Popular Japanese karaoke songs. Latest rankings [2026]

Ballad of a SingerSaitō Kazuyoshi43rank/position

Kazuyoshi Saito – Ballad of a Singer (2008 Ver.) [Music Video]

It’s a song that makes you want to sing while thinking of someone special on those long autumn nights when you somehow crave human warmth.

It’s one of singer-songwriter Kazuyoshi Saito’s signature tracks, depicting the love of a clumsy protagonist who can only convey his true feelings through song.

The lyrics, which carry straightforward emotions that are hard to say in everyday life, are beautiful and hit you right in the heart.

Released in November 1997 as his 15th single, the song is well-known for being covered by many artists and for being chosen as the theme song for the 2017 animated film Lu Over the Wall.

With the warm tones of the acoustic guitar and Saito’s gentle vocals resonating deeply, it’s also a great choice to sing with all your heart at karaoke.

ultra soulB’z44rank/position

B’z / ultra soul

This song, released in March 2001 as the 31st single by B’z, one of Japan’s leading rock units, has long been cherished as the theme for TV Asahi’s World Aquatics Championships broadcasts and is widely known across generations as a number that symbolizes the spirit of major sporting events.

Koshi Inaba’s powerful vocals and Takahiro Matsumoto’s guitar sound intertwine exquisitely, and the driving melody sets listeners’ hearts ablaze.

The shouted call at the end of the chorus delivers an overwhelming surge of excitement that makes anyone want to thrust a fist into the air, and if you sing it at a welcome party karaoke, it’s guaranteed to bring the whole venue together in a burst of energy.

The Howling of the Lost OneNeru45rank/position

Neru – The Wail of the Lost One (Lost One’s Weeping) feat. Kagamine Rin

The suffocation of the classroom, the anxiety of not seeing any answers, the loneliness of being understood by no one.

There may be no other song that captures the pains of adolescence this vividly.

Released by Neru in 2013, the track later surpassed 10 million views.

Its edgy guitar sound and Kagamine Rin’s emotional vocals intertwine perfectly, giving voice to a cry from the heart.

Included on the major-label album “Seikaisefuku,” the song is still sung by many to this day.

Belt it out at karaoke, and the haze you carried back then will blow away.

Recommended for those who want to revisit their school days and for anyone still fighting their own battles now.

Time Goes ByEvery Little Thing46rank/position

Time goes by – Every Little Thing (Full)

A gemlike love ballad that embraces everyone’s sense of incompleteness and loneliness with universal kindness.

Released by Every Little Thing in February 1998, this song beautifully portrays how lovers may hurt each other yet grow together through the experience of love.

Chosen as the theme song for Fuji TV’s Thursday 10 p.m.

drama “Amai Kekkon” (“Sweet Marriage”), it went on to sell over 1.4 million copies.

It has since become familiar as a commercial song for numerous brands, including Toyota and SoftBank.

With its gentle melody and lyrics whose depth resonates more and more with life experience, it’s sure to move you.

Venomkairiki bea47rank/position

[Official] Venom / Kairiki Bear feat. flower

From the intro on, this song is packed with charm, and I could listen to it forever.

It’s a work by the popular Vocaloid producer Kairiki Bear, released in 2018.

The four-on-the-floor rhythm is catchy and fun! Plus, maybe because you’ll want to chase those razor-sharp guitar phrases, it never gets old.

It’s the kind of track that makes you think, I have to put this on repeat.

And the lyrics have such a great sound to them that you’ll really want to sing along! How about going to karaoke with someone who knows this song and singing it together?

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Araki Jakkan

Report a problem

KusushikiMrs. GREEN APPLE48rank/position

The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Cour 2 Non-Credit Opening Video | Mrs. GREEN APPLE “Kusushiki”

This song was chosen as the opening theme for the second cour of season 2 of the TV anime The Apothecary Diaries.

Just as medicine can be both poison and remedy, the lyrics convey a profound message that words and love also have two sides of the same coin.

Layering conflicting feelings onto the stars in the sky, it paints a bittersweet yet beautiful worldview that resonates deeply.

It’s perfect for when you’re carrying complex emotions you can’t put into words.

It will surely help you transcend them.

Girl RayMikito P49rank/position

Mikito-P “Shoujo Rei” MV

Mikito-P, a Vocaloid producer known for works like “Ii Aru Fan Club” and “Roki,” places emphasis on a classic Vocaloid style, capturing the unique excitement that only Vocaloid can deliver.

While many of his songs are challenging, there are also some that are easy to sing—such as “Shoujo Rei.” Its composition is closer to J-pop, without the typically dense word count found in many Vocaloid tracks.

The vocal range is a moderately high mid2A to hiF, but since the highest note occurs due to a key change, you should be able to sing it comfortably by adjusting the key appropriately.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Ryo

Report a problem