[Love Songs] Must-Relate! A Selection of Japanese Love Songs with Great Lyrics

Love is…Kato Miria

MILIYAH Kato “Love is…”

The grand ballad inspired by the classical masterpiece Canon delivers a straightforward message—no matter what happens, we’ll stay together—that truly resonates.

Even when loneliness and anxiety make it hard to see ahead, there is someone who will never give up on you and keep supporting you.

It sings of the strength and preciousness of such love and bonds.

Released in June 2007 as Miliyah Kato’s tenth single, the song also served as the ending theme for the anime Toward the Terra.

Its inclusion in the best-of album M BEST II shows how it has continued to be loved over time.

A pledge of eternal love, this work is the ultimate love song—one that makes you want to stay with the person you cherish forever.

Sayonara, baby.Kato Miria

Miliyah Kato 'Sayonara Baby'

This is a bittersweet love song about a heart swaying between true feelings and outward appearances.

She wants to believe his words, yet deep down she doubts them, and still can’t bring herself to end things… You can sense her wavering emotions in the chorus’s back-and-forth between the man and woman.

The track is a work by singer-songwriter Miliyah Kato, released in September 2008 as her 13th single.

Its arrangement is striking, unfolding from a wistful piano intro into a danceable four-on-the-floor sound.

The song is also included on the acclaimed album “Ring.” When you’re unsure of the other person’s feelings and don’t know what to do, listening to this might resonate with your complicated state of mind.

YOU… feat. Izumi Nakasone (HY)Kato Miria

Miliyah Kato “YOU… feat. Izumi Nakasone (HY)”

Speaking of collaborations between powerhouse female singers, we can’t forget this song by Miliyah Kato and Izumi Nakasone of HY.

Based on real unrequited-love stories sent in by radio listeners, the two artists co-created this gem of a ballad.

Released in September 2014 as their 30th single, it was also included on the milestone 10th-anniversary album “MUSE.” The frustration of not being able to put your feelings into words, and the emotional wavering as you move toward confessing your love, come through poignantly in the harmony between Kato’s delicate vocals and Nakasone’s warm voice.

Chosen as the theme song for a radio drama, this track just might gently give you the push you need if you’re struggling with a one-sided love.

Love ForeverKatō Miriya × Shimizu Shōta

Miliyah Kato × Shota Shimizu “Love Forever”

The golden duo representing the J-POP scene, Miliyah Kato and Shota Shimizu, have an unmissable duet song.

While celebrating the joy of meeting, its lyrics occasionally hint at an inevitable end, making it achingly bittersweet and tightening your chest.

Told from both of their perspectives, it’s a track that powerfully conveys gratitude toward the person who saved them from lonely days.

Released in May 2009 as a single by Miliyah Kato and included on the classic album “Ring,” the song became hugely popular, with its music video winning an award at MTV VMAJ 2010.

The section in the latter half where their harmonies intertwine is a must-hear.

It’s a masterpiece perfect for nights when you want to bask in the beautiful memories and bittersweetness of love.

How many times have I read over the lyrics of LOVE SONG?Sakurazaka46

Sakurazaka46: “How many times have I gone back and reread the lyrics of LOVE SONG?”

This song portrays the bittersweet feelings of a night when you fall in love.

It depicts someone repeatedly rereading the lyrics of a love song on a sleepless night, vividly expressing the emotions of a person in love.

Released in February 2024 as a coupling track to Sakurazaka46’s 8th single “How Old Do You Wish to Be Again?”, it’s the perfect song for those who have just fallen in love or are spending sleepless nights thinking about someone special.

You may find yourself relating to the lyrics, sorting out your feelings, or even gaining the courage to pursue love.

If you’re struggling with matters of the heart, be sure to give it a listen.

heartbeatFukuyama Masaharu

Masaharu Fukuyama – Heartbeat <31st Anniv. Live “Slow Collection”> (Short ver.)

A poignant yet warm ballad that captivatingly portrays the turmoil of an unexpected love.

The protagonist, who had decided never to fall in love, grapples with confusion and a loneliness hidden behind a brave front, all conveyed through Masaharu Fukuyama’s richly emotive vocals.

Included on his original album “AKIRA,” released in December 2020—his first in six years and eight months—the song was chosen as the theme for the drama “#Remolove: Normal Love Is for the Weak.” Its delicate melody reflects the nuances of the protagonist’s emotions, making it a deeply satisfying listen.

Try listening while thinking of someone special.

You are here—that’s everything.Kotora

[80’s JAPANESE CITY POP] Realizing love after losing it | You being here—that’s everything

This is a love ballad by Kotora, marked by gentle piano melodies and delicate strings.

It tenderly and carefully portrays the happiness that comes from having someone you love and the immense presence they hold in your life.

Released on YouTube in March 2025, the song fully conveys pure feelings of love and the desire to cherish the other person, earning high praise from fans.

Its soothing music and lyrics, filled with sincere emotions, will resonate with anyone who cares deeply for someone.

It’s a perfect track for moments when your feelings of love grow stronger or as background music while spending time with someone special.