Popular Wake-Up Songs: Japanese Music and J-Pop Artist Rankings [2026]

Silent majorityKeyakizaka4692rank/position

Keyakizaka46 'Silent Majority'

This is the debut single by Keyakizaka46, released on April 6, 2016.

It reached No.

1 on numerous charts, including Oricon and RecoChoku, becoming a widely talked-about hit song.

The lyrics feel very realistic.

Although the performers are young women in their teens and twenties, their delivery carries a persuasiveness that transcends generations.

water lily blossomShonan no Kaze93rank/position

Shonan no Kaze “Suirenka” MUSIC VIDEO

“Suirenka,” sung by Shonan no Kaze, is an extremely popular song that could be called one of their signature tracks.

I’d love for you to listen to it on a summer morning.

It blows away the sweltering heat in an instant and makes you want to head straight to the beach—a song with a dazzling, fiery vibe.

LOSERYonezu Kenshi94rank/position

Kenshi Yonezu – LOSER

Kenshi Yonezu is a singer everyone among the younger generation knows.

Among his songs, the one I especially recommend for mornings is “LOSER.” Just listening to this track’s funky beat will lift your spirits and help you wake up feeling refreshed—no doubt about it!

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Saitō Ayumu

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rainbow-coloredayaka95rank/position

Nijiiro – Ayaka (Full)

A healing song whose hopeful, courageous vocals and heartwarming melody brighten your morning mood.

The powerful yet gentle singing and the warm tones of the acoustic guitar evoke a resilient, forward-looking spirit that won’t yield to any hardship.

Released as Ayaka’s single in June 2014 and written as the theme song for the NHK morning drama series “Hanako to Anne,” this piece is recommended for anyone who wants to start a new day with a positive mindset.

Set it as your alarm, and from the moment you wake up, you’ll feel ready to move forward at your own pace, one step at a time.

Is youth embarrassing, or is it youth if it’s embarrassing?Ryokushokushakai96rank/position

Ryokuoushoku Shakai 'Is Youth Embarrassing?' Official Video / Ryokuoushoku Shakai – Hazukashiika Seishun wa

A rousing youth anthem with a lively melody and exhilarating drive! This song by Ryokuoushoku Shakai was released in July 2024 as the theme for an ABEMA dating show.

It conveys the anxieties and longings of adolescence, as well as the radiance of those who give their all, through powerful vocals and a grand arrangement featuring a 40-piece orchestra.

Included on the album “Channel U,” it has been performed on numerous music programs since its premiere at Sukima Fes.

Perfect for school festivals, class performances, and club recitals—any moment when you pour your heart into something with friends.

It’s a song that gently supports young people who are doing their utmost to seize the “now-or-never” moments.

Goodbye ElegySuda Masaki97rank/position

Masaki Suda “Sayonara Elegy”

Masaki Suda rose to popularity among young people as a handsome actor, and now he’s also active as a singer.

Among his songs, “Sayonara Elegy” is perfect for an alarm.

With its fresh, rock-inspired sound, it’s just right for waking up.

Listening to Suda’s cool vocals might help even those who wake up feeling groggy start their day with energy.

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Saitō Ayumu

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It’s nothing at all.Fuji Kaze98rank/position

Fujii Kaze – Hedemo Ne-Yo (Single Version)

A song by Fujii Kaze with an intro that feels like the beginning of a stage play—perfect for waking up.

The way the arrangement gradually layers from the intro makes it ideal for mornings when you want to shift your body and mind into activity mode.

While songs people typically want to hear in the morning tend to be fresh and breezy, I also recommend tracks like this one, whose powerful sound and lyrics pump you up with an “I’m going to do this!” kind of energy.

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Hane Keisuke

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