Ballad songs perfect for autumn. Timeless mellow hits for the fall season.

It’ll get stained.Chatto Monchī

Chatmonchy “I’ll Be Dyed” Music Video

If you’re looking to indulge in a slightly sentimental mood on a chilly autumn night, I recommend a wistful mid-tempo number from Chatmonchy.

Released in November 2008, this song poignantly conveys the loneliness of city nights and the tender ache of stretching yourself to do something unfamiliar.

The gradient of a heart that has lost something precious and is slowly dyed a different color seems to resonate in your chest, carried by Eriko Hashimoto’s aching vocals.

This was the band’s ninth single and marked their first entry into the Oricon Top 10.

It was also used as the theme song for the drama “Tonsura” and included on the classic album “Kokuhaku” (Confession).

Sing it earnestly at karaoke, and memories of your youth might just come flooding back.

Hold my soulHimuro Kyosuke

Hold my soul

Kyosuke Himuro, who took the world by storm as the vocalist of BOØWY and enjoys immense popularity as a solo artist, released “Tamashii wo Daite Kure” in October 1995 as the first single following his move to a private label.

It’s a rock ballad perfect for listening to on long autumn nights.

Chosen as the theme song for the TV drama “Kaze no Keiji: Tokyo-hatsu!”, it reached No.

2 on the Oricon weekly chart.

Majestic strings and a heart-piercing melody blend beautifully with Himuro’s uniquely charismatic vocals.

It’s a track you’ll want to savor in the season when people yearn for connection.

When the magic wears offSaucy Dog

Saucy Dog “When the Magic Wears Off” Music Video

On those increasingly chilly, long autumn nights, Saucy Dog’s love songs gently nestle up to your heart.

It’s a slightly bittersweet mid-tempo number that makes you look back on days spent with a beloved partner.

Everyday scenes—like songs sung in the car or late-night conversations—link with the listener’s own memories and may just make your chest tighten unexpectedly.

This track is included on the mini-album “But Really,” released in July 2023.

It’s a self-cover of a song originally provided in October 2021 to voice actor Gakuto Kajiwara, now imbued with the warmth unique to a full band sound.

It’s a perfect song to sing tenderly and with feeling when you want to sink into a sentimental mood.

coarse sugaraimyon

Aimyon – Zarame [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

A song that makes you want to take a long, quiet look into your own heart on an autumn night.

Crafted by Aimyon, it portrays someone carrying a lingering pain, suppressing their emotions while desperately struggling to find hope.

Written as the theme song for the Yomiuri TV/NTV Sunday drama “Let Lonely Deaths Pile Up,” it’s included on the album “Jealous of the Cat,” released in September 2024.

While the song’s tone carries a suspenseful tension, it also has a certain warmth that is so quintessentially Aimyon.

Anyone wrestling with daily conflicts and worries will likely find it relatable.

It’s a ballad you’ll want to sing carefully, savoring each and every word.

MissingKubota Toshinobu

Toshinobu Kubota – Missing [Official Video]

This is a gem of a ballad by Toshinobu Kubota, known for his uniquely groovy style, perfect for an autumn night.

It poignantly conveys, with a soulful voice, the helpless love between a man and a woman who care deeply for each other yet can never be together.

The struggle of wanting to forget but being unable to, and the regret of wishing they had met earlier, really hits home.

The song was included on his debut album, “SHAKE IT PARADISE,” released in September 1986, and was used as an ending theme for shows like World Pro Wrestling.

Though it wasn’t released as a single, it remains one of his most beloved signature songs.

It feels like a gentle companion to the quiet loneliness that follows the bustle of summer.

Ballad of a SingerSaitō Kazuyoshi

Kazuyoshi Saito – Ballad of a Singer (2008 Ver.) [Music Video]

A signature song by Kazuyoshi Saito, beloved for years and covered by many artists.

The lyrics portray the story of a singer who can only convey his true feelings through song—beautiful and piercing straight to the heart.

The earnest desire to express simple, straightforward words of love—ones too embarrassing to say in everyday life—resonates deeply when carried by the music.

Released as a single in November 1997, the song was also chosen as the theme for the 2017 animated film Lu Over the Wall.

The acoustic guitar tones and unadorned vocals are both aching and warm.

That indescribable feeling that seeps into your chest seems perfect for the autumn air after the bustle of summer has faded.

It’s a gem of a ballad you’ll want to savor while thinking of someone dear.

milk teaShimizu Shota

milk tea

When you think of ballads you want to listen to as autumn deepens, many of you might picture songs with warm melodies that really touch the heart.

That’s why I recommend this one by Shota Shimizu! With its memorable electric piano intro, the song is a love ballad that portrays a calm moment where two hearts melt together, like milk slowly blending into tea.

You can really feel his talent for weaving irreplaceable affection out of everyday scenes.

The track was included on the single “My Boo,” released in October 2016, and later featured on the 2017 album “FLY.” If you listen to it on a chilly night with a warm drink in hand, thinking of someone special, you’ll likely find yourself wrapped up in its sweet, gentle world.