[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] (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.
Promise of SunflowersHata Motohiro
The nationally beloved anime Doraemon was adapted into 3D CGI and made waves with the film STAND BY ME Doraemon.
The theme song chosen was Motohiro Hata’s “Himawari no Yakusoku” (Promise of a Sunflower).
The melody in the A section uses many eighth notes and changes at a relatively steady pace, making it easy to catch the rhythm.
It’s recommended even for piano beginners who struggle with rhythm.
While the chorus melody gets a bit more intricate, it’s originally a slow ballad, so it remains approachable.
BoyhoodInoue Yosui
As one of the iconic songs of the Heisei era, Yosui Inoue’s “Shonen Jidai” remains beloved across generations.
With its simple yet beautiful melody line and chord progression, it also makes an excellent piece for piano practice.
While it’s important to focus on technical aspects such as finger movement, the key with this piece is, above all, emotion.
Vividly picture the scenes evoked by the lyrics in your mind, and, taking cues from Inoue’s vocal phrasing, aim to perform with rich expressiveness.
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.
Is there still anything that love can do?RADWIMPS
The song “Is There Still Anything That Love Can Do?” by RADWIMPS was created as the theme for the animated film Weathering with You.
The film’s soundtrack, which includes this track, topped the Oricon digital chart for five consecutive weeks.
It’s a beautiful piano ballad characteristic of Yojiro Noda, and it’s perfect for singing with self-accompaniment.
Most parts—except for a few sections—use the same chord progression, and it’s just a repetition of four chords, making it very easy to play.
The different sections only add a few chords and change the order slightly, so definitely give it a try!
[Piano Beginners] J-Pop That Looks Hard but Is Surprisingly Playable [2026] (41–50)
foreignerKUBOTA Saki
Saki Kubota’s “Ihōjin – Silk Road Theme” features a distinctive, exotically tinged melody that leaves a strong impression.
Released in 1979, it was her debut single.
It has been covered by many artists and remains a timeless classic loved across generations.
Since there are sections to play gently and others where the rhythm should be firmly articulated, be sure to create clear contrasts so you don’t pull each other off course.
In the rhythmically driven sections, it’s recommended to use staccato effectively.
Like the original, start with the most flamboyant playing to instantly capture the audience’s attention.
Child of the devilHiguchi Ai
Higuchi Ai’s “Akuma no Ko” was written as the ending theme for the TV anime Attack on Titan The Final Season Part 2.
The A section has a unique worldview, but on piano the high notes use the same two tones throughout while only the bass changes, so it’s surprisingly easy to reproduce with just the left hand.
The melody also develops mainly through repeated notes of the same pitch, making it easy to remember and play—another key point! Beginners, be sure to give it a try!