Ranking of Popular Japanese Songs and J-Pop Among Men [2026]
We’ve picked out J-POP songs that have been popular so far.
Among them, we selected those that are especially popular with men.
We’re introducing the songs in a ranked list based on play counts, so be sure to check them out.
- Most Popular Songs Among Men Ranking [2026]
- Male-Popularity Artist Rankings [2026]
- Recommended Japanese Music Artists and Popular Song Rankings for Men in Their 20s [2026]
- Ranking of Popular Japanese Music and J-POP Artists Among People in Their 30s [2026]
- Popular Band Songs Ranking [2026]
- Ranking of Male J-Pop Singers’ Best-Lyric and Most Popular Songs [2026]
- Popular Japanese Music / J-POP Artist Rankings [2026]
- Ranking of Beloved Hit Songs Among Women [2026]
- Recommended Japanese Music Artists and Popular Song Rankings for Men in Their 50s [2026]
- Ranking of Japanese Bands Popular Among Men [2026]
- Band Rankings Popular with Men [2026]
- Songs men like. Classic and popular Japanese songs.
- [2026] Popular Songs Among Today’s Youth [J-Pop]
Most Popular Japanese Songs/J-Pop Among Men [2026] (11–20)
HAPPY BIRTHDAYback number11rank/position
A back number song that portrays the bittersweet feeling of waiting for a message from someone you like on your birthday night.
Released in February 2019 as their 20th single, it is also included on the album “MAGIC.” Many listeners will likely relate to the protagonist who, while carrying the pain and loneliness of unrequited love, murmurs “Happy Birthday” to themselves.
If you sing it at karaoke, it’s recommended to perform it in front of the girl you like or your girlfriend.
Your hidden feelings might reach their heart.
HANABIMr.Children12rank/position
Mr.Children is a band that arguably the Heisei generation listened to the most.
Whether you’re in your 30s born in the Showa era or in your 30s born in the Heisei era, you’ve probably sung one of their songs at least once.
Among their tracks, the one I especially recommend is HANABI.
It features a chorus full of excitement, yet the pitch movement is relatively steady, so you can sing it at an after-party karaoke without pushing yourself too hard.
However, it does include quite a few low G-sharp notes, so a certain depth in vocal range is required.
Ballad of a SingerSaitō Kazuyoshi13rank/position
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?
cold; curt; blunt; unfriendlyRADWIMPS14rank/position
This is an epic love song over six minutes long that delicately portrays the wavering emotions of an ambiguous romance.
The bittersweet feelings of being elated or dejected by a partner’s slightest gestures or words are expressed over a calm and beautiful melody.
Included on RADWIMPS’ album ANTI ANTI GENERATION, released in December 2018, the song was also used as the theme for ABEMA’s dating reality show Who Is the Wolf?, resonating strongly with younger audiences.
The music video features Nana Komatsu and Fuju Kamio, resulting in a striking visual piece that reflects contemporary views on love.
It’s a track best enjoyed when you can really take your time singing—whether during a solo karaoke session or at karaoke with close friends in a relaxed setting.
silhouetteKANA-BOON15rank/position
It’s the opening theme from the anime “Naruto Shippuden,” hugely popular among teenage boys! It’s sure to get the crowd going at karaoke! When you sing it, focus on the key points: keep a solid sense of tempo, feel the occasional bouncy rhythms, and pay attention to the falsetto in the chorus.
With fast-tempo band songs, it’s easy to get excited and speed up as you sing.
Try not to sway your body too much—stay centered so you can maintain a steady rhythm.
For the bouncy rhythm, lightly use your knees to move up and down and you’ll nail the timing.
Make sure your falsetto resonates in your head voice! Overall, I recommend singing lightly with a bright, heady resonance.
Romantic Flightkome kome CLUB16rank/position
As the title suggests, it became a big hit as the CM song for JAL’s “Summer Palace Campaign,” and its bright, forward-looking lyrics and the thrill of setting off on a journey are emblematic.
The overall vocal range is B2 to G4, with the A melody sitting quite low.
The key modulates for the final chorus and the pitch rises, but it doesn’t go too high, so if you time your breath and placement well, those notes should come out smoothly.
Overall, avoid pushing your voice; aim for light singing with head resonance for a pleasant feel.
Also, for the syllables where the vowel is “i,” be careful not to spread the sound too horizontally.
Promise of SunflowersHata Motohiro17rank/position
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.
Wherever you areONE OK ROCK18rank/position
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!
cherrysupittsu19rank/position
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.
cloudy skyDOES20rank/position
As the opening theme for the fifth season of the TV Tokyo anime Gintama, a lot of people probably think of Don’ten when they hear Gintama! DOES is a band whose lower registers resonate more than the high ones.
It’s a rock track popular with men for karaoke, where stable low notes and a raw expressive style are key to high scores! The song itself is short at about three minutes.
Even first-time listeners can pick up Don’ten easily, and it’s highly recommended for rock fans! The trick to low notes is to use your breath well and release your voice slowly straight ahead.
If you push your voice out, the low notes resonate more and you can hear your own singing better.
That, of course, makes it easier to stay on pitch.
It’s important to get your voice solidly into the mic when you sing.