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