[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] (51–60)
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.
Zankyo SankaAimer
Aimer’s “Zankyosanka” is packed with speed and exhilaration and is sure to captivate your audience’s ears.
Released in 2022 as a double A-side single with “Asa ga Kuru,” this song was chosen as the opening theme for the anime Demon Slayer: Entertainment District Arc.
Its recognition as the theme of a hugely popular anime will undoubtedly draw listeners’ interest.
The introduction is in 3/4, so you’ll need to pay attention not only to how you feel the rhythm but also to the transition into 4/4 that follows.
Bringing out the song’s and anime’s glamorous atmosphere in your performance will significantly boost the cool factor.
In the section after the chorus where only the vocal melody remains, cutting the sound cleanly to avoid any extraneous noise will add sharpness and make it sound even cooler.
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.
HAPPY BIRTHDAYback number
Based on a popular manga, the TV drama Hajimete Koi o Shita Hi ni Yomu Hanashi aired on TBS in 2019.
Its theme song, back number’s “HAPPY BIRTHDAY,” is a hit with over 40 million views on YouTube.
It’s a quintessential back number classic, featuring an emotional sound and bittersweet lyrics that cleverly weave in unrequited love with a birthday motif—no wonder many people want to play it on piano.
While expressing pop music on the piano can be challenging, beginners should be able to handle playing the single-note melody with the right hand and just the bass line with the left.
As for the frequent use of black keys, get used to it through repeated practice.
Pour your emotions into it and try to convey the song’s world with feeling more than technique.
[Piano Beginners] J-POP That Looks Hard but Is Surprisingly Playable [2026] (61–70)
Marunouchi SadisticShiina Ringo
Shiina Ringo’s “Marunouchi Sadistic” has a chic, jazz-tinged vibe.
An acoustic version was included as the B-side to the 1998 single “Kabukicho no Joou,” and a full-band version was later featured on the 1999 album “Muzai Moratorium.” This song is challenging not just because of the notes, but because it’s hard to capture its atmosphere.
It’s best to play the set parts—like the vocal melody—faithfully, but for the other sections, adding your own ad-lib is recommended.
If you’re not comfortable with improvisation, you can still bring out a jazzy feel by adding a few grace notes, doubling adjacent tones, or inserting brief rests in key spots.
YoursSuda Masaki
Yours by Masaki Suda, written as the theme song for the drama The Best Teacher: One Year Later, I Was ■ by My Student starring Mayu Matsuoka, expresses the world of the series with a message: “You don’t need to be controlled by anyone—you’re allowed to live your life for yourself.” When playing it on piano, try to perform in a relaxed, flowing manner while imagining Suda’s casual vocal style.
Once you’re comfortable, try adding rhythm in the left hand or incorporating chords.
RYDEENYellow Magic Orchestra
RYDEEN, a signature track by YMO, formed by the star-studded trio of Ryuichi Sakamoto, Haruomi Hosono, and Yukihiro Takahashi.
Since its 1980 release, it has been used in commercials and TV program background music, and has been loved by people across generations.
When expressing the coolness of techno sound on the piano, the key point is to play the rhythm with absolute clarity.
For beginners, choose sheet music with a melody line made up of simple notes, and play each note cleanly and distinctly so you can fully capture the sharpness of the original.