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Wonderful Music Rankings

Top Japanese Music / J-POP Rankings by Generation: 30s

We’re excited to present the latest top 100 rankings of Japanese music/J-POP for listeners in their 30s, listed in order of most plays!

People in their 30s are often seen as entering adulthood—but what songs are they listening to most?

The playlist is updated weekly.

[30s] Popular Japanese Music / J-POP Rankings [By Generation] (71–80)

Summer Colorsyuzu78rank/position

Natsuiro – Yuzu (Full)
Summer Colorsyuzu

Natsuiro, sung by Yuzu—the acoustic duo of Yuujin Kitagawa and Kouji Iwasawa—is their debut single released in 1998.

It’s a refreshing, summery, up-tempo youth anthem.

Many people in their thirties probably sang Natsuiro or practiced it on guitar during their school days.

It was also used in 2017 as the commercial song for Lotte’s “Sou,” so some listeners may have felt a wave of nostalgia hearing it.

It might be a great time to dust off your guitar and give it a play again!

Baby Don’t CryAmuro Namie79rank/position

Baby Don’t Cry – Namie Amuro (Full)
Baby Don’t CryAmuro Namie

Namie Amuro’s “Baby Don’t Cry” is one of those timeless songs whose appeal doesn’t fade with the years—it really resonates with the heart! While it carries a touch of poignancy, it also delivers an uplifting message, making it a true “anthem for those who keep moving forward.” Among her songs, this one is relatively easy to sing, and its melody is so catchy you can’t help but hum along after just one listen.

Also, if you bring extra emotion into the key-change section, it can create an even more moving effect.

When you’re feeling down, belt it out at karaoke—sometimes with friends, sometimes on your own—and let it lift your spirits!

Poem of SunlightLe Couple80rank/position

Hidamari no Uta / Le Couple (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)
Poem of SunlightLe Couple

People in their 30s are, I think, the generation that just barely listened to “Hidamari no Uta” by Le Couple in real time.

This song is filled not so much with inspiration as with sadness.

If possible, listen to it while savoring the lyrics sheet, and it will move you to tears even more.

[30s] Popular Japanese Music / J-POP Ranking [By Generation] (81–90)

I want to shout that I love you.BAAD81rank/position

"Slam Dunk Theme Song" vol. 2 BAAD - 'I Want to Shout That I Love You' sung by Kaname Kawabata (Short Ver.)
I want to shout that I love you.BAAD

It’s a classic song etched in my heart along with nostalgic memories of my youth.

Starting with a refreshing morning scene, it portrays the protagonist’s feelings as they waver between friendship and romance, expressed through a passionate melody and powerful vocals.

As BAAD’s signature work, it was released as a single in December 1993 and used as the first opening theme for the TV anime SLAM DUNK.

In March 2021, it won the Users’ Choice Award at the Heisei Anisong Grand Prize, and it continues to be loved across generations.

With lyrics that capture universal themes—such as the frustration of love and the courage to take a step forward—it’s perfect for when you want to indulge in bittersweet memories of romance.

My Sweet Darlin’Yaita Hitomi82rank/position

Songs from around the year 2000 probably carry a nostalgic ring for people in their 30s, bringing back the sweet memories of their youth.

Hitomi Yaida’s “My Sweet Darlin’,” released in 2000, is a bittersweet love song that tickles the hearts of thirtysomethings.

The chorus, which makes effective use of falsetto, is super poppy, and if you play it at a wedding, it’s sure to get the whole venue buzzing! It’s a timeless classic that hasn’t lost its charm even in the Reiwa era, making it a great pick for a wide range of ages—not just those in their 30s.

LemonYonezu Kenshi83rank/position

With its blend of classic band sound and trendsetting arrangements, Kenshi Yonezu’s music has taken the J-pop scene by storm.

Written as the theme song for the TV drama “Unnatural,” it drew widespread attention immediately upon release and went on to become a historic long-running hit.

Its melancholic melody, distinctive chord progression, and other arrangement choices that seize listeners’ hearts are elements that surely resonated with anyone in Japan.

As a signature track of 2018–2019, it’s also a guaranteed crowd-pleaser at karaoke.

Bridge of Gloryyuzu84rank/position

Yuzu “Eikou no Kakehashi” Music Video
Bridge of Gloryyuzu

This is an uplifting anthem that powerfully portrays the pursuit of dreams and hope, and it is one of Yuzu’s signature songs, widely loved as NHK’s official theme for the Athens Olympics.

Carried by the soothing sound of acoustic guitars, it gently sings of hidden tears and the journey continued despite uncertainty.

It topped the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart, and since its release in July 2004, it has continued to warm the hearts of many.

With a leisurely melody, the song has a comfortable vocal range and is easy to sing at karaoke.

It’s a heartwarming message song that stands beside those who work hard every day, those who face difficulties, and those about to take a new step in life—why not give it a try?