![[2026] Recommended for guitar-vocal performance! A collection of Reiwa J‑POP ballads](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/L262NKlSl4s/maxresdefault.webp)
[2026] Recommended for guitar-vocal performance! A collection of Reiwa J‑POP ballads
No matter how much music genres get subdivided and how our ways of listening and enjoying evolve, the greatness of ballads remains universal.
Of course, the Reiwa-era J-pop scene has produced plenty of ballads with melodies and lyrics that resonate with the heart.
If you know songs that pair well with acoustic guitar and are easy to express in a solo vocal-and-guitar style, it can be the key to discovering your own unique performance style.
In this article, we’ll introduce a wide range of Reiwa-era J-pop ballads that you’ll want to perform as acoustic guitar renditions.
Whether you’re practicing in your living room or preparing for a special day when you want to play for someone, be sure to find a favorite song.
[2026] Recommended for Guitar and Vocals! A Collection of Reiwa J‑Pop Ballads (1–10)
DarlingMrs. GREEN APPLE
Released in January 2025, this song was written as the theme for NHK General’s special program “Mrs.
GREEN APPLE 18 Festival.” Performed together with 1,000 members of the 18-year-old generation, the track gives voice to both the struggles and hopes of living true to oneself.
The chorus, which repeatedly asks, “Is it okay for me to be my own me?” conveys a heartfelt desire to be accepted as one is, even while swaying between others’ expectations and personal anxieties.
While the dramatic ensemble features strikingly aggressive guitar and piano, the emotional melodic line stands out even more in a stripped-down, voice-and-instrument performance.
Singing of youthful uncertainty and the importance of self-affirmation, this piece is perfect for moments when you want to face yourself or honestly express your feelings to someone important.
sunflowerAdo
Ado, known for her powerful songs, released a track in July 2023 that was selected as the theme song for the TV drama “18/40: With Two, Dreams and Love.” Like a flower reaching straight toward the sun, this heartwarming pop tune expresses a desire to live positively, with Ado’s clear, transparent vocals leaving a fresh impression.
The story of a protagonist who, despite low self-esteem and timidity, is encouraged by the presence of someone important and gradually stretches upward to walk toward the light resonates with listeners.
It pairs beautifully with the gentle tones of an acoustic guitar, and a stripped-down performance would warmly embrace the listener’s heart.
It’s a perfect song for when you want to encourage someone—or yourself.
Sketchaimyon
Created as the theme song for the March 2025 film Doraemon the Movie: Nobita’s Story of the World of Pictures, this piece is a warm song in which Aimyon tenderly portrays the everyday lives of Doraemon and Nobita.
The lyrics capture unassuming moments—like the marks left by glasses—that feel lovable, expressing the solid friendship of two people who have walked together through successes and failures, and evoking cherished memories for each listener.
Built on a folk-inspired, simple chord progression and a gently undulating melody line, it’s easy to try as a solo vocal-and-guitar piece and perfect for scenes where you want to create a calm atmosphere.
Add it to your repertoire when you want to look back on memories with someone important or to rediscover the small joys of everyday life.
more than anyoneBE:FIRST
Written specifically as the theme song for the film, this piece is a ballad with a profound message that portrays the ache of wanting to touch but being unable to.
It deeply links to the story of a protagonist suffering from mysophobia, torn between love and inner conflict, and the lyrics—about someone who gives you a reason to live even as you carry pain—truly resonate.
Released in February 2025 as part of the single “Spacecraft / Sailing,” it features an emotional sound that fuses R&B and ballad elements, with an arrangement that builds gradually from a quiet intro into the chorus—something that also lends itself well to guitar-and-vocal performances.
With BE:FIRST member RYOKI starring in the film and co-writing the lyrics with SKY-HI, you can feel the depth of emotion poured into the song.
It’s the perfect number for conveying your feelings to someone special through music.
monologueOmoinotake
An ending theme for the second cour of season 2 of the TV anime The Apothecary Diaries, performed by Omoinotake, whose emotional vocals and delicate ensemble are captivating.
Released in April 2025, this mid-tempo ballad portrays the regret of not noticing a loved one’s true feelings and the sense of loss when conversations from the past no longer reach them.
While its oriental-inflected sound and repeated key changes are distinctive, a simple guitar-and-vocal arrangement can beautifully convey the melody.
The heartfelt message—that words only gain meaning when there’s someone to receive them—makes it a perfect number for times when you want to convey your feelings to someone.
I love youback number
Written in October 2022 as the theme song for NHK’s morning drama series “Soar!” (Maiagare!), this piece is a ballad that gently weaves together the tenderness felt in everyday moments.
It portrays how ordinary scenes—fallen leaves in the park, a cat crossing the street, a bakery in front of the station—stir thoughts of a cherished person.
In the chorus, it sings of a pure desire to make the other person happy, unfolding a delicate world that is quintessentially back number.
Its relaxed tempo and gentle melody pair beautifully with acoustic guitar, making it perfect for a solo performance.
The chord progression is simple and approachable, making it an ideal number to play when you want to perform with feelings for someone special.
waxing; filling up; becoming full; growing (e.g., the moon growing fuller)Fuji Kaze
Characterized by gentle piano melodies and an enveloping vocal, Fujii Kaze’s latest work is a profound love ballad that portrays how the heart becomes fulfilled by letting go of attachment.
It speaks to the value of unconditional love that expects nothing in return and the importance of accepting life’s changes—an intimate number that makes you want to savor each note in a stripped-down performance.
Written as the theme song for the film “April, Come She Will” in March 2024, it surpassed 100 million total streams by September of the same year.
It’s a gem of a ballad that reveals a new side of Fujii, perfect for picking up a guitar to sing when you want to look back on days spent with someone or bring order to your heart.