Recommended Japanese Music Artists and Popular Song Rankings for Men in Their 20s [2026]

subculture girlKyūso Nekokami36rank/position

Kyuso Nekokami - “Subculture Girl” PV

A band formed at Kwansei Gakuin University.

Yamazaki Seiya, who writes the lyrics and handles vocals, has many songs about things that made him angry in everyday life or topics everyone has thought about at least once.

“Subculture Girl” is one of them—it’s a song about how you’ll always spot at least one girl, whether among friends or out in the city, with a bob haircut and non-prescription glasses.

The idea that people want to be popular without making any effort to become populargurūpu damashii37rank/position

Group Tamashii: The Theory of Wanting to Be Popular Without Making Any Effort

A comedy rock band with actor Sadao Abe as the vocalist.

The lyrics are exactly what the title says.

They sing about every desire under the sun—wanting to be popular without making any effort, wanting to kiss, and so on.

If you put in a little effort, you should definitely become popular, but that’s not how it is at all! In that case, no effort! They go all in on that stance.

the red threadKobukuro38rank/position

Kobukuro “Red Thread”

“Akai Ito” is a track from Kobukuro’s indie days, included on their 2000 independent album “Root of my mind.” It’s characterized by its crystal-clear vocals and the duo’s intertwined harmonies.

The song has a relaxed feel, so you can sing it without worrying about the tempo.

However, if high keys are challenging for you, lowering the key by about two semitones makes it easier to sing and is recommended.

In 2008, Yui Aragaki—who appears in the music video—covered the song, so women should definitely give it a try too!

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SAKI

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romantic feelingsKobukuro39rank/position

Kobukuro – Koigokoro (Love Heart / Feelings of Love)

Kobukuro is very popular at karaoke.

This song is unusual for Kobukuro in that it was written by Kuroda, and it’s also a fan favorite.

It portrays the feelings of a man struggling with unrequited love, so men in their twenties are sure to relate.

The tempo is slow, making it easy to sing.

futureKobukuro40rank/position

Kobukuro “Mirai” Comics “orange” ver.

The intro piano is striking, and from the A verse there was a stable voice.

Around the B verse, the two voices overlap, and I think it’s a message song.

I also felt a strong sense of anticipation for the chorus.

How about taking this opportunity to try it at karaoke?

Together foreverKobukuro41rank/position

Kobukuro - Together for Eternity

This is a highly recommended, moving song for weddings.

Both the lyrics and the melody really tug at the heart, and the harmony woven by the two voices is truly beautiful.

It’s a popular tear-jerking ballad, so be sure to listen to it while thinking of someone special.

meteorKobukuro42rank/position

Kobukuro – Ryūsei (Meteor)

Kobukuro, a male duo with overwhelming popularity and a staple in the J-POP scene.

Their songs are also big hits at karaoke, with many go-to tracks that are often sung! Among them, Ryuusei was chosen as the theme song for the 2009 drama Nagareboshi, so many people who watched the show back then will likely recognize it.

The chorus has a beautiful, memorable melody, and if you sing this song earnestly, it’s sure to touch the hearts of the women listening.

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Hane Keisuke

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