[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.
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[2026] Recommended for Guitar and Vocals! A Collection of Reiwa J‑Pop Ballads (1–10)
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.
SakuraMyuk
A ballad about spring partings, released in March 2025, where a transparent vocal and piano-centered minimal soundscape quietly portrays the feelings left behind by a departing season.
The lyrics by Kota Takenawa strike a superb balance between restraint and space, avoiding grandiose rhetoric while layering the transience of cherry blossoms over shifting relationships, leaving ample room for each listener to project their own memories.
Composed by Hiroo Yamaguchi and arranged by Tomohiro Okubo, the track begins with acoustic guitar and piano gently intertwining through the intro and first verse, then opens up with string layers toward the chorus.
The chord progression is classic yet enriched with passing chords that add light and shade, achieving scale through emotional temperature rather than sheer note density—an especially striking touch.
Barre chords are used throughout, but the relaxed tempo makes them comfortable to hold.
It’s a song you’ll want to perform solo with guitar on a spring day when you wish to share your feelings with someone.
I stillmilet
Singer-songwriter milet, known for the English skills she acquired growing up abroad and her uniquely husky voice, is drawing attention.
She makes her acting debut in the film “I Don’t Know My Girlfriend,” set for release in February 2025, and this song was written specifically as its theme.
It mirrors the story’s portrayal of protagonists thrust into a world where they’ve never met the ones they love, giving voice to feelings that remain unchanged no matter the world.
It’s also striking that the title can be heard as the Japanese “aishiteru” (“I love you”), layering in a double meaning of ongoing, unwavering love.
The gentle arrangement of piano and acoustic guitar pairs beautifully with a stripped-down, solo performance, making it a perfect song for expressing your feelings to someone special.
[2026] Recommended for Guitar and Vocals! A Collection of Reiwa J‑Pop Ballads (11–20)
A Naked Heartaimyon
A single ballad by Aimyon that portrays the feelings of wishing, with honest sincerity, “Even if just a little, may this love come true,” while grappling with anxieties and inner conflict about romance.
Released in June 2020, it’s a memorable track that also served as the theme song for the TBS drama ‘My Housekeeper Nagisa-san.’ Characterized by a simple arrangement centered on piano and melodica, it’s structured in a way that’s easy to recreate as a guitar-and-vocal performance.
The protagonist, who struggles with low self-esteem and loneliness yet tries to face love as their true self, embodies emotions that many of us have experienced at least once.
When you’re feeling timid about love, playing and singing this song will gently wrap your heart in comfort.
If you call it loveUru
Singer-songwriter Uru, whose translucent voice captivates many listeners.
Her 12th single, released in June 2022, is a ballad written as the theme song for TBS’s Sunday drama “My Family,” depicting the restoration of relationships.
Through the image of undoing mismatched buttons one by one, the lyrics poignantly sing of the essence of love realized through misunderstandings and mistakes.
The resolve to head toward someone precious, believing that the future lies where what we want to protect exists, is deeply moving.
Arranged by Takeshi Kobayashi, the simple yet powerful blend of piano and strings lends itself well to acoustic guitar and vocal performances.
Guided by Uru’s warm, embracing vocals, this song is a comforting companion when you want to reflect on the bonds with your family or partner.
EnchantedSaucy Dog
Even when physically apart, they talk late into the night over video calls, sharing the same time even when the conversation falls silent.
Capturing a romance unique to the modern age, this song is a love ballad by Saucy Dog released in March 2022.
It was chosen as the theme song for Abema’s original dating show “Koisuru ♡ Shūmatsu Homestay 2022 Spring,” and was later included on the album “Sunny Bottle.” Carried by Shinya Ishihara’s high-tone vocals, the longing to stay connected across distance resonates deeply.
Its gentle tempo and clean guitar sound pair perfectly with acoustic solo performances, and when played with a special someone in mind, that tenderness comes through even more profoundly.
Dried flowersYuuri
Told from a woman’s perspective, this song dwells on lingering feelings for an ex and serves as a sequel that follows the story depicted in the previous track, “Kakurenbo.” Comparing those undying emotions to flowers that keep their shape even after they wither, the lyrics poignantly capture both the permanence of feeling and the passage of time.
Yuuri’s whisper-like vocals and nuanced breaths deliver each word with intimate care.
Released as a digital-only single in October 2020, it went on to top Billboard JAPAN’s year-end chart in 2021—a modern classic.
Centered on acoustic guitar, it’s a medium-slow rock ballad with simple chords that nonetheless demand expressive singing.
It’s the perfect number to perform as a heartfelt solo for someone special.