Top Japanese Pop Karaoke Rankings for Men [2026]

Like tonight’s moonElefanto Kashimashi29rank/position

Like the Moon Tonight / Elephant Kashimashi

It’s a deeply moving masterpiece that powerfully sings of passion for the future while gazing into everyday feelings of emptiness and loneliness.

Set against the backdrop of a city at dusk, it portrays the solitude and struggles of people living in an urban landscape, yet conveys a strong will to keep looking forward and moving on.

The soulful vocals unique to Elephant Kashimashi and the melody that resonates with the heart are beautifully in harmony.

Released in July 1997, the song was used as the theme for the Fuji TV drama “Because the Moon Shines at Night,” and was also included on the album “Run Toward Tomorrow – Moonlit Songs.” In 2017, it was performed in the band’s first appearance on the NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen, winning over even more listeners.

It’s a track that will evoke deep empathy when you feel lost in life or spend a night thinking of someone dear.

Beyond the Night SkySMAP30rank/position

Beyond the Night Sky – SMAP

A captivating song with a crystal-clear, transparent voice and lyrics that touch the heart.

The words, which depict gazing up at the night sky while reflecting on past memories and hopes for the future, resonate deeply with listeners.

Released in January 1998, this track was also used as the theme song for the Fuji TV program “SMAP×SMAP” and has been cherished across generations as one of SMAP’s signature songs.

If a man in his 40s sings it at karaoke, there’s no doubt the women will say, “Lovely!” Why not sing it gently, keeping your cherished memories with someone special close to your heart?

SUNHoshino Gen31rank/position

Gen Hoshino – SUN (Official Video)

Gen Hoshino is a singer-songwriter who enjoys wide popularity for his broad musical range, from stylish tracks rooted in R&B and neo-soul to catchy, pop-leaning songs.

He has many classics, but the one I especially recommend for men with particularly low voices is SUN.

This piece sits in an average vocal range of mid1 D# to hi A.

While the arrangement highlights the lower register typical of Hoshino’s vocal quality, the hi A may feel slightly low as a ceiling for men with deep voices, so consider lowering the key with that note as your reference point.

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Ryo

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At all times.Makihara Noriyuki32rank/position

[Official] Noriyuki Makihara “No Matter What” (Music Video) [3rd Single] (1991) Noriyuki Makihara/donnatokimo [No. 1]

A signature work by Noriyuki Makihara that delivers a universal message of living true to yourself, carried by a powerful yet gentle melody.

While acknowledging the doubts and anxieties of life, this classic is imbued with a strong resolve to cherish your true self.

Included on the album “Who Do You Share a Happy Yawn With?”, it became a massive hit, surpassing one million copies within six months of its June 1991 release.

It was also selected as the entrance march for the 64th National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament in spring 1992.

The melody, featuring a distinctive acoustic guitar and a calm tempo, makes it easy to sing.

For many people, it’s a song that resonates in the heart when standing at a crossroads or when they feel on the verge of losing themselves.

cherry blossomKobukuro33rank/position

Kobukuro “Sakura”

An acoustic guitar duo arrangement with that signature Kobukuro feel.

With a simple melody line, the two voices and harmonies are really pleasant, aren’t they? There is a higher falsetto at the very beginning, but the tempo isn’t fast and the rest of the range isn’t too high, so even those not confident in their singing can enjoy it.

Many people probably know the melody line of the chorus.

You don’t have to sing the falsetto part, but if you can, it’s nice to nail it stylishly.

It’s fairly high, so you’ll use more breath than you think.

Take a deep breath with diaphragmatic breathing, then send your voice straight up in a thin stream.

Think of it like whistling—does that make sense? Or like blowing through a straw.

If you can exhale all the way at the end, you’re golden! If you have a partner, enjoy harmonizing together!

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Kubota Mami

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TRUE LOVEFujii Fumiya34rank/position

TRUE LOVE / Fumiya Fujii

Fumiya Fujii’s solo debut song, after his big success with The Checkers.

It was the theme song for Fuji TV’s Monday 9 p.m.

drama “Asunaro Hakusho.” Being a ’90s ballad, the melody is simple and the range isn’t too wide, so it should be relatively easy to sing.

Chest voice is important, but the key point is the switch to falsetto in the chorus.

Falsetto becomes difficult without enough breath, so adjust your airflow.

Aim for a thin, upward-directed stream and try to release the falsetto as if it’s coming from above your head.

Even with a generally gentle delivery, you should be able to keep the pitch on target!

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Kubota Mami

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Maximum reachSEKAI NO OWARI35rank/position

SEKAI NO OWARI “Highest Altitude”

An anthem cheering on those who keep challenging themselves, turning weakness into strength and aiming higher.

Released in September 2023, this song was written specifically as the opening theme for the anime ONE PIECE.

Its appeal lies in SEKAI NO OWARI’s distinctive, imaginative world: a driving, exhilarating melody, grand strings, and a marching-style arrangement inserted midway.

The vocal range is relatively compact at mid1 F to mid2 F# (m1F–m2F#), so with a key adjustment, it should be quite singable even for kids around the voice-changing stage.

Its positive message about charging toward your dreams is sure to fire up the room when sung with friends at karaoke.