[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!
- [July Karaoke Songs] Carefully selected summer classics and popular Japanese summer hits!
- Recommended Summer Songs for People in Their 60s: Classic and Popular J-Pop Hits [2026]
- [August Songs] Carefully selected masterpieces, classics, and the latest hits you’ll want to listen to in midsummer!
- Youthful songs to listen to in summer. Classic summer hits and recommended popular tracks.
- [Classics] Timeless Summer Hits Recommended for All Ages [Summer Songs]
- Summer songs with great lyrics. Tracks that make your summer memories even more wonderful.
- [Summer Classics] When it comes to summer, it’s got to be this song! A roundup from timeless staples to the latest hit tracks.
- Classic enka songs perfect for summer—tunes that sing of festivals and fireworks.
- [Summer Songs] Summer tracks recommended for teens: A roundup of the latest and classic hits
- [Oldies] Summer Songs Recommended for People in Their 50s [2026]
- Famous and popular Japanese summer songs you’ll want to sing at karaoke
- Reiwa-era summer songs: A roundup of new staple tracks that color the hot summer
- A collection of summer-like songs: tracks that go perfectly with summer, like the sea and the sky.
[July Songs] A selection of Japanese summer songs to kick off the season! (41–50)
Goldfish FireworksOtsuka Ai
When it comes to singer Ai Otsuka’s appeal, it’s that she can sing both cute, upbeat pop songs and ballads at a high level, right? Her summer classic ballad “Kingyo Hanabi” already evokes a sense of summer’s transience from the title alone.
It’s a beautiful melody that conjures up scenes in your mind like a moment from a film.
Although it was released in 2004, it’s still deeply moving today—a masterpiece you’ll want to listen to on the way home from fireworks or as they’re ending, wrapped in that distinctive summer mood.
guitar bagGalileo Galilei
Known as the inaugural champions of the teen-exclusive rock festival Sengoku Riot, the four-piece rock band Galileo Galilei thrilled fans by resuming activities with a new lineup in 2022.
Guitar Bag, included on their fifth album Bee and The Whales, is a refreshing number with a breezy ensemble.
Its lyrics evoke a scene of sunflowers in full bloom and conjure the image of a great presence that watches over you no matter what.
It’s a pop tune that blends the coolness of summer with a sentimental atmosphere, featuring a chorus that feels like the world opening up before your eyes.
fireworksaiko
When it comes to bittersweet summer love songs, isn’t this the classic choice? It’s a track by a singer-songwriter from Osaka, aiko.
Released in 1999 as her third single.
The catchy chorus phrase that makes you want to sing along is famous, right? It’s also a very popular karaoke song.
By the way, this was the song with which aiko made her first appearance on the music show “Music Station.”
Galaxy Express 999Godaigo
It’s a single by Godiego released on July 1, 1979, which became a hit as the theme song for the feature film Galaxy Express 999.
The song was composed with the image of a steam locomotive running, and is characterized by its upbeat melody and lyrics.
Thanks to its sense of speed, it has also become a piece frequently performed by wind bands.
A Midsummer Night’s DreamMatsutōya Yumi
Released in 1993 as Yumi Matsutoya’s 24th single, it was used as the theme song for the TBS drama “Dare ni mo Ienai” and became a major hit.
This track, which marked Matsutoya’s first million-seller, won the Silver Prize at the 12th JASRAC Awards and became one of the defining songs of 1993.
ultra soulB’z
B’z’s ‘ultra soul’ was selected as the official theme song for the 2001 FINA World Championships in Fukuoka and has often been used at professional baseball games and other events.
Released as a single in 2001, it topped the Oricon singles chart for two consecutive weeks and became one of B’z’s signature songs.
It’s a rock tune that incorporates techno beats and Latin sounds, making it a perfect number for summer.
The title call at the end of the chorus always gets you hyped up, no questions asked.
You and the summer music festivalSHISHAMO
SHISHAMO is a three-piece girls’ rock band.
They have plenty of killer tunes, but isn’t “Kimi to Natsu Fes” a particularly striking one? If you love rock bands, you probably spend the whole year eagerly waiting for this day to come.
Summer music festivals—natsu-fes—of course there are tons of them in July as well.
I think this song makes that already-too-fun special day even more special.
I’m jealous of anyone who’s actually gone to a summer festival and heard this song live!