[Piano Beginners] J-POP That Looks Hard but Is Surprisingly Playable [2026]
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!
- Even beginners can play them easily on the piano! A curated selection of popular and latest J-POP songs.
- [J-POP] It's like free sheet music! Easy songs you can play on the piano while watching the video
- [Piano × J‑Pop] A curated selection of the coolest new hits and anime songs that’ll look great when you play them
- [Piano Sheet Music] Free downloads available! A roundup of easy-to-play pieces
- [Piano × J-POP] Tearjerker! A Selection of Moving/Touching Songs
- [Beginner] Recommended for adult piano beginners! Beautiful & stylish piano pieces
- [For Beginners] Recommended Ghibli Masterpieces You’ll Want to Play on the Piano
- It’s so cool if you can play these on the piano! A selection of irresistibly charming masterpieces.
- Piano Masterpieces: Surprisingly Easy Despite Sounding Difficult!? A Curated Selection Perfect for Recitals
- [Easy to Play Even If You're Not Good with Both Hands!] Simple piano pieces for absolute beginners. Recommended piano songs.
- Recommended for piano beginners! 10 sheet music picks that adults can enjoy too
- [For Elementary School Students] Brilliant, Showy Masterpieces That Sound Impressive at Piano Recitals
- [Disney] Playable even if you’ve just learned Do-Re-Mi! A selection of iconic songs from beloved Disney animations
[Piano Beginners] J-Pop That Looks Hard but Is Surprisingly Playable [2026] (21–30)
migratory bird[Alexandros]
![migratory bird[Alexandros]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/C0jkZrq_Yms/sddefault.jpg)
A number packed with a exhilarating feeling like flying through the sky, “Wataridori” by [Alexandros].
Released in 2015 as a double A-side single together with “Dracula La,” this song was used as the theme for the film Akegarasu.
The A and B verses are somewhat subdued, but it’s important to keep a solid groove and perform in a way that doesn’t let the momentum drop throughout the track.
Maintain a steady rhythm while clearly contrasting the A and B verses with the chorus to add dynamics and make the performance shine.
For the soaring chorus, try playing in octaves or layering parts to build excitement.
First LoveUtada Hikaru
A classic love song! Hikaru Utada’s “First Love” is a single cut from the album First Love, which has sold over 8 million copies, and it remains a masterpiece that famous artists in Japan and abroad continue to cover.
Given Utada’s exceptional vocal ability, some may think “it looks hard to play on the piano,” but the rhythm and note patterns aren’t all that complex.
Start by slowly following the notes, and work your way toward performing this romantic classic!
sparkleFuji Kaze
Fujii Kaze’s “Kirari,” written under the concept of “GOOD GROOVE” and featured in the commercial for Honda’s VEZEL, is a number full of exhilarating drive that perfectly suits a car commercial.
Because it’s a light, dance-pop track, the rhythm is fairly complex.
You’ll encounter tricky spots with dotted rhythms and strings of sixteenth notes that challenge both rhythm and fingering.
It’s recommended to first practice the right hand slowly to grasp the rhythm, keep the left hand as simple as possible, and then gradually add rhythms that match the feel of the original track as you get comfortable.
Song of PointillismMrs. GREEN APPLE feat. Inoue Sonoko
It’s a ballad whose beautiful melody and poignant lyrics resonate deeply.
A collaboration between Mrs.
GREEN APPLE and Sonoko Inoue, it was loved by many as an insert song for the 2018 film “Aonatsu: 30 Days With You.” Centered on the white keys in the key of C major with a slow tempo, it’s very approachable.
The progression mainly uses basic chords like C, F, G, and Am, and the frequent repetition of the same patterns makes it easy to remember.
Be sure to play it with feeling.
I love youback number
I Love You by back number was written as the theme song for the NHK morning drama Maiagare!, starring Haruka Fukuhara.
The track is notable for its rich vocals and gentle, heartwarming lyrics.
Its comfortable, straight-to-the-heart melody pairs perfectly with the piano.
The chorus spans a slightly wider vocal range, so choose fingering that allows smooth movement and practice gradually.
Even without bringing the tempo up to the original, you can fully enjoy the song’s atmosphere and charm, making it perfect for beginners.
KICK BACKYonezu Kenshi
KICK BACK was co-produced by Kenshi Yonezu and Daiki Tsuneta of King Gnu.
It was written as the opening theme for the TV anime Chainsaw Man and dominated various charts on Oricon and Billboard.
Since the original key uses many black keys, it would be preferable to have sheet music in a key raised by a half step so there are fewer.
The intro can be played with just two adjacent semitone notes in the right hand, so starting there is recommended!
BetelgeuseYuuri
Betelgeuse, the eighth major digital-only single by Yuuri, released in November 2021.
With total streams surpassing 400 million, it has become one of Yuuri’s signature songs, not only for his own performance video but also for cover videos by well-known artists and creators that have racked up astonishing view counts.
Centered on the theme of human connections, its piercingly heartfelt lyrics and Yuuri’s expressive vocals are particularly compelling.
When performed on a delicately toned piano, the song takes on a calm, mature character—and deliberately slowing the tempo to create a gentle atmosphere is highly recommended.