City pop: the sound of Japan’s urban dreams

Recently, I received a DM on Instagram from a follower asking me about my favorite songs. 

When I replied that my favorite genre is City pop, I was genuinely surprised by his response, because he told me he didn’t know this genre!

That made me think, “I need to talk about this on my blog!!”.

Let me walk you through what city pop is, where it came from, and why people around the world are falling in love with it again.

🎶 What is city pop?

City pop (シティポップ) is a style of Japanese pop music that became popular in the late 1970s and 1980s. It reflects urban life in Japan, especially in big cities like Tokyo and Yokohama.

The sound blends:
• smooth pop melodies
• jazz and funk influences
• soft rock and disco elements

The lyrics often focus on city life, romance, late night drives, and a sense of freedom that came with Japan’s growing economy at the time.

🏙️ When and why city pop was born

City pop grew during Japan’s economic boom. People had more money, more free time, and a growing interest in Western music. This created the perfect environment for a new, stylish sound that felt modern and international.

Listening to city pop was like listening to the soundtrack of an ideal urban lifestyle.

🌴 The artists who defined the genre

Some of the most important city pop artists include:
• 竹内 まりや Takeuchi Mariya
• 山下 達郎 Yamashita Tatsurō
• 松原 みき Matsubara Miki
• 大滝 詠 Ōtaki Eiichi

Their songs captured a feeling of summer nights, coastal highways, and emotional distance that many listeners still connect with today.

💿 Why city pop came back

For a long time, city pop was seen as old fashioned. But in the 2010s, it found new life online. YouTube algorithms, vinyl collectors, and global listeners rediscovered the genre.

Songs like Plastic Love suddenly reached millions of people outside Japan. The nostalgic sound and smooth production felt comforting in a fast moving digital world.

 Your Sensei,
Hikari 👩🏻‍🏫