How did this story began?

I discovered Japanese City Pop for the first time during my university years. Back then, I felt exhausted hearing the same songs on repeat, so my playlist had become a broken record. Because of that, I decided to break my musical routine and explore new genres. That’s when my curiosity led me to Japanese music from the ’80s and ’90s. Its influence had subtly reached Western ears through anime, movies, and rare soundtracks, but I wanted to experience the authentic sound.

However, finding original Japanese City Pop tracks wasn’t easy. Most of these songs were produced exclusively for the Japanese market. If they were barely known in the U.S., imagine how impossible they were to find in Latin America. To listen, I even switched my iTunes region to Japan. YouTube didn’t help much back then either.

For now, I’ll leave a piece of Osaka here 🙂

Rediscovering Japanese City Pop in 2025

Ten years later, in 2025, I wondered if things had changed. Could I now easily find my favorite Japanese City Pop songs? With platforms like Spotify and YouTube being widely accessible, the answer was happily “yes.” One simple click and I had immediate access to tracks that once felt completely unreachable. Honestly, God bless the internet!

After returning from Japan, my curiosity for Japanese City Pop grew even more. I started researching influential artists like Mariya Takeuchi and Tatsuro Yamashita, immersing myself in their history and iconic albums. Each new discovery felt like a fresh burst of excitement and nostalgia. Soon, my Spotify playlists overflowed, proving how timeless and universally appealing the magic of Japanese City Pop truly is.

A Japanese City Pop Moment in Osaka

While visiting Osaka, a city bursting with energy and creativity, I found myself with a free afternoon. Naturally, I decided to go hunting for vinyl records. After a quick search on Google Maps, I discovered a little gem named Boom Boom Café with stellar five-star reviews. Of course, I had to check it out.

Upon arrival, a kind waitress welcomed me warmly. She spoke limited English, but thanks to Google Translate, we communicated easily. I expressed my love for Japanese City Pop and asked if they played or sold records of this style. Luckily, the DJ overheard our chat and promptly launched a personal City Pop marathon just for me.

Immersed in Japanese City Pop Magic

That DJ had impeccable taste. Song after song, the melodies transported me through time. He even included tracks with Latin rhythms, deeply resonating with my Colombian roots. Sitting in that cozy café, sipping juice and sketching in my notebook with Japanese City Pop as my soundtrack. I couldn’t have imagined a better afternoon.

Shortly after, two friendly locals named Hirota and Sumako walked in. Noticing I was alone, they invited me to join their conversation. Immediately, we connected over our shared passion for City Pop. They were hilarious, knowledgeable, and it felt like we’d always known each other.

The Night’s Surprising Turn

Our new friendship led us to another bar. After saying goodbye to the welcoming DJ and waitress, we headed out. The evening grew more surreal when the DJ at the second bar turned out to be Hirota’s friend.

People at this second location quickly noticed I wasn’t Japanese. Curiously, they asked about my home country, what language we spoke in Colombia, and genuinely seemed delighted learning something new. Just then, Japanese City Pop started playing once again, and I thought, “This is exactly where I’m meant to be.”

Finding Treasure in Japan

That evening didn’t just give me great music, it provided a genuine human connection. The energy, kindness, and shared passion created a memory I’ll treasure forever. If I ever return to Japan, I’ll definitely visit Osaka again. Other cities were wonderful, but Osaka provided the soundtrack for my most meaningful adventure.

Curious fact: here’s the link that sparked my love for Japanese City Pop. 

If you are curious of my art go to my Portfolio here

That’s all for now. Thanks for reading—and don’t forget to follow me on socials: @lipinverse ✨💬🎌