Top J-Pop Driving Songs Ranking [2026]

White LoversKuwata Keisuke85rank/position

Keisuke Kuwata – Shiroi Koibitotachi (Full ver.)

A solo number by Keisuke Kuwata of Southern All Stars that’s especially popular in winter, particularly around Christmas.

Plenty of people blast it and sing along loudly in their cars while driving.

If you’re one of those in-car karaoke lovers, how about this song for your winter drive? It’s a ballad, but the chorus is striking for Kuwata’s passionate vocals.

Why not try belting it out with all your energy while you drive, so you don’t lose out to Kuwata? It’s a song that lets you savor both romantic vibes and a refreshing, cathartic feeling.

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SAKI

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cherry blossomMoriyama Naotaro86rank/position

Naotaro Moriyama – Sakura (Solo)

Naotaro Moriyama, who is also active as an actor.

I can’t count how many times I cried because of Mr.

Todo, the character he played in the recent NHK morning drama series “Yell.” The scene where he confidently sings “Song of the Burma Expeditionary Force” was breathtakingly moving.

Speaking of Naotaro Moriyama’s signature songs, it has to be “Sakura,” doesn’t it? The music video where he sings the entire song accompanied only by Nobuo Kurata’s piano is nothing short of overwhelming.

It makes you think he’s not just an artist, but a true vocalist—a real singer.

Watching cherry blossoms slowly fall while driving leisurely along the coastline, and then “Sakura” comes on—at that point, you don’t need anything else.

The End of SummerMoriyama Naotaro87rank/position

Naotaro Moriyama – Natsuno Owari

With its translucent vocals and acoustic tones, it’s a classic that vividly captures the bittersweetness of summer slipping away.

It’s one of singer-songwriter Naotaro Moriyama’s signature songs, beloved by many since its release in 2003.

The song’s appeal lies not only in its evocation of the changing seasons, but also in the profound message it carries—a prayer for peace and a longing for someone far away.

It was also used as the ending theme for Asahi Broadcasting/TV Asahi’s ‘Netto Koshien,’ and is surely etched in many people’s memories alongside the players’ dramas.

It’s perfect for sinking into nostalgia on a drive, or for karaoke—try ringing out a one-of-a-kind falsetto like Moriyama’s and move your listeners to the core!

cherry blossomKawaguchi Kyogo88rank/position

Kyogo Kawaguchi – Sakura

A spring song that lets you fully savor the fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms.

Released in 2003 as Kyogo Kawaguchi’s sixth single, it became a major hit.

Now considered synonymous with “sakura songs,” it was actually originally written for a commercial song contest themed around Doraemon.

No wonder its heartwarming songwriting feels reminiscent of the bond between Nobita and Doraemon.

It’s a track you’ll want to listen to slowly while gazing from afar at cherry-lined streets dyed in pink as you drive by.

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hiyori

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Return to Myself ~ I won’t, I won’t, summer.Hamada Mari89rank/position

Mari Hamada “Return To Myself”

When it comes to summer songs for people in their 40s, you can’t leave this one out, right? Mari Hamada’s biggest hit, “Return to Myself ~Shinai, Shinai, Natsu,” was her ninth single, released in 1989.

The song was a huge hit at the time and was used as Kanebo Cosmetics’ summer campaign song, so it was on TV all the time and we heard it constantly.

It’s a positive summer anthem that perfectly matches the refreshing feeling of summer and a clear, cloudless blue sky.

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utatane

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Before winter endsShimizu Shota90rank/position

Shota Shimizu “Before Winter Ends” MV

This song is a hit by the popular artist Shota Shimizu.

It’s a love song about thinking of someone special in winter, so how about giving it a listen when you go for a drive on a date this season? It’s sure to set a nice mood.

FanfareTamaki Kōji91rank/position

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

Koji Tamaki’s “Fanfare” is perfect for a spring drive—one that makes you want to ride the wind down a road that stretches on forever.

Its exhilarating melody and powerhouse vocals are utterly compelling.

The song was crafted by layering memories of his childhood in Hokkaido with experiences of growing up alongside horses.

Rather than focusing on winning or losing, it’s an anthem that teaches the importance of moving straight ahead as your true self.

Released as a single in November 2025, it also drew attention as the theme song for the drama “The Royal Family.” Spring’s new beginnings often come with plenty of uncertainty, but if you hit the road with this track as your companion, it’s sure to fill you with courage.

When you want to believe in yourself and move forward, turn up the volume and give it a listen.