{"id":106792,"date":"2023-04-11T15:38:35","date_gmt":"2023-04-11T19:38:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/learn-japanese-with-music\/"},"modified":"2025-02-25T23:37:20","modified_gmt":"2025-02-26T04:37:20","slug":"learn-japanese-with-music","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/japanese\/learn-japanese-with-music\/","title":{"rendered":"Learn Japanese with 11 Songs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Knowing Japanese songs won’t only keep you in the loop with celebrity gossip and references in Japanese media.<\/p>\n

They can also help you increase your vocabulary and improve your pronunciation.<\/p>\n

In this post, you’ll learn 11 Japanese songs to get you started in your learning journey.<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

1. “AIUEO Song”<\/a><\/h2>\n

<\/lite-youtube><\/p>\n

Good for:<\/strong> Beginner learners<\/p>\n

Mastering Japanese starts with the basics: hiragana and katakana<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Just like the English ABC song, “\u3042\u3044\u3046\u3048\u304a\u306e\u6b4c” takes you through each syllable as colorful hiragana flashes across the screen<\/strong>. Set to a catchy drumbeat, you might find yourself dancing as you learn hiragana.<\/p>\n

There’s also a katakana<\/a> version available and a combo<\/a> version, which combines both hiragana and katakana.<\/p>\n

This song offers an entertaining and memorable way for beginners to master Japanese fundamentals.<\/p>\n

2. “Learn Japanese Vocabulary with Songs!” by Wordpie<\/a><\/h2>\n

<\/lite-youtube><\/p>\n

Good for:<\/strong> Beginner learners<\/p>\n

Wordpie<\/a> is a language learning tool designed specifically to help you pick up new vocabulary by associating words with pictures and music. Vocabulary words are sung to a catchy tune as pictures of objects and written words are shown on screen.<\/p>\n

“Learn Japanese Vocabulary with Songs!” contains 100 useful words in various categories<\/strong> such as weather and furniture, as well as words to describe things outside, such as “grass,” “river” and “sun.” Unlike, say, a huge stack of flashcards, this is a great tool for learning a ton of new Japanese words without getting overwhelmed or bored.<\/p>\n

3. “Song for Learning Japanese” by Mihara Keigo<\/a><\/h2>\n

<\/lite-youtube><\/p>\n

Good for:<\/strong> Beginner learners<\/p>\n

With enthusiasm at its finest, learn useful phrases in Japanese as Mihara Keigo dances around, motivating you like a pep squad leader.<\/p>\n

Learn expressions for when you’re angry or sad, how to address yourself and much more<\/strong> with hiragana syllables weaved in between.<\/p>\n

You might even get up and dance to this one, too.<\/p>\n

4. “My First and Last Love” by Akiko Kobayashi<\/a><\/h2>\n

<\/lite-youtube><\/p>\n

Good for:<\/strong> Upper beginner to intermediate learners<\/p>\n

If you have to profess your undying love to someone, this song may help you. Learn terms of endearment<\/strong> set to the backdrop of the Chinese television drama “My Sunshine.”<\/p>\n

With\u00a0lyrics written in kanji, romaji and English<\/strong>, this is a great song that helps you understand the subtleties of the Japanese language. Often with songs, you can’t translate lyrics word for word\u2014so as you read the lyrics to this song, you’ll learn how to form more abstract concepts in Japanese.<\/p>\n

A bonus is that there are some English lyrics mixed in, which makes this song relatively easy, even for beginners.<\/p>\n

5. “Handyman” by Perfume<\/a><\/h2>\n

<\/lite-youtube><\/p>\n

Good for:<\/strong> Upper beginner to intermediate learners<\/p>\n

The pop band Perfume s<\/em>ings of romantic uncertainty and insecurity in the catchy tune “Handyman.”<\/p>\n

In a sense, this song discusses looking for a “handyman” to help fix the problems of the relationship.<\/p>\n

6. “The Day They Became Gems” by Bump of Chicken<\/a><\/h2>\n

<\/lite-youtube><\/p>\n

Good for:<\/strong> Intermediate learners<\/p>\n

If you’re looking for something a little more challenging<\/strong>, sing along as the popular Japanese band Bump of Chicken uses plenty of compound verbs<\/a> and lightning-related vocab. The lyrics to this song rush by quickly, but the pronunciation is clear and easy to follow.<\/p>\n

7. “Like the Flow of the River” by Hibari Misora<\/a><\/h2>\n

<\/lite-youtube><\/p>\n

Good for:<\/strong> Intermediate learners<\/p>\n

This was the last single Misora, a legendary enka<\/i> singer<\/a>, released before her death.<\/p>\n

It has come to symbolize not only her life, but the ever-changing nature of things: The only thing that is permanent is the fact that nothing is permanent at all.<\/p>\n

Practically a national anthem in Japan, \u201cKawa no nagare no you ni\u201d is still performed frequently on TV by acts paying tribute to Misora.<\/p>\n

8. “The Only Flower in the World” by SMAP<\/a><\/h2>\n

<\/lite-youtube><\/p>\n

Good for:<\/strong> Upper beginner to intermediate learners<\/p>\n

Boy band SMAP are hardly boys anymore\u2014all of its members are pushing 40\u2014but they remain hugely popular in Japan.<\/p>\n

This 2004 smash is one of their most beloved songs, and has become something of a Japanese standard\u2014in fact, even kindergarteners learn it in school.<\/p>\n

SMAP members are not known for their vocal talents, so \u201cSeka ni hitotsu dake no hana,\u201d like most of their songs, is a mid-tempo, mid-range number that\u2019s not too difficult to sing.<\/p>\n

9. “Koisuru Fortune Cookie” by AKB48<\/a><\/h2>\n

<\/lite-youtube><\/p>\n

Good for:<\/strong> Upper beginner to intermediate learners<\/p>\n

Ubiquitous a<\/em>idoru<\/i> (idol) group AKB48 have had one hit after another since they broke out in 2008, but this 2013 single is arguably their most popular.<\/p>\n

Its upbeat, singsong melody is easy to follow and the lyrics are fairly basic, which has helped the song cross generations: Kids and seniors alike adore it.<\/p>\n

10. “Makenaide” by ZARD<\/a><\/h2>\n

<\/lite-youtube><\/p>\n

Good for:<\/strong> Intermediate learners<\/p>\n

Makenaide<\/i> literally means \u201cdon\u2019t lose\u201d or \u201cdon\u2019t give up.\u201d So it\u2019s no wonder that it has become a sports anthem, often played during events, pre-game shows, highlight reels and the like.<\/p>\n

This inspirational number is basically the Japanese equivalent of Journey\u2019s “Don\u2019t Stop Believing.”<\/p>\n

Everyone gets on their feet and belts out the words to its catchy chorus. This is a number that\u2019s guaranteed to get everyone singing along with you at karaoke.<\/p>\n

11. “Linda Linda” by The Blue Hearts<\/a><\/h2>\n

<\/lite-youtube><\/p>\n

Good for:<\/strong> Intermediate learners<\/p>\n

\u201cLinda Linda\u201d is a stone-cold karaoke classic. Go to karaoke with a group of Japanese friends, and there\u2019s about a 70% chance somebody will sing it\u2014unless you sing it first, of course.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a pretty fast-paced rock song, so it\u2019s not that easy to follow\u2014but it\u2019s great fun to belt out at the top of your register. Try this one when you want to get everyone jumping and pumping their fists.<\/p>\n

Popular Japanese Artists by Genre<\/h2>\n

Think of this as less of a comprehensive list and more of a “taster” of each genre. Also, as a disclaimer, the artists listed may fall into more than one category. Artists were also chosen based on the availability of the lyrics. But use this opportunity to expand your Japanese musical repertoire, and have fun.<\/p>\n

Pop<\/h3>\n