[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.
- Songs that put you in a calm mood. Classic and popular Japanese tracks.
- A gentle song. A classic that calms the heart. A song that makes you feel kind.
- Songs that heal a tired heart. A collection of timeless tracks that bring peace to the soul.
- A song with gentle lyrics that warm the heart
- Gently soaking into a weary heart... Healing songs released in the Reiwa era
- Just listening to it purifies the heart... A healing song born in the Showa era.
- [Today’s Healing Song] Classic and trending tracks that bring peace to the heart
- Hidden gems of healing songs. Recommended popular tracks
- [Relaxed & Gentle] A calm track with an easy, unhurried tempo
- A collection of uplifting, slow-tempo masterpieces that soothe the soul
- [Tearjerker] Songs that make your heart tremble with tears & moving tracks with lyrics that touch the soul
- Healing songs from the Heisei era that soothe daily fatigue and stress
- Vocaloid Healing Songs Compilation [Relaxation]
[In Need of Healing] Songs That Bring Calm: Heartwarming Japanese Classics (1–10)
filling upFuji Kaze
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!
SaetaroMatsumoto Chinatsu
A heartwarming song that portrays unwavering feelings for a best friend, “Saetaro.” It’s a digital single released in 2021 by Chika Matsumoto, a Tokyo-born singer-songwriter who also appeared on “M Sute e no Kaidan Ultra Audition.” She reportedly wrote it while thinking of a friend she had reunited with.
Although distance can sometimes lead to drifting apart, this song celebrates a friendship that remains unchanged no matter how many years pass, leaving you with a warm feeling.
The steady rhythm and comforting acoustic sound will also make you feel cozy.
GIFTNissy
Known as Nissy, Takahiro Nishijima is an entertainer who makes our hearts dance with out-of-the-ordinary entertainment, both as a member of AAA and as a male solo artist.
His 2014 winter song “GIFT” is a heartwarming love song.
The dreamy bassline layered with Nissy’s sweet vocals is simply the best—so soothing and healing.
While singing about everyday, relatable situations, the characteristically Nissy, dramatically unfolding storytelling also gently warms the heart.
[In Need of Healing] Songs That Bring Calm: Heartwarming Japanese Classics (11–20)
rainbow-coloredayaka
Ayaka’s “Nijiiro” evokes the image of a gentle life path, like a sunlit spot.
Released in 2014, the song was chosen as the theme for the NHK morning drama Hanako to Anne.
Its lyrics convey the idea that when you walk through life hand in hand with someone, your journey becomes a tender, beautiful rainbow-colored one.
The message-like lyrics, encouraging a bright outlook on life, can serve as a light when you’ve lost your way.
In times of sadness or hardship, this song will surely bring you comfort.
threadNakajima Miyuki
Miyuki Nakajima’s “Ito” is a song that conveys the warmth of human connection.
Hugely popular as a wedding song, it was released in 1998 as a double A-side single together with “Inochi no Betsumei.” In addition to being used as the theme song for the drama “Seija no Koshin,” it has appeared across various media and has been covered by many artists, including Masaharu Fukuyama and JUJU.
In 2020, a film inspired by the song was also released.
Sung in Nakajima’s gentle voice, the song carries a warm message: let’s create happiness together with the ones we cherish and tenderly embrace others.
A bittersweet episodeHata Motohiro
One song I’d recommend for a calm morning is “Nakiwarai no Episode.” It’s a 2020 track by singer-songwriter Motohiro Hata that became well-loved as the theme song for the NHK morning drama series Ochoyan.
Speaking of Hata, his uniquely delicate and beautiful tone is truly soothing, isn’t it? The lyrics, which stand close to our everyday lives, are encouraging.
Wrapped in a warmth you might otherwise forget, you’ll feel energized to move forward anew.
It’s a heartfelt song that eases the pain.
I hope it’s sunny.DREAMS COME TRUE
Some of you might have been the type to play this while driving.
DREAMS COME TRUE is a duo that churned out record-breaking hits throughout the 1990s and 2000s, with many of their classics still being sung today.
This single, released by DCT in 1992, even got a new version in 2018.
The exciting intro instantly evokes the scene of a cheerful, sunny day off.
The bouncy, skipping bass line makes your heart dance, and the lyrics about a close, affectionate couple leave you with a warm feeling.