[20s] Popular Japanese Music and J-POP Rankings [By Generation]

Ms. Hanako on a high pedestalback number15rank/position

back number – Takane no Hanako-san (full)

This timeless song about aching love shines in karaoke.

One of back number’s signature tracks, it delicately conveys the complex feelings of a man with an unrequited crush.

Many will relate to the protagonist, who can’t find the courage to speak up in front of the woman he admires.

Released in June 2013 and included on the album “Love Story,” it has remained beloved over the years.

In 2019, it was also featured in a Kirin Beer commercial.

It’s a perfect song for men in their twenties wrestling with love.

Sing it at karaoke, and you might showcase your delicate sensibility.

bouquetback number16rank/position

back number – Bouquet (full)

A love song that portrays a man trying to convey his many feelings for her, like a “bouquet” where various flowers come together.

Although the protagonist doesn’t give a clear answer to the girl who voices her anxieties, he actually cares for her more deeply than anyone else.

The lyrics capture the heart of a man who can’t bring himself to express those feelings honestly.

The structure interweaves parts that feel like a conversation between the protagonist and his girlfriend with parts that sing of the protagonist’s inner thoughts, making his emotions come through more vividly and realistically.

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HATSUMI

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Dear BrideNishino Kana17rank/position

Kana Nishino “Dear Bride” MV (Short Ver.)

It’s a popular song for weddings.

It’s a track packed with Kana Nishino’s charm.

It’s filled with heartfelt wishes for a friend’s marriage, and listening to it warms your heart.

You can feel the depth and tenderness of friendship, and it’s sure to resonate with many people.

It was released in October 2016 and won the Japan Cable Radio Award that December.

It’s perfect not only as a wedding song but also for expressing your feelings to someone special.

Why not give it a listen when you want to feel the bonds you share with friends and family?

My WayDef Tech18rank/position

Def Tech – My Way【Official Music Video】

Def Tech is a reggae duo consisting of Shen from Hawaii and Micro from Tokyo, and their hit song is “My Way.” Released on their 2005 debut album, it was featured in a Yokohama Tires commercial.

Despite being an indie release, the album was a massive hit, reaching No.

1 on the Oricon charts.

It also ranked high on karaoke charts for a long time.

It has a lot of English and might be a bit challenging, but the positive lyrics and laid-back beat are really pleasant—so definitely give it a try!

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Hamada Takuya

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A Little Love SongMONGOL80019rank/position

MONGOL800 / A Small Love Song

A straightforward love song by MONGOL800, a rock band from Okinawa.

Its pure lyrics remind us just how precious the people close to us truly are, touching the hearts of many.

Released in September 2001 and included on the album MESSAGE, which sold over 2.8 million copies, the song spent 14 consecutive weeks at No.

2 on the Oricon karaoke chart.

Its enduring popularity is evident in its use as the ending theme for the TV anime Teasing Master Takagi-san and as a motif for a 2019 film.

Put it on as driving music, and you’ll find yourself singing along under the blue sky.

SubtitleOfisharu Higedan Dism20rank/position

Official HIGE DANDism – Subtitle [Official Video]

A heart-touching ballad that portrays the difficulty of expressing love in words and the fragility of feelings that melt away like snow.

Released digitally in October 2022 as the theme song for the drama “silent,” the song expresses the earnest attempt to convey one’s feelings of love through a delicate, piano-centered melody.

It achieved its first overall No.

1 on Billboard JAPAN’s JAPAN HOT 100, and surpassed 21 million streams.

When you’re frustrated because you can’t put your feelings for someone special into words, this song is sure to be by your side.

The Story You Don’t Knowsupercell21rank/position

[Available until July 14, 2025] Bakemonogatari ED “The Story You Don’t Know” supercell Original Audio 4K High Quality Full AAC-LC – 320 kbps

It’s one of supercell’s signature songs, overlaying a bittersweet crush onto a starry night sky.

The lyrics, which portray a romance that ends without the courage to confess the feelings kept in one’s heart, resonated with many listeners.

Released in August 2009 as the ending theme for the anime Bakemonogatari, it peaked at No.

5 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart and remained in the top 20 for over two months, becoming a long-running hit.

This work is a youth anthem about the faint feelings of love held on a summer night.

It’s a song that brings back memories of friends and someone you once had feelings for.

It’s also a great pick for karaoke!