There’s some saying along the lines of, “Everything’s been done before, and being successful is just doing it better than before.” To me, it seems like Japan really took this phrase to heart. Japan didn’t create the first car, but it has gained success with companies like Honda and Toyota by continuously improving its craft. Similarly, even though most modern music genres didn’t originate in Japan, many have carved out a niche in the country. Here are three of my favorite Japanese music genres, along with band and album recommendations. Lesgo!

1. Alternative

Not quite an anime protagonist soundtrack, but more like a wacky-dream-during-a-power-nap type of soundtrack, Japanese Alternative music appeals to my 2000s rock radio nostalgia while still being engaging enough to hold my attention. With obvious influences from Western bands like Modest Mouse and sounds ranging from psychedelia to power chord alt-rock, the bands I’ve listed all have a playfulness that makes me want to jam along.

Bands: Ogre You Asshole, Fishmans, Mass of the Fermenting Dregs, The Pillows
Single song to listen to: Mata Ashita (Alternate Version) - Ogre You Asshole

• Fun interludes and flute - I need that Japanese business man to dance to this song

Must-listen album: Fishmans - Long Season

• A 35-minute alt-psychedelic journey with great instrumental layering

2. Math Rock

As a passenger in my car while this music plays, you will involuntarily witness me incorrectly trying to count time signatures under my breath. Japanese math rock is influenced by prog rock and is a sister genre to Midwest emo. However, unlike those genres, it remains accessible, even if you don’t understand the technical music terms. If any of the bands on this list tour the U.S., I will gladly spend an exorbitant amount of money to see them.

Bands: Tricot, Toe, Hyakkei, Origami JP, The Cabs
Single song to listen to: POOL - Tricot

• Time signature changes (of course) and guitar tone goals

Must-listen album: Okurimono - Hyakkei

• Instrumental album that’s like walking through the forest and feels like the Hero’s Journey

3. Jazz

I got hooked on Japanese jazz fusion during my YouTube-dwelling days. The algorithm fed me clips from the 70s of middle-aged Japanese men shredding surfboard-shaped guitars and entire albums of piano jazz standard covers, and I loved it. Apparently, this genre reached others too, like Mac DeMarco and various lo-fi hip-hop and future funk artists, given the numerous samples in modern songs. If only AdBlock worked on YouTube again. T.T

Bands: Jiro Inagaki, Ryo Fukui, Hiroshi Suzuki, Shigeo Sekito, Casiopea, Masayoshi Takanaka
Single song to listen to: Time Limit - Casiopea

• Every instrument gets its moment to shine

Must-listen album: Scenery - Ryo Fukui

• Delightful piano jazz - Ryo learned piano in his 20’s and ended up opening a jazz bar in Japan