Ranking of Male J-Pop Singers’ Best-Lyric and Most Popular Songs [2026]

cherry blossomKawaguchi Kyogo78rank/position

Kyogo Kawaguchi – Sakura

Kyogo Kawaguchi’s song “Sakura” is a soothing ballad that has continued to be loved by many listeners since its release.

Launched in December 2003, it achieved remarkable popularity, reaching No.

4 on the Oricon weekly chart and No.

9 on the year-end chart.

With its warm melody, the lyrics weave a story of eternal bonds through cherry blossoms that herald the arrival of spring, resonating deeply with listeners.

Kawaguchi’s gentle voice envelops the heart, making this piece a perfect song for welcoming a new season in spring.

A heartwarming cherry blossom song that can be recommended to anyone.

DREAMShimizu Shota79rank/position

Shota Shimizu “DREAM” MV

I imagine many people have been encouraged by this song.

It’s a track by R&B singer Shota Shimizu, released in 2014 as his 16th single.

The song expresses the idea that having someone important in your life gives you the strength to pursue your dreams.

It was used as the ending theme for the drama “The Mysterious Transfer Student.”

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Araki Jakkan

Report a problem

milk teaShimizu Shota80rank/position

milk tea

When you think of ballads you want to listen to as autumn deepens, many of you might picture songs with warm melodies that really touch the heart.

That’s why I recommend this one by Shota Shimizu! With its memorable electric piano intro, the song is a love ballad that portrays a calm moment where two hearts melt together, like milk slowly blending into tea.

You can really feel his talent for weaving irreplaceable affection out of everyday scenes.

The track was included on the single “My Boo,” released in October 2016, and later featured on the 2017 album “FLY.” If you listen to it on a chilly night with a warm drink in hand, thinking of someone special, you’ll likely find yourself wrapped up in its sweet, gentle world.

End of SummerShimizu Shota81rank/position

Shota Shimizu “Natsunoowari” from SHOTA SHIMIZU LIVE TOUR 2023 “Insomnia” supported by Taica

As the end of summer draws near, you get that distinctive, aching tightness in your chest, don’t you? In those moments, Shota Shimizu’s timeless ballads gently stay by your side.

They make you feel the memories of a summer romance spreading through your heart like the gradations of a sunset.

The unspoken loneliness the protagonist must be feeling, and the tenderness for days that won’t return, come through vividly in his emotive vocals.

This song is lovingly included on his March 2014 album ENCORE, and is cherished among fans as a hidden gem.

It’s perfect for the threshold of autumn, when the lively season bids farewell and a touch of sentimentality sets in, or for a quiet night spent alone, lost in memories.

If you savor each lyric as you listen, you’ll be drawn even deeper into its world—no question about it.

Please enjoy it that way!

Prologue feat. AimerShimizu Shota82rank/position

Shota Shimizu “Prologue feat. Aimer” MV

Shota Shimizu is a singer-songwriter who has been in the spotlight since his teens for his gentle vocals and overwhelming singing ability.

“Prologue feat.

Aimer,” included on his 9th album HOPE, drew attention as a track featuring Aimer, just as the title suggests.

The lyrics look back on a romance that ended before it could reach the future they had envisioned, evoking the image of someone not yet ready to step into the next love.

It’s a heartrending love ballad, with their interwoven voices coloring a sentimental story.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Hoshino Takashi

Report a problem

cherry blossomShimizu Shota83rank/position

Shota Shimizu “Sakura” MV

Shota Shimizu, one of Japan’s most accomplished singers.

When he sings, any scene becomes deeply moving, and his song “Sakura” is almost unfair in how powerful it is.

It’s a piano-accompanied ballad, and his clear, pure voice seeps straight into your heart.

When cherry blossom season arrives, be sure to lose yourself in this song!

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Murakami Shinpei

Report a problem

FanfareTamaki Kōji84rank/position

Koji Tamaki “Fanfare” MUSIC VIDEO (Theme song for TBS Sunday Theater ‘The Royal Family’)

This is a rousing anthem powerfully sung by Koji Tamaki, famed for his overwhelming vocal prowess, riding on a melody full of drive and momentum.

Released as a single in November 2025, it was chosen as the theme song for TBS’s Sunday drama “The Royal Family.” Drawing on his childhood experiences in Hokkaido and paralleling life with the growth of a horse, this work was created with those images in mind.

Its message—that life isn’t only about winning or losing, and that it’s important to face forward and move on as your true self—resonates deeply with listeners.

Pick this song when you need that extra bit of courage at a crucial moment.