Classic songs about women. Recommended popular tracks.
Although J-pop and rock are commonplace in Japan’s music scene today, there was a time when enka and kayōkyoku were at the center.
Here is a list of masterpieces from that era in Japan, all themed around “women.” Some sing of tragic love, others of adultery—different situations, yet the abundance of love songs reminds us that, in every era, love is essential for women.
- Masterpieces that sing about women. Recommended popular songs.
- Masterpieces about girls: recommended popular songs
- A number I’d recommend to the yutori generation—one I’d like women to sing
- Women’s Enka: A collection of classic enka songs expressing women’s emotions
- Popular Japanese songs among women in their 50s: recommended classics and staple tracks
- Songs women like. Famous and popular Japanese songs.
- Nostalgic Showa-era heartbreak songs. Soothe your heart with timeless classics that can move women in their 60s to tears.
- Recommended breakup songs for women in their 50s: classic and popular Japanese tracks
- [For Women] A roundup of enka songs that can score high in karaoke
- [For Women] Masterpiece Enka Songs with a High Degree of Difficulty
- Recommended heartbreak songs for women in their 40s: classic and popular Japanese hits
- [Must read] Songs with great lyrics. Moving songs you’ll want to listen to while reading the lyrics
- [Tearjerker] Songs that make your heart tremble with tears & moving tracks with lyrics that touch the soul
Masterpieces about women: Top 10 recommended popular songs (1–10)
applausechiaki naomi
A singer dazzling brilliantly on stage, and the deep sorrow hidden in the depths of her heart.
A masterpiece that captures this contrast to perfection is Chiaki Naomi’s signature song, released in September 1972.
It conveys the feelings of a woman who has lost someone dear to her, expressed through a voice that is both beautiful and heartrending.
Though she appears cheerful in public, a sense of loss swirls within…
This work, which powerfully portrays such complex emotions, won the Japan Record Award that same year.
Even now, it remains a gem of a ballad that resonates with many.
When you want to convey your feelings for someone special, why not listen to this song?
I miss you so much and want to see you.Nishino Kana
It’s a song that became a massive hit thanks to the strong resonance it found with women, and I think this is the track most people associate with Kana Nishino.
Her charm lies in her overall gentle vocals; she doesn’t belt the high notes but sings them in mixed voice, which lets the message of the lyrics flow in naturally and makes it very pleasant to listen to.
This song conveys the real feelings of a girl in love—maximum heartbreak—and it’s the kind of track that might bring you to tears.
It’s one you’ll want to sing with all your might when you want to pour your feelings out to the person you like.
MEMEME ~Can’t Be a Girly Girl~derakkusu x derakkusu
A work by Deluxe x Deluxe, included on the album “Super Heavy Giga,” releasing in June 2025.
It’s an unrequited love song about secretly wishing to be honest while putting on a tough front.
An upbeat, catchy rock sound propels that wavering heart forward.
Coupled with energetic vocals, it really pumps you up as you listen.
Give this track a spin and you might just find the courage to confess your feelings.
Masterpieces about women: Recommended popular songs (11–20)
Cute for lifetakane no nadeshiko
An electropop song that captures the feelings of a girl in love.
It’s a track by the idol group Takane no Nadeshiko, released in April 2025.
It stands out with a mellow melody at the start, and the lyrics are packed full of pure, adorable emotions.
The vibe is so cute that you can’t help but grin as you listen.
Perfect for boosting your romantic mood—highly recommended!
Flower Oiran feat. Medusa, E.V.P & IFELANA
An ambitious work that portrays women’s independence and dynamism.
Released in February 2025, this project brings together four distinctive artists: LANA, who has Okinawan roots, along with Medusa, E.V.P, and IFE.
Over producer Koshy’s soundscape, each artist weaves in her own experiences and feelings.
Blending the traditional image of the oiran with contemporary womanhood, they deliver energetic rap.
Give it a listen, and you’ll surely find the resolve to live with strength.
Sorry for being cuteHoneyWorks feat. chūtan (CV: Hayami Saori)
HoneyWorks is a creator unit that initially centered its activities around video-sharing sites and made its major-label debut in 2014.
“I’m Sorry, I’m Cute,” which spotlights Chizuru Nakamura, a character from the TV anime Heroines Run the Show: The Unpopular Girl and the Secret Task, is a poppy character song featuring brisk guitar lines and synth sounds.
Its message—sticking to your own path no matter what others think—embodies a truly strong female image.
The contrast between the cute vocals and melodies and the song’s resolute spirit is striking, making it a confidence-boosting number.
WomanSuperfly
This song portrays women’s inner strength, with Shiho Ochi’s powerful vocals resonating deeply.
Included on the album “WHITE,” released in May 2015, it expresses women’s allure and inner conflicts from a unique perspective.
Set to a funk-rock sound, it delivers a strong message to women living in the modern era.
The theme of the song is overturning fixed notions of femininity and the importance of living true to oneself.
It depicts women striving to forge their own paths within society.
It’s recommended for moments when you want to reassess your own value or are about to take a new step forward.