![[Summer Tunes] A roundup of commercial songs featured in summer ads](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/LJOfZ-7FumQ/maxresdefault.webp)
[Summer Tunes] A roundup of commercial songs featured in summer ads
As summer approaches, we start seeing more and more commercials for summery products—everything from soft drinks to sunscreen and deodorant.
These ads often feature summery scenes like blue skies and the ocean, or coming-of-age stories starring students in school uniforms, all designed to evoke the feeling of summer.
Of course, the music often matches the season too, with many songs that have become summer staples.
In this article, we’ll introduce a wide selection of songs used in those summer commercials all at once.
We’ve picked out everything from slightly older, nostalgic ads to ones currently on air, so take your time and enjoy!
[Summer Tunes] A roundup of songs featured in summer commercials (1–10)
Glaring Summernaniwa danshi
This commercial shows the members of Naniwa Danshi fully enjoying Round One—bowling, karaoke, Spo-cha, and even crane games.
Playing in the background of their smiling, fun-filled scenes is “Gira Gira Summer,” digitally released in June 2025.
The lyrics depict a determination to make the most of summer.
Paired with a refreshing melody line, it’s a track that really gets you pumped just by listening.
TRICOIwatatakanori
In the Aichi Toyota commercial featuring Takanori Iwata from Sandaime J SOUL BROTHERS from EXILE TRIBE, he announces from inside a radio car that Aichi Toyota is celebrating its 90th anniversary.
Despite his gentle narration, the upbeat background track really stands out! The song is Iwata’s solo track “TRICO,” set for release in August 2025.
In addition to lyrics that depict a blazing summer, the sea, and passionate romance, its uplifting, high-energy sound makes a strong impression.
It’s a perfect, straight-down-the-middle summer song that we highly recommend.
You are 1000%.PEDRO
This commercial features Yuriko Yoshitaka reintroducing the delicious taste of Aisu no Mi for people who have the wrong idea about it.
From the middle of the ad, it emphasizes—set to music—that it’s a richly flavored gelato.
That song is actually a parody of Omega Tribe’s 1986 signature track “Kimi wa 1000%”! What’s more, the cover is performed by PEDRO, the solo project of Ayuni D, formerly of BiSH.
It’s a lavish cover that carries a different vibe from the original while still evoking the nostalgia of the ’80s.
Original songAo
In the Pocari Sweat commercial that began airing in May 2025, a series of summery scenes unfolds one after another.
Each of them evokes a certain nostalgia, making you feel warm and cozy as you watch.
Many viewers have probably found that the short original song playing in the background—featuring a beautifully clear vocal—lingers in their ears and won’t let go.
The singer of this CM song is ao, a singer-songwriter who made her major debut at the young age of 15.
In contrast to the imagery depicting hot summer days, her transparent, refreshing voice is utterly captivating.
MY GENERATIONGENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE
In this memorable, music-video-like concept, the GENERATIONS members split into two groups that are filmed separately and then converge right before the chorus, delivering their performance on the turf of a racecourse.
It’s a commercial promoting the Japanese Derby.
Under a clear blue sky and on lush green grass, their confident singing and dancing absolutely dazzle.
The song featured in the CM is “MY GENERATION,” released in May 2025.
Set in summer, its lyrics depict a steady, forward-looking stride.
Along with the season’s refreshing vibe, it’s a highly recommended cheer song that gives you a sense of momentum.
Backseat[Alexandros]
![Backseat[Alexandros]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/FRWnF9Hmqsg/sddefault.jpg)
This clip, which shows [Alexandros] performing on a school gymnasium stage, is a collaboration commercial between Pocky and [Alexandros].
The performance scenes are featured prominently, almost like a music video, so not only fans of the band but anyone who likes Japanese rock likely found themselves captivated.
The song performed in the commercial is a single released in 2024.
Vocalist Yohei Kawakami has said he wrote the lyrics after hearing about a friend’s heartbreak, and the lingering attachment portrayed in the lyrics is truly moving.
Although it’s a breakup song set in summer, it’s marked by [Alexandros]’s signature refreshing guitar-rock sound and Kawakami’s gentle vocals.
It doesn’t carry a gloomy mood; instead, it’s a calm track that naturally encourages you to look forward.
Fire◎Flowerhalyosy
It’s a commercial introducing McDonald’s limited-time Spicy Chicken McNuggets that basically plays like a collaboration with the Vocaloid classic “Fire◎Flower.” The visuals show lyrics over illustrations of characters holding Spicy Chicken McNuggets, making it look just like a Vocaloid music video.
The background music is a parody version of “Fire◎Flower.” “Fire◎Flower” is a song created by halyosy in 2008, sung by Kagamine Len.
As the title suggests, it’s themed around fireworks, and the lyrics express the protagonist’s feelings of love.
Slow & EasyHirai Dai
This Pocari commercial features Yo Yoshida and Rio Suzuki having a gentle, natural exchange that feels like a real mother and daughter.
This time, the conversation unfolds with a Hawaii theme, and along the way it highlights how Pocari is perfect for staying hydrated in hot weather.
The two wear aloha shirts, creating a distinctly Hawaiian vibe, and the BGM also conveys a mellow, island-like feel.
The song is Dai Hirai’s signature 2015 release, “Slow & Easy.” While painting a picture of a peacefully sunny summer day, it sings, “Let’s take it slow without rushing,” suggesting that doing so helps us feel everyday happiness even more.
It’s a track that helps you relax—not just because of its mellow sound, but also thanks to its lyrics.
99 StepsSTUTS (feat. Kohjiya & Hana Hope)
This is a Pocari Sweat commercial featuring dancers Musashi Haraguchi and Yuta.
The scenes show the two of them dancing with sweat glistening on their foreheads, and it really fires you up just watching.
Backing this cool dance footage is “99 Steps,” produced by STUTS and featuring Kohjiya and Hana Hope.
The lyrics, which urge you to push forward no matter what while looking back on the past, are strikingly memorable.
It’s a mid-tempo track with a powerful beat that sounds incredibly cool—one you’ll want to sit with and savor while taking in the words.
Summer-Colored LetterIshigaki Yū
This commercial promotes CHOYA’s limited-edition Natsu-ume, released as summer approaches, using soft, illustration-like animation.
It shows how the product is woven into a parent–child interaction, and from the fresh atmosphere, you can almost sense its gentle flavor.
The song that further highlights the tender mood of the visuals is Yu Ishigaki’s “Natsuiro Dayori.” Its light sound paired with a bright vocal conveys the refreshing breezes of summer and a forward-looking spirit to get through the heat.
