Songs to Listen to in Summer: Ranking of Popular Tracks by Japanese Female Artists [2026]
Summer has all kinds of events, but it’s common to get stuck in long traffic jams on the way to the venue.
Music is what you need to keep things enjoyable even in those moments.
We’ve put together a ranking of recommended Japanese female artists and popular songs for summer, so please use it as a reference.
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Songs to Listen to in Summer: Japanese Female Artists – Popular Song Rankings [2026] (81–90)
The Day I Become the Wind SomedayHajime Chitose81rank/position
Someday I’ll Become the Wind is a song by Chitose Hajime released in 2003.
Many of you may remember it as the CM song for au by KDDI’s “Everyone’s Summer” commercial.
It’s a gently soothing track that feels like being cradled by a vast, drifting sea.
I think listeners of any generation can connect it with their own nostalgic summer scenes and memories.
While summer often brings to mind upbeat dance numbers, if you’d like to enjoy karaoke with a soothing song that’s the complete opposite, be sure to pick this one!
fireworksOku Hanako82rank/position
Singer-songwriter Hanako Oku, who has written lyrics, composed, and sung numerous commercial jingles and whose 2022 return to activity thrilled fans.
Her first indie single, “Hanabi” (Fireworks), is memorable for its nostalgic intro featuring rich, heavy strings.
The bittersweet feelings for days that won’t come back, layered over the image of fireworks, may evoke memories of one’s own youth and resonate with many listeners.
It’s a sentimental ballad whose delicate ensemble, adorned with her cute vocals, stirs the heart.
The Maiden with Flaxen HairShimatani Hitomi83rank/position
Hitomi Shimatani is a singer who can masterfully perform a wide range of musical genres.
Making the most of her beautiful looks, she’s also active as a model and actress.
Her 2002 cover release “Amairo no Kami no Otome” is a passionate song that anyone in their 30s would know.
The track became a hot topic as the Kao “Essential Damage Care” commercial song, in which she herself appeared! Its danceable beat wrapped in an exotic-sounding atmosphere is striking—a number that accelerates the heat of a summer romance.
Try listening to this nostalgic summer tune while gazing up at the clear, sunny sky.
Venus LineHirose Kōmi84rank/position
Kohmi Hirose is one of Japan’s leading singer-songwriters.
She wrote “Venus Line” as the opening theme for the anime BIRDIE WING -Golf Girls’ Story-.
It’s a jazz-tinged track featuring piano and violin, and its lyrics capture the buoyant excitement of the protagonist who pours her heart into sports.
Also noteworthy is how the lyrics use expressions premised on the anime’s story—for example, reading “daikyū” (a struck ball) as “kibō” (hope).
magic musicKimura Kaera85rank/position
This is a vibrant summer tune by Kaela Kimura.
Created for summer festivals, its happy, positive worldview adds extra fun to children’s movements.
Set to a catchy melody, it sings about the magical power of music and the thrill of romance.
Released in June 2006, it was used as the commercial song for Toshiba’s portable media player “gigabeat” and as the ending theme for tvk’s program “sakusaku.” Although it wasn’t included on the album “Scratch,” it remains one of the artist’s most popular signature songs.
If you’re pairing it with a parachute (paraballoon) routine, this refreshing track is perfect for everyone to dance to.
Its lively, pop atmosphere will make bright, cheerful performances even more delightful.
I can’t even get hurt.Kajitani Miyuki86rank/position
This song was used as the ending theme for ‘Bakusō Kyōdai Let’s & Go!!’.
While the opening theme, ‘Winning Run! -Kaze ni Naritai-‘ and others have an energetic feel, this one sings about a young, innocent love.
It brings back slightly bittersweet memories of summer vacations from childhood.
Love in AugustMoritaka Chisato87rank/position
“August Love” is a love song about a summer heartbreak, depicting a sad farewell and the attempt to forget it.
A key point is how it intertwines the poignant portrayal of love with the summer sea.
The melody, centered on high notes, has a refreshing feel that blows away the summer heat.
Incidentally, this song was used as the ending theme for the variety show “Video — You’re the Star.” Many people may remember it fondly for that as well.
Angel’s TemptationMayuzumi Jun88rank/position
Among the many hit songs that vividly colored summers in the Showa era, there are surely plenty of people who remember this classic, powerfully sung by Jun Mayuzumi, most of all.
Released in May 1968, the track blends a lively Group Sounds-style rhythm with a subtly exotic Hawaiian flavor—an ideal tune to heighten the mood of a summer resort getaway.
Jun Mayuzumi’s punchy yet coquettish vocals hint at a sweet and dangerous romantic game, captivating countless listeners.
The song won the 10th Japan Record Award, she starred in a film of the same title, and she also performed it on NHK’s year-end Kohaku Uta Gassen—proof of the fervor it stirred at the time, which has since become the stuff of legend.
It’s perfect for a summer drive, and a must-listen for anyone who wants to feel the atmosphere of that era.
ALL FOR YOUAmuro Namie89rank/position
Released in 2004 as Namie Amuro’s 27th single.
Chosen as the theme song for Fuji TV’s Tuesday 10 p.m.
drama “Kimi ga Omoide ni Naru Mae ni,” it marked her first drama theme in about six years.
Reaching No.
6 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart, it’s a grand love song that showcases Namie Amuro’s powerful vocal ability.
Summer of GoodbyeTeshima Aoi90rank/position
If you’d rather spend a slightly sentimental, more grown-up summer than a lively one, I recommend Aoi Teshima’s “Summer of Goodbye (From Up on Poppy Hill).” Released in 2011, this song was used as the theme for the Studio Ghibli film From Up on Poppy Hill.
It was originally a number released by Ryoko Moriyama in 1976.
The lyrics overlay the singer’s emotions onto the summer sea, wind, and living creatures, expressing a hope that, through them, she might someday be able to meet that special someone again.
It’s a song that conveys a woman’s quiet, refined feelings.
