Hidden gems of love songs. Recommended popular tracks.
A slightly under-the-radar but wonderful love song.
It didn’t become an explosive hit, but it’s a favorite!
Doesn’t everyone have one or two songs like that?
In this article, we’ve researched those hidden gems.
From among them, we carefully selected love songs from the “Hogaku” (Japanese pop/rock) scene that received great feedback from our readers.
How many of them do you know?
If you think, “I love this!”, you might want to share the link with your friends or someone special.
Please enjoy!
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Hidden gems of love songs: Recommended popular tracks (21–30)
balladKetsumeishi

It’s a classic Ketsumeishi love song that you can’t listen to without tears.
The person you care about is already with someone else; you’re the second woman, yet you both have feelings for each other—if only you had met a little earlier… It’s a track that wells up with that kind of heartache.
The lyrics vividly paint the scenes in your mind.
no oneMiyuu

The brisk tones of an acoustic guitar ring out.
大阪出身のシンガーソングライター・Miyuuの曲で、2020年のアルバム「BLUE・S・LOWLY」に収録されています。心を完全に満たしてくれる大切な人について歌った楽曲です。
The lyrics are overflowing with feelings for someone you love.
You can relate to each down-to-earth word.
It’s a lovely love song—sweet, a little bittersweet, and recommended for listeners of all ages.
Map of Paradiseback number

A gem from back number that portrays the happiness and anxiety of love in everyday life.
The lyrics, depicting special moments with a lover, are striking and moving, evoking the feeling of a private paradise for two.
Warm, comforting sounds skillfully crafted with synthesizers and guitars resonate throughout.
This track was included as the B-side to their 22nd single, “Atarashii Koibitotachi ni,” released in September 2024.
It was also performed on the “anti sleeps tour 2024,” generating buzz among fans.
It’s the perfect song for savoring those special moments with your partner or renewing your feelings for someone important.
Dear…Nishino Kana

This song by Kana Nishino, known for writing relatable lyrics that capture the hearts of many women in love, overflows with feelings for a long-distance boyfriend who’s far away.
With her beautiful high notes and distinctly feminine style, it’s one of Kana Nishino’s signature masterpieces.
Premium salted grilled Kuroge Wagyu tongue 680 yenOtsuka Ai

Ai Otsuka’s “Kuroge Wagyu Jo Shio Tan Yaki 680 Yen,” released on February 9, 2005.
The lyrics compare the relationship between a wire grill and yakiniku to a romantic relationship.
Once you understand the meaning of the title, the poignancy of the lyrics comes through even more.
By the way, if you add up the prices in the titles of the songs on the single, the total comes to 1,050 yen, which was the tax-included price at the time of release.
Also, the release date of February 9 was chosen because it’s “Meat Day” in Japan.
You can really feel her playful spirit.
It’s a love song with an irresistibly bittersweet melody line.
I long to see you now.MISIA

This is MISIA’s 23rd single, released in 2009.
The song was the theme for the hugely popular period drama “JIN: Jin.” MISIA’s outstanding vocal prowess perfectly matches the lyrics, which express an overwhelming longing to see someone.
I became someone else’s girlfriend.wacci

This is a song by wacci that sings of a woman’s aching heart as she chooses love for her own sake.
Haven’t you ever tried desperately to tuck a past relationship away as a memory, telling yourself that your current partner is more wonderful than the one you broke up with? Created by vocalist Yohei Hashiguchi, the piece skillfully contrasts a present love that makes you overreach with a past love where you could be yourself, portraying a wavering state of mind with finesse.
After its digital release in August 2018, it spread by word of mouth and became a long-running hit, surpassing 100 million streams.
Even though she’s decided they’ll never meet again, the final lines let her true feelings slip out—so real they strike straight to the heart.


