[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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[July Songs] A selection of Japanese summer songs to kick off the season! (51–60)
HANABIHamasaki Ayumi
It’s a calm and cool sound.
You can feel the bittersweet sadness.
Even so, you can see the strength within the determination to keep living.
Her wistful singing voice resonates in the heart.
I imagine many people can relate to this song.
A Little Love SongMONGOL800
When it comes to love songs, this is the one! It’s a track loved by people of all ages.
I get the impression that students who’ve just started a band often cover it.
The pure, heartfelt lyrics match perfectly with the punk vibe of the song, making it a really cool track.
The Summer When You Were ThereMr.Children
It was released in 1992 as Mr.Children’s first single.
The track was cut as a single from their major-label debut album, “EVERYTHING,” and its title was taken from an American film of the same name.
It’s a slightly wistful love song that captures the fresh innocence of early Mr.Children.
LIFEkimaguren
It was released in 2008 as Kimaguren’s second single.
Chosen as the image song for the au Smart Sports commercial, it debuted at No.
14 on the Oricon chart, marking the duo’s first entry into the Oricon Top 20.
It’s a summer song by two artists from Zushi City, Kanagawa.
[July Songs] A selection of Japanese summer tunes to kick off the season! (61–70)
A Town with an Ocean ViewHisaishi Joe
Listening to this piece makes the summer heat feel a little more bearable, doesn’t it? It’s a composition by Joe Hisaishi used in the Studio Ghibli film Kiki’s Delivery Service.
Doesn’t the image of a town lined with red rooftops pop into your mind as you listen? By the way, there’s also a rearranged version with lyrics and a melody called “Mahō no Nukumori” (“The Warmth of Magic”), so if you’re interested, be sure to check that out too.
flying getAKB48
After all, July is the height of summer—a season when you want to go all out and have fun at full throttle, right? Japan has tons of upbeat, high-energy tunes, and how about AKB48’s 2011 hit song “Flying Get”? It’s one of AKB48’s signature tracks and is sure to be a hit at karaoke and more.
It might not have a strong summertime image, but don’t overthink it—just sing and dance along to the music and enjoy the ride with its momentum!
UMI（produced by C&K）TEE
TEE, the entertainer from Hiroshima who shot to fame with the smash hit “Baby I Love You,” released this new summer track in 2019.
With ukulele and reggae-style rhythms perfectly matching his extraordinary voice and vocal prowess, it’s a laid-back reggae song that offers an authentic chill you can enjoy in Japanese.
It’s a beautiful tune you’ll want to listen to while cruising in an open-top car in Okinawa or any tropical paradise.