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 Standards and Massive Hits Too!] Best Hits of Popular J-POP Songs (71–80)
Falling in LoveKobayashi Akiko
Released in 1985 as Akiko Kosaka’s debut single, it was used as the theme song for the TBS drama “Friday Wives III: Falling in Love.” Since it has been covered by many artists, even those unfamiliar with Akiko Kosaka’s era may still know the song.
God of RomanceHirose Kōmi
Released in 1993 as Kohmi Hirose’s third single, it became a million seller.
Used in commercials for the ski equipment retailer Alpen, it turned into a winter staple song.
It’s an uplifting love-pop tune that makes you feel fun and positive.
Midsummer StraightKoumoto Hiroto
As the title suggests, it’s an up-tempo track with the appeal of straightforward music and lyrics.
In fact, this is his first solo single.
Showing a different side from The Blue Hearts and The High-Lows, he gave fans a fresh feeling.
TRUE LOVEFujii Fumiya
Released as Fumiya Fujii’s second solo single, it became a massive hit selling over two million copies as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Asunaro Hakusho.” Showcasing a cool side of Fumiya Fujii distinct from his days with The Checkers, the song drew many new fans.
Just You and IAmuro Namie
This is a single by Namie Amuro released on May 31, 2017, written specifically as the ending theme for the Nippon TV drama “Haha ni Naru” (Becoming a Mother).
It ranked second on the RecoChoku chart for two consecutive weeks.
Crimson Lotus FlowerLiSA
About a year after its digital release, LiSA’s “Gurenge” became an exceptional long-running hit, even reaching No.
1 on the Billboard JAPAN charts for the 19th time.
As the theme song for the anime Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, it exploded in popularity alongside the anime itself—many people must have heard it countless times or sung it at karaoke.
After making her mark in the anisong world, LiSA went on to perform at major festivals and broadened her appeal in the rock band scene, and with this song she finally established herself as a staple artist in the Japanese music scene.
Island SongTHE BOOM
This song, which became a massive hit with over 1.5 million copies sold, incorporates many elements of Okinawan music, such as the sanshin and the Ryukyuan scale, and it sparked an Okinawa boom.
It is still covered by many musicians today.
It is one of THE BOOM’s signature songs.
loadTHE toraburyū
Released in 1993, this song, which gained attention through cable broadcasting, tells the sorrow of a man who lost his pregnant lover in a traffic accident, and was born from a letter sent by a fan.
The song won numerous awards and became a major hit.
Marigoldaimyon
Aimyon has become an indispensable figure when talking about female singer-songwriters of the Reiwa era.
Her songs—featuring relatable lyrics, catchy melodies, and a warm yet modern sound sprinkled with a sense of nostalgia—are immensely popular.
This track, too, was a massive hit and has long been beloved as a J-pop standard.
Although she exudes a charismatic presence among young people, her music is also popular with older generations.
That may be because she reportedly loves Shogo Hamada, and you can feel that folk-rock approach in her work.
My Dear EllieSazan Ōrusutāzu
A number by Southern All Stars that was used as the theme song for the drama “Fuzoroi no Ringo-tachi” starring Kiichi Nakai.
Many people swap out the name “Eri” and sing it using the name of someone they love, and it’s said that Keisuke Kuwata himself did the same at his own wedding, changing “Eri” to “Yuko”—the name of his wife and bandmate, Yuko Hara.
