Classic “summer songs” you’ll want to listen to in summer. Timeless J-pop summertime anthems perfect for summer guys and summer girls.
What kind of songs do you feel like listening to in the summer? I bet many of you want to turn up the energy with upbeat, summery tracks that get you hyped.
On the other hand, it’s also nice to enjoy songs with a calmer, chill vibe and immerse yourself in the world of the lyrics.
In this article, we’ve gathered a wide range of songs with different moods that are perfect for summer.
You’re sure to find something you want to listen to.
These are summer tunes we can recommend for any situation—beach trips, drives, barbecues, and more—so be sure to check them out to the end!
- [Summer Classics] When it comes to summer, it’s got to be this song! A roundup from timeless staples to the latest hit tracks.
- 1990s J-Pop to listen to in summer: classic and hit summer songs
- [Classics] Timeless Summer Hits Recommended for All Ages [Summer Songs]
- Summer Songs That Hit in the 2000s | A Look Back at Nostalgic Summer Tunes!
- Reiwa-era summer songs: A roundup of new staple tracks that color the hot summer
- BGM for summer drives: A roundup of songs that feel like summer [2026]
- Classic nostalgic summer hits from the ’80s. A roundup of summer songs.
- Get fired up for the hot season! Summer songs recommended for Gen Z
- Youthful songs to listen to in summer. Classic summer hits and recommended popular tracks.
- [Masterpieces to Enjoy During Summer Vacation] A collection of summer songs bursting with summer vibes
- Emotional songs you’ll want to listen to in summer: classic tracks by rock bands and singer-songwriters.
- Songs for summer: Popular Artist Rankings [2026]
- [2026] Get Pumped Just by Listening! A Roundup of Recommended Popular J‑Pop Songs
Classic “summer song” hits you’ll want to play in summer: staple J‑POP summer tracks perfect for summer guys and summer girls (151–160)
Summer GateSato Chiaki
This is a song released in 2018 by Chiai Sato, the vocalist of the band Kinoko Teikoku, as a solo artist.
It’s a stylish track with clear influences from city pop, perfect for listening on a summer night.
The music video, with its beautiful neon lights, is also a must-see.
Voice of the SeaKiritani Kenta
Released in 2015 as a digital single under the name “Urashima Taro.” It was created for the au Santaro series, as the original CM song featured in the commercial “au Gara-ho ‘Umi no Koe’ Edition,” sung by Kenta Kiritani in his role as Urashima Taro.
His strong vocal performance became a hot topic, and the song became a hit.
Summer Vacation at 33Shinsei Kamattechan
This is a song released by Shinsei Kamattechan in 2018 that drew attention for paying homage to their own track “23-sai no Natsuyasumi” (“23-Year-Old’s Summer Vacation”).
It sings about the changes that have come with the passage of ten years, as well as the things that have remained the same.
How about taking this nostalgic season of summer as an opportunity to look back on your own past?
mintUno Misako (AAA)
Misaiko Uno, who is active in the hugely popular super performance group AAA—famous for pulling off a successful four-major-dome tour—drops her third solo release, an upper-tune that just screams summer! The colorful, sparkling sound is like tropical fruit and totally lifts your spirits.
Even when you’re going through sad or tough times, listening to this song makes you feel like you can look ahead and keep moving forward!
Go! Go! Summer!KARA
Released in 2011, KARA’s “GO GO Summer!” is a top pick when a big group of women gets together.
It would be fun to split the parts by member and sing them, too! You could also watch the music video and dance along, or make up some impromptu choreography on the spot to really get everyone hyped.
As the title suggests, it’s an absolute must for summer karaoke with friends.
Let this song help you blow off all your everyday stress!
You are the seaMy Hair is Bad
It’s a high-energy, emotional summer song.
It’s by My Hair is Bad, a three-piece band from Niigata Prefecture, and it’s included on their 2019 album “boys.” The lyrics evoke a bittersweet summer romance.
The strummed guitars in the chorus really set your heart on fire.
It’s a song I’d especially recommend to junior and senior high school students who are right in the middle of their youth.
Classic summer songs you’ll want to listen to in summer. Essential J-pop summer anthems perfect for summer guys and summer girls (161–170).
You’re 1000%1986OMEGATRIBE
Omega Tribe is a music project produced by Koichi Fujita.
Even as the vocalist changed—from Kiyotaka Sugiyama to Carlos Toshiki to Masato Arai—the group left a trail of hits that defined their times.
This song, “Kimi wa 1000%,” released in 1986, is from the era when Carlos Toshiki was on vocals.
With Brazilian roots, Carlos’s clear, crystalline voice is the very pinnacle of purity; you could even say the song’s charm might not have reached listeners the same way without Toshiki’s voice.
The lyrics, themed around “you at 1000%, beyond 100%,” also conjure a refreshing summer vibe.
If you haven’t heard it yet, please do!