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!
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Classic “summer songs” perfect for listening in summer. Standard J-POP summer anthems best for summer guys and summer girls (21–30)
planetariumOtsuka Ai
A song I’d love you to listen to while gazing at the summer night sky is Ai Otsuka’s “Planetarium.” Released in 2005 as her 10th single, it was featured as an insert song in the TBS drama “Boys Over Flowers” starring Mao Inoue.
The lyrics poignantly depict lingering feelings for a former lover, and the shakuhachi tones and melodic lines give it a distinctly Japanese flavor as a ballad.
It topped the Oricon singles chart and even achieved million-seller status—a true classic.
LIFEkimaguren
Kimaguren’s “LIFE” is perfect for summer, with its lively Latin-tinged beat and passionate vocals.
It’s the title track from their indie-era mini-album LIFE, and after their major-label debut it was re-released as a single, becoming one of their signature songs.
It’s been used as a theme song for various TV programs, and at Shin-Zushi Station on the Keikyu Zushi Line in Zushi City, Kanagawa—an area connected to the band—it’s even used as the train approach chime.
The melancholic sound of the acoustic guitar’s arpeggios also makes it a great pick for the end of summer.
Shadows of SummerMrs. GREEN APPLE
About seven years after 2018’s “Blue and Summer,” this new work returns to a summer theme—a lingering, summery number that delicately captures the changing of the seasons.
The late-summer breeze and lengthening shadows reflect the slow passage of time as we grow up.
The scenes that rise from everyday fragments—like a sweaty shirt or melting ice—are truly moving.
Released in August 2025, it was featured as the song for Kirin Gogo no Kocha’s TV commercial.
The music video, filmed in Fukui Prefecture, also evokes a deep sense of nostalgia.
It’s a song that quietly stays with you at dusk as summer draws to a close, or on the drive back home.
HANABIMr.Children
When you think of fireworks, I bet many of you now immediately think of this song.
It’s the Mr.
Children number that was chosen as the theme song for every season of the drama “Code Blue: Doctor Heli Emergency Lifesaving,” as well as for the movie.
How many moments of hope—like a fleeting, miraculous firework—can we grasp in our own lives, and how brightly can we make them shine? It fits perfectly with a drama that faces life and death, and many people were moved to tears by the depth of its lyrics.
During the long summer vacation, it might be nice to listen to this song while watching fireworks and reflect on your own life.
She04 Limited Sazabys
You could even say 04 Limited Sazabys are the perfect band for summer.
When GEN’s piercing high-tone vocals ride their fast-paced melodies, it just clicks.
Their song “She” is a perfect fit for words like summer and youth—an irresistibly heart-fluttering summer track.
This song is a collaboration between Kirin Lemon and various artists, and it’s the third installment with 04 Limited Sazabys.
If you listen closely, you can catch the Kirin Lemon commercial jingle tucked away in the middle.
fireworksaiko
When it comes to songs that are perfect for fireworks—an essential part of summer memories—aiko’s signature track “Hanabi” is the one that truly put her on the map.
Released as a single in 1999, it reached No.
10 on the Oricon Singles Chart.
Its buoyant, feel-good beat and aiko’s uniquely charming lyrics are its standout features.
In a 2009 Oricon survey on “songs you want to listen to when you fall in love in summer,” it proudly took the No.
1 spot.
Summer IllusionGARNET CROW
GARNET CROW’s “Natsu no Maboroshi” evokes the image of a sinking summer sunset.
Released in 2000 as their fifth single, it was used as an ending theme for the TV anime Detective Conan.
The fusion of acoustic guitar cutting and programmed drums creates a uniquely androgynous sound.
The lyrics, which convey the ache of getting into a fight with someone you care about, really seep into your heart as you listen.