[2026] Recommended Japanese songs for a spring drive: A roundup of perfect tracks for outings

Blossom declaration!chou tokimeki sendenbu

Blossom declaration!

When the mild spring weather beckons you to head somewhere far away, the songs you’ll want to hear are by Cho Tokimeki Sendenbu.

Released for streaming in January 2026, this track was written as the theme song for the feature film “Himitsu no Aipri: Mankai Bazuriumu Live!” Its lyrics, which capture the thrill of a bud blooming into a vivid flower and sing of hope for the future, hint at the start of a new season.

It’s also included on the album “Tokimeki Egao,” released in March 2026, making it a radiant song that celebrates the group’s 10th anniversary.

Listen to it as you drive beneath rows of cherry blossoms, and the exhilarating melody is sure to lift your spirits to the max.

If your heart is fluttering at the start of a new chapter in life, why not take a drive with this track as your BGM?

Spring loveDXTEEN

Spring Love

If you’re heading out on a drive date with that special someone while soaking in the spring vibes, the lead track from DXTEEN’s album “Heart Beat” is a perfect pick.

The song was pre-released in January 2026, and the promotional campaign leading up to the album’s launch became a major talking point.

It’s a pop number that captures the flutter of waiting for a message from your crush and those sudden moments when your heart skips a beat.

The sound crafted by KZ and others mirrors the sparkling scenery of spring and is guaranteed to lift your spirits! Give this track a listen, and you’ll want to drive endlessly alongside your racing feelings of love.

Let the warm breeze blow and turn up the energy with this song as you enjoy your drive.

flower fortune-tellingVaundy

Flower Fortune-telling / Vaundy: MUSIC VIDEO

The song that makes you want to grip the wheel and feel the invigorating spring breeze is Vaundy’s “Hanauranai” (“Flower Fortune-telling”).

Released in July 2021 as the theme song for the drama “My Deadly Intentions Fell in Love,” it’s a fan favorite also included on his second album, “replica.” The lyrics, portraying lingering feelings for an unrequited love and wavering inner conflict, reflect the fragility of how even long-lasting relationships can end over something trivial.

Carried by a danceable sound that makes you want to move despite the bittersweet emotions, it’s sure to elevate any spring drive.

Why not hit the road, savoring the complexities of love as the scenery flows past your window?

Blue HabitatKitanitatsuya

Where Our Blue Is / Tatsuya Kitani

A driving, exhilarating guitar rock track that makes spring drives feel refreshing is one of Tatsuya Kitani’s popular songs.

The lyrics, which layer the glitter of youth with the sense of loss you feel as an adult, really squeeze your heart, don’t they? Chosen as the opening theme for the July 2023 broadcast of the TV anime Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2: Hidden Inventory/Premature Death, it’s a powerhouse number that won a Special Award at the 65th Japan Record Awards.

Though uptempo, its faintly wistful melody pairs perfectly with the spring atmosphere that makes you nostalgic for days gone by.

Sometimes it’s nice to roll down the windows, feel the wind, and sink into a sentimental mood while you drive, right? Load your memories into the passenger seat and race through the spring sunshine.

Late-blooming cherry blossomsAKB48

Nagorizakura

If you’re in the mood for a slightly sentimental drive while basking in the gentle spring sunlight, AKB48’s latest is the perfect pick.

Released in February 2026 as their 67th single, this track symbolizes a new step in the group’s 21st year.

19th-generation member Momoka Ito takes the center position for the first time, delicately expressing the mingled feelings of the glitter of bygone youth and anxieties about the future.

The coupling tracks also include a song born from the TV special “Yasushi Akimoto vs AI Yasushi Akimoto,” giving the release plenty of buzz.

As you gaze at familiar, nostalgic scenery and immerse yourself in a world that seems to ask who you really are, old memories may come flooding back.

It’s a song you’ll want to bring along on a springtime drive—one that gives you the courage to move forward, even while holding onto a touch of heartache.

Wind and TownNEW!Mrs. GREEN APPLE

Wind and Town

A song by Mrs.

GREEN APPLE released in March 2026.

It was created as the theme song for the NHK morning drama series “Kaze, Kaoru.” Written by Motoki Omori as an ode to life for everyone living through turbulent times, the song closely accompanies a weighty story depicting women in the world of nursing during the Meiji era.

Its gentle, translucent melody leaves a strong impression.

Why not give it a listen during a calm moment in the morning, or when you want to pause amid the busyness of everyday life?

PetalsNEW!Orangestar

Orangestar – Petals (feat. Natsuse)

This track by Orangestar, also known as a Vocaloid producer, was released in April 2026.

It was written as the opening theme for the TV anime “Shunkashūtō Daikōsha: Spring’s Dance.” Its grand arrangement—combining a breezy, springlike rhythm with beautiful strings—lingers in the ear.

The transparent vocals by Natsuse enhance the song’s blend of poignancy and hope.

You can picture the protagonists starting to move forward, facing ahead even while carrying conflicts from their past.