Our Intention

I hope this website becomes a place where you can discover great J-Pop music.

When you meet someone in life, it can be an opportunity to learn something new, a turning point, or even the moment you find a lifelong partner—isn’t discovering your favorite music the exact same thing? There are two reasons why I believe so.

Music Is an Experience for the Listener

First of all, what is music? I don’t think music is just the song or performance itself, but rather the experience we have when we listen to it.

In other words, we engage in a conversation with the music creator through the lyrics, melody, and emotions, or perhaps reconnect with our own memories in the world imagined by the artist. Isn’t that just like meeting people in life?

The impression you get when you meet someone can change depending on your feelings and circumstances at the time, and I think it’s the same with music. Sometimes, a song or artist you once disliked becomes a favorite after a particular experience, right?

Of course, first impressions matter for both people and music. But don’t judge based on that alone. If you learn about the stories behind the songs and performances featured on this website, they may take on new meaning in your musical journey.

What Streaming Services Are Missing

The second reason relates to the limitations of music streaming services. I, too, am a heavy user of Apple Music and Spotify, and I appreciate these services. However, one major drawback is that they primarily recommend music based on my existing tastes.

Because of this, I sometimes wonder if I’m missing out on completely different genres or themes—songs I might have loved but never got the chance to hear.

Before streaming services, I discovered new music through FM radio, CD store listening stations, and background music in cafés. I was also influenced by the songs my friends played. These encounters were full of serendipity, often leading to pleasant surprises. And I hope to recreate that sense of serendipity for you through this website.

Wishing you a wonderful encounter with J-Pop

I believe that meeting different kinds of music and people enriches your life. I think lyrics play a big part in making those encounters happen, but on this website, I try to avoid directly translating lyrics in consideration of copyright law. Therefore, while I cannot offer full convenience to readers whose native language is not Japanese.

Instead, I want to share the fascinating stories behind each song and artist. So I am confident that this website will encourage you to encounter with great J-Pop music.
Thank you for reading this to the end. I hope you enjoy.

written by Kibi Dango