Hidden gems of Japanese love songs. Recommended popular tracks.
If you’re starting to feel that the love songs you always listen to aren’t quite enough anymore, why not try some hidden gems?
I’m sure you’re very familiar with the songs that make it onto the hit charts.
But what about everything else?
There are surprisingly many songs by artists you know that you just haven’t listened to yet.
So in this article, we’ve gathered hidden masterpieces of love songs that you should hear at least once.
You might just find a wonderful classic you didn’t know before somewhere on this list.
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Hidden gems of Japanese love songs. Recommended popular tracks (11–20)
Our world for twoaimyon
An early love song by Aimyon included on her first full album, “Seishun no Excitement.” Aimyon is known for her exquisite, modest metaphors, and the straightforward expressions in this song are also captivating.
The way it portrays ambiguity within brightness is superb, conveying the atmosphere and temperature of a relationship slipping into monotony.
When you spend time together, you inevitably see parts you’d rather not, but there are also kinds of happiness you can only see with that person.
HallelujahMr.Children
A love song in which Sakurai conveys, through every expression uniquely his own, the vow to keep loving you for life, forever, no matter what happens.
It’s included on the 2000 album “Q.” It begins with a gentle, calm melody that, before you know it, swells and flows as if an overflowing love has been unleashed—beautifully evoking a boundless affection.
Even with age, even if something happens to the Earth, no matter what may come, the feelings for you will never change—I will go on loving you.
Encountering a love this immense is something we can only hope for!
It’s love, but…Ofisharu Higedan Dism
Commonly known as “Higedan,” the band has even performed on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
Their songs about love and romance, such as “Pretender” and “I LOVE…,” have been featured in various works and gained popularity, but there are still some hidden love songs to discover.
Their track “Ai Nandaga…” (“It’s Love, But…”) is sung from a male perspective about lingering feelings.
The realistic emotions of a man who can’t quite let go of a woman are likely to resonate with many listeners.
It’s included on their mini-album “Love and Peace Are Within You.” The understated, steady mood of the song is sure to grow on you.
A triangular lovesaji
The lead track from their second mini-album “Hanabi no Uta,” released in 2020.
The lyrics portray a fleeting, heartrending love story that almost brings you to tears.
The more your feelings for someone grow, the harder it becomes to meet their gaze—haven’t you ever felt that way? In the music video, you’ll also be drawn in by the superb performance of Erika Denya, former leader of Babyraids JAPAN.
If wacci’s “Betsu no Hito no Kanojo ni Natta yo” captures the aftermath of a breakup, then saji’s “Sankaku no Koi” is a love song overflowing with emotions that anyone can relate to, depicting feelings unfolding in the here and now.
See you tomorrow.Every Little Thing
A gentle acoustic guitar sets a comfortable mood in this 25th single.
Evolving from their early, sparkling sound toward an acoustic resonance, it’s a gem of a ballad that fully showcases Kaori Mochida’s warm vocals.
Centered on everyday greetings, it softly portrays the sense of security shared with someone dear.
Released in November 2003, the song became widely loved as the theme for the drama “Pure Love III” and in commercials for Hachimitsu Kinkan throat lozenges.
It was also performed at that year’s NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen, leaving a lasting impression on many.
Listen at the end of the day, and you’ll likely feel your taut nerves unwind into calm.
It’s a number that stays by your side when you need a quiet breath amid busy days.
WASTED LOVEHIROOMI TOSAKA
WASTED LOVE is a solo track released under the name HIROOMI TOSAKA by Hiroomi Tosaka, vocalist of Sandaime J Soul Brothers.
It’s a love song delivered with an even cooler, more mature expression than in his work with the group.
It depicts a budding romance that accelerates and pulls the two deeper into a world of their own.
While Sandaime J Soul Brothers also have cool songs, this is a more adult number that lets you feel Tosaka’s refined coolness and sensuality even more strongly.
Hidden gems of Japanese love songs. Recommended popular tracks (21–30)
A Tiny Love SongŌhara Sakurako
A number that played as an insert song in the film The Liar and His Lover, in which Sakurako Ohara herself appears as the heroine.
Included on the album HAPPY, this track portrays someone in love who, despite overflowing with affection, keeps a slight distance.
Even without saying the straightforward words “I love you” to the person who brought light to their life, the song is filled with an abundance of honest, overflowing love.
While hoping that their feelings will reach someday, they still put that person’s happiness first.
It’s a slightly bittersweet love song.