Top Japanese Pop Karaoke Rankings for Men [2026]

cherrysupittsu15rank/position

Spitz / Cherry

When it comes to Spitz, many people probably think of “Cherry.” In fact, it’s a classic that became a million-selling hit despite having no tie-in.

In karaoke, it’s a popular choice for both men and women because it’s relatively easy to score high.

The key is to sing through to the end without straining.

There are many sustained notes, but try not to use much vibrato—focus on matching the pitch bar.

The chorus suddenly jumps to higher notes, so take solid breaths and aim to resonate in your head voice to sing more easily.

The most important moments are the melody transitions; keep your facial muscles and eyebrows lifted and sing to switch smoothly.

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Kubota Mami

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Promise of SunflowersHata Motohiro16rank/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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Ballad of a SingerSaitō Kazuyoshi17rank/position

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

A timeless adult classic by Kazuyoshi Saito, celebrated for its deeply moving vocals and rich storytelling.

This exquisite ballad conveys heartfelt emotions for a loved one—feelings that are hard to say out loud—set to song with disarming honesty.

Its simple melody and resonant guitar gently enfold the lyrical world.

Since its release in November 1997, many artists have covered it, and in 2017 it was used as the theme song for the animated film “Lu Over the Wall.” In August 2022, a performance on THE FIRST TAKE drew significant attention, extending its appeal to a new generation.

With a relaxed tempo and a relatively narrow vocal range, it’s easy to sing with ease.

Why not sing it with all your heart, pouring your feelings for someone special into every note?

Wherever you areONE OK ROCK18rank/position

Full ver. One Ok Rock Wherever You Are #oneokrock #ワンオク #whereveryouare

ONE OK ROCK’s signature song “Wherever you are.” Since it’s sung as a love song that vows eternity, you’ll want to use falsetto to really bring out the song’s appeal.

That said, the falsetto in “Wherever you are” appears mainly at the beginning.

The song builds toward the latter half, so about two-thirds is sung in chest voice.

If you sing the initial guitar-backed section firmly in falsetto to create contrast, it lands stylishly.

Many people who like rock and band music seem to want to sing ONE OK ROCK.

The high range can be a hurdle, but ballads let you cover the high notes with falsetto, so they’re recommended.

Open your throat and keep the breath flowing steadily!

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Kubota Mami

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balladKetsumeishi19rank/position

Ketsumeishi “Ballad”

Ketsumeishi is known for having lots of bright songs with plenty of hip-hop and rap elements, but they actually have ballads too! With gentle melodies over piano and string-backed arrangements… this side of Ketsumeishi is really satisfying to listen to, and it looks cool to sing as well! The song runs close to seven minutes, so it’s on the longer side, but it’s highly recommended when you want something mellow.

Of course, there’s rap in it too, but the tempo is relaxed, so it’s easy to learn and easy to groove to.

It seems best to sing while moving your body in a big, open way.

The chorus is a real highlight, so if you sing each phrase carefully, you can really put your feelings into it.

There are spots where it slips lightly into falsetto, which adds a surge of poignancy.

The latter half of the chorus is a sweet spot for singing, so don’t hesitate—project your voice with confidence!

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Kubota Mami

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single bedSha ran Q20rank/position

Sharam Q “Single Bed” (Music Video)

The song “Single Bed,” renowned as one of the great ballads of the Heisei era, is also a signature work of Sharam Q and is still frequently sung at karaoke today.

Its range spans mid1 C# to mid2 G#, so it’s not extremely low, but because the more energetic phrases can be delivered with a rich lower–mid register, it’s a piece that lets men with lower voices showcase their appeal.

Using the hiccup vocal technique further enhances a masculine quality, so give it a try for reference.

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Ryo

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SaudadePorunogurafiti21rank/position

Pornograffitti “Saudade” MUSIC VIDEO

This song, whose title means “nostalgia” in Portuguese, is a heartrending love ballad that deliberately uses feminine speech to depict the protagonist’s complex feelings at the end of a romance.

While accepting the breakup, it poignantly sings of lingering attachment and memories that remain deep in the heart, expressing down-to-earth emotions anyone can relate to.

Released in 2000, it reached a personal best of No.

1 on the weekly Oricon chart and became Porno Graffitti’s first million seller.

It features some slightly rapid-fire sections and a key change in the latter half, but its Latin-flavored sound is easy to groove to and makes it a crowd-pleaser for karaoke.