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[Piano Beginners] J-POP That Looks Hard but Is Surprisingly Playable [2026]

Graduated from a music school / 21 years of piano experiencesatomi
I began playing the piano at the age of four and spent six years at a conservatory, focusing mainly on classical music while honing my skills. In addition to solo performance, I studied extensively in chamber music and two-piano repertoire, and I had the opportunity to perform twice on stage as a soloist in piano concertos. While not to the same extent as classical, I also learned jazz and pop through practical performance. I was active as a pianist in various settings, including instrumental and vocal/choral accompaniment, performance assistance for other departments, and recording sessions. Beyond the piano, I devoted five years to the trombone in a wind ensemble. I hope to draw on these experiences to share the charm of music with many people.

Classical piano classics are great, but I also want to try playing my favorite J-pop hits on the piano… If you’ve ever felt that way as a beginner, you’re probably not alone.

That said, many J-pop songs aren’t structured with the piano in mind, so it can be tricky to recreate them using only the piano.

In this article, we’ve put together a selection of J-pop songs—from nostalgic classics to recent hits—that might seem a bit daunting at first but have plenty of beginner-friendly piano arrangements.

Even just tracing the melody with your right hand will make you think, “It’s that song!” right away, and adding some left-hand accompaniment little by little makes it even more fun.

We hope this article inspires you to express your favorite J-pop on the piano!

[Piano Beginners] J-POP That Looks Hard but Is Surprisingly Playable [2026] (61–70)

Forever LoveX JAPAN

"Forever Love" X JAPAN [Even beginners can definitely play it! Learn how to play the piano through video] Level ☆☆

Forever LoveX JAPAN

“Forever Love,” one of X JAPAN’s signature songs, was performed at the 48th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen, which became their final stage before disbanding.

It has been covered by many major artists both in Japan and abroad, and its popularity shows no sign of fading.

Although it’s a rock band’s song, it has a beautifully gentle flow that pairs perfectly with the piano.

As you picture the song’s grand worldview, try performing the melody smoothly and dramatically.

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Thank youikimonogakari

[Thank You] Ikimono-gakari / Piano Easy / With Slow Version

Thank youikimonogakari

“Arigatou” by Ikimono-gakari is widely loved as a classic graduation song and has even been included as a choral piece in high school music textbooks.

It’s a heartwarming track overflowing with gratitude for someone special.

Its simple, gentle melody pairs perfectly with the piano.

Sheet music is available in various levels and arrangements, so you should be able to find the version that suits you best.

Start with one that has fewer chords and less complex rhythms, and once you get the hang of it, try tackling intermediate or advanced arrangements.

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In conclusion

As mentioned at the beginning, many beginner-friendly piano scores and performance videos are available for the J-POP classics introduced this time.

Among them, we’ve gathered a selection that focuses on songs that may seem difficult at first glance, ranging from nostalgic classics to recent hits.

Because J-POP typically features clear melodic structures, you can capture the character of a song surprisingly well by playing simple chords—or even just a single bass note—with your left hand, and the main melody with your right hand.

Piano practice is essential, but if you have songs you love or want to try playing, make sure to keep the fun of practicing in mind! Once your level improves, try taking on intermediate arrangements too!