[2026] Japanese music that sings wishes: A collection of J-POP masterpieces
Everyone, no matter the scale, has wishes—ranging from those so important they can shape a life to the small, everyday kind.
There are, of course, countless songs that sing about such natural feelings.
In this article, we’ve compiled classic Japanese songs centered on the theme of “wishes.” Focusing on songs with words like “wish” in the title, we introduce tracks—spanning from recent hits to timeless classics—that take some kind of wish as their theme.
What kind of “wish” does each artist sing about? Check them out while reflecting on your own wishes.
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[2026] Japanese music that sings wishes: A compilation of J‑POP masterpieces (21–30)
No.1Nishino Kana
Swaying feelings and an unstoppable longing.
Feelings I can’t fully put into words.
I’m falling more and more in love, but will it stay unrequited forever? Ah, but I want to be your number one… These are the sentiments and wishes woven into Kana Nishino’s “No.
1.”
Island SongTHE BOOM
The Boom’s “Shima Uta” inherits the musical characteristics of Okinawan folk music.
It sings of the island’s song riding on the wind that blows through Okinawa, reaching everyone.
This piece carries a deep wish for peace, anti-war sentiment, and the resolve that the sorrow of the past must never be repeated.
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Reach to the heavensMatsutōya Yumi
This piece was written by Yumi Matsutoya, one of Japan’s most iconic singer-songwriters, as the theme song for the drama “When I Was Little, There Was a God,” which began airing in October 2025.
Its nostalgic melody, the harmony that layers her past vocals—recreated with AI technology—with her present voice, and its grand soundscape resonate deeply.
It carries a curious, floating sensation, as if traveling through multiple dimensions.
A gentle autumn song that links the past and the present.
hometownarashi
Furusato, with lyrics by Kundo Koyama and sung by Arashi.
Although it was originally provided for NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen, a second verse was added in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake, and it has since been performed in many settings, including being selected as a set piece for the NHK School Choir Competition.
hikariKid Fresino
KID FRESINO’s “hikari,” a work that continually pushes the boundaries of hip-hop, is both a requiem dedicated to a late close friend and a song of hope that illuminates the listener’s future.
Released in July 2025, the track features a sound marked by the gentle timbre of steelpan—beginning like a quiet prayer and gradually transforming into a groove brimming with vitality.
The accompanying music video weaves in live footage of JJJ, who passed away suddenly in 2024.
On a quiet night when you’re thinking of someone dear, this warm light will surely envelop your heart.
Maybe TomorrowREBECCA
The legendary band REBECCA has made a spectacular comeback.
NOKKO’s vocals have gained even more depth than before, with remarkable clarity and power.
It really shows they’ve aged gracefully.
Their signature song is “Friends,” but “Maybe Tomorrow” is also a timeless classic.
It leaves you feeling that something good will surely happen tomorrow.
HEARTReoNa
Known as a “despair-type anime song singer” who has captivated many fans, ReoNa’s advance track “HEART” from her album HEART, set for release in October 2025, is an emotional number that seems to reach the very core of her expression.
Over a modern rock sound, the melody traces a gradient of the heart that moves from pain and solitude toward hope, delivering a surge of exhilaration in the chorus that feels like your view suddenly opening up.
And its message, which affirms the many shapes a “heart” can take, gently gives listeners a push forward.
It’s a work I hope you’ll listen to when you want to face your own feelings.