer
36eastTime after time ~In the town where flowers dance~Kuraki Mai
Time after time ~In the town where flowers dance~Kuraki Maiplay_arrow
Mai Kuraki’s film theme song depicting Kyoto scenes
37eastfall from favor; leaving the capital in disgrace (metaphor for a decline in status or being sidelined)Yorushika
fall from favor; leaving the capital in disgrace (metaphor for a decline in status or being sidelined)Yorushikaplay_arrow
Yorushika's Ochimusha is a wistful song with Manyoshu motifs.
38eastUkifuneGO!GO!7188
UkifuneGO!GO!7188play_arrow
GO!GO!7188's Japanese-style rock
39eastCrimson Lotus FlowerLiSA
Crimson Lotus FlowerLiSAplay_arrow
An iconic song that fueled the Demon Slayer boom
40eastRISINGYoshida Kyōdai
RISINGYoshida Kyōdaiplay_arrow
A signature song by the Yoshida Brothers that fuses Tsugaru-shamisen and rock
41eastGoldfish FireworksOtsuka Ai
Goldfish FireworksOtsuka Aiplay_arrow
Ai Otsuka’s heartbreak songs: classic tracks you’ll want to hear in summer
42eastNinjari Ban Bankyarī pamyu pamyu
Ninjari Ban Bankyarī pamyu pamyuplay_arrow
Introduction to Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s song themed around ninjas
43eastSAKURA DropsUtada Hikaru
SAKURA DropsUtada Hikaruplay_arrow
Introduce Hikaru Utada’s Japanese-style songs
44eastMiracle of BondsMAN WITH A MISSION×milet
Miracle of BondsMAN WITH A MISSION×miletplay_arrow
The Allure of the Demon Slayer Opening Theme Song
45eastGreat Edo ControllerYunomi feat.TORIENA
Great Edo ControllerYunomi feat.TORIENAplay_arrow
A Japanese-style future bass by Yunomi × TORIENA
46eastPure Land (Sukhavati)GARNiDELiA
Pure Land (Sukhavati)GARNiDELiAplay_arrow
GARNiDELiA, a fusion of tradition and modernity
47eastMoon DropsRUI
Moon DropsRUIplay_arrow
Kou Shibasaki’s works used as movie theme songs
48eastShuraDOES
ShuraDOESplay_arrow
DOES, rock song, Gintama ending theme
49eastYUME WeatherShimatani Hitomi
YUME WeatherShimatani Hitomiplay_arrow
Hitomi Shimatani’s Doraemon theme song
50eastMomentsHamasaki Ayumi
MomentsHamasaki Ayumiplay_arrow
Ayumi Hamasaki’s beautiful ballad song “Moments”
51eastI love you, Osaka.Kanjani∞
I love you, Osaka.Kanjani∞play_arrow
Kanjani Eight’s fun commercial jingle
52eastFIREWORKSEXILE
FIREWORKSEXILEplay_arrow
A single released by EXILE in 2009.
53eastEXISTRAISE A SUILEN
EXISTRAISE A SUILENplay_arrow
RAISE A SUILEN's Japanese-style digital sound
54eastQueen of the NightWagakki Band
Queen of the NightWagakki Bandplay_arrow
A mystical piece blending traditional Japanese instruments and rock
55eastThe Wheat SongNakajima Miyuki
The Wheat SongNakajima Miyukiplay_arrow
Miyuki Nakajima’s theme song for Massan
56eastFlowerNaka Kousuke
FlowerNaka Kousukeplay_arrow
A single by Kousuke Atari. A Japanese-style melody using the yo scale (missing fa and ti).
57eastThe place where the sun risesOmede-tai atama de nani yori
The place where the sun risesOmede-tai atama de nani yoriplay_arrow
Omedetai Atama will perform the anime’s theme song
58eastBeautifulSuperfly
BeautifulSuperflyplay_arrow
Superfly’s trending song
59eastWords are triangular, hearts are square.kururi
Words are triangular, hearts are square.kururiplay_arrow
Quruli's song is the theme song for Tennen Kokekko.
60eastIrohaTaira Aoi
IrohaTaira Aoiplay_arrow
A musical piece that expresses the eeriness of Japanese summer
61eastTOKYO GIRLTOKYO GIRL
TOKYO GIRLTOKYO GIRLplay_arrow
Fusion of Japanese culture and dance music
62eastStarlightWagakki Band
StarlightWagakki Bandplay_arrow
Wagakki Band’s theme song: a fusion of tradition and pop
63eastTime Traveler: A Song of Dazaifu, a Place Tied to the Reiwa EraNeontetra
Time Traveler: A Song of Dazaifu, a Place Tied to the Reiwa EraNeontetraplay_arrow
Neontetra’s fusion song of Reiwa and pop
64eastcherry blossomKawaguchi Kyogo
cherry blossomKawaguchi Kyogoplay_arrow
Sakura song, the eternal bonds of human relationships
65eastHA NA BIMIYAVI vs HIROMITSU AGATSUMA vs JIN OKI
HA NA BIMIYAVI vs HIROMITSU AGATSUMA vs JIN OKIplay_arrow
A genre-blending collaborative track by three string instruments
66eastfireworks (launched into the sky)DAOKO × Yonezu Kenshi
fireworks (launched into the sky)DAOKO × Yonezu Kenshiplay_arrow
A Japanese-style modern movie theme song by DAOKO and Kenshi Yonezu
67eastBe by my side every morning.Kobukuro
Be by my side every morning.Kobukuroplay_arrow
An album track by Kobukuro, written and composed by George Tokoro.
68eastWarabe-gami ~Yamatoguchi~Natsukawa Rimi
Warabe-gami ~Yamatoguchi~Natsukawa Rimiplay_arrow
Rimi Natsukawa wins an award for covering Misako Koja’s song
69eastTree of WadatsumiHajime Chitose
Tree of WadatsumiHajime Chitoseplay_arrow
A masterpiece that fuses traditional folk music with contemporary music
70eastA Guide to the Way of the Shinobimafumafu
A Guide to the Way of the Shinobimafumafuplay_arrow
A Japanese-style rock song from Mafumafu's 5th album
71eastA Dream of the Fleeting Worldnano
A Dream of the Fleeting Worldnanoplay_arrow
NANO releases a song that fuses traditional Japanese instruments with rock
72eastIslanders’ TreasureBEGIN
Islanders' TreasureBEGINplay_arrow
A Japanese-style single by BEGIN that sings of love for Okinawan hometown traditions
73easta little over 100 millimetersFISHMANS
a little over 100 millimetersFISHMANSplay_arrow
Fishmans, a soothing, gentle singing voice
74eastfemale ninjaGO!GO!7188
female ninjaGO!GO!7188play_arrow
GO!GO!7188’s Japanese-style punk rock
75eastAn Overlong Springpasupie
An Overlong Springpasupieplay_arrow
Introducing the charms of Passepied’s Japanese-style rock songs
76eastBONNumber_i
BONNumber_iplay_arrow
Japanese-style hip-hop with a bonsai motif
77eastLet’s give up.Kahara Tomomi
Let's give up.Kahara Tomomiplay_arrow
Tomomi Kahala’s canned coffee commercial song
78eastRING DING DONGKing&Prince
RING DING DONGKing&Princeplay_arrow
A diversity-rich pop tune by King & Prince
79eastSakurabitoEvery Little Thing
SakurabitoEvery Little Thingplay_arrow
A ballad filled with longing and memories for the cherry blossoms
80eastIron EmperorUnlucky Morpheus
Iron EmperorUnlucky Morpheusplay_arrow
Introduction to Unlucky Morpheus's metal songs
81eastCotton HandkerchiefŌta Hiromi
Cotton HandkerchiefŌta Hiromiplay_arrow
Hiromi Ohta's classic heartbreak songs
82eastYūrei MarriageSugawara Kei
Yūrei MarriageSugawara Keiplay_arrow
A Japanese-style love song, a track by Kei Sugawara
83eastStrange Fate RomanceNanawo Akari
Strange Fate RomanceNanawo Akariplay_arrow
A Japanese-style single by Nanawo Akari
84eastWhen cherry-blossom hues danceNakajima Mika
When cherry-blossom hues danceNakajima Mikaplay_arrow
Mika Nakashima’s cherry blossom-themed ballad
85eastThe most beautiful meNakajima Mika
The most beautiful meNakajima Mikaplay_arrow
Mika Nakashima’s ballad. Insert song for a drama.
86eastGolden GraffitiROTTENGRAFFTY
Golden GraffitiROTTENGRAFFTYplay_arrow
ROTTENGRAFFTY Japanese-style rock song introduction
87eastsecret MAIKO lipsBAND-MAIKO
secret MAIKO lipsBAND-MAIKOplay_arrow
A song arranged in a wa-rock (Japanese-style rock) fashion by BAND-MAID
88eastTranslucent Girl RelationsZAZEN BOYS
Translucent Girl RelationsZAZEN BOYSplay_arrow
The driving rock sound of ZAZEN BOYS
89eastCatch sea breamOmede-tai atama de nani yori
Catch sea breamOmede-tai atama de nani yoriplay_arrow
Introduction to Loud Rock Songs by Omedetai Atama
90eastUnhesitating feat. Miyu Tomita, Kana IchinoseMIMiNARI
Unhesitating feat. Miyu Tomita, Kana IchinoseMIMiNARIplay_arrow
A project to turn memories into music
91eastKAGUYA@​onefive
KAGUYA@​onefiveplay_arrow
A fusion song of traditional Japanese style and pop, themed around Princess Kaguya
92eastO-Shichi and the Night Cherry BlossomsSakamoto Fuyumi
O-Shichi and the Night Cherry BlossomsSakamoto Fuyumiplay_arrow
Fuyumi Sakamoto’s signature song, the story of Yaoya Oshichi
93eastHonor in LoveWagakki Band
Honor in LoveWagakki Bandplay_arrow
A powerful theme song by Wagakki Band
94eastPassing down through storytellingHajime Chitose
Passing down through storytellingHajime Chitoseplay_arrow
Chitose Hajime’s soothing folk music is making waves