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Noriyuki Makihara Cheer Songs & Popular Songs Ranking [2026]
Since his debut, singer Noriyuki Makihara has released one hit after another and is now a household name across Japan.
Among his songs, his anthems of encouragement are beloved by people of all ages.
Here, we’ve compiled a ranking of Noriyuki Makihara’s most popular motivational songs.
Noriyuki Makihara Cheer Songs & Popular Songs Ranking [2026]
At all times.Makihara Noriyuki1rank/position
An anthem that reminds you of the importance of being yourself when you feel like you’re losing who you are.
The lyrics, which encourage you to walk the path you believe in without being trapped by others’ gazes, gently push you forward as you dive into a new environment.
Released in June 1991 as a single by Noriyuki Makihara, this classic has sold over 1.67 million copies.
Written as the theme song for the film “No Problems on the Employment Front,” it was also selected as the entrance march for the 1992 National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament.
Its universally known melody continues to be loved across generations.
Take a break from packing—or play it on your first morning in your new home.
As you embark on a new life filled with both excitement and uncertainty, give it a listen.
Far, far awayMakihara Noriyuki2rank/position
This song, one of Noriyuki Makihara’s signature tracks, is popular not only as a cheer-up anthem but also as a graduation and farewell song.
If you take time to read the lyrics, you’ll see that the protagonist appears to be someone who has left their hometown and is working hard in Tokyo to pursue their dreams.
I’m sure many working adults can relate to that situation.
For those people, when work gets tough, listening to this song will bring to mind the faces of loved ones back home—friends and family—and help them reset with a “One more push!” It’s a highly recommended track to keep you going.
The thing I wanted mostMakihara Noriyuki3rank/position
Noriyuki Makihara’s “The Thing I Wanted Most” is a song that makes you reflect on what truly matters to you and what gives life meaning.
Released in 2004, it was used as the theme song for the drama “Last Present: The Summer I Spent With My Daughter,” starring Yuki Amami.
It speaks of living life by constantly choosing and discarding, only to realize you’ve ended up with nothing.
Yet, when you look back, you see so many smiling faces made happy by what you did.
It’s a track that prompts you to reconsider the meaning of life.
I won’t fall in love anymore.Makihara Noriyuki4rank/position
A signature song by Noriyuki Makihara, distinguished by its heartwarming melody that embraces both the ache of heartbreak and a brave front.
It gently portrays memories of a former lover and the nostalgia of everyday life, while the protagonist’s resolve to move forward resonates deeply with listeners.
Released in May 1992, it was chosen as the theme song for the NTV drama “After the Children Are Asleep.” Included on the album “Kimi wa Boku no Takaramono,” it became a major hit, ranking 7th on Oricon’s year-end chart.
This piece is a companion for those standing at life’s crossroads.
When you gather with friends for karaoke, its universally relatable lyrics and melody are sure to warm the heart.
Sakura MelodyMakihara Noriyuki5rank/position
It’s a song that looks back on the memories built up to this point and reaffirms the bonds between us as we stand on the verge of parting on a new journey.
It’s Makihara Noriyuki’s self-cover of a song he originally provided to the unit formed by Miliyah Kato and Shota Shimizu.
The grand, emotionally resonant sound—like the scenery unfolding before your eyes—amplifies a positive feeling toward the future.
It evokes cheers for friends setting off to their respective places, while also capturing the bittersweet ache of being separated.
Happy Birthday SongMakihara Noriyuki6rank/position
This is a birthday song by Noriyuki Makihara.
It’s an impressive track where a cool, Black-music-style groove meets the gentle, soft lyrics characteristic of Maki.
It has a cool vibe that makes you want to use it for a birthday party at night.
And if you read the lyrics closely, they contain thought-provoking lines that really strike a chord.
Season of BeginningsMakihara Noriyuki × Hanaregumi7rank/position
A duet by Noriyuki Makihara and Hanaregumi that beautifully captures the conflicting emotions of spring—anticipation and unease, fluttering excitement and impermanence.
Released digitally on April 30, 2025, it received an exclusive early airplay on FM COCOLO starting April 1 of the same year.
With their rich vocals blending seamlessly, the song is a gem that seems to sonically paint the very scenes of spring.
Makihara’s melody and lyrics, paired with Hirokazu Ogura’s gently expressive guitar arrangement, are exquisite.
It’s a track you’ll want to listen to when early spring leaves you unsettled, or when nostalgia and hope set your heart trembling.
Firefly ~ I will keep on livingMakihara Noriyuki8rank/position
With a warm, gently enveloping voice that conveys universal messages, Noriyuki Makihara’s songs resonate deeply.
Like a firefly glowing softly in the dark, the lyrics portray the strength to live with quiet hope in one’s heart, seeping deeply into the listener’s soul.
On an autumn night when you feel the ache of longing for someone, the gentle melody may feel all the warmer.
Released in February 2008 as his 38th single, this work was also used as the theme song for the film “KIDS” and in commercials.
It’s a warmly comforting number that gives you a gentle push when you’re lost in life or need strength for tomorrow.
Let’s hold handsMakihara Noriyuki9rank/position
This song was written in September 2011 for the project “Te wo Tsunagou Daisakusen,” which aimed to bring smiles to areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Its warm lyrics center on themes of bonds and kindness, and the project’s official website publishes the lyrics and sheet music.
The song itself has a bouncing rhythm and a light feel, so it’s best to sing it in a way that doesn’t get too heavy.
Try moving your body as if lightly bouncing upward while you sing.
It might also work to toss off the word endings, as if flicking them away.
To the infinite beyond ~To infinity and beyond~Makihara Noriyuki10rank/position
A single released by Noriyuki Makihara in 2009.
It’s a powerful number packed with a message about striving beyond your limits.
Through images like a dog trying to jump over a fence, the lyrics portray the importance of keeping on acting without giving up.
It’s a song that gives you a push to move first rather than overthinking.
It was used as the ending theme for TBS’s “Hitachi Sekai Fushigi Hakken!” and as the theme song for the drama “How a 30-Something Temp Gets a Full-Time Job.”