Songs to listen to when you’re feeling anxious that will calm your mind. Classic Japanese hits and recommended popular tracks.

filling upFuji Kaze

Fujii Kaze – Michi Teyu Ku (Overflowing) / Official Video

While Fujii Kaze often sings about salvation and self-acceptance, this song—chosen as the theme for the film “My Girlfriend Will Be Here in April”—is one of his masterpieces that beautifully portrays loss and renewal.

The film was released in March 2024.

The sound, where stillness coexists with rising emotion, has a purifying quality that seems to cleanse the listener’s heart.

The melody is unhurried, with a structure that values the spaces between words.

The vocal range isn’t extremely wide, so if you like to sing in a conversational, intimate way, you’ll likely find it very comfortable.

Letting go of pain, feeling your heart fill—its appeal lies in evoking that sensation.

It’s perfect for a quiet night when you want to immerse yourself in music alone.

Be sure to savor its deep afterglow!

hot springkururi

Quruli – Hot Spring

It’s a blissfully slack, unwind-your-muscles kind of track—like turning the feeling of a long, relaxing bath at the end of the day into music.

It’s included on the album “Kotoba ni Naranai, Egao o Misete Kure yo,” released in September 2010.

Created in Kyoto by a three-piece lineup of Kishida, Sato, and drummer bobo.

Highly recommended when you’re worn out from daily life and want to clear your head and refresh.

Its unadorned sound gently warms your chilled body and heart.

I won’t push myself, but that should be fine.yoshida takurou

I won’t push myself, but that should be fine.

This work gently tells you it’s okay to affirm who you are now and not force yourself to push too hard.

It opens the album “Gozenchū ni…” released in April 2009, and even among this ambitious collection of all-new songs, it stands out as especially emblematic.

Longtime ally Ichizō Seo handled the arrangement, with serene strings blending exquisitely with Takuro Yoshida’s warm vocals.

It was also used in an Asahi Beer commercial, and its gentle worldview found its way into living rooms across the country.

It’s a song I hope you’ll listen to when daily life has you feeling a bit worn out, or on a morning when you want to regain your own pace.

It’s filled with Yoshida’s kindness—always close to the listener’s heart—even as he continues to evolve with the times.

May it be filled with kindnessJUJU

JUJU 'So That It Overflows with Kindness'

It was released in 2009 as JUJU’s ninth single.

The song was used in the commercial for the collaboration project between MTV Japan and Nissan’s Cube, “MTV meetalk with NEW NISSAN cube,” in which she herself appears.

It’s a warm song that makes you wish everyone’s life were filled with kindness.

dead endHoshino Gen

Gen Hoshino – Dead End [Official Video]

Let me introduce a serene ballad composed solely of piano and vocals.

Released in November 2025, this song by Gen Hoshino was written as the theme for the film “Hiraba no Tsuki.” In step with the mature love story starring Masato Sakai and Haruka Igawa in dual leading roles, it delicately traces feelings of being brought to a standstill.

The stripped-down, minimal sound highlights each word, allowing thoughts of an unforgettable someone and a clumsy kindness to seep into the heart.

Unlike his recent work that incorporates funk and dance music, the gently confiding vocal delivery here is especially striking.

This piece quietly keeps you company on sleepless nights or when you want to be alone with your thoughts.

When your heart feels unsettled, listening to it has a curious way of calming you down.

Good nightaiko

aiko - “Good Night” music video

If you’re looking for a song to keep you company in the moments before you fall asleep, I recommend one of Aiko’s gentle numbers.

Released in November 2001 as her ninth single, this track was used as the ending theme for the Fuji TV drama “Goodbye, Mr.

Ozu,” marking Aiko’s first tie-in with a TV drama.

It peaked at No.

2 on the Oricon weekly chart and was later included on the 2002 album “Aki Soba ni Iru yo.” Centered on acoustic guitar and piano, its simple arrangement is soothing, enveloping you with a warmth that quietly melts into the stillness of the night.

The lyrics, which trace memories of love while somehow offering a sense of reassurance, are striking—an exquisite interplay of wistfulness and affirmation.

Put it on during sleepless nights or whenever you want to calm your heart.

Warabe-gami ~Yamatoguchi~Natsukawa Rimi

Rimi Natsukawa “Warabe-gami ~Yamatoguchi~” Music Video

This song, a standard-Japanese cover of a traditional Okinawan lullaby, brings a sense of peace as if you were being gently rocked in a cradle.

Rimi Natsukawa’s clear voice tenderly weaves deep love and prayers for a life bestowed from the heavens.

With a relaxed tempo in the 70 BPM range and the warm resonance of acoustic guitar and strings, it will lull you into a comfortable sleep.

Released as a single in September 2003, it won the 45th Japan Record Award Gold Prize.

It peaked at No.

16 on the Oricon Weekly Chart and became a long-running hit over 30 weeks.

In 2009, it was also used as the ending theme for the TV Tokyo drama “Shirahata no Shōjo.” It may resonate with those feeling tired from childcare or living away from their hometown.

Surrender yourself to Natsukawa’s embracing vocals and welcome a tranquil night.