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[I Want Healing] Songs That Bring a Sense of Calm: Heartwarming Masterpieces of Japanese Music

Music gives us so many emotions—joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness.

Among them, the charm of soothing, heartwarming songs is not to be missed.

When you’re feeling tired or overcome with anxiety, many people probably find comfort in listening to their favorite tracks.

In this article, we introduce classic Japanese songs that are gentle and heartwarming.

We’ve picked pieces with not only relaxed melodies but also lyrics that slowly sink in, so try incorporating them into your mental tune-up or daily routine.

[In Need of Healing] Songs That Bring Calm: Heartwarming Japanese Classics (71–80)

A Small Restaurant in the ForestTeshima Aoi

Aoi Teshima – A Small Restaurant in the Forest (Official Audio)
A Small Restaurant in the ForestTeshima Aoi

Aoi Teshima is a singer who made her major debut with the theme song “Therru’s Song” from the Studio Ghibli film Tales from Earthsea, captivating listeners with her delicate, translucent voice.

Many people have likely heard her 15th digital-only single, “A Small Restaurant in the Forest,” which was featured on NHK’s Minna no Uta.

The lyrics vividly conjure the world suggested by the title and fill you with warmth just by listening.

With its soothing vocals and ensemble that linger in the ear, it’s a track that will heal hearts across generations.

Teenage dreamDEEN

It was released in 1995 as DEEN’s sixth single.

The lyrics were written by ZARD’s Izumi Sakai, and it reached No.

2 on the Oricon chart.

The gentle memories of three childhood friends and the longing for one’s hometown evoke a strong sense of nostalgia.

It’s a song that makes you want to return home and brings a calm, peaceful feeling.

A Naked Heartaimyon

Aimyon – Naked Heart [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]
A Naked Heartaimyon

This song is striking for its honest emotional shifts.

Released in June 2020 as Aimyon’s 10th single, it was created as the theme song for the TBS drama “My Housekeeper Nagisa-san.” Its gentle melody, centered on piano and melodica, closely accompanies the protagonist’s feelings as they face their own heart.

The track portrays a down-to-earth struggle with self-esteem through love, and its unadorned lyrics have resonated with many listeners.

While expressing anxiety and inner conflict in romance, it also carries a resolve to move forward, making it a perfect pick for stress-relieving karaoke time.

[In Need of Healing] Songs That Bring Calm: Heartwarming Japanese Classics (81–90)

Untitled TodayHirai Dai

Hirai Dai / Untitled Today (Lyric Video)
Untitled TodayHirai Dai

This warm song resonates with a message that invites us to rediscover the happiness and gratitude hidden in everyday life.

The sound woven by Dai Hirai’s gentle vocals and gospel-style chorus gives a calm and soothing impression.

It carefully portrays the importance of small, everyday joys over material desires, a strong will to believe in the future, and the significance of empathy with others.

Included on the album “Life Goes On,” released in February 2021, it became a popular work that surpassed 100 million streams in December of the same year.

Dai Hirai’s warm voice has supported many listeners as an encouraging song that lifts the spirits when they feel down or emotionally tired.

An unfinished love song I’ve been working on foreverHata Motohiro

Motohiro Hata “An Always-Unfinished Love Song” Music Video
An unfinished love song I've been working on foreverHata Motohiro

Hata Motohiro’s warm, tender voice weaves together feelings for someone precious.

This gem of a ballad delicately portrays a love that deepens with time, expressing ever-changing shades of affection through its poignant melody.

Released as the theme song for the film “A Love Letter on the 35th Year,” it was distributed digitally in February 2025, followed by a limited-edition CD single with Blu-ray in March.

The bonus video content, including three tracks such as the live performance “Raspberry Lover,” is also compelling.

It’s a song best enjoyed during calm moments—on a quiet walk home from work, or on a peaceful day spent thinking of someone dear.

DarlingMrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs. GREEN APPLE "Darling" Official Music Video
DarlingMrs. GREEN APPLE

This song stays close to the inner voice we all have and offers a chance to rediscover our true selves.

With melodies that gently embrace the anxieties and conflicts of youth and lyrics woven with positive messages, Mrs.

GREEN APPLE conveys the importance of fostering self-esteem.

Released in January 2025 as the theme song for NHK General’s special program “18 Festival,” and performed together with 1,000 members of the 18-year-old generation, the piece is a warm, comforting track that soothes hearts tired from work.

When daily life overwhelms you and you feel like you’re losing yourself, listening to this song will give you the courage to accept who you are, just as you are.

A Gentle BallAimer

Aimer “Gentle Ball” Lyrics/English/Indonesian | NHK “Minna no Uta” | 25th single “SCOPE”
A Gentle BallAimer

Set to the strains of a dreamlike waltz, a mysterious tale unfolds on the stage of a nighttime ball.

Aimer’s husky, lustrous voice gracefully paints a fantastical scene bathed in moonlight.

The feelings of a girl who keeps dancing within the fleeting hours of the night, searching for faint memories and traces of the past, will resonate deeply with us as adults.

This piece is included on the single “SCOPE,” released in February 2025, and was newly written for NHK’s “Minna no Uta” broadcasts for February and March.

It’s a song you’ll want to savor at the close of the day, in a quiet room—one that will gently accompany and soothe a heart tired from work.