[Ode to Joy] A handpicked selection of happy songs and bright tunes that make your heart dance just by listening!
There are many moments in everyday life when we feel joy—like being united with someone you love, achieving a goal, or making up with someone you were fighting with.
In this article, we’ll introduce popular Japanese songs that sing about joy or make you feel joyful when you listen to them.
Each track is filled with warmth and happiness, so give them a listen when things aren’t going well or when you’re feeling down.
It’s also great to listen together with someone important to you or someone you like to strengthen your bond.
- A happy song that makes you feel happy just by listening
- Songs that hype you up just by listening—recommended tracks from timeless classics to the latest releases
- Congratulations! A celebration song to give to someone special
- [Power Songs] The best bright, energizing tracks that lift your spirits!
- Famous songs that celebrate special occasions. Recommended popular tracks.
- Songs that bring good luck. Classic lucky hits and popular sure-win tracks that carry fortune.
- A collection of bright, cute songs: recommended tracks to lift your mood
- Exciting to listen to! A happy song that makes you feel good
- [Thank-You Song] A song to convey your feelings of “thank you” to someone special
- Power songs that fill you with energy just by listening. Recommended classics and popular tracks.
- Masterpieces that sing about smiles and grins. Recommended popular songs.
- [2026] Get Pumped Just by Listening! A Roundup of Recommended Popular J‑Pop Songs
- A gentle song. A classic that calms the heart. A song that makes you feel kind.
Ode to Joy: A handpicked selection of feel-good songs and bright, upbeat tracks that make your heart dance just by listening! (21–30)
Ode to JoySaitō Kazuyoshi
This is a song released in 2003 by Kazuyoshi Saito, known for his signature tracks “Utautai no Ballad” and “Wedding Song.” The music video featured Matsuko Deluxe, a prominent cross-dressing TV personality, which became a hot topic at the time.
Listening to the opening lyrics, you might think the protagonist has lost something precious and is in despair, but in the latter half, the tone shifts to a hopeful resolve to start over.
It’s not a bright, happy song, but it conveys the joy of difficult days coming to an end and a new beginning taking shape.
Thank youikimonogakari
The famous song “Arigatou,” which expresses heartfelt gratitude, was released by Ikimono-gakari in 2010 and used as the theme song for the NHK morning drama Gegege no Nyobo.
This song, which conveys the bond between two people, is also popular as a wedding classic.
The lyrics, depicting the resolve to walk together and gratitude for the person by your side, together with the moving melody, well up tears.
Rather than a bubbly joy, it’s a song that lets you feel a gentle, quietly blooming happiness.
Ode to Joy: Carefully Selected Happy and Upbeat Songs That Make Your Heart Dance Just by Listening! (31–40)
A bouquet of flowers with loveSuperfly
Superfly’s hit song “Ai o Komete Hanataba o” (“A Bouquet With All My Love”).
It was used as the theme song for the drama Edison no Haha and is a classic love song often played at weddings! This song, which sings of the joy and gratitude of being with the one you love, likely brings the face of someone special to mind for many listeners.
When you think back on the time you’ve spent together, all kinds of memories come flooding back—but when you look to your side and see that special person there… there’s no greater happiness, is there? It’s a joyful song you’ll want to play on anniversaries with the one you love.
TOMORROWMayo Okamoto
A true classic among classics, the kind you’ll find in textbooks.
It’s not a song that gets you hyped, but it gently encourages the listener, and the refreshing feeling after you hear it is irresistible.
It makes the small stuff seem insignificant and helps you look forward.
Shape of LoveMISIA feat.HIDE GReeeeN
Aino Katachi is a collaboration song by MISIA and HIDE from GReeeeN.
It became popular as the theme song for the drama “Gibo to Musume no Blues” (Stepmother and Daughter’s Blues).
It’s a love song filled with deep affection for someone special, and listening to it fills your heart with joy.
I’m sure you, too, have someone precious—whether a partner, family member, or friend.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if that special someone felt this way about you? Of course, you can simply enjoy it yourself, but if possible, I hope you’ll share it with someone important to you and share the joy together.
A life-sized love songAqua Timez
When I listen to this song, it somehow makes me feel very nostalgic.
I don’t really listen to Aqua Timez much anymore, but isn’t this a song that everyone knows? It’s a lovely track that lets you genuinely feel the joy of being in love.
As many times as you likeDREAMS COME TRUE
When I first heard it, I literally thought, “What is this?!”—it’s such an incredibly energizing song.
Yoshida’s voice hits me right in the chest.
Just like the lyrics say, even if things don’t go well, I’ll keep trying again and again without giving up! That sense of power and joy wells up inside me.