Recommended ballad songs for women

When you’re alone at night, when you want to calm your mind, or when something hurts so much you feel like crying…

We’ve gathered a collection of ballads recommended for women to listen to during those moments.

Alongside tracks by trending artists, we’ve selected popular love songs and classic karaoke staples from a wide range of perspectives, so even if you usually only listen to up-tempo music, take this opportunity to give these a try.

Both the melodies and the lyrics are easy to make out, so take your time and immerse yourself in each song’s world.

Playlist

Recommended ballad songs for women
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	mermaidNOKKO		NOKKO’s classic ballad gently unravels the ache deep in the heart
2	Because you are hereUru		Uru’s earnest ballad
3	Ref:rainAimer		Aimer’s delicate singing voice gently embraces the heart.
4	beetle (specifically, a rhinoceros beetle)aiko		aiko’s signature song “Kabutomushi”
5	Christmas songback number		A wistful love ballad for Christmas
6	Two ShadowsNovelbright		Novelbright: The Conflict of a Separated Lover
7	orionYonezu Kenshi		A love song by Kenshi Yonezu. As romantic as the constellations.
8	Snow WhiteFlower		An unrequited love ballad inspired by Snow White
9	Song of PointillismInoue Sonoko		A heartrending love song depicting a summer fling
10	Because I fell in loveaimyon		Aimerion’s heartbreak ballad song
11	I became someone else’s girlfriend.wacci		wacci's love songs from a woman's perspective
12	IHoshino Gen		Gen Hoshino’s ballad “Watashi” expresses feelings of love and hate with raw directness.
13	Shape of LoveMISIA feat.HIDE(GReeeeN)		MISIA's love ballad song
14	PrologueUru		Uru’s masterpiece about unrequited love
15	After the nightadieu		A song that portrays the bittersweetness of unrequited love
16	If only I could remain at zeroOfisharu Higedan Dism		The loneliness of breaking up with a lover in a ballad by Higedan
17	A Bouquet for YouUtada Hikaru		Hikaru Utada “A Bouquet for You” — a song of love and kindness
18	To My AdolescenceAka-hoho Shishunki (BOL4)		A ballad depicting the troubles of adolescence
19	I loved (it/you)erica		I used to love Erica’s breakup songs.
20	AitaiKato Miria		A song that sings a heartfelt feeling for someone you love
21	balladKetsumeishi		A bittersweet love ballad by Ketsumeishi
22	I long to see you now.MISIA		The longing to meet a loved one across time
23	remain ~ key of the heartKoyanagi Yuki		A heartbreak ballad will be performed at the Kōhaku (Red and White) show
24	EverythingMISIA		Karaoke popularity of MISIA’s big hit songs
25	A New StorySuzuki Emiko		A song that depicts a love story hidden in everyday life
26	butterfly effectNoda Megumi		A ballad where wistfulness and hope coexist
27	Turn off the neon.chilldspot		A heart-touching melody that keeps you company at night
28	future visionMarushii		A happy future with someone irreplaceable
29	MAYBETomioka Ai		A love ballad that sings of Ai Tomioka’s hope for the future
30	Snow BlossomNakajima Mika		Mika Nakashima’s signature song released in 2003
31	monologueOmoinotake		The difficulty of communication and a sense of loss
32	sepiaNanba Shiho		Nanba Shiho's heartrending first self-lyricized ballad
33	crescent moonayaka		Thinking of my beloved in a long-distance relationship
34	PasswordAina ji Endo		Ending theme song of the anime “The Apothecary Diaries”
35	Don’t disappear.Aina ji Endo		A heartfelt longing for someone precious I don’t want to lose
36	Don’t Stop LoveKōda Kumi		Kumi Koda’s ballad becomes a movie theme song
37	eternityZARD		ZARD Lost Paradise Theme Song Ballad
38	YOU… feat. Izumi Nakasone (HY)Kato Miria		Hit ballads by Miliyah Kato and HY
39	love and joyKatō Miriya × Shiina Ringo		A collaboration song by Miliyah Kato and Ringo Sheena
40	moon bathingYorushika		A mesmerizing song that evokes the end of summer
41	hanatabamilet		A ballad song that nurtures small hopes
42	I won’t forget you.Ōhara Sakurako		Sakurako Ohara’s First-Love Ballad
43	First LoveUtada Hikaru		A signature ballad by Hikaru Utada
44	VoyageHamasaki Ayumi		Ayumi Hamasaki wins the Japan Record Award
45	AlwaysNishino Kana		A ballad that gives thanks for encounters with people and the bonds we share
46	ForeverGosuperāzu		A wonderful song whose lyrics resonate with the heart
47	Unrequited lovemiwa		A ballad depicting the bittersweet feelings of unrequited love
48	Little by littleSARD UNDERGROUND		Ballad songs by SARD UNDERGROUND
49	Stomp your bootsSHISHAMO		A SHISHAMO ballad that accompanies winter love
50	I×USilent Siren		Silent Siren's winter ballad
51	Blue amberback number		A drama theme song that delicately expresses sorrow and a desire for revenge
52	ElfAdo		A ballad depicting an elf’s loneliness and inner conflict
53	May it be filled with kindnessJUJU		A heartwarming ballad that is one of JUJU’s signature songs
54	SakuraMyuk		Myuk’s new song, a bittersweet love ballad symbolized by cherry blossoms
55	Always and ForeverSERRA		A ballad newly written by SERRA
56	Kasane AiSoala		Soala’s ballad depicting lost love
57	A bouquet of flowers with loveSuperfly		Superfly’s cheer song supports starting a new life
58	EndlessTOMOO		The depth of love in TOMOO’s piano ballads
59	a hair’s breadthUru		Uru expresses her longing to see the one she loves in a heartrending song
60	Gimme Your TearsWho-ya Extended		Introduction to Who-ya Extended “Gimme Your Tears”
61	Finale.eill		A moving ballad as a movie theme song
62	I want to see you.iri		A popular song by iri that sings of poignant late-night emotions
63	Decembermilet		A ballad in which milet sings of love and gratitude to her mother
64	I stillmilet		milet’s love ballad that serves as a movie theme song
65	Spring Notesmiwa		A soothing song written by miwa with a youth theme
66	It feels like I’m in love.Yuika		Piano ballad. Expresses the poignancy of unrequited love. Major-label debut work.
67	Marigoldaimyon		Aimyong’s youthful love song
68	Flower of loveaimyon		A song in which Aimyon likens love to a flower
69	A Naked Heartaimyon		Aimyon’s love songs depict the tremors of the heart
70	shameless; indecentchanmina		The title track of Chanmina’s “Harenchi” is a bewitching, languid masterpiece.
71	spin; weave; compose (e.g., a story)tota		Introduction to songs by singer-songwriter Tota
72	Say goodbye to the love I clung to.matsuri		A song that portrays the emotions of a woman moving forward after heartbreak
73	Shall we break up?Miyuhan		A song that portrays the feelings of deciding to part ways
74	So it wasn’t me, huh.riria.		Lilia’s Heartbreak Ballad
75	delicate lipsJenīhai		A classic song that depicts women's emotions. Expressing heartache with lip movements.
76	That’s all there is to it.Marushii		A heartbroken woman looks back on her happy days
77	freesiaMarushii		Delicately depicting the psychology of love in Marcy’s new song
78	Please forget it.Yorushika		Yorushika’s bittersweet love ballad
79	I knewRozarīna		Rozalina is drawing attention with her distinctive sense of groove.
80	youKōda Kumi		Expressing love for a distant lover in Kumi Koda’s ballad
81	Song of LoveKōda Kumi		The Appeal of Koda Kumi’s Romantic Ballads
82	remainingYoshizawa Kayoko		A song that sings of feelings of love in the season shifting from summer to autumn
83	youUtada Hikaru		A love-expression song by Hikaru Utada. It’s also popular for use at weddings.
84	I’m crazy about youUtada Hikaru		Hikaru Utada’s sensual love song
85	Your SongYasuda Rei		Rei Yasuda's 'Kimi no Uta' is a song about a deceased lover.
86	AnswerIkuta Rira		Depicting the resolve to carve out my own future
87	I miss you. (I want to see you.)Te ga kuriimu pan		Hands like cream bread: a translucent ballad painting unrequited love
88	Under the roof of constellationsKomeya Jun		Love ballad under the roof of constellations
89	Homeayaka		Ayaka’s “Home” is a powerful song suited for the morning.
90	Versailles – Versailles –ayaka		Theme song for a theatrical anime singing Ayaka’s love and freedom
91	Always togetherMoena		A ballad with a gentle singing voice. It sings about feelings for a cherished person.
92	tomorrowNoda Megumi		A ballad that portrays a heartbreaking emotion with a gentle singing voice
93	Story English VersionAI		English theme song of Big Hero 6 (Baymax) by AI
94	Stay with me.D-LITE		D-LITE's Love Song
95	Time goes byEvery Little Thing		Every Little Thing’s signature song achieves million-seller status
96	Since I was littleJUDY AND MARY		JUDY AND MARY Gentle Ballad
97	dearestKOH+		The theme song for The Devotion of Suspect X, a single by KOH+
98	To the futureKiroro		Gratitude to My Mother and Strength for the Future
99	verbal promiseiScream		Expressing the complex feelings of a woman in love through a ballad
100	hugiri		iri’s new song, a piano ballad that colors a snowy world
101	I feel like going home.ikimonogakari		Ikimono-gakari movie theme song ballad
102	Reach for the skyKuraki Mai		Mai Kuraki becomes the youngest artist chosen to perform a morning drama’s theme song.
103	Think of meAmuro Namie		Amuro’s appeal and gratitude for ballads
104	Ice RainKudō Shizuka		Kudo Shizuka’s 1994 single. A ballad with heartrending lyrics.
105	tomorrowHirahara Ayaka		A Father and Son’s Story at a Coffee Shop in Hokkaido
106	DEAR…againHirose Kōmi		A Christmas song about a long-distance relationship
107	rainMoritaka Chisato		An iconic rainy heartbreak ballad
108	signJUJU		A theme song that conveys proof of being loved
109	EternalJin Akanishi		Jin Akanishi's wedding celebration love song
110	Swallowtail Butterfly ~A Love Song~YEN TOWN BAND		The impressive Iwai world of the film Swallowtail
111	ALL FOR YOUAmuro Namie		Namie Amuro’s 2004 TV drama theme song
112	Fly Me to the MoonKobayashi Kei		A famous song performed in jazz about the moon
113	Your EyesYamashita Tatsuro		A song I wrote for my wife became a theme song 31 years later
114	Seriously, only youTakeuchi Mariya		Wedding classic songs and the gentle singing voice of Mariya Takeuchi
115	Just being alive is admirable.ReoNa		ReoNa's emotional ballad song
116	I wish I were the one you liked.Te ga kuriimu pan		Cream Bun, a ballad depicting a woman who cannot express her feelings
117	Sentimental KissShio Reira		A ballad by Shio Reira. A gentle portrayal of the end of a romance.
118	Give me a gentle kiss.DREAMS COME TRUE		A heartrending relationship that portrays adult love
119	366 daysHY		HY's popular song, the theme song of 'Akai Ito'
120	Tomorrow’s wayYUI		YUI second single movie theme song
121	bouquetNakajima Mika		A song that sings of the dreams and gratitude of adult women
122	CandyHarada Shinji		The ever-evolving musical allure of Shinji Harada
123	BluestarYamamoto Aya		Heal loneliness with Sayaka Yamamoto’s moving song
124	Bloom like a rose, fall like a cherry blossom.Matsuda Seiko		Seiko Matsuda tops the chart with a song composed by YOSHIKI
125	squallFukuyama Masaharu		The insert song in the drama features Eiko Matsumoto’s wonderful low-register vocals.
126	The Beginningayaka		A song imbued with Ayaka’s feelings during her hiatus
127	LOVE IS ALL MUSICKahara Tomomi		Tomomi Kahala 1997 single debuted at No. 1
128	PIECE OF MY WISHImai Miki		Miki Imai’s karaoke hit songs
129	Listening to OliviaAnri		Anri's signature heartbreak song
130	Sillyieiri reo		Leo Ieiri won an award for a drama theme song released in 2014.