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!

Playlist

Big Hits, Including New Standard Favorites! Best Hits of Popular J-POP Songs
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Que sera, seraMrs. GREEN APPLE		A smash-hit cheer song bolsters people's spirits
2	Kaiju no Hanabuta (Monster’s Flower Song)Vaundy		Popular thanks to Vaundy’s music, a representative song of the Reiwa era
3	Bridge of Gloryyuzu		Yuzu’s classic, an upbeat song of courage
4	horizonback number		A hopeful song about overcoming setbacks: a ballad by back number
5	Dinner Songtuki.		tuki.’s poignant masterpiece of love and farewell, deeply moving
6	KanadeSukima Suichi		A heartfelt ballad, a song of growth and bonds
7	hundreds of millions of light-yearsOmoinotake		A love far away, in a melody billions of light-years long
8	LemonYonezu Kenshi		Kenshi Yonezu’s signature song “Lemon” is moving.
9	Love will winKAN		Love will surely win, a song of hope
10	Endless JourneyMr.Children		Mr. Children’s masterpiece, a drama theme song that modulates key 9 times
11	I should be able to fly (in the sky).supittsu		Spitz’s classic song becomes a national anthem-like hit
12	Love Story Comes SuddenlyOda Kazumasa		A classic Kazuya Oda song that represents the Heisei era
13	Don’t give upZARD		An encouraging song that gives you a push, sung by Izumi Sakai
14	Dried flowersYuuri		The appeal of Yuuri’s signature song “Dry Flower”
15	sparkleFuji Kaze		Fujii Kaze’s heartwarming hit song, a voice of salvation
16	First LoveUtada Hikaru		The classic song “First Love” that portrays the bittersweetness of a first love
17	I wonderDa-iCE		Theme song for a drama, a song about love and self-discovery
18	SakurazakaFukuyama Masaharu		Masaharu Fukuyama’s classic spring song, themed around heartbreak.
19	New EraAdo		Ado’s “NEW WORLD,” the movie’s theme song, is thrilling the world.
20	rainbowAqua Timez		An inspiring masterpiece that sings of hope and bonds
21	InfluencerNogizaka 46		Nogizaka46’s popular song features captivating high-speed choreography.
22	Promise of SunflowersHata Motohiro		Motohiro Hata’s theme song for the movie “Doraemon”
23	Letter ~To You at Fifteen~Anjura Aki		A letter expressing the feelings of adolescence
24	Atelier of LightMr.Children		First new song in two years, with a rich selection of tracks
25	The One and Only Flower in the WorldSMAP		SMAP's moving final collaboration song
26	As many times as you likeDREAMS COME TRUE		An inspiring classic after the Great East Japan Earthquake
27	Horse and deerYonezu Kenshi		Kenshi Yonezu’s drama theme song portrays adversity.
28	Togetsu Bridge ~Thinking of You~Kuraki Mai		Mai Kuraki is famous for theme songs of the Detective Conan movies.
29	Just by you being herekome kome CLUB		A hit song that sold over 2 million copies, a timeless classic that hasn’t faded even now.
30	lightly; nimbly; flutteringlyŌhara Sakurako		Sakurako Ohara’s movie theme song is making headlines.
31	Rainy BlueTokunaga Hideaki		Hideaki Tokunaga’s classic song “Ame (Rain),” with an emotionally rich vocal performance
32	One moreFUNKY MONKEY BABYS		Music video of the FANKY song featuring Masahiro Tanaka
33	Always, the two of usieiri reo		Leo Ieiri’s drama theme song, a love song
34	White LoversKuwata Keisuke		A classic Christmas tune, a masterpiece by Keisuke Kuwata
35	TOMORROWMayo Okamoto		Mayo Okamoto’s Encouraging Song: The Strength to Overcome the Earthquake Disaster
36	mermaidAmuro Namie		Dreamlike music, a world of fantasy
37	RAINSEKAI NO OWARI		A moving ballad by SEKAI NO OWARI
38	MPRINCESS PRINCESS		An iconic song by a female rock band from the ’80s
39	Let’s count your kissesKoyanagi Yuki		Yuki Koyanagi scores a big hit with her powerful singing voice.
40	SUBWAYyuzu		They’ve been steadily from their days as a street musician...
41	Romance and the AbacusShiina Ringo to Utada Hikaru		A moving song included on Ringo Sheena's best-of album
42	fragileEvery Little Thing		The famous song “fragile” by Every Little Thing
43	loveHoshino Gen		Gen Hoshino’s “Koi,” a masterpiece that sparked a social phenomenon
44	Even if blown by the windKeyakizaka46		Keyakizaka46’s new song: a cross-dressing music video with Hirate as the center
45	LUV PARADEMISIA		Her charming, upbeat pop songs
46	YAH YAH YAHCHAGE and ASKA		A classic by CHAGE and ASKA, a rousing anthem that inspires emotion and excitement
47	TOKYO GIRLPerfume		Popular songs by Perfume, drama theme songs
48	As I love and as I please, you’re the only one I won’t hurt.B’z		B’z’s mega-hit song, No. 1 on the Oricon chart for 4 consecutive weeks
49	Lingering SnowJUJU		The classic song “Nagori Yuki” covered by JUJU
50	At all times.Makihara Noriyuki		90s J-pop: Noriyuki Makihara’s moving song
51	Osaka LoverDREAMS COME TRUE		The exhilaration of a long-distance relationship and the anticipation of reunion
52	That day will surely come.DREAMS COME TRUE		DREAMS COME TRUE's Olympic cheer song
53	I LOVE YOUOzaki Yutaka		Voices of youth: Yutaka Ozaki’s iconic song and passion
54	Because you’re my hero.LiSA		LiSA's hero theme song single
55	StoryAI		An AI masterpiece, a ballad brimming with message
56	lampSakiyama Soshi		Soshi Sakiyama draws attention with the ending theme for the anime Jujutsu Kaisen
57	In the Morning of DeterminationAqua Timez		A classic song that sings of the refreshing feelings of youth
58	Shinymiwa		miwa's heartwarming song overflowing with kindness
59	globeYonezu Kenshi		Kenshi Yonezu’s theme song for Studio Ghibli’s latest film, “You Are”
60	Hold me in the great skyUtada Hikaru		A refreshing classic from Hikaru Utada’s commercial song
61	MissingKubota Toshinobu		Toshinobu Kubota’s signature songs, big hit classics
62	To Those Who Know the Blue of the Skyaimyon		Aimyon’s movie theme song, a beautiful song about parting
63	Best FriendNishino Kana		A graduation song by Kana Nishino that expresses gratitude for friendship
64	Matsuken Samba IIMatsudaira Ken		It became a social phenomenon thanks to Ken Matsudaira’s samba-style song.
65	I was looking at the moon.Yonezu Kenshi		Historic b… of the 8th single “Lemon”
66	CAN YOU CELEBRATE?Amuro Namie		Namie Amuro, a diva who represents the 1990s
67	Youth ClockNGT48		NGT48’s 1st single “Seishun Dokei”
68	Over DriveJUDY AND MARY		JUDY AND MARY’s captivating signature songs
69	Someone other than meNMB48		A moving NMB48 song that resonates with the heart
70	secret base ~What You Gave Me~ZONE		ZONE's signature song, an eternal classic as a youth anthem
71	AutomaticUtada Hikaru		Hikaru Utada, debuted at 15, a representative figure of J-pop
72	Falling in LoveKobayashi Akiko		Akiko Kosaka’s hit song, covered by many
73	God of RomanceHirose Kōmi		Kohmi Hirose’s hit song, the Alpen commercial song
74	Midsummer StraightKoumoto Hiroto		A solo track with an upbeat, catchy vibe
75	TRUE LOVEFujii Fumiya		Theme song of Asunaro Hakusho, a smash hit
76	Just You and IAmuro Namie		Namie Amuro’s drama theme song “Becoming a Mother”
77	Crimson Lotus FlowerLiSA		LiSA, who made a major breakthrough with the anime theme song 'Gurenge'
78	A night of hundreds of millions of stars that seem about to fallRAG FAIR		A love song that speaks to the charm of a cappella
79	Island SongTHE BOOM		A smash hit born from Okinawan music, the Okinawa boom
80	loadTHE toraburyū		A song about the sorrow of a man who lost his lover in an accident
81	Marigoldaimyon		Aimyon: A voice that sings of empathy and nostalgia
82	My Dear EllieSazan Ōrusutāzu		Southern All Stars’ classic, “Ellie, My Love,” is a love song.
83	Ambitious! That’s nicely ambitious.Mōningu Musume.		A commemorative single imbued with the significance of idols
84	One Hundred Doorsainai rina & saegusa yuka		First-ever collaboration on Detective Conan’s theme song
85	We have a sun in our hearts.shinwa		Loved ones are close in your heart.
86	GirlHata Motohiro		Hata Motohiro’s gentle melodies and relatable lyrics
87	Wasted wishesAKB48		AKB48 single: Jurina Matsui and Sakura Miyawaki are the centers.
88	Surprisingly MangoSKE48		Popular SKE48 single filmed in Taiwan
89	Turning Uparashi		The Appeal of Arashi’s 20th-Anniversary Digital Single
90	PretenderOfisharu Higedan Dism		Official HIGE DANDism achieved a major breakthrough in 2019
91	DECIDEDUVERworld		UVERworld's 'A Message to Walk Together'
92	DropHANA		A powerful song depicting HANA's self-breakthrough
93	365 Days’ Paper AirplaneAKB48		Theme song for an NHK morning drama, a track with Sayaka Yamamoto as the center
94	SAY YESCHAGE and ASKA		CHAGE and ASKA’s popular song “SAY YES”
95	world standardwāsuta		A song that respects diversity and pursues being true to oneself
96	When summer comesSun Set Swish		A refreshing song brimming with summer vibes
97	Speed Livemisono		A youthful love story about a couple with a height difference.
98	MHamasaki Ayumi		Ayumi Hamasaki, a songstress who represents the 2000s
99	Diamond WaveKuraki Mai		A refreshing track, theme song for a sports program
100	Love ☆ QueenE-Girls		E-girls’ popular dance track, “Las Vegas” MV
101	The impact of a single dropUVERworld		Anime theme song carries a message of moving forward
102	Make it tingly.A.B.C-Z		A powerful new song from A.B.C-Z about continuing to chase dreams.
103	LAYLAGLAY		A song that sings about the courage to move on after heartbreak
104	First of all, starting todayzarame		A heartwarming song themed around self-affirmation and moving forward…
105	i’ll be thereKōda Kumi		A song that reflects the passionate sunlight
106	The StressAbe Natsumi		Abe scores a GAVA hit with Chisato Moritaka’s song
107	Get Along TogetherYamane Yasuhiro		Yasuhiro Yamane’s signature song, a wedding song
108	Destiny – Flower of the Sun –Shimatani Hitomi		An epic theme song depicting the hope to live
109	A Midsummer Night’s DreamMatsutōya Yumi		The song that became a big hit with “Dare ni mo Ienai” (“I Can’t Tell Anyone”).
110	SanctuaryTamaki Nami		An upbeat anime song that cheers on your dreams
111	STARTLiNEYaita Hitomi		Soccer cheering song, the courage to face forward
112	milk teaFukuyama Masaharu		A heartwarming song that makes you feel the importance of words
113	BRAND NEW MORNINGMōningu Musume. ’17		A classic song by a flagship idol group
114	Hi-fi messageEvery Little Thing		A catchy song for the 10th anniversary
115	Et cetera related to the seashorePUFFY		PUFFY’s iconic hit songs from the ’90s
116	flareSuperfly		Theme song of 'Scarlet': a song that stays close to the inner voice
117	Do your best!sadamasashi		An upbeat song in Nagasaki dialect about pursuing your dreams
118	BLAST！Momoiro Kurōbā Zetto		An inspiring song filled with passion for self-actualization!
119	single bedSha ran Q		A poignant ballad that sings of the sorrow of a broken heart
120	glass slippersGoto Maki		Maki Goto, a girl's transition into adulthood
121	PopNishino Kana		Kana Nishino’s cheering song that became a hot topic in commercials
122	Clouds are white, apples are red.aiko		A summer love song about a maiden’s wavering heart