Popular Japanese Music / J-POP Artist Rankings [2026]

Around 1990, the term “J-POP” was born.

However, Japanese music as a cultural force has never stopped; from long before then up to the present, it has continued to expand.

We’ve put together a collection of soul-stirring tracks created by such artists—please give them a listen.

Playlist

Popular Japanese Music / J-POP Artist Rankings [2026]
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	bouquetback number		An early masterpiece that depicts a bittersweet love
2	Blue and SummerMrs. GREEN APPLE		Inspirational masterpieces that color our youth, songs that give us courage
3	Eine KleineYonezu Kenshi		Kenshi Yonezu’s masterpiece, with its transparent melody, resonates in the heart.
4	PretenderOfisharu Higedan Dism		A signature song by HIGE DAN about the turmoil of unrequited love
5	365 daysMr.Children		A classic song that conveys love to someone special
6	Ghost RuleDECO*27		A rock masterpiece by DECO*27 bursting with emotion
7	me me sheRADWIMPS		A poignant ballad about continuing to think of an ex-lover
8	HAPPYBUMP OF CHICKEN		A timeless masterpiece that celebrates life with deep affection
9	Marigoldaimyon		Aimyon captivates across generations with her popular songs.
10	Wherever you areONE OK ROCK		ONE OK ROCK’s classic that sings of straightforward love
11	Letter to the SkyGReeeeN		A song of the heart that sings its feelings even if they don't reach.
12	Amanojaku164		Passionately belting the rock song “Amano-jaku” in mixed voice
13	LokiMikito P		A lively, fun song that men and women can sing together
14	Maplesupittsu		A classic Spitz song that portrays loss and rebirth, with a wistful melody
15	Karakuri Pierrot40mP		Karakuri Pierrot is an easy song to sing.
16	together; along with; bothWANIMA		WANIMA's signature high-energy, fast-paced song
17	sasanqua (Camellia sasanqua)SEKAI NO OWARI		A song that gently supports the journey toward your dreams
18	somedaySaucy Dog		A poignant love ballad by Saucy Dog
19	HarukaYOASOBI		A heartwarming song of growth and farewell between a girl and a mug
20	Only for you, clear skiesYorushika		A classic that captures summer scenes and the bittersweetness of youth
21	NonfictionHirai Ken		Ken Hirai’s heartfelt cry that sings of life’s absurdity
22	Sand Planethachi		Kenshi Yonezu and Hatsune Miku’s 10th-anniversary song reaches a million
23	I became someone else’s girlfriend.wacci		A song that portrays the bittersweet emotions of love that spread on social media
24	A Bouquet for YouUtada Hikaru		Bouquet, Hikaru Utada’s masterpiece of farewell and gratitude
25	Until I hold you in my arms.MIMI		A soothing song with gentle tones that heal the heart
26	broad daylightKing Gnu		A bittersweet and beautiful signature song by King Gnu that comes to mind when seeing snow
27	Love so sweetarashi		Arashi’s classic hit, a song that awakens memories
28	Night Sky Patrol of TomorrowOrangestar		A moving Orangestar song featuring IA
29	Bridge of Gloryyuzu		An encouraging classic by Yuzu that resonates with the hearts of those who strive.
30	KanadeSukima Suichi		Sukima Switch’s famous ballad “Kanade”
31	366 daysHY		Vocal tips for HY’s popular ballad “366 Days”
32	Unrequited loveAimer		Falsetto practice method for Aimer’s famous song “Kataomoi”
33	Goodbye ElegySuda Masaki		Masaki Suda’s emotion-packed rock song, a striking main theme
34	DarlingNishino Kana		Kana Nishino’s love song with a country flavor
35	Promise of SunflowersHata Motohiro		Hata Motohiro’s signature ballad that expresses gratitude to a loved one
36	The Howling of the Lost OneNeru		A heartfelt cry of a song portraying the pains of adolescence
37	beetle (specifically, a rhinoceros beetle)aiko		Aiko’s signature love song “Kabuto…”
38	budKobukuro		The moving masterpiece 'Tsubomi' filled with thoughts for my mother
39	PrologueUru		A poignant song of forbidden love that resonates in the heart
40	A Little Love SongMONGOL800		A song of youth, conveying love and bonds to someone precious.
41	YELLikimonogakari		A hopeful song about embracing a breakup and stepping forward into the future
42	Dried flowersYuuri		Yuuri's signature rock ballad
43	Kagerou Daysjin		Express a summer story with a high-speed rock tune
44	balladKetsumeishi		Ketsumeishi’s heartrending love ballad
45	crescent moonayaka		Ayaka’s signature song, a poignant track about longing in a long-distance relationship
46	Alien AlienNayutan Seijin		Cosmic alien, effortlessly singing high notes in falsetto
47	Venomkairiki bea		Addictive songs by Kairiki Bear
48	Meltryo		Hatsune Miku’s youthful love song, a moving classic
49	Cute Girlfriendsyudou		Known for its dense worldview where love and madness are fused…
50	All of the YouthFujifaburikku		A classic song that captures the bittersweetness of youth at summer’s end
51	SaudadePorunogurafiti		The classic song Saudade by Porno Graffitti
52	chantAdo		Music that fuses exotic flair with a Japanese aesthetic
53	Exploding Brain Girlrereriri		A masterpiece of Vocaloid rock, a classic by Hatsune Miku
54	wishsumika		Explanation of the singing technique for the theme song of Ossan's Love
55	DramaturgyEVE		A cry from the heart to be freed from the bondage of roles
56	collapse; fainting spell (colloquial/slang)iyowa		“Kyūkurarin” by Iyowa is 20…
57	Tomorrow as wellSHISHAMO		An uplifting SHISHAMO cheer song that blows away fatigue
58	Love StoryAmuro Namie		Namie Amuro’s classic that expresses heartbreak and hope
59	cherry (sweet cherry; cherry fruit)Otsuka Ai		Ai Otsuka’s “Watashi” is a timeless classic across generations.
60	loveHoshino Gen		The theme song by Gen Hoshino for “We Married as a Job” (Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu)
61	StoryAI		A moving AI ballad that sings of deep love and bonds
62	Ego Rocksurii		Suri’s “Ego Rock” is fire.
63	Charlesbarūn		Tips for singing 'Charles' with a high score
64	Bunny GirlAKASAKI		Temptation and the struggle with true feelings in a Showa-style melody
65	A bouquet of flowers with loveSuperfly		A warm song that conveys feelings with a bouquet
66	tapestrySnow Man		A song about the bittersweet future of two lonely people
67	Inferior, SuperiorGiga		Expressing a rebellious spirit with an EDM theme song
68	Crimson Lotus FlowerLiSA		LiSA’s opening theme from Demon Slayer is a moving masterpiece that shakes the soul.
69	As many times as you likeDREAMS COME TRUE		Cheering song by DREAMS COME TRUE
70	ultra soulB’z		An iconic song that gives you the courage to chase your dreams
71	Thank youSUPER BEAVER		SUPER BEAVER's gratitude theme song
72	Thank youFUNKY MONKEY BABYS		A final single that portrays gratitude and farewell
73	Kaiju no Hanabuta (Monster’s Flower Song)Vaundy		Vaundy’s signature song, a masterpiece brimming with a sense of speed
74	migratory bird[Alexandros]		A cheering song to encourage exam-takers chasing their dreams
75	tobacco / cigarette(s)Koresawa		A poignant song that portrays the pain of heartbreak
76	Dawn and Firefliesn-buna		"Yoake to Hotaru" is a song by the Vocaloid producer n-buna...
77	MesmerizerSatsuki		Miku and Teto, an exhilarating, high-energy masterpiece
78	sparkleFuji Kaze		A classic song with refreshing vocals and an uplifting message
79	Hand in handkuriipuhaipe		A masterpiece that sings of regrets and conflicts in human relationships
80	SakurazakaFukuyama Masaharu		A bittersweet love song of spring, a masterpiece by Masaharu Fukuyama
81	If only you were here so I could hold you.miwa		Songs that sing about love for a baby are perfect for Instagram
82	from Y to YJimii Samu P		A piano ballad that portrays the pain of heartbreak
83	Happy SynthesizerEasy Pop		Luka and GUMI's technopop
84	threadNakajima Miyuki		A heartwarming classic that sings about the bonds of life
85	Someday, these tearsLittle Glee Monster		Cheering song of Little Glee Monster
86	Love’s Melody and Rainy SkiesAAA		Expressing the bittersweet feelings of love in AAA’s popular love song
87	Blessinghalyosy		A heartwarming Vocaloid song that celebrates life
88	Two-Faced Loverswowaka		wowaka's songs depict emotions and feature captivating music.
89	The Disappearance of Hatsune MikucosMo@bousou P		The famous song by Vocaloid producer cosMo@Bousou-P
90	March 9Remioromen		Remioromen’s classic song “I’m by Your Side”
91	Patchwork Staccatotoa		A heartrending heartbreak, a one-way love
92	KINGKanaria		A masterpiece depicting the throne and downfall, power and dominion
93	confessionMy Hair is Bad		Boasting immense popularity in the Japanese rock scene...
94	CHE.R.RYYUI		A coming-of-age song that depicts the pure feelings of unrequited love
95	instinctShiina Ringo		Shiina Ringo's distinctive sound and powerful vocals
96	Karada Dandan		A dance song where you pretend to be animals will liven up the sports day.
97	To the futureKiroro		A classic graduation song, a timeless masterpiece that moves the heart
98	It’s nothing.makaroni enpitsu		New charms are brought out when a woman sings...
99	Sugar Song and Bitter StepUNISON SQUARE GARDEN		A rhythm-packed song that blows everyday life away
100	The One and Only Flower in the WorldSMAP		SMAP’s classic hit, a song that cheers you on in life