Big Hits, Including New Standard Favorites! Best Hits of Popular J-POP Songs
You probably hear J-pop all the time—theme songs from dramas and movies, tracks everyone’s talking about on the radio and music shows, karaoke staples, and more!
That said, there are so many famous J-pop songs out there.
So in this article, we’ll give you a comprehensive look at both newer hits and timeless J-pop classics.
From masterpieces of J-pop’s golden era to must-hear hits of the Reiwa era, we’ve selected a wide range—so you’ll likely run into a few “Oh, I know this one!” moments.
At the beginning of the page, you’ll also find many songs that are widely loved and often played or sung in various settings, so be sure to check them out!
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[New Standard and Mega-Hits!] Best Hits of Popular J-POP Songs (1–10)
LemonYonezu Kenshi
Originally active as a Vocaloid producer under the name Hachi, Kenshi Yonezu later made a huge breakthrough as a singer-songwriter and is now beloved by many listeners as one of the leading artists in the J-pop scene.
Among his works, Lemon is often cited as his signature song and frequently appears high in karaoke rankings.
I think its popularity comes from the fact that it was the theme song for the drama Unnatural and that its poignant lyrics about bereavement resonate with many people.
Love will winKAN
Released in 1990, this song is simple yet powerful, delivering a heartfelt message of courage and hope.
Its lyrics—affirming that love will always prevail no matter the hardship—have encouraged many listeners.
KAN’s richly expressive piano and vocals are especially captivating.
The song was used as the ending theme for TV Asahi’s “Quiz Omoshiro TV” and as an insert song for Fuji TV’s “Hochan’s Yamada Katsutenai TV,” making it beloved across generations.
You can truly feel the power of words carried by its warm message.
It’s a song that gives you a real boost when you’re feeling down or want to look ahead.
Endless JourneyMr.Children
A million-selling single by Mr.
Children.
It was used as the theme song for the TV drama “Naguru Onna,” starring Eimi Wakui.
With an astonishing nine key changes, it’s a tough song to sing at karaoke.
It also connects lyrically to the 1999 single “Hikari no Sasu Hou e,” and the two are often performed together live.
Big Hits Among the New Standards! Best Hits of Popular J-POP Songs (11–20)
I should be able to fly (in the sky).supittsu
As one of the signature songs by Spitz, one of Japan’s leading rock bands, it’s loved as a national favorite—something that’s clear from the fact that it was even included in music textbooks.
It’s a go-to choice for karaoke and for acoustic guitar covers, and it’s recommended for all sorts of occasions—you can probably hum along to it yourself, right? Interestingly, although it was released in 1994, it became a hit two years later when it was used as the theme song for the TV drama “Hakusen Nagashi.”
Love Story Comes SuddenlyOda Kazumasa
It’s a famous song by Kazumasa Oda, known for its distinctive guitar sound that starts with a “chu-ku-chuun” motif.
It was used as the theme song for the drama Tokyo Love Story, starring Honami Suzuki and Yuji Oda.
Both the drama and the song were massive hits and are still remembered today as emblematic works of the Heisei era.
The success of this song greatly boosted Kazumasa Oda’s recognition and popularity.
Don’t give upZARD
This was the sixth single by ZARD, whose vocalist Izumi Sakai sadly passed away in 2007 at the young age of 40, and it became the song that propelled ZARD to a major breakthrough.
Even today, it’s remembered for the striking footage of participants singing it together during the 24-Hour TV marathon broadcast—a number that gives you a push when times are tough.
Dried flowersYuuri
One of Yuuri’s signature songs, it vividly portrays the emotions of two people after a breakup.
Released in October 2020, it gradually gained popularity.
In addition to the buzz from his performance video on the YouTube channel THE FIRST TAKE, the music video became a massive hit, surpassing 220 million views.
It also crossed borders, with K-pop artists in Korea uploading cover videos.
Yuuri’s clear, soaring vocals and heartrending lyrics truly pierce the heart.
The lyrics capture the complex feelings that arise after choosing to part with a lover, and they are sure to resonate deeply.
It’s recommended not only for those who have experienced heartbreak or separation, but also for anyone who wants to feel the bond with someone important.
Let Yuuri’s voice soothe you as you sort out your feelings.