Popular Japanese karaoke songs. Latest rankings [2026]

bouquetback number22rank/position

back number – Bouquet (full)

A gem of a mid-tempo ballad by back number that portrays a young couple’s unstable relationship and deep affection.

The down-to-earth dialogue between the two reveals the subtle emotional shifts that occur in love.

Released in June 2011, the track is included on the album “Superstar” and was used as the ending theme for TBS’s COUNT DOWN TV.

Conveying the desire to keep caring for one another despite anxieties about the future, it’s a song you’ll want to take your time singing at karaoke.

Naughty SunORANGE RANGE23rank/position

ORANGE RANGE – Naughty Sun (Reiwa ver. Music Video)

ORANGE RANGE is a rock band from Okinawa with numerous hit songs like “Shanghai Honey” and “Hana.” Released in July 2007 as their 17th single, this track boasts a fully summer-ready sound.

Chosen as the opening theme for the Fuji TV drama “Hanazakari no Kimitachi e ~ Ikemen Paradise ~,” its provocative lyrics and up-tempo rhythm really fire you up.

The irresistibly danceable mixture rock makes it perfect BGM for workouts or for charging your energy in the morning.

It also topped the 2007 “Most Hype Karaoke Songs” ranking overall, making it ideal for blowing off steam by singing with friends.

It’s a song brimming with healthy energy—just listening to it will make you break a sweat.

LemonYonezu Kenshi24rank/position

Kenshi Yonezu – Lemon

When you think of Kenshi Yonezu’s biggest hit song, many people probably think of “Lemon.” While the song fully emphasizes a sense of longing, it surprisingly features many sections where the voice is projected powerfully.

Among them, the part that especially demands sustain is just before the first falsetto in the chorus.

Although it’s a high register right on the verge of head voice, it’s sung with an emphasis on sound pressure, making it perfect for showcasing vocal sustain.

As for long tones, there aren’t any particularly conspicuous spots, but you sing a fairly long stretch from the section I mentioned up to the falsetto without any rests, so it can definitely serve as a good practice piece for long tones.

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Ryo

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broad daylightKing Gnu25rank/position

King Gnu – Hakujitsu

King Gnu’s signature song, “Hakujitsu.” If you like singing, you’ve probably tried it at least once.

How did it go when you actually sang it? The more you attempt it, the more you realize just how incredibly difficult it is! “Hakujitsu” is a powerhouse ballad that demands delicate emotion and overwhelming vocal ability.

It’s a challenge piece for advanced singers at karaoke, training your range, rhythm, and expressiveness all at once.

I’ve sung it a few times myself and was shocked—“Was it always this hard?” Since King Gnu’s vocals are split between two singers, it’s pretty tough to pull off solo.

Still, you’ll want to master Iguchi’s falsetto parts.

Be very mindful of diaphragmatic breathing! Once you can produce a solid falsetto, the pitches themselves aren’t that hard, so the key is to exhale steadily and generously with a thin stream of air.

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Kubota Mami

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Hated by life.Kanzaki Iori26rank/position

Hated by Life

With the theme of views on life and death, its lyrics lay bare an attachment to life and raw ego, winning fervent support especially among young listeners, and it’s a signature work with total global streams in the hundreds of millions.

A novelization under the same title has been set for 2026, and it’s a classic Vocaloid hit with strong literary acclaim.

Mafumafu’s cover is also very famous, but because the vocal range is extremely high, the original track is recommended.

From the opening to the chorus, it’s sung quietly with a conversational feel, but just before the chorus the emotion explodes and the vocals turn intense.

If you focus on creating that contrast here, the song comes together and you can sing it with a great vibe.

In the hype sections, try singing clearly and crisply.

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Kubota Mami

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cherrysupittsu27rank/position

Spitz / Cherry

Despite being released in 1996, Spitz’s classic “Cherry” is still loved by many listeners today.

The song spans mid1E to hiC, which is quite high for a male vocal.

However, the highest note, hiC, only appears at the end of the final chorus as a faux, falsetto-like flourish, so in practice it’s fine to consider the range as mid1E to hiA.

Although it’s a wide-range song, it doesn’t lean heavily on the low register, so there’s plenty of room to lower the key; with key adjustment, most male singers should be able to sing it comfortably.

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Ryo

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366 daysHY28rank/position

HY – 366 Days (Official Music Video)

A signature “tearjerker” song known for its overwhelmingly relatable lyrics and heartrending vocals.

Though released in 2008, it became the motif for a TV drama in 2024 and a film in 2025, and vocalist Izumi Nakasone has collaborated with various artists—proof that the song has been loved for a long time.

It’s also famous as a “high-scoring” karaoke pick; I can actually score over 90 on it, so I highly recommend it.

While it’s on the longer side, the structure is easy to grasp, with clear peak moments that make expressive singing more attainable.

For the long tones, watch the pitch bar and sustain firmly to the end, and be mindful of switching between chest voice and falsetto.

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Kubota Mami

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