The appeal of city pop lies in its ability to capture the freedom of summer, the melancholy of the night, and the excitement of romance through polished, urban sounds. Even without understanding the lyrics, listeners can picture vivid scenes through its intricate performances, smooth rhythms, and beautiful vocals.
This article introduces seven of Japan’s most representative city pop artists, along with their musical styles, signature songs, and the reasons the genre has gained a worldwide following. It also explores ways to enjoy city pop through playlists, classic albums, vinyl records, and contemporary music.
1. What Is City Pop?
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— オリコンニュース (@oricon) June 28, 2026
City pop is a broad term for sophisticated, urban-style pop music that emerged in Japan from the mid-1970s through the 1980s. Although the genre has no strict musical definition, it is often associated with intricate performances, rich chord progressions, and smooth vocals influenced by jazz, funk, soul, AOR, and disco.
Its sound pairs naturally with themes such as cars, nighttime cityscapes, romance, and summer. City pop developed alongside Japan’s urban lifestyle, consumer culture, advertising, and television commercials of the period.
Although it originated as a distinctly Japanese form of popular music, city pop began attracting renewed international attention in the 2010s and has since gained popularity among younger listeners around the world.
2. Why Has City Pop Become Popular Worldwide?
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One reason city pop has gained worldwide popularity is that YouTube, social media, and music streaming services have made it easier for listeners to discover songs released several decades ago. Mariya Takeuchi’s “PLASTIC LOVE” became internationally known through video-sharing platforms, while Miki Matsubara’s “Mayonaka no Door: Stay With Me” spread through TikTok and cover videos and reached No. 1 on Spotify’s Global Viral chart.
Curated playlists have also helped listeners discover related songs and artists, while the renewed popularity of vinyl records has increased interest in original releases and reissues.City pop recordings have also been sampled and reinterpreted in genres such as vaporwave and future funk. Their polished melodies and detailed arrangements continue to inspire contemporary artists and new forms of musical expression.
3. Seven Iconic City Pop Artists
The artists who shaped the sound of their era are essential to understanding city pop. This section introduces seven important figures, focusing on their musical styles, achievements, and international recognition.
3-1. Tatsuro Yamashita
Tatsuro Yamashita is one of Japan’s foremost singer-songwriters and a defining figure in the development of the city pop sound. Drawing on his deep understanding of soul and doo-wop, he combines precise multitracked harmonies, energetic rhythms, and clear vocals to create music that feels both sophisticated and warm.
His best-known songs include “RIDE ON TIME,” “SPARKLE,” and “Christmas Eve.” English-language music media have also introduced him as one of the artists who helped pioneer city pop. For first-time listeners, “SPARKLE” is an excellent place to start. From its striking opening guitar riff, the song demonstrates how beautiful performances and production can communicate across language barriers.
3-2. Mariya Takeuchi
Mariya Takeuchi is a singer-songwriter who has remained widely loved for her sophisticated urban sound and lyrics that carefully capture everyday emotions. She naturally blends elements of pop, soul, and AOR, using her calm and expressive voice to portray the joy, loneliness, and complexity of romantic relationships.
Her signature songs include “PLASTIC LOVE,” “SEPTEMBER,” and “Eki.” Among them, “PLASTIC LOVE” was rediscovered by listeners around the world through YouTube and became a gateway to city pop for a new generation of international fans. The song is an ideal introduction to her music. Its upbeat rhythm and underlying sense of sadness reveal the depth and maturity of her emotional expression.
3-3. Miki Matsubara
Miki Matsubara was a singer-songwriter whose powerful yet sultry voice vividly expressed the loneliness of the city at night. Her music combines polished arrangements influenced by jazz and soul with flexible, rhythmically assured vocals.
Her best-known songs include “Mayonaka no Door: Stay With Me” and “Neat na Gogo 3-ji.” In 2020, “Mayonaka no Door: Stay With Me” remained at No. 1 on Spotify’s Global Viral chart for 18 consecutive days, becoming one of the defining songs of the worldwide city pop revival. It is also the best starting point for new listeners. Its lively instrumentation and lingering melancholy offer an immediate sense of Matsubara’s appeal.
3-4. Anri
Anri’s music combines the brightness of blue seas and sunset drives with the sadness of romance. Built around her open and expressive voice, her songs incorporate elements of funk, AOR, and dance music while capturing the lightness and energy of urban life in 1980s Japan.
Songs such as “CAT’S EYE” and “Kanashimi ga Tomaranai” have long been popular in Japan,while “Remember Summer Days” has gained international support through the renewed interest in city pop. “Remember Summer Days” is an excellent first song for new listeners. Beneath its refreshing rhythm lies a subtle sense of melancholy that captures Anri’s distinctive vision of summer.
3-5. Taeko Onuki
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Rather than portraying the glamour of the city itself, Taeko Onuki often explores the quietness and loneliness found at its edges. Her transparent voice and restrained delivery are complemented by sophisticated elements of jazz, funk, and bossa nova.
“Tokai,” “Kuro no Clair,” and “4:00A.M.” are representative songs that highlight both her delicate emotional expression and intricate production. Her album SUNSHOWER has also been rediscovered outside Japan and is now regarded as one of the defining works of city pop. For an introduction to her music, “4:00A.M.” is highly recommended. Its rhythm and vocals create the feeling of drifting through a city late at night and draw listeners into her distinctive artistic world.
3-6. Eiichi Ohtaki
Eiichi Ohtaki was an architect of sound who studied American pop music from the 1950s and 1960s and reimagined its appeal through the rhythms and sounds of the Japanese language. After helping expand the possibilities of Japanese-language rock as a member of the band Happy End, he founded the Niagara record label. He went on to refine a richly layered style built from overlapping harmonies, deep reverb, and colorful melodies.
“Kimi wa Tennen Shoku,” “Koisuru Karen,” and “Shiawase na Ketsumatsu” are among the songs that best demonstrate the quality of his work. International interest in his music has also grown through the renewed appreciation of Happy End and the wider availability of his recordings on streaming platforms. “Kimi wa Tennen Shoku” is an ideal starting point. From the moment its opening arrangement bursts into color, listeners can experience the scale and brilliance of Ohtaki’s pop sensibility.
3-7. Toshiki Kadomatsu
Toshiki Kadomatsu’s appeal lies not only in his singing, but also in his ability to handle songwriting, composition, arrangement, and production.
Throughout his career, he has transformed urban scenery into meticulously constructed music. Drawing on funk, AOR, and fusion, he combines sharp guitar work, layered harmonies, and energetic rhythms.
His representative songs include “If You…,” “Tokyo Tower,” and “SEA LINE.” He is also an important producer and songwriter who worked on songs such as Anri’s “Kanashimi ga Tomaranai.” Kadomatsu has also been rediscovered internationally by record collectors and city pop fans. For first-time listeners, “If You…” is a strong introduction. Its sense of excitement, reminiscent of a nighttime drive, reveals both his precise production and glamorous musical style.
4. How to Enjoy City Pop Through Playlists, Vinyl Records, Classic Albums, and Contemporary Artists
A good way to begin exploring city pop is through playlists of representative songs or highly regarded albums. Listening in this way makes it easier to understand the differences between periods and recognize the individual styles of different artists.
When visiting Japan, another option is to explore record stores in cities such as Tokyo and Osaka in search of reissues and secondhand vinyl records. Album artwork and each store’s selection can also offer a glimpse into the culture of Japan at the time these records were originally released.
Many contemporary Japanese musicians continue to incorporate elements of city pop, while artists outside Japan also create music influenced by the genre.By comparing classic albums with modern interpretations, listeners can enjoy the continuing relationship between Japanese urban culture and popular music.
Conclusion
City pop emerged from the urban culture of Japan in the 1970s and 1980s, and its sophisticated performances and distinctive vocals continue to attract listeners around the world. Starting with representative songs by artists such as Tatsuro Yamashita, Mariya Takeuchi, and Miki Matsubara makes it easier to understand each artist’s personality and the atmosphere of the period.
When visiting Japan, searching record stores for classic albums and reissues is also highly recommended. Pay attention to the album artwork, compare playlists with contemporary releases, and explore the many different sides of Japanese city pop culture.
This article is based on information available as of July 2026.
