Browse by Genre
Japanese music spans a wide range of genres, each with its own unique sound and culture. Explore everything from mainstream J-Pop to underground hip-hop.
J-Pop
Mainstream Japanese pop music featuring catchy melodies and polished production.
J-Rock
Japanese rock music ranging from alternative to metal, often featured in anime.
City Pop
Retro 80s Japanese pop with funk, boogie, and AOR influences. Experiencing a global revival.
Japanese Hip-Hop
From old-school to modern trap, Japanese hip-hop has a unique flavor.
Idol
Music from idol groups, featuring synchronized dance performances and fan culture.
Vocaloid & UTAU
Music created with vocal synthesizer software, spawning a unique creative community.
Japanese R&B/Soul
Smooth, soulful sounds blending Western R&B with Japanese sensibilities.
Electronic/EDM
Japanese electronic music from ambient to hardcore, including game music.
Understanding Japanese Music Genres
Japanese popular music (J-Pop) is an umbrella term for a diverse range of musical styles. While mainstream pop dominates the charts, Japan has rich scenes for rock, hip-hop, electronic music, and more.
City Pop from the 1980s has seen a global revival thanks to YouTube and TikTok, introducing Western audiences to artists like Tatsuro Yamashita and Mariya Takeuchi. Meanwhile, Vocaloid represents Japan's unique contribution to music technology, with virtual singers like Hatsune Miku achieving global fame.
The Idol genre encompasses both traditional pop groups and "underground" idols with devoted fanbases. And J-Rock has produced internationally acclaimed bands from L'Arc-en-Ciel to ONE OK ROCK.