[2026] Recommended Japanese Songs for Driving: Popular J-POP for People in Their 20s
Whether you’re driving with friends, on a romantic trip for two, with family, or even solo, going for a drive is always a lot of fun, isn’t it?
Some of you in your twenties may have just gotten your long-awaited driver’s license and are now picking out BGM for your first drive—whether you’re a student or already working.
In this article, we introduce popular Japanese songs—J-POP—that are especially recommended for drives, with a focus on listeners in their twenties.
Centered on recent and current hits across various genres, this lineup will hype up your drive and add a stylish touch.
Feel free to use it as a reference!
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[2026] Recommended Japanese Songs for Driving: Popular J-POP for People in Their 20s (141–150)
Taxi to the MoonPenthouse
A funky dance tune that evokes the polished soul-disco of the 1980s.
Released by Penthouse in November 2024, the track opens their second album, “Laundry.” It features playful wordplay that sounds like English, with themes of breaking free from the noise of the city and venturing into the unknown.
The music video follows a girl traveling through space in a taxi, with the chorus dance scene as a highlight.
It’s perfect for anyone who wants to step away from the everyday and leap into a new world.
With Penthouse’s distinctive worldview and groove, this song is sure to captivate listeners.
Lights Off (feat. Natori)TAKU INOUE
It’s a track with a cool vibe.
Produced by TAKU INOUE with vocals by natori, “Lights Off” was released as a single in December 2024.
It’s a polished piece where sharp-edged electronic sounds and pop elements blend in perfect balance.
It garnered attention through behind-the-scenes stories shared on NHK-FM and the release of its music video featuring actor Misaki Hattori.
It might be a great fit for a late-night drive.
Wonderlandiri
A masterpiece depicting the heart of someone striving to find light within deep darkness has arrived from iri.
Set to a luscious melody steeped in R&B and soul, it tenderly envelops the emptiness and loneliness of everyday life while powerfully singing of the will to move toward the light.
Included on the album “Private,” this track has continued to soothe countless listeners since its release in March 2023.
It’s a warm song that keeps you company on late-night drives or in moments when you want to cherish time alone.
iri’s gentle yet resolute voice is sure to resonate deeply in the hearts of those who listen.
Pasadenasakaiyuu
A heartwarming number that expresses deep affection for Pasadena, California, and traces the roots of a music career.
It’s a song by singer-songwriter Yu Sakai, released as a digital single in December 2024.
Commemorating the 15th anniversary of his major-label debut, the track was recorded in Los Angeles, where he began his musical journey at age 22.
The lyrics, distilling past experiences and hopes for the future, gently encourage those standing at life’s crossroads.
It’s a perfect tune to accompany a leisurely weekend drive.
Chururi (feat. Takako Matsu)yuzu
This song, sung by Yuzu and Takako Matsu, is a heartwarming piece filled with nostalgia and bittersweet emotion.
The gentle vocals, which seem to tenderly embrace the feeling of longing for someone dear as memories surface in everyday life, leave a strong impression.
Released digitally in November 2024, it was also used as the theme song for the Nissan Sakura commercial.
The trio’s collaboration on Fuji TV’s 2024 FNS Music Festival drew significant attention as well.
When you find yourself feeling wistful as you think of someone, why not give this song a listen? It’s sure to offer comfort to your heart.
Easy★RiderOkuda Tamio
Tamio Okuda brings us the perfect song for a season when a refreshing breeze flows gently by.
Set to a lively rhythm and expansive melody, this piece captures the feeling of racing down a free, unrestricted road, brimming with liberation and positivity.
Released in June 1996, it reached No.
4 on the Oricon weekly charts and stayed on the charts for 16 weeks.
It was also used in a Nissan commercial and as a TV program theme, winning fans across generations.
Whether you’re driving enveloped in the warmth of spring or setting out on a new path, this song will be a reassuring companion.
astronomical observationBUMP OF CHICKEN
When you remember the sweet-and-sour and heartrending moments of your youth, your chest tightens, doesn’t it? In times like that, the song that gives you a push is “Tentai Kansoku.” It was released in 2000 by the rock band BUMP OF CHICKEN and was used as an insert song for the drama Tentai Kansoku.
The track delivers a rock sound that evokes the band’s unique worldview.
The introductory guitar, played with the image of a shooting star, is truly one of a kind.
It’s packed with messages that give you strength when you’re struggling with love or life—try listening to it while driving under the night sky, gazing at the stars.
