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” you’ll want to hear in summer. Essential J‑POP summer anthems perfect for summer guys and summer girls (41–50)
Midsummer Sounds Good!AKB48
This is a summer tune by AKB48 that was also used as the theme song for NTT Docomo’s “Ouen Gakuwari” campaign.
Set on a sun-drenched beach, it portrays the sparkling feelings of a protagonist who, buoyed by the liberating spirit of summer, becomes a little bolder in love.
The upbeat, fast-paced sound perfectly matches the positive lyrics about wanting to take the next step in a romance.
Released in May 2012 as the group’s 26th single, the song won the 54th Japan Record Award that same year.
It’s guaranteed to boost the mood to the max when played at summer get-togethers with friends or on a drive.
Classic summer songs you’ll want to listen to in summer: staple J-pop summer tracks perfect for summer guys and summer girls (51–60)
equalsumika
The crisp, cutting guitar tone feels great! This is a track by sumika, a four-piece rock band from Kanagawa Prefecture.
It was released in 2019 as a double A-side single, “Equal / Traveling.” The lyrics carry a straightforward message: be honest with your emotions.
It serves as the opening theme for MIX, a baseball anime set 30 years after the story of Touch.
The sky is rumbling.Toukyou Jihen
“The Sky Is Rumbling” by Tokyo Jihen, a band formed around Ringo Sheena and active from 2003 to 2012.
This track was Tokyo Jihen’s final single, released in May 2011.
Unlike the typical summer songs that shout ‘It’s summer! The sun is blazing down!,’ this one overflows with a moody, slightly mysterious summer vibe.
The music video is really cool, too.
Immoral SummerNogizaka 46
This is a Nogizaka46 track whose passionate sound evokes the blistering heat of summer, layered with a hint of illicit romantic impulse.
It’s included on their 39th single, “Same numbers,” released in July 2025.
The lyrics, where curiosity about a more mature world intersects with a dangerous pull that seems ready to cross the line of common sense, embody a bold worldview that only an Under track can express.
It’s guaranteed to lift your spirits when you want to break free from the everyday!
H.A.N.A.B.I ~The Summer When You Were There~ZONE
This song is as vivid as a grand firework blazing across the night sky, yet its melody carries a certain fleeting poignancy that leaves a strong impression.
It conjures images of summer romances gone by, shrine grounds, and sunsets—many listeners may feel a tightness in their chest as they listen.
This work is a single released by the girls’ band ZONE in July 2003, marking their milestone tenth major release.
It was issued at the time as a strictly limited edition of 100,000 copies, debuted at No.
3 on the Oricon Weekly Chart, and received Gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan.
It’s the perfect track for savoring the lingering afterglow of a summer festival or reflecting on tender memories.
summer squallarashi
This uplifting and energetic cheer song by Arashi leaves a strong impression.
Written and composed by Yujin Kitagawa of the folk duo Yuzu, it delivers a powerful message of support to the high school baseball players who devote themselves wholeheartedly at the Summer Koshien.
When you hear this track, don’t you feel your heart swell with the players’ sweat, tears, and pure passion as they chase their dreams in the fleeting summer? Released in July 2018 as their 55th single, the song moved many as the official support song for that year’s 100th National High School Baseball Championship and the theme for the TV program “Netto Koshien.” It is also included in the best-of album “5×20 All the BEST!! 1999-2019.” It’s truly a hope-filled track that vividly colors the Summer Koshien.
ultra soulB’z
With his overwhelming vocal prowess, Koshi Inaba has won widespread popularity, while guitarist Takahiro Matsumoto is highly acclaimed both in Japan and abroad.
The rock duo they form, B’z, has become so famous that they hardly need an introduction.
Among their songs, “ultra soul,” released in 2001, was a massive hit, topping the Oricon charts for two consecutive weeks.
Inaba’s exhilarating vocals and Matsumoto’s energetic guitar make it a perfect fit for summer.
Here’s hoping this song helps you enjoy the season to the fullest!
