[July Songs] A selection of Japanese summer tunes perfect for the start of the season!
July marks the opening act of full-fledged summer.
Fireworks, the start of beach season, Tanabata, festivals…
For students, it’s also when summer vacation begins—no shortage of events to get excited about.
In this article, we introduce songs that are perfect for July, a month when outings become more frequent.
From tracks that evoke the start of summer—like the sea, the stars, and festivals—to refreshing youth anthems, it’s a lineup packed with mood-boosting classics.
Crank up your favorite tune and power through the sweltering summer heat!
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[Songs for July] A Pick of Japanese Summer Tracks to Kick Off the Season! (71–80)
Over DriveJUDY AND MARY
Speaking of JUDY AND MARY, a band that churned out hit songs in the 1990s, their 1995 single “Over Drive” stands out.
It was featured in a commercial for the Toyota Corolla Touring Wagon and reached No.
4 on the Oricon singles chart.
Thanks to the success of “Over Drive,” Judy and Mary began their path to stardom.
The song is memorable for its poppy, catchy sound and a carefree, summery chorus.
milky wayL’Arc〜en〜Ciel
L’Arc~en~Ciel’s signature ballad features a beautiful melodic line reminiscent of a July night sky.
It opens with a scene of dashing out before dawn while thinking of a lover, and goes on to express lingering feelings that can’t be cast aside alongside the courage to step into the future.
Carried by a grand sound, it delivers a powerful message about casting off doubt and moving forward—a song beloved by many fans.
Included on the 1998 album HEART.
Its lyrics give listeners a gentle push, making it a perfect track to hear at the start of summer.
It will accompany the moments you share with someone special beneath the starry sky.
Sunny Day SundaySENTIMENTAL:BUS
Released in 1999 as Sentimental Bus’s fourth major single, it was used in a Pocari Sweat commercial and became their biggest hit.
It’s a summer song that makes you feel the sweat of high school baseball players practicing under the scorching sun.
Summer Days of 1993class
Released in 1993 as class’s debut single.
It was used as the theme song for the TV Asahi drama “Kimi to Itsumademo” and as a commercial song for Saison Card, and despite being their debut, it became a million-selling classic.
It has been covered by numerous artists and remains a popular summer song for karaoke.
HANABIikimonogakari
The energetic vocals and upbeat tempo really get you hyped! It’s a song by the three-member music group Ikimono-gakari.
It was released in 2006 as their second single.
Chosen as an ending theme for the anime BLEACH, it drew a lot of attention.
The choice of words in the lyrics conveys a kind of inner strength.
You could call it a summer song beloved by anime fans.
TSUNAMISazan Ōrusutāzu
Southern All Stars are also a group that represents the Japanese summer.
It might be different from so-called surf music, but their hometown is a surfing mecca, and many surfers are surely fans of the group.
These are classic songs and well worth a listen.
I Want to Be Embraced in a Sea of Tears ~SEA OF LOVE~Sazan Ōrusutāzu
It was Southern All Stars’ 47th single, released in 2003.
It was used as the theme song for the Fuji TV Monday 9 p.m.
drama “My Only Madonna.” With the quintessential Southern All Stars sound and lyrics that evoke a clear, refreshing ocean, it’s a song that feels like it brings the summer with it.