Songs about Tokyo: A collection of popular J‑Pop classics [2026]

TOKYOBUCK-TICK

BUCK-TICK TOKYO

Set in cyber-Tokyo, this song portrays urban life through urgent emotions and a distinctive perspective.

Created during BUCK-TICK’s recording sessions in London, it became a work that symbolizes their musical transformation.

Included on the album Taboo and released in January 1989, it immediately earned the band their first number-one on the charts.

The lyrics, with their strikingly repeated phrases, vividly depict Tokyo where digital and analog, reality and fiction intersect.

It’s a recommended track for those who want to sense both the social changes brought about by technological progress and the feelings of the people living within them.

Tokyo JoeBryan Ferry

Bryan Ferry – Tokyo Joe (Live)

A signature song by Bryan Ferry that interweaves exotic flair and allure.

It brilliantly captures Tokyo’s bustle and mystique, gripping listeners and never letting go.

Released in May 1977, the track appears on the album In Your Mind and enjoyed particular popularity in Japan.

In 1997, it was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan, with shipments exceeding 100,000 copies.

The lyrics portray a captivating woman unconstrained by society’s norms, evoking freedom and a rebellious spirit.

Listen to it while gazing at Tokyo’s nightscape, and you’re sure to discover something new.

TokyoDonna Summer

Tokyo

This song by Donna Summer, the Queen of R&B, was included on her 1983 album “She Works Hard for the Money.” It portrays the anxiety of being in a foreign land, new encounters, and the determination to try building a life there.

The lyrics reflect impressions and experiences gained during a stay in Tokyo—meeting polite people and discovering new cultures—highlighting the freshness of discovery and adventure that comes with living abroad.

Released as a single from Donna Summer’s fifth studio album, it is regarded as one of the important works in her musical career.

It’s a recommended track for those interested in different cultures or who have experienced living overseas.

Tokyo OklahomaJohn Anderson

Tokyo, Oklahoma

A gem of a love song that bridges East and West.

Featured on John Anderson’s classic 1985 album Tokyo, Oklahoma, this piece celebrates the power of love that transcends cultural differences.

It reached No.

30 on the U.S.

country chart and captured the hearts of many.

The melody evokes the bustle of a capital city, while the rhythm conjures the vast landscapes of the American Midwest—an exquisite fusion that strikes deep within the listener.

Filled with feelings for a faraway lover and the anticipation of new encounters, its lyrics may be perfect for those in cross-border relationships.

Tokyo (Official Visualizer) ft. SEKAI NO OWARIOwl City

Owl City – Tokyo (Official Visualizer) ft. SEKAI NO OWARI

The song crafted by Yoshiki Mizuno was produced as the compulsory piece for the NHK National School Music Competition, junior high division.

He reportedly approached the songwriting while recalling his own deeply troubled middle school years.

It is often performed during graduation season and frequently appears in rankings of graduation songs.

Brimming with warm words, it is a song of encouragement that gently envelops students’ hearts—those who, wondering whether what they’re doing is right and whether a bright future will come, often find anxiety outweighing hope and struggle with loneliness and worries.

Released in October 2014, this work was born from a collaboration with the Japanese pop band SEKAI NO OWARI.

Non Stop To TokyoRIP SLYME

Rip Slyme – NonStop To Tokyo.wmv

A track brimming with love for Tokyo from RIP SLYME, a group that represents Japan’s hip-hop scene.

It’s included on the Pizzicato Five tribute album released in March 2002.

Set to a comfortable beat, the lyrics vividly capture the atmosphere of Tokyo’s streets.

Seamlessly blending uniquely Japanese culture with hip-hop, the song never gets old no matter how many times you listen.

RIP SLYME’s music has been highly acclaimed both in Japan and abroad, and TOKYO CLASSIC became the first million-selling album in Japanese hip-hop history.

Let this hometown-proud track help you rediscover Tokyo’s charms.

TOKYOSCANDAL

scandal tokyo

An epic song by SCANDAL that depicts Tokyo’s many faces.

Released in 2009, this work gently yet profoundly questions encounters with strangers and the issues of modern society.

It weaves together the city’s energy and warmth through scenes like the Tokyo Marathon, live music venues, and fleeting friendships with people who pass by.

The question, “Has Japan’s heart become sick?” expresses the illnesses of society and people’s hearts from a child’s perspective.

It’s a masterpiece that sings broadly of Tokyo’s complex allure, from small everyday moments to major social problems.

It’s a recommended track not only for those living in Tokyo, but also for anyone who wants to feel the complexity of city life.