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

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.

a balmy autumn daytsukuyomi

Tsukuyomi “Akiharara” Music Video

How about this song for when you want to sink into a sentimental mood on an autumn evening? It’s a track from Tsukuyomi, a narrative music project led by composer Yuri Cannon.

The piece is set against the story of a girl living with illness and the boy who stays by her side, and it sings of fragile feelings that accept a fading fate while striving to live fully in the present, like autumn leaves turning color.

As you listen, you’re drawn into its heartrending world.

The song was released in August 2024 and later included on the concept mini-album “We Call That God.” Its melody is striking—somehow refreshing yet deeply moving.

Savor it as you cherish time with someone precious.

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.

Gray and Blue (+Masaki Suda)Yonezu Kenshi

Kenshi Yonezu – Gray and Blue (+Masaki Suda)

This is a song by Kenshi Yonezu that drew huge attention through a collaboration with Masaki Suda, who also radiates overwhelming presence as an actor.

The track is included on Yonezu’s fourth album, “BOOTLEG,” released in November 2017.

Looking back on the bygone days of youth, this slightly sentimental piece is perfect for long autumn nights when the clamor of summer has subsided.

It depicts a yearning for those radiant “blue” days and the struggle of living in a “gray” reality, with the poignant feeling of missing an old friend you can no longer see conveyed through their two voices.

It’s a heart-tugging song that, when you listen to it as you recall happier times and feel a bit lonely, seems to awaken emotions tucked away deep in your heart.

Late Summer (A Season for One)Arai Yumi

Yumi Matsutoya – Late Summer (A Season Alone) (Live)

This is a song by Yumi Arai that overlays the changing seasonal scenery with the end of a romance and the beginning of time alone.

The sight of leaves blazing with color and delicate flowers swaying in the wind seems to reflect the protagonist’s loneliness.

The song was included on the album “The 14th Moon,” released under the name Yumi Arai in November 1976, and it also served as the theme song for the NHK dramas “Natsu no Furusato” and “Maboroshi no Budōen.” Its poignant melody—mingling a lingering affection for the summer that has passed with a quiet resolve for the seasons to come—resonates deeply with listeners.

Whether you play it on a drive while reminiscing about summer or during a slightly chilly evening stroll, it will gently keep you company.

autumn rainSonar Pocket

Sonar Pocket “Autumn Rain” [Lyric Video]

Released in 2022, Sonar Pocket’s “Akisame” (“Autumn Rain”) is a ballad that depicts the pain of a broken heart.

One of Sonar Pocket’s appeals is their lyrics that resonate with listeners, and this song is no exception—many will read the words, relate them to their own experiences, and feel deeply moved.

The autumn rain referenced in the title is evocatively portrayed throughout the lyrics, further emphasizing the story’s sadness and sense of helplessness.

The reflections on their time together, filled with regret, and the depiction that the beloved person is no longer by their side make your chest tighten involuntarily.

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Hane Keisuke

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