From cute summer bops to heartbreaking anime soundtracks, TikTok and Instagram Reels are full of Japanese music. But we’ve all been there before: We love the sound of a song, yet the artist is not named in the description, and you can’t search up the lyrics because, well, they’re in Japanese. So what do you do? This guide names 28 of the most-shared Japanese songs on TikTok, starting with the biggest hits of 2025 and 2026, followed by the tracks behind the dance challenges, anime montages and viral edits that keep coming back. These range from Japanese TikTok dance tracks and nightcore AMV music to anime TikToks using trending anime OSTs. Your endless searching has come to an end, so let’s get into it!
For each Japanese TikTok song, a small ‘you may have searched’ panel will be included. Some of them may seem like a joke, but these slightly embarrassing Google search attempts may be what you have tried! This way, you should be able to identify a song more easily.
How to Find the Name of a Japanese Song on TikTok or Instagram Reels
Before you scroll through the list, try these four checks. Most of the time one of them will give you the song title and the artist.
Tap the sound name on TikTok
The sound name sits at the bottom of the video, next to the spinning disc. Tapping it opens the sound page, which usually shows the song title, the artist and other videos using the same audio. If it says “original sound”, the audio is not linked to a named track, so check the creator’s caption and the comments, where the song is sometimes credited.
Tap the audio name on Instagram Reels
On a Reel, the audio name sits just below the creator’s name. Tapping it opens a page listing every Reel that uses the same audio.
Run Shazam while the video plays
Turn the volume up, open Shazam and start it during the clearest part of the song, usually the chorus or the hook.
Hum it to Google
In the Google app, tap the microphone in the search bar, then tap Search a song, and hum, whistle or sing the tune. Google lists the closest matches, so you do not need to know a single word of the Japanese lyrics.
If none of these work, the song is probably one of the 28 below.
Japanese TikTok Hits of 2025 and 2026
TikTok publishes its own ranking of the songs used most in Japan. The eight below come from its Year in Music 2025 ranking for Japan and its first half 2026 Trend Awards, so each one has TikTok’s own numbers behind it.
Cho Saikyo
Song: Cho Saikyo by Cho Tokimeki Sendenbu
You may have searched: ‘Say I’m mega cute Japanese song’ ‘Japanese idol challenge song’
The most used song on TikTok in Japan in 2025, in first place in TikTok’s Year in Music ranking. Cho Tokimeki Sendenbu are a six-member idol group, and the song turned into a challenge built around the line “Say I’m mega cute!”. Its music video has passed 2.5 billion views on TikTok.
Lilac
Song: Lilac by Mrs. GREEN APPLE
You may have searched: ‘Oblivion Battery opening song’ ‘Japanese hand dance song’
Second in the 2025 ranking. Lilac is the opening theme of the baseball anime Oblivion Battery, and its hand choreography spread quickly among younger TikTok users.
Bai Bai Fight!
Song: Bai Bai Fight! by Candy Tune
You may have searched: ‘Japanese idol lip sync song’ ‘Fight Japanese girl group song’
Third in 2025. A fast, upbeat song about not giving up from a seven-member idol group, it became one of the year’s big lip-sync challenges and was picked up by K-Pop idols too.
Kawaii Dake ja Dame Desu ka?
Song: Kawaii Dake ja Dame Desu ka? by Cutie Street
You may have searched: ‘Is being cute not enough Japanese song’
Eighth in 2025. The title asks “Is being cute not enough?”, and the phrase caught on well beyond TikTok, earning a nomination in Japan’s annual buzzword awards.
Koikaze
Song: Koikaze by Lilas Ikuta
You may have searched: ‘ikura solo song’ ‘YOASOBI singer new song’
Ninth in 2025. Lilas Ikuta is the solo name of ikura, the singer of YOASOBI, whose songs appear at number 10 and number 15 further down this list.
Honma Yade☆Nande Yanen☆Shiran Kedo
Song: Honma Yade☆Nande Yanen☆Shiran Kedo by Monaki
You may have searched: ‘Nandeyanen song’ ‘Kansai dialect song TikTok’
The Grand Prize winner at TikTok Japan’s first half 2026 Trend Awards. It was Monaki’s debut song, and it passed 700 million views before the official debut had even happened. The title is made of everyday Kansai dialect phrases, which is half the fun for Japanese listeners.
Suki Sugite Metsu!
Song: Suki Sugite Metsu! by M!LK
You may have searched: ‘M!LK dance song’ ‘Japanese boy group TikTok dance’
The Music category winner at the 2026 Trend Awards. It spent nine weeks in a row at number one on TikTok’s music chart, and by May 2026 it had passed 3.6 billion views, carried by a simple dance that anyone could copy.
Yoru no Odoriko
Song: Yoru no Odoriko by Sakanaction
You may have searched: ‘Japanese song boat race video’ ‘Indonesian boat race song’
Released in 2012, it became one of 2026’s biggest TikTok songs after it was paired with footage of a traditional Indonesian boat race. It won the Impact Song award at the 2026 Trend Awards with 1.1 billion views, and sent the song back up the streaming charts 14 years after release.
The Japanese Songs That Keep Coming Back on TikTok
The 20 songs below have been trending on and off for years, and half of them come from anime.
1. Suzume OST
Song: Suzume feat. Toaka by RADWIMPS
You may have searched: ‘Japanese movie soundtrack’ ‘Ru, ru ru ru ru ru ru Japanese song’
Released in 2022, Suzume no Tojimari was a massive hit. But what has left a longer lasting impression is the Suzume soundtrack. Generally Japanese anime music is either a powerful track or a much calmer and more magical one… The Suzume OST is as calm as it gets, and you may have heard this one in montages.
2. Fukashigi no Carte
Song: Fukashigi no Carte by the Bunny Girl Senpai cast (composed by Hidehiro Kawai)
You may have searched: ‘Cute Japanese anime song’
Here is another anime OST, the ending track from Bunny Girl Senpai. You may have heard Fukashigi no Carte edited, most commonly sped up with a drill beat running behind it. As with most of the music on this list, Japanese songs on TikTok are typically sped up, or edited in some way, so if a song doesn’t sound quite right, that is probably why.
3. Cherry Bonbon
Song: Cherry Bonbon by Kyary Pamyu Pamyu
You may have searched: ‘Japanese cherry song’ ‘Cherry pom pom’
Cherry Bonbon, first released in 2011, is one of the older songs on the list, resurfacing recently to brighten up TikTok with its carefree melody. Even searching ‘Cherry Bon Bon’ into your browser may not be enough to avoid bon bon sweets popping up, so it’s no surprise this one is hard to track down.
4. Kimi no Toriko (Summertime)
Song: Summertime by cinnamons × evening cinema (original, 2017) / Summertime (Arrange Ver.) by Maggie and Nyan
You may have searched: ‘Cute japanese song’ ‘Japanese summer song’
As you will notice, the linked song is not actually the original… Why? Well, the version most people heard on TikTok is a cover of ‘Summertime’ by cinnamons × evening cinema, sung by Maggie and Nyan, and many prefer it for its cuter singing and slightly adapted backing music. The TikTok name comes from the opening lyric, “kimi no toriko ni natte shimaeba”, and Rizky Ayuba’s popular ‘Kimi no Toriko’ is a remix built on that cover.
5. Unravel
Song: Unravel by TK from Ling tosite sigure
You may have searched: ‘Japanese TikTok rock song’
Unravel is Tokyo Ghoul’s opening theme. The Tokyo Ghoul OST is certainly a powerful one, with Kitajima’s passionate singing bringing this Tokyo Ghoul song to the attention of TikTok creators. Give it a listen and the appeal becomes obvious.
6. Ai Wo Tsutaetaidatoka
Song: Ai wo Tsutaetaidatoka by Aimyon
You may have searched: ‘Aimyon Japanese summer song’ / ‘Japanese song with female vocals about love’
Certainly not an easy find, but a certified gem! With over 100 million views on YouTube, this is another Japanese summer song that has become a hit.
7. Dream Lantern
Song: Dream Lantern by RADWIMPS
You may have searched: ‘Your name anime song’ ‘Calm Japanese TikTok song’
Another one by RADWIMPS, this track comes from the Your Name soundtrack. Often paired with B-Roll footage of Japan, it is nothing short of a masterpiece.
8. Gurenge
Song: Gurenge by LiSA
You may have searched: ‘Demon Slayer soundtrack’
As you may have already realised, a lot of Japanese TikTok music is taken from anime, and this one is no exception. Gurenge is the Demon Slayer theme song and now the theme song of thousands of TikTokers around the world.
9. Night Dancer
Song: Night Dancer by imase
You may have searched: ‘Japanese TikTok dance song’
Released in August 2022, this became the breakout Japanese TikTok track of 2023, and its catchy beat drove thousands of dance covers. It also became the first J-Pop song to enter the Top 100 of Melon, South Korea’s biggest music chart.
10. Racing Into The Night
Song: Racing Into The Night (Yoru ni Kakeru) by YOASOBI
You may have searched: ‘Japanese ringtone song’ ‘Japanese death song’
Death song? Here’s the story. If you didn’t search for it like this, you may not know that this song, despite its fast-paced ‘racing’ beat and cheerful vocals, is actually based on a short story about a young man and the girl he loves, who feels drawn towards death. This is in part what popularised the song, as non-Japanese speakers were unknowingly dancing away to the beat.
11. Blue Bird
Song: Blue Bird by Ikimonogakari
You may have searched: ‘Naruto theme song’ (There are too many!)
Another popular anime song, this third opening of Naruto Shippuden lands with the raw vocals that have made it a TikTok mainstay. Many have followed the trend of pretending to rap and act ‘gangster’ while this is playing in their headphones, making this a comical song for some.
12. Kaikai Kitan
Song: Kaikai Kitan by Eve
You may have searched: ‘Yami wo haratte’
The legendary Jujutsu Kaisen theme song, sung by Japanese superstar Eve.
13. Hikaru Nara
Song: Hikaru Nara by Goose house
You may have searched: ‘Japanese drill remix song’ ‘Kimi nandayo’
From the anime Your Lie in April, this classic is one that is periodically trending.
14. Tokyo Leat’eq
Song: Tokyo by Leat’eq
You may have searched: ‘Arigatou song’ ‘Japanese TikTok cute song’
Tokyo is an electronic track built around a Japanese hook, “arigatou”, which is why so many people search for it as a Japanese song. Perhaps an annoying one for some, you cannot deny it is catchy!
15. YOASOBI Tabun
Song: Tabun by YOASOBI
You may have searched: ‘Japanese calm song’ ‘Japanese TikTok summer song’
The title of this song is, in most instances, written in Japanese, which may be the reason you wouldn’t find it. This is just another YOASOBI TikTok song, but the duo’s whole discography is worth a listen!
16. Tiny Light
Song: Tiny Light by Akari Kito
You may have searched: ‘Japanese piano song’
Of all Japanese trending songs, you may recognise this one within the first two seconds. The iconic tune is instantly recognisable. If you didn’t realise, this song is the ending theme of the anime Toilet-Bound Hanako Kun.
17. Renai Circulation
Song: Renai Circulation by Kana Hanazawa as Nadeko Sengoku (original) / English cover by Lizz Robinett
You may have searched: ‘Suddenly you call my name and I lose my brain’
Popularised once again after an English cover gained traction on TikTok, this is definitely a head-bopper! Very few people realise this is the opening for the Nadeko episodes of the anime Bakemonogatari.
18. Lemon
Song: Lemon by Kenshi Yonezu
You may have searched: ‘Trending Japanese pop song’
Just give it a listen, this is the one you want. The more than 900 million views of its music video will tell you that.
19. Kataomoi
Song: Kataomoi by Aimer
You may have searched: ‘Japanese unrequited love song’
Similar to ‘Lemon’, Kataomoi is a hit song that has reached the heights of TikTok stardom. This calm love song is nothing short of a masterpiece.
20. Toca Toca
Song: Toca Toca by Fly Project
You may have searched: ‘Japanese TikTok dance song’ ‘Anime dance song’
While Toca Toca is not a Japanese song, you may have been searching for it in this way because of how popular this track is among Japanese TikTokers. Many of them have filmed countless videos in which they perform the energetic ‘Toca Toca dance’. This (not) Japanese TikTok dance song is certainly one that will replay in your head all day, and you may find yourself bouncing to the beat!
Whether you came here to identify a half-remembered hook or to stockpile fresh tracks for a playlist, this list should cover most of the Japanese sound currently moving across TikTok.
