Classic “summer songs” you’ll want to listen to in summer. Timeless J-pop summertime anthems perfect for summer guys and summer girls.

Ms. Hanako on a high pedestalback number

back number – Takane no Hanako-san (full)

This signature number from back number is guaranteed to get everyone hyped during summer drives and karaoke—surely a staple summer song that resonates with many.

The track stands out for expressing the bittersweet feelings of an unrequited crush—yearning for someone who won’t look your way—set to a refreshing, fast-paced sound.

While the lyrics portray the woman he admires as someone out of reach, the charm lies in the protagonist’s comical side, drifting into fanciful daydreams and then snapping back to reality.

It captures the perfect interplay between the liberating feel of summer and the frustration of a distance that just won’t close.

Released as a single in June 2013, it was later included on the album “Love Story.” In 2019, it drew fresh attention when vocalist Iyori Shimizu performed a stripped-down version for Kirin Brewery’s Tanrei Green Label TV commercial.

If you want to relive the sweet-and-sour pangs of a one-sided crush, or you’re on your way to a summer event, this song will instantly lift your spirits.

And if you sing it with friends at karaoke, you’re guaranteed to get the whole room going in shared excitement!

August 888 — This is way too much summerrisaitaruzu

Recitals – “Month 888 ~It’s Way Too Much Like Summer~” [Official Music Video]

This is a song that instantly amps up the summer vibe.

Created by Recitals, a unit that sprang from the popular YouTuber group Tokai On Air, this track is packed with a catchy melody that makes your heart dance and playful word choices that are pure fun.

It’s like painting a picture of an endless summer—you can almost see the glittering scenes unfold before your eyes.

Released in August 2022, the song was also chosen as the ending theme for Fuji TV’s “Zenryoku! Datsuryoku Times” from August to September 2022.

Whether you’re on a summer drive, hanging out at the beach, or firing up a barbecue, this track will take your excitement to the next level.

Add it to your playlist and soak up the summer!

Summer MadnessSandaime Jē Sōru Burazāzu fromu Eguzairu Toraibu

Sandaime J SOUL BROTHERS from EXILE TRIBE / Summer Madness feat. Afrojack

It’s a song that perfectly suits the sun, as if announcing the arrival of summer.

The EDM sound crafted by world-renowned DJ Afrojack delivers an exhilarating rush that makes your body move the moment you hear it.

STY’s catchy, lyrical melody seems to sing of summer’s sense of freedom and the thrill in your chest—before you know it, you’ll be humming along.

Released in July 2015 as the 18th single, it was also featured in ANA’s “2015 Summer Tabiwari” commercial.

Included on the acclaimed album THE JSB LEGACY, it became a hit, selling 195,000 copies in its first week on the Oricon Weekly Chart.

Put it on when you want to get the crowd going at karaoke or as the perfect BGM for a summer drive!

Our Summer DreamYamashita Tatsuro

This is a song by Tatsuro Yamashita that evokes a nostalgic feeling, like a summer evening.

The beautiful melody woven by piano and strings makes it feel as if you’re watching a film from start to finish.

The lyrics seem to carry images of Japan’s lost pastoral landscapes and a gentle wish for the future, and listening to it may slowly warm your heart.

It’s a track with a warm theme that conveys bonds with loved ones and a sense of hope.

Released as a single in August 2009, it moved many people as the theme song for director Mamoru Hosoda’s animated film “Summer Wars.” It’s perfect for a summer drive with the windows down, feeling the breeze, and just as fitting for nights when you want to sink into a slightly sentimental mood.

Sing it at karaoke, and it’s sure to resonate with everyone.

mixMarushii

Marcy – Mix (Official Music Video)

Known as the song from the Google Pixel 7a web commercial, this track by Marcy has captured the hearts of many.

Its delicate, emotional melody creates an atmosphere where the bittersweetness and warmth of late summer coexist.

It carefully depicts the subtle movements and tremors of the heart in love, gently resonating with listeners.

Released in August 2023, the song is also included on the album Candle.

End of SummerShimizu Shota

Shota Shimizu “Natsunoowari” from SHOTA SHIMIZU LIVE TOUR 2023 “Insomnia” supported by Taica

This song is a lovely ballad that captures the unique loneliness everyone feels at least once at the end of summer.

Its bittersweet yet beautiful melody seeps deep into the heart, evoking memories of a summer romance that ended too soon and a nostalgia too delicate to put into words.

Shota Shimizu’s soulful, sometimes fragile vocals bring that scene to life with even greater clarity.

The track appears on Shota Shimizu’s fifth album, ENCORE, released in March 2014.

It’s perfect for listening alone on a late summer night.

Ephemeral FireworksKamisama wa saikoro o furanai

God Doesn't Play Dice “Ephemeral Fireworks” [Official Lyric Video]

God doesn’t roll dice—but He plays a tune.

This single, as fleeting as fireworks blooming and vanishing in the summer night sky, has captured the hearts of teenagers and won’t let go.

A story of a fragile, bittersweet summer romance rides on a beautiful melody by Shusaku Yanagida, striking listeners right in the heart.

You can almost see the lukewarm breeze and the shoreline in your mind’s eye, stirring a nostalgic, poignant feeling.

Released in July 2020 as their major-label debut single, the song also appears on the EP “Bunka-teki Tokuiten” released the same year and on the album “Jishō no Chiheisen,” which topped the Oricon Weekly ROCK Album Ranking in March 2022.

Perfect for summer twilights, moments when you want to get a little sentimental, or when you want to soak in a beautiful melody.

It’s sure to color a page of your summer memories.

Give it a listen.