[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] (41–50)
globeYonezu Kenshi
“Globe,” written as the theme song for Studio Ghibli’s The Boy and the Heron, directed and written by Hayao Miyazaki and released in 2023.
The song evokes hope for an endlessly continuing future—one that goes on no matter what happens along the way, whether joyful or sad.
On the score, it appears tricky at first because it mixes 4/4 and 2/4 time, but don’t worry about the meter changes too much; just follow the notes while picturing the melody.
Once you’re comfortable, add dynamics to build excitement in the chorus.
[Piano Beginners] J-POP That Looks Hard but Is Surprisingly Playable [2026] (51–60)
for a long timeKiroro
A heartwarming ballad with a charming, gentle chord progression! This song by Kiroro was released as a single in 1998.
The lyrics, filled with gratitude and affection for loved ones, softly resonate with listeners.
Composed in F major with a steady 4/4 rhythm, it uses basic chords like F and C, making it perfect for chord practice.
Start by holding simple block chords with your left hand and tracing the melody with your right.
Highly recommended as a song for singing and playing.
tapestrySnow Man
Tapestry, chosen as the theme song for the film My Happy Marriage starring group member Ren Meguro, is a Snow Man track distinguished by its heartrending yet hopeful lyrics and grand melody.
Because of its calm tempo, start by practicing the left hand slowly with a simple arrangement, and once you’re comfortable, try adding finer rhythms.
Repeated notes won’t go well if you’re tense, so shape your fingertips properly, release the tension from your arms and shoulders, and aim for an easy, light “ton-ton” touch.
catDISH//
“Neko,” performed by the rock band DISH// and written and composed by singer-songwriter Aimyon, is a song that compares a beloved person who has left to a cat, depicting the sorrow of heartbreak.
Its lyrics resonated with many and became a hot topic.
Because the song has a charmingly simple feel, there’s no need to thicken the harmony or add much ornamentation when playing it on piano.
In fact, keeping it simple better conveys the song’s appeal, making it perfect for beginners.
Come, spring.Matsutōya Yumi
Yumi Matsutoya’s classic “Haru yo, Koi” (“Come, Spring”).
In addition to being used as the theme song for an NHK morning drama series, it’s featured as a graduation song at schools and even included in textbooks, making it a piece beloved across generations.
Its Japan-inspired melody is appealing and easy for beginners to play, and its wistful, gentle character pairs beautifully with the piano’s timbre.
Keep a relaxed tempo and add delicate expression as you perform.
Since a variety of arrangements are published, it’s recommended to start with an easier version and step up to intermediate and advanced versions as you progress!
Beautiful finsupittsu
Spitz’s “Utsukushii Hire,” written as the theme song for the film Detective Conan: Black Iron Submarine—which surpassed 10.3 billion yen in box-office revenue just 24 days after release, making it the biggest hit in the series’ history.
Speaking of Spitz’s music, Masamune Kusano’s wide vocal range and beautiful high notes are a hallmark! When playing it on piano, the right-hand melody line spans a somewhat wide range, but because the left hand requires little position shifting, even beginners can focus on the right hand and comfortably attempt playing with both hands.
Another key point is to play the bouncy dotted rhythms lightly!
Lupin the Third Theme ’78Ōno Yūji
When it comes to cool anime songs, you can’t leave out “Theme from Lupin the Third.” Composed by jazz pianist Yuji Ohno, it’s known for having various takes across the years, from funky versions to jazzy ones.
Even just playing the melody stands up on its own, so you can make it work by adding only a few notes in the left hand.
Beginners can perform it stylishly.
Once you become conscious of the rhythm in your playing, you’ll be able to deliver an even more leveled-up rendition of “Theme from Lupin the Third.”
