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[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!

Playlist

[2026] Recommended Japanese Songs for Driving: Popular J-POP for People in Their 20s
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1north_eastChapterRyokushokushakai
ChapterRyokushokushakaiplay_arrow
Ryokuoushoku Shakai’s drama theme songs
2south_eastHEARTLOUDKis-my-ft2
HEARTLOUDKis-my-ft2play_arrow
A fusion track of traditional Japanese instruments and electro beats
3south_eastBefore the magic wears offSebunsu Bega
Before the magic wears offSebunsu Begaplay_arrow
Seventh Vega’s new song chosen as a TV drama theme song
4eastDECOTORA15LiSA
DECOTORA15LiSAplay_arrow
A pop-punk bursting with a sense of speed for LiSA’s 15th anniversary
5north_eastLOVE TRIGGERSnow Man
LOVE TRIGGERSnow Manplay_arrow
Snow Man's new song that captures the moment of love
6south_eastFLIP FLAPchanmina
FLIP FLAPchanminaplay_arrow
Chanmina’s new song cynically depicts society’s evaluations
7eastLuminousAina ji Endo
LuminousAina ji Endoplay_arrow
ONE PIECE theme song sung by Aina
8eastSugar BombME:I
Sugar BombME:Iplay_arrow
A sweet, pop love song by ME:I
9eastto go see (someone) / to go meetaimyon
to go see (someone) / to go meetaimyonplay_arrow
Linking memory and the present through Aimyon’s music
10north_eastMasterplanBE:FIRST
MasterplanBE:FIRSTplay_arrow
A hopeful driving song, strength and growth
11south_eastUSOTSUKISTARGLOW
USOTSUKISTARGLOWplay_arrow
Announcement of STARGLOW's second single
12south_eastropewayTele
ropewayTeleplay_arrow
Digital-only single to be released after the national tour
13eastBling-Bang-Bang-BornCreepy Nuts
Bling-Bang-Bang-BornCreepy Nutsplay_arrow
Creepy Nuts, Mashle theme song
14eastDinner Songtuki.
Dinner Songtuki.play_arrow
Songs by young talents resonate with people in their twenties
15north_eastGOOD TOGETHERtimelesz
GOOD TOGETHERtimeleszplay_arrow
A song that expresses a sense of happiness in dance-pop
16south_eastdance now!chilldspot
dance now!chilldspotplay_arrow
A dance-pop song by chilldspot
17eastNIGHT DANCERimase
NIGHT DANCERimaseplay_arrow
imase’s songs for night drives
18eastOverdosenatori
Overdosenatoriplay_arrow
Natori’s love songs, perfect for a drive
19eastTokyo feat. Mamiko Suzuki, Skaaiyonawo
Tokyo feat. Mamiko Suzuki, Skaaiyonawoplay_arrow
yonawo expresses urban life in a mellow way
20eastInfernoMrs. GREEN APPLE
InfernoMrs. GREEN APPLEplay_arrow
A band-sound track characterized by darkness and a sense of speed
21eastAmbivalentUru
AmbivalentUruplay_arrow
Uru’s new song, anime opening, aimed at people in their 20s about love and adventure
22eastFamily Sale feat. DadPUNPEE
Family Sale feat. DadPUNPEEplay_arrow
A track featuring PUNPEE's father
23eastCurrent destructionSRYAIR
Current destructionSRYAIRplay_arrow
A signature SPYAIR track brimming with a sense of speed
24eastNihilism PrismGen’in wa jibun ni aru.
Nihilism PrismGen'in wa jibun ni aru.play_arrow
A catchy, wordplay-addicted number
25eastB-grade (B-List)chanmina
B-grade (B-List)chanminaplay_arrow
A song that insightfully uses humor to explore self-assessment and comparison with others
26eastFuzzy NavelConton Candy
Fuzzy NavelConton Candyplay_arrow
A song about a bittersweet romance, made for driving
27eastIn Your Lifekururi
In Your Lifekururiplay_arrow
A song that depicts a change of heart while driving
28eastObsessedAyumu Imazu
ObsessedAyumu Imazuplay_arrow
A song that realistically portrays obsessive love
29eastWe’re in the car again today.Hump Back
We’re in the car again today.Hump Backplay_arrow
A cheering song that portrays a bandman's journey and dreams
30eastWhat is this?Watanabe Naomi & Chiba Yūki
What is this?Watanabe Naomi & Chiba Yūkiplay_arrow
Collaboration song by Naomi Watanabe and Yuki Chiba
31eastCaravanNovelbright
CaravanNovelbrightplay_arrow
Novelbright's new song encourages the journey of life
32eastescapadeimase
escapadeimaseplay_arrow
imase, gaining popularity since his major-label debut
33eastI want someone to tell me, “The moon is beautiful, isn’t it?”Kakizaki Yūta
I want someone to tell me, “The moon is beautiful, isn’t it?”Kakizaki Yūtaplay_arrow
Dance-pop that portrays the anxieties of unrequited love
34eastHYPNOTIZEXG
HYPNOTIZEXGplay_arrow
A song that captivates listeners with its dreamy, ethereal sound
35eastMiss U (feat. yuno)¥oungBud$
Miss U (feat. yuno)¥oungBud$play_arrow
A breakup song that wishes for the other person's happiness
36eastCold NightHANA
Cold NightHANAplay_arrow
A song of resolve to take a step toward the dream
37eastNight DriveSTUTS, Julia Wu, Phum Viphurit
Night DriveSTUTS, Julia Wu, Phum Viphuritplay_arrow
A song with a floating sensation for driving through the city at night
38eastGirl is GhostSCANDAL
Girl is GhostSCANDALplay_arrow
SCANDAL’s latest song: a tale of change and exhilaration
39eastThe Zero Sense10-FEET
The Zero Sense10-FEETplay_arrow
A song created by 10-FEET as a movie theme song.
40eastidolYOASOBI
idolYOASOBIplay_arrow
A song that portrays the light and shadow of idols
41eastBlue HabitatKitanitatsuya
Blue HabitatKitanitatsuyaplay_arrow
Tatsuya Kitani’s wistful coming-of-age song
42eastGalactic ExpresswayHanbureddāzu
Galactic ExpresswayHanbureddāzuplay_arrow
Introduction to the song Galactic Express by Humbreaders
43eastSerenadenatori
Serenadenatoriplay_arrow
Natori’s anime songs are striking.
44eastNOWGen’in wa jibun ni aru.
NOWGen'in wa jibun ni aru.play_arrow
A bittersweet number that depicts the preciousness of “now,” a song that makes you feel the passage of time
45eastcrystallizationNakajima Kento
crystallizationNakajima Kentoplay_arrow
A powerful anthem of support for challenging your dreams, 'Kesshō'
46eastQ.E.D.Sou
Q.E.D.Souplay_arrow
The new song by Sou, a popular singer on video-sharing sites
47eastLovely!!rikon densetsu
Lovely!!rikon densetsuplay_arrow
City pop of a bittersweet night in the legend of divorce
48eastSailor, Sail Onatarashii gakkou no rīdāzu
Sailor, Sail Onatarashii gakkou no rīdāzuplay_arrow
Theme song of Atarashii Gakko! (ATARASHII GAKKO!)’s movie
49eastLIFEkimaguren
LIFEkimagurenplay_arrow
Introducing the appeal of Kimaguren’s refreshing song “LIFE”
50eastNobody Knowsmilet
Nobody Knowsmiletplay_arrow
A song about finding oneself, a challenge piece for a movie theme song
51eastBREAK IT DOWNTHE RAMPAGE
BREAK IT DOWNTHE RAMPAGEplay_arrow
A fighting-spirit-filled pro-wrestling entrance theme
52eastWishRyo Suzuki
Wish Suzuki Ryoplay_arrow
An inspirational song about the determination to pursue one’s dreams, a message of moving forward.
53eastmigratory bird[Alexandros]
migratory bird[Alexandros]play_arrow
A stress-relief drive with Watari-dori
54eastNON STOPHANA
NON STOPHANAplay_arrow
A song that expresses HANA’s dream and the journey of one year
55eastTWILIGHTyama
TWILIGHTyamaplay_arrow
Yama’s 5th-anniversary single, City Scenery
56eastBAD LOVEHANA
BAD LOVEHANAplay_arrow
HANA’s moving song that portrays an unforgivable inner conflict.
57eastPerfect.LEX
Perfect.LEXplay_arrow
LEX's self-affirming songs, music that accompanies you through life
58eastLAVALAVANumber_i
LAVALAVANumber_iplay_arrow
A love drive song you feel on the highway at night
59eastSay SomethingTHE JET BOY BANGERZ
Say SomethingTHE JET BOY BANGERZplay_arrow
An urban dance tune exuding mature allure
60eaststay by my sideFLOW GLOW
stay by my sideFLOW GLOWplay_arrow
FLOW GLOW’s 1st anniversary single
61eastSuper LunaIS:SUE
Super LunaIS:SUEplay_arrow
A track that unleashes retro-pop emotions
62eastNo doubtOfisharu Higedan Dism
No doubtOfisharu Higedan Dismplay_arrow
Official HIGE DANDism’s “No Doubt” is perfect for driving
63eastBack to Life&TEAM
Back to Life&TEAMplay_arrow
A rugged beat portrays the will to overcome setbacks.
64eastThe grass is greener next door.Penthouse
The grass is greener next door.Penthouseplay_arrow
Theme song of a reality show, expressing the conflicts of love
65eastioliteEVE
ioliteEVEplay_arrow
New Pokémon anime opening theme, Light of Hope
66eastI want to forget.Mitsume
I want to forget.Mitsumeplay_arrow
Mitsume’s laid-back city pop
67eastMonsterDa-iCE
MonsterDa-iCEplay_arrow
Da-iCE’s intense song for an anime tie-in
68eastSWISH DATPSYCHIC FEVER
SWISH DATPSYCHIC FEVERplay_arrow
PSYCHIC FEVER's theme song for a tokusatsu drama
69eastReaching for Your LightIwatatakanori
Reaching for Your LightIwatatakanoriplay_arrow
Entertainer Iwata’s song of passionate love
70eastDisco BabyTravis Japan
Disco BabyTravis Japanplay_arrow
A J-pop dance track brimming with disco vibes
71eastHeavy rotationAKB48
Heavy rotationAKB48play_arrow
Heavy rotation is recommended for a drive date.
72eastRecipetimelesz
Recipetimeleszplay_arrow
Theme song for a TV drama, singing about everyday happiness
73eastParanoid RendezvousGen’in wa jibun ni aru.
Paranoid RendezvousGen'in wa jibun ni aru.play_arrow
A captivating song with a unique melody and philosophical lyrics
74eastCarrying nostalgic oldiesAKASAKI
Carrying nostalgic oldiesAKASAKIplay_arrow
A nostalgic song that depicts memories of youth
75eastMy BodyHANA
My BodyHANAplay_arrow
A powerful song that cherishes being true to oneself
76eastSteal The Showtimelesz
Steal The Showtimeleszplay_arrow
A passionate cheer song for Japan’s national basketball team
77eastFirst kissrikon densetsu
First kissrikon densetsuplay_arrow
Honda's new commercial song, a track that evokes bittersweet memories
78north_eastOrangeLavt
OrangeLavtplay_arrow
Lavt: A promising up-and-coming singer from Osaka
79north_eastLove’s Melody and Rainy SkiesAAA
Love’s Melody and Rainy SkiesAAAplay_arrow
Perfect for a drive with AAA’s love songs
80south_eastBetter OffiScream
Better OffiScreamplay_arrow
A contemporary electropop track
81eastIDOLICNakajima Kento
IDOLICNakajima Kentoplay_arrow
A powerful work that sings of the evolution of idols and self-renewal
82eastJAMFRUITS ZIPPER
JAMFRUITS ZIPPERplay_arrow
A heartwarming song by FRUITS ZIPPER that's trending on TikTok
83eastHandz In My PocketJO1
Handz In My PocketJO1play_arrow
A powerful dance track that portrays confidence and potential
84eastrosehip teaYuika
rosehip teaYuikaplay_arrow
A drama theme song that refreshingly portrays feelings of love
85eastNINE LIVESchōtokkyū
NINE LIVESchōtokkyūplay_arrow
Bullet Train’s new song “NINE LIVES,” the spirit of challenge
86eastATAMINumber_i
ATAMINumber_iplay_arrow
A coming-of-age song that fuses jazz and rap
87eastI like the me who likes you.Sakurai Yui
I like the me who likes you.Sakurai Yuiplay_arrow
Yui Sakurai sings about self-affirmation in her solo debut song.
88eastGroundsGENERATIONS × Da-iCE
GroundsGENERATIONS × Da-iCEplay_arrow
Resonance between GENERATIONS and Da-iCE
89eastKUROMI♡ProfileKUROMI
KUROMI♡ProfileKUROMIplay_arrow
A song that portrays the charm of the Sanrio character KUROMI
90eastUr ZoneNumber_i
Ur ZoneNumber_iplay_arrow
Number_i’s new song: a track about self-assertion and challenge.
91eastShanghai Love StorySebunsu Bega
Shanghai Love StorySebunsu Begaplay_arrow
A poignant love song set in the Shanghai of Seventh Vega
92eastMy Past Life, Many Lifetimes AgoRADWIMPS
My Past Life, Many Lifetimes AgoRADWIMPSplay_arrow
Introduction to RADWIMPS songs suitable for driving
93eastBeaten by the rainLavt
Beaten by the rainLavtplay_arrow
A chill track that resonates with a quiet heart
94eastRainSIRUP
RainSIRUPplay_arrow
SIRUP’s sophisticated R&B and comfortable groove
95easttonightSIRUP
tonightSIRUPplay_arrow
Urban songs that feel good for a night drive
96easthydrangearikon densetsu
hydrangearikon densetsuplay_arrow
Chill rain music that heals the soul
97eastOnomatopoeia ISLANDYamashita Tatsuro
Onomatopoeia ISLANDYamashita Tatsuroplay_arrow
Pokemon theme song, a soothing track by Tatsuro Yamashita
98eastELUSIVEn-choco loves m-flo
ELUSIVEn-choco loves m-floplay_arrow
LISA and n-choco release a sci-fi-themed love song
99eastRewriteASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION
RewriteASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATIONplay_arrow
Rewrite by ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION
100eastWanteD! WanteD!Mrs. GREEN APPLE
WanteD! WanteD!Mrs. GREEN APPLEplay_arrow
Mrs. GREEN APPLE songs for driving
101eastMarigoldaimyon
Marigoldaimyonplay_arrow
Aimyon’s “Marigold” is great for driving.
102eastOdoru-LoopFurederikku
Odoru-LoopFurederikkuplay_arrow
Frederic “Oddloop” Perfect for driving
103eastR.Y.U.S.E.I.Sandaime Jē Sōru Burazāzu fromu Eguzairu Toraibu
R.Y.U.S.E.I.Sandaime Jē Sōru Burazāzu fromu Eguzairu Toraibuplay_arrow
The third generation’s hit song “R.Y.U.S.E.I.” is energetic.
104eastGet-go!EXILE
Get-go!EXILEplay_arrow
EXILE’s moving and refreshing 52nd single
105eastYoung & RecklessONE OR EIGHT
Young & RecklessONE OR EIGHTplay_arrow
ONE OR EIGHT's innovative music
106eastBFXFANTASTICS from EXILE TRIBE
BFXFANTASTICS from EXILE TRIBEplay_arrow
Delivering moving experiences through dance skills and singing voice
107eastTokyo Night Dreaming feat. No RomeBMSG POSSE
Tokyo Night Dreaming feat. No RomeBMSG POSSEplay_arrow
An emotional cross-cultural track that colors Tokyo’s night
108eastPretenderOfisharu Higedan Dism
PretenderOfisharu Higedan Dismplay_arrow
A bittersweet love song by Official HIGE DANDism
109eastA CHA CHA CHAKis-my-ft2
A CHA CHA CHAKis-my-ft2play_arrow
Fun, upbeat music that feels like summer
110eastUnidentified areaNumber_i
Unidentified areaNumber_iplay_arrow
The Challenge Piece of Number_i’s Transcendence of Limits
111eastCocktailA.B.C-Z
CocktailA.B.C-Zplay_arrow
A sweet love song like a cocktail
112eastSecret GardenBE:FIRST
Secret GardenBE:FIRSTplay_arrow
Expressing a love for music through a mellow track
113eastBlack Nightmarenaniwa danshi
Black Nightmarenaniwa danshiplay_arrow
Naniwa Danshi’s mysterious new song
114eastI KnowKing&Prince
I KnowKing&Princeplay_arrow
Insert song for a drama, electro sound with a hip-hop flavor
115eastSummer Ride (feat. ¥ellow Bucks)LANA
Summer Ride (feat. ¥ellow Bucks)LANAplay_arrow
LANA’s groovy driving tune
116eastNight riderTaiga Kyomoto(SixTONES)
Night riderTaiga Kyomoto(SixTONES)play_arrow
A cool track that runs through the city nightscape
117eastLove Like ThisFuji Kaze
Love Like ThisFuji Kazeplay_arrow
Fujii Kaze’s new song: an English love song that questions pure love
118eastYellow ToyAooo
Yellow ToyAoooplay_arrow
A cool 16-beat track by Aooo
119eastCrimson Lotus FlowerLiSA
Crimson Lotus FlowerLiSAplay_arrow
Boosting my driving hype with LiSA’s “Gurenge”
120eastLet’s meet on the far side of the moon.Tōhōshinki
Let's meet on the far side of the moon.Tōhōshinkiplay_arrow
Reinterpreting nostalgic city pop in a modern way
121eastdandeliongo!go!vanillas
dandeliongo!go!vanillasplay_arrow
The ending theme of 'SAKAMOTO DAYS' expresses Shizu’s emotions.
122eastMad HopeHoshino Gen
Mad HopeHoshino Genplay_arrow
Netflix talk show theme song, gives creative inspiration
123eastMela!Ryokushokushakai
Mela!Ryokushokushakaiplay_arrow
Ryokuoushoku Shakai’s “Mela!” is a rock song perfect for driving.
124eastInstallICEx
InstallICExplay_arrow
An innovative song that portrays robots' emotions and humanity
125eastOver The Horizon!naniwa danshi
Over The Horizon!naniwa danshiplay_arrow
Naniwa Danshi’s song of adventure and hope
126eastRevival of the Four SeasonsAKASAKI
Revival of the Four SeasonsAKASAKIplay_arrow
Youth Cheer Song from the Monster Strike Commercial
127eastHANABIMr.Children
HANABIMr.Childrenplay_arrow
Mr.Children's classic song HANABI is moving and gives you courage.
128eastNew Treasure IslandSakanakushon
New Treasure IslandSakanakushonplay_arrow
Sakanaction Shintakarajima for driving
129eastI Like ItKvi Baba
I Like ItKvi Babaplay_arrow
A lively hip-hop track filled with love
130eastBlue JeansHANA
Blue JeansHANAplay_arrow
A mid-tempo love ballad that portrays the poignancy of romance
131eastMegaloopPerfume
MegaloopPerfumeplay_arrow
An anthem of youth that kindles the light of the heart
132eastChaO!Kōda Kumi
ChaO!Kōda Kumiplay_arrow
Kumi Koda’s epic love song that transcends race
133eastYouth is eternalShōnan no Kaze feat. Atarashii Gakkō no Leaders
Youth is eternalShōnan no Kaze feat. Atarashii Gakkō no Leadersplay_arrow
A youth anthem of cross-generational collaboration!
134north_eastGO!!!FLOW
GO!!!FLOWplay_arrow
FLOW's anime song "GO!!!"
135south_eastTORICOIwatatakanori
TORICOIwatatakanoriplay_arrow
A passionate summer song with Latin rhythms
136eastI hope it’s sunny.DREAMS COME TRUE
I hope it’s sunny.DREAMS COME TRUEplay_arrow
A lyrical song depicting childhood memories and growth
137eastFUNKEYSDa-iCE
FUNKEYSDa-iCEplay_arrow
Da-iCE 11th Anniversary Commemorative New Song Release
138eastBAM-BOOIMP.
BAM-BOOIMP.play_arrow
Theme song of X Games Chiba 2024
139eastHIRAKEGOMANumber_i
HIRAKEGOMANumber_iplay_arrow
Number_i streams with the theme of challenge and self-growth
140eastDALMATIANPEOPLE 1
DALMATIANPEOPLE 1play_arrow
A fusion track of J-POP and rock that portrays a sense of nihilism
141eastTaxi to the MoonPenthouse
Taxi to the MoonPenthouseplay_arrow
A funky dance tune for space travel
142eastLights Off (feat. Natori)TAKU INOUE
Lights Off (feat. Natori)TAKU INOUEplay_arrow
A cool electronic pop song
143eastWonderlandiri
Wonderlandiriplay_arrow
Expressing the emotional journey from darkness to light through R&B
144eastPasadenasakaiyuu
Pasadenasakaiyuuplay_arrow
Love for Pasadena and the origin of music
145eastChururi (feat. Takako Matsu)yuzu
Chururi (feat. Takako Matsu)yuzuplay_arrow
A nostalgic and heartwarming song by Yuzu and Takako Matsu
146eastEasy★RiderOkuda Tamio
Easy★RiderOkuda Tamioplay_arrow
Okuda Tamio’s liberating spring cheering song
147eastastronomical observationBUMP OF CHICKEN
astronomical observationBUMP OF CHICKENplay_arrow
A youthful rock song by BUMP OF CHICKEN
148eastKiss the windGLIM SPANKY
Kiss the windGLIM SPANKYplay_arrow
GLIM SPANKY's new summer rock song
149eastfamilieMrs. GREEN APPLE
familieMrs. GREEN APPLEplay_arrow
A pop song that portrays family bonds
150eastrainbowFukuyama Masaharu
rainbowFukuyama Masaharuplay_arrow
Introducing Masaharu Fukuyama’s refreshing classic song “Niji”
151eastDrifting with the wavesAKASAKI
Drifting with the wavesAKASAKIplay_arrow
Young singer-songwriter AKASAKI’s song is making waves
152east808Suchmos
808Suchmosplay_arrow
A disco-funk style song. A warning to the modern age.
153eastDressing Roomnatori
Dressing Roomnatoriplay_arrow
Natori releases a hit song at 19 and draws attention
154eastbergamotTomonari Sora
bergamotTomonari Soraplay_arrow
Sora Tomonari’s new song “Bergamot” has a city pop vibe.
155eastRoco LotionORANGE RANGE
Roco LotionORANGE RANGEplay_arrow
ORANGE's classic summer song, Roco Loco Lotion