Youthful songs to listen to in summer. Classic summer hits and recommended popular tracks.

Our Summer DreamYamashita Tatsuro

Our Summer Dream / Tatsuro Yamashita (Cover)

No matter how old you get, summer memories are the very essence of youth.

Be sure to listen to these summer songs that touch the heart.

This track is by Tatsuro Yamashita, a singer-songwriter who has been at the forefront of the Japanese music scene for many years, released as a single in 2009.

It was written as the theme song for the animated film “Summer Wars.” Every word and every note of his voice carries depth, and as you listen, you may feel as if the sound itself is wrapping around your body.

Please enjoy it while gazing at summer’s beautiful scenery—the vast ocean, the lush green mountain ranges, and more.

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Brilliant RainKing Gnu

King Gnu – Rain Radiantly

Even amid the pouring rain, this song lets you feel a clear light of hope.

What King Gnu depicts is the strength to keep moving forward by overcoming hardships, sung over a melody that is both gentle and powerful.

Like the crystal-clear sky after a downpour, it brings a sense of brightness to the listener’s heart.

Released in November 2022, the track served as the theme song for the Sunday drama “Old Rookie,” movingly coloring the story of a protagonist embarking on a new path.

It’s a reassuring song that softly gives you a push—whether you’re absorbed in something or ready to take a new step.

SparkleRADWIMPS

Sparkle [original ver.] -Your Name. Music Video edition- Trailer from the new album “Ningen Kaika” First Press Limited Edition DVD

This song adds color to the moving climax of the film Your Name.

Created by RADWIMPS, it sings of the sparkle of irreplaceable encounters, even as time and fate toss the characters about.

With its memorable piano accompaniment, the piece lifts the listener’s emotions.

Give it a listen on a summer evening when you’re feeling a little wistful, or when you’re thinking of someone special.

It just might color a page of your youth.

GarnetOku Hanako

Garnet

This is the theme song of the animated film “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time,” a track where Hanako Oku’s vocals resonate deeply with the heart.

It captures the sparkle of days gone by and an unchanging feeling for someone precious—listening to it might just make your heart ache a little.

Released as a single in July 2006, it further heightened the film’s emotional impact.

Try listening to it on a summer evening when you want to sink into a slightly sentimental mood or when you’re remembering old friends.

It’s a song that will surely stay gently by your side.

A Little Love SongMONGOL800

A Small Love Song – MONGOL800 | With Lyrics

This is a timeless song by MONGOL800, whose straightforward lyrics and exhilarating, fast-paced melody strike a chord.

Portraying the warmth of having someone precious right by your side and a clear hope for the future, this piece gently accompanies listeners in their everyday lives.

The song is included on the album “MESSAGE,” released in September 2001, which, despite being an indie release, sold over 2.8 million copies.

It has served as a motif for films and as an ending theme for TV anime, making it a track beloved across generations.

Be sure to give it a listen during summer drives or while spending time with friends.

HOTEL PACIFICSazan Ōrusutāzu

HOTEL PACIFIC

This number perfectly fuses passionate Latin rhythms with the familiar melodies of Japanese pop, conjuring images of a blazing sun and an endless blue sea.

It was written for a large-scale outdoor concert held in the summer of 2000 in Chigasaki, the hometown of Southern All Stars.

Released in July 2000 as their 45th single, it also brightened living rooms across Japan as the theme song for WOWOW’s “Summer Campaign” commercials.

It’s the perfect track to lift your spirits even higher when you’re heading out for a seaside drive or a barbecue with friends.

Mahoro in SummerHarukamirai

Harukamirai – Summer Mahoro (Official Music Video)

This is a song you’ll want to listen to on a hot summer day, the kind that makes you suddenly drift into memories of the past.

Images of summer heat, a baseball field with white balls zipping through the air, and the 5:00 p.m.

siren evoke the sweet-and-sour memories of youth, giving you the courage to walk toward the future, tinged with a touch of regret.

The track appears on the album “THE BAND STAR,” released in July 2020, and its music video—based on the December 2019 live performance at Makuhari Messe—also leaves a strong impression.

It was selected as a recommended song by the music channel MUSIC ON! TV.

Whether you play it as background music on a summer drive or belt it out at karaoke, those fiery feelings from back then are sure to come rushing back.

Give it a listen!