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!
- [Japanese Music] Masterpieces of 2000s Pop: A roundup of hit songs from 00s J-POP
- All big hits! A roundup of classic J‑Pop songs that were popular in 2000
- Memorable masterpieces. Recommended popular songs.
- Only famous artists! Anime songs that energize the Reiwa era
- [J-Pop] A Collection of Soothing 90s J-POP Hits
- Best City Pop Classics: Recommended Popular Songs [Timeless & Modern]
- Gen Z listeners, take note! Great songs that color the J-pop scene
- Today's Recommended J-POP: A Collection of Japanese Hit Songs You’ll Want to Listen to Today
- [J-POP] For those who want to listen to everything! A compilation of medleys by popular artists
- Nothing but masterpieces! Hit songs from the Reiwa era that are perfect for background music
- Nothing but famous and hit songs! K-pop tracks recommended for Gen Z
- [I Want to Sing!] J-POP That Makes You Want to Sing Out Loud
- A collection of nostalgic hit songs and classics from the 70s
[New Standards Become Big Hits Too!] J-POP Popular Songs Best Hits (41–50)
At all times.Makihara Noriyuki
This song was used as the theme for the 1991 film “No Abnormalities in the Job-Hunting Front,” starring Yuji Oda.
It is singer-songwriter Noriyuki Makihara’s third single and his biggest hit as a single.
The powerful piano that carries through from the intro bolsters the resolve to “be yourself no matter what,” making it one of the quintessential J-pop numbers of the 1990s.
[New Standards and Massive Hits!] J-POP Best Popular Songs (51–60)
Osaka LoverDREAMS COME TRUE
A track that directly conveys the excitement of heading to Osaka to see a long-distance lover.
Released in March 2007 as DREAMS COME TRUE’s 38th single, it was well known as the theme song for a Universal Studios Japan attraction.
The song expresses the complex feelings of the frustration of not being able to meet and the anticipation of reunion, set to a danceable four-on-the-floor beat.
The slightly grown-up-sounding Osaka dialect phrases highlight the protagonist’s endearing charm and are irresistibly cute.
The song is also included on the album AND I LOVE YOU.
It’s a perfect track to heighten those pre-meeting butterflies when you’re about to see someone you love.
That day will surely come.DREAMS COME TRUE
This is a song by DREAMS COME TRUE, one of Japan’s leading music units.
It was released for the ENEOS commercial “Energy Song Announcement.” It also serves as ENEOS’s support song for the Tokyo Olympics, so why not take this opportunity to give it a listen?
I LOVE YOUOzaki Yutaka
As a spokesperson for young people, the musician Yutaka Ozaki enjoyed charismatic popularity in the 1980s.
This is one of the masterpieces he left behind during his short 26-year life, and it is also one of his signature ballads.
A love song whose lyrical yet passionate qualities resonate across generations.
Because you’re my hero.LiSA
This is a single by LiSA released on August 2, 2017, which reached number 7 on the Oricon chart.
It is used as the ending theme for My Hero Academia.
The TV-size version was released in advance on July 12.
StoryAI
This song was released as AI’s 12th single.
It’s a relaxed ballad, yet AI’s powerful message resonates deeply.
The track conveys AI’s distinctive vocal style and heartfelt connection to the lyrics.
It’s a classic that has been covered by many artists.
lampSakiyama Soshi
Singer-songwriter Soushi Sakiyama gained attention after winning the Grand Prix in the “High School Folk Song GP” segment of AbemaTV’s variety show “Variety Kaitaku Variety Himura ga Yuku.” His 10th major digital single, “Akari,” was selected as the ending theme for the TV anime Jujutsu Kaisen: Hidden Inventory/Premature Death.
Its message—that precious things can be found within the ordinary—may prompt those who feel unlucky to look around and notice what surrounds them.
It’s a soothing number, marked by a gentle vocal delivery and a richly layered ensemble.