Japan has a rich history with music and has produced a wide range of styles over the years.  

Here are 15 iconic Japanese songs worth listening to!

1.    'Stay With Me' by Miki Matsubara

 

• "I'm Japanese, but I'm surprised that old Japanese popular songs are gaining worldwide attention. She will be very happy to receive this kind of attention again."
• "One of the most beautiful and iconic songs in history for sure."
• "Great performance and great song! I heard it about 30 years ago in my childhood and it's so nice to hear it again!"

2.    'First Love' by Hikaru Utada 

 

• "The season of encounters and partings."
• "When I listen to it at this time of year, it brings back a lot of memories and makes it sound even better. I wonder if everyone listening in 2024 will be my friends."
• "I heard this when I was still in high school, time flies so fast and up until now it's still a masterpiece for me."

3.    'Matsuri' by Fujii Kaze

 

• "Never thought I would get into J-pop until I stumbled upon Fuji Kaze. Not only the music is beautiful and interesting, the lyrics are just philosophical, meaningful, comforting, and poetic."
• "It has a folk song feel at its core, but it's interesting that it has a modern twist."
• "I think it's a high-quality song that mixes various tastes that only Kaze-kun could create."
• "The traditional instrumental touch with the reference to a festival is just so beautiful and clever. The whole song is so good."

4.    'Lemon' by Kenshi Yonezu

 

• "Every time I hear this song, my heart sobs. OMG I really love it
• "We used to listen to this song and sing along all the time. Years have passed and here I am, reminiscing the past with the bitter scent in my chest."

5.    'Feel Like dance' by globe

 

• "When I heard this song back then, I felt a sense of excitement and a strange sadness, as if the future was approaching."
• "It reminded me of the night I was 17 years old when I listened to it alone at night and burst into tears."
• "This song was a dance craze in the 90s here in the Philippines. Back when there was no TikTok or smartphones."

6.    'Blue Bird' by Ikimono Gakari

 

7.    'Plastic Love' by Mariya Takeuchi

 

8.    'Rouge No Dengon' by Yumi Matsutoya

 

9.    'Zankyosanka' by Aimer

 

10.  'Odoriko' by Vaundy

 

11.  'Irokousui' by Yoh Kamiyama

 

12.  'Zenzenzense' by RADWIMPS

 

13.  'ROCKIN' OUT' by SPYAIR

 

14.  'Marigold' by Aimyon

 

15.  'Gunjou' by YAOSOBI

 

Do you know any other Japanese songs that you would like to add? Let us know in the comments below!

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Written by Israel Monte