[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!
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[Piano Beginners] J-Pop That Looks Hard but Is Surprisingly Playable [2026] (21–30)
rainbowSuda Masaki
“Niji” is Masaki Suda’s fifth single, released in 2020.
It was chosen as the theme song for the film “STAND BY ME Doraemon 2” and reached No.
2 on both the Oricon and Billboard charts.
You can play it if you learn about seven basic chords that are easy for beginners to remember, and since it’s a slow-tempo ballad, it’s a good one to try.
The accompaniment uses a standard ballad pattern with quarter notes, so you can apply it to other songs as well.
Definitely start by practicing “Niji”!
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!
[Piano Beginners] J-POP That Looks Hard but Is Surprisingly Playable [2026] (31–40)
New EraAdo
Ado’s “New Genesis” shines brightly with its upbeat, catchy pop melody.
Released digitally in 2022 and included on the album “Uta no Uta ONE PIECE FILM RED,” the song was used as the opening theme for the movie ONE PIECE FILM RED.
Because the synth melody is so striking, aim for a performance with enough sparkle to stand up to the synth sound.
It’s recommended to include plenty of octave playing and to clearly nail the signature melodies, such as the hits right before the chorus.
Perform with confidence, as if you’ve become Uta yourself.
Marigoldaimyon
The music video has an astonishing 300 million+ views! Aimyong’s “Marigold” has earned strong support from many fans, with comments like “It hits me right in the heart” and “An overwhelmingly uplifting song.” Not only Aimyong’s vocals but also the melody itself conveys the song’s gentleness, making it sound wonderful on piano too! However, because the melody moves intricately, it’s best to start practicing slowly.
Build up your practice without rushing, and gradually aim for a tempo that recreates the comfortable, natural feel of Aimyong’s singing.
Fortune Cookie in LoveAKB48
AKB48’s smash hit “Koisuru Fortune Cookie.” Many of you have probably tried mimicking that memorable hand choreography and danced along, haven’t you? True to the song’s concept—“Dance to Koi-chun and you’ll forget the bad things”—it’s a track that lifts your spirits.
Because many parts of the melody are built from repeating rhythms and note combinations, it’s also one of the easier J-pop songs to play on piano.
Once you can play the right hand, add a simple left-hand rhythm, then gradually increase the number of notes to bring it closer to the original.
Biri MillionYuuri
Yuri’s “Birimirion” is memorable for its lyrics depicting a heartwarming exchange between an old man and a young person.
It’s a simple song that makes you reflect deeply on life.
With many repeated phrases and a relatively narrow vocal range, it should be fairly easy to play on the piano as well.
The instrumental interlude and the section later on where the beat feel changes are a bit more challenging, so first master the opening part, then steadily work your way through the rest.
Another key point is to keep your touch light so the mood doesn’t get too heavy from playing too cautiously.
Senbonzakura feat. Hatsune MikuKurousa-P
Senbonzakura is a piece that every keyboard player wants to try at least once.
Released in 2011, it was produced by the Vocaloid producer Kurousa-P.
The rush of sixteenth notes within its fast tempo feels exhilarating, making it satisfying both to play and to listen to.
The powerful, memorable melody that lingers in the audience’s ears is another key point to note.
Because the tempo is so fast, you need to be careful not to drop any notes.
Practice slowly at first until you can reliably play every note.
Once you’ve gotten used to it, be mindful not to rush ahead.
Try to perform it with both sparkle and freshness—like beautiful cherry blossoms in full bloom.