Classic Japanese rock songs recommended for autumn
There are so many songs themed around autumn or that give off an autumnal vibe, aren’t there?
Unlike summer songs, which are often upbeat, autumn songs tend to carry a sense of wistfulness and nostalgia.
In this article, we’ll introduce a selection of autumn songs crafted by Japanese rock bands.
From the obvious hits that come to mind to hidden gems, we’ve picked out a wide variety.
Listening to these tracks while reading the lyrics might be perfect for those long autumn nights.
Take this opportunity to sit back and enjoy them to the fullest.
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Classic Japanese rock songs recommended for autumn (11–20)
Golden MoonSuga Shikao
Singer-songwriter Shikao Suga, who has gained popularity for his distinctive sound that fuses psychedelic rock and funk.
His second single, “Golden Moon,” featured as an insert song in the TV anime Honey and Clover, grabs your ear from the opening, where a 16-beat drum merges with a commanding bass line.
Many listeners will likely be moved by the lyrics, which liken dreams and pure feelings lost in adulthood to the moon, and portray the resolve to keep living even after losing them.
With its funky ensemble and beautiful melody, it’s a song that comes to mind when you find yourself looking up at the moon alone.
That Autumn and School Daysoishikuru meronpan
Anohichle Melonpan’s “That Autumn and School Days” paints an autumn landscape.
The vocals and melodies, steeped in nostalgia and bittersweet emotion, are truly lovely.
It’s a track included on their mini-album “indoor,” released in September 2017, and it showcases the band’s musical maturation.
It’s great to listen to alone at dusk, and also recommended to share with someone special.
It might be perfect for those moments when you want to reminisce about your youth.
Night of Osmanthuskinoko teikoku
A three-piece rock band with a one-of-a-kind world that captivates fans, Kinoko Teikoku has been on hiatus since 2019 following a member’s departure.
This track, included on their third album Time Lapse, opens with a dreamy guitar sound, and the vocals that evoke a sense of nostalgia really sink into your heart.
The lyrics portray complex emotions toward someone you broke up with, a person you can’t help but remember along with the scent of osmanthus, stirring that uniquely autumnal sentiment.
It’s a rock tune overflowing with bittersweetness, whose beautiful yet wistful ensemble invites you to sink into the chill of the season.
Arpeggio of Autumn’s SignsRin to shite Shigure
Ling tosite sigure, a Japanese three-piece rock band affectionately known as “Shigure.” Released in July 2006, “Aki no Keihai no Arpeggio” builds on the band’s characteristically aggressive rock sound, yet TK’s quiet arpeggios on vocal and guitar evoke a cool atmosphere reminiscent of autumn.
The lyrics are filled with evocative phrases that conjure the season as well, making it a recommended rock track to enjoy in the fall!
Howl at the full moonChatto Monchī
Chatmonchy is a rock band that reshaped the image of girls’ bands in the J-pop scene and influenced countless groups.
Their 11th single, Howl at the Full Moon, used as the theme song for the TV drama “Mousou Sousa: The Stylish Life of Associate Professor Koichi Kuwagata,” sticks in your ears with its striking guitar-riff intro and cute vocals.
Its message—hurling past sorrows and future anxieties at the moon to blow them away—may inspire a positive feeling to take that first step forward.
It’s a heartwarming number whose encouraging lyrics soothe the soul.
Maplesupittsu
A four-member rock band, Spitz’s 19th single, which has been used across eras as a theme and insert song in various TV dramas.
It was released as a double A-side single with “Spica,” cut from their eighth album, Fake Fur.
Its floating, wistful melody—enhanced by a delicate, high-tone vocal—evokes images of autumn scenery.
This ballad, perfect for a clear autumn sky, tells a poignant story of someone who remains deep in your heart even after you’ve grown apart.
Classic Japanese rock songs recommended for autumn (21–30)
Go Go Round This World!fisshumanzu
It’s a classic by Fishmans, beloved for their genre-defying, original sound! Built on a foundation of reggae and dub, the song’s gently floating feel is a perfect match for the slightly wistful air of autumn.
While it sings of universal emotions hidden in everyday life, it also unfolds a mysterious, elusive world that draws you in deeper with every listen.
Released as a maxi single in February 1994.
How about taking it along for a walk at dusk?