Popular Japanese karaoke songs. Latest rankings [2026]

silhouetteKANA-BOON29rank/position

KANA-BOON “Silhouette” Music Video

Among the theme songs of the popular anime Naruto Shippuden, Silhouette is one of the most well-known.

While its melody leaves an impression of cheerful, gentle brightness, the song actually has a relatively narrow vocal range.

Its range spans from mid2 A to hi B.

Although the highest note is on the higher side, the lowest note being mid2 A makes it easy to lower the key as needed.

The vocal line also has gentle rises and falls, making it a song where tracking pitch is relatively easy.

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Ryo

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SenbonzakuraKurousa-P30rank/position

"MV" Senbonzakura WhiteFlame feat. Hatsune Miku

A quintessential Vocaloid song—the king of kings! It’s an incredibly cool and wonderful track, also famous for Wagakki Band’s cover.

The tempo is so fast it could be called intense, and the beautiful piano tones will turn a small karaoke room into a live stage.

Promise of SunflowersHata Motohiro31rank/position

Motohiro Hata – “Himawari no Yakusoku” Music Video

Himawari no Yakusoku, popular as a Doraemon movie theme song, gives the impression that a wide range of people sing it.

The overall vocal range is D#3 to A#4, so men should be able to handle it without strain if they sing calmly.

Since it’s a ballad, the melody line is simple and easy to remember, and the more carefully you sing, the more accurately you can hit the notes—making it a good choice for scoring systems.

There are many long tones, so if you focus on the pitch bar and sustain to the end, your score will go up.

For the chorus’s highest note, A#4, lift your facial muscles and aim to produce it easily without forcing or belting—think of delivering it lightly and gently.

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Kubota Mami

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Donut holehachi32rank/position

Hachi – Donut Hole 2024, HACHI – DONUT HOLE 2024

The “hole in the donut” symbolizes a precious something that’s been lost.

Hachi’s “Donut Hole” poignantly portrays the sense of absence and emptiness left behind by that loss.

Released in 2013, the song’s guitar-rock style is one of its charms, and its rhythmic, singable melody line is another distinctive feature.

It has a great sense of speed, so it feels amazing when you make it through in one go.

Be sure to sing it with all your emotions!

New Treasure IslandSakanakushon33rank/position

Sakanaction / New Treasure Island -Music Video-

A signature dance track by Sakanaction, released in September 2015 as the theme song for the film Bakuman.

The balance between its somewhat nostalgic synth tones and overwhelming catchiness is superb, isn’t it? Even when anxiety wavers you, the strong will to keep crafting with care is sure to resonate with anyone giving their all.

Its popularity is high, and its power to ignite crowds at live shows is truly one of a kind.

Paired with its surreal, unique choreography, dancing it as a group for a skit or performance will undoubtedly make for an unforgettable memory!

beetle (specifically, a rhinoceros beetle)aiko34rank/position

aiko - 'Kabutomushi' music video

Aiko’s biggest hit song “Kabutomushi.” It was released in 1999, but thanks in part to its catchy melody, it remains popular even among younger generations.

Since it’s a solo vocal piece, there are no harmony parts.

However, the vocal line has a relaxed tempo and clearly defined pitch movement, making it perfect for adding harmonies.

If you’d like to create your own harmonies rather than follow existing chorus lines, definitely give this song a try.

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Ryo

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Charlesbarūn35rank/position

Charles / Balloon (self cover)

Released in 2016, this historically successful Vocaloid song won support for its bittersweet breakup-themed lyrics and emotional melody, surpassing 130 million total views on YouTube.

Balloon/Suda Keina’s self-cover is also extremely popular, and in karaoke I often notice many men sing an octave lower while keeping the original key.

The song itself rides on a fast-paced band sound, resulting in a fragile yet beautiful piece that depicts a breakup and what follows from a male perspective.

Many people struggle where the pitch jumps up suddenly in the chorus, but if you avoid belting and skillfully switch to falsetto, you can sing it smoothly.

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Kubota Mami

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