[Hidden Gem] Japanese Songs You'll Want to Share with Someone Right Now

Isn’t it okay to have tried your best?Ōhara Sakurako

Sakurako Ohara (from MUSH&Co.) program “Isn’t it okay to go to Cafe Mushroom?” (Live Edition)

It’s a gently encouraging song by Sakurako Ohara! Rather than pushing you forward with a forceful “Do your best! Do your best!” it cheers you on softly, saying, “I’m with you, so let’s try our best together.” It’s the perfect song for when you’re feeling down or need some support.

Please give it a listen.

ripeieiri reo

ripe

It’s a very straightforward love song that sings, “I want to feel spring with the one I cherish—you.” It’s a track by Leo Ieiri, a singer-songwriter from Fukuoka Prefecture, included as a coupling song on her debut single “Sabrina,” released in 2012.

The acoustic-leaning arrangement pairs beautifully with Ieiri’s free and expansive vocals, making for a very warm piece.

In terms of its lyrical worldview, it might resonate especially with junior high and high school students.

Maybe you, too, have someone who makes you feel this way.

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Araki Jakkan

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(E)naOkamura Yasuyuki

Yasuyuki Okamura (E)na Live Home Tutor ’91

Yasuyuki Okamura is a singer-songwriter who has been active on the Japanese music scene since the 1980s.

Among the many songs he has written for other artists, “(E)na,” included on his 1990 album “Kateikyoushi” (Home Tutor), stands out.

The title is read as “kakkoiina” (“how cool”) and expresses his honest feelings toward a woman he admires.

Featuring a rhythmic band performance with a horn section, the track also drew attention for his singing and dance performance.

Experience his unique sound that blends funk and pop.

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mutō

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In the rainy cityMatsutōya Yumi

In the rainy city

A song included on the debut album Hikōkigumo.

Though Yumi Matsutoya (Yumi Arai at the time) has created countless masterpieces old and new, it seems she hit a wall only with this song.

Thinking it might be her last try, she went into the studio and found a dahlia placed in a milk bottle on the piano.

It turned out the flower had been prepared by her then boyfriend—and, coincidentally, it was the “favorite flower” she had just happened to mention a few days earlier while they were chatting on a walk.

Seeing it, she was able to sing smoothly that day and finish the recording.

This production anecdote is so lovely that I’d like to present the song as a hidden gem.

Before I knew it, you were there.Matsuura Aya

Aya Matsuura – Before I Knew It, You [PV]

This is the 17th single by singer Aya Matsuura, who made her debut after passing the “4th Morning Musume & Michiyo Heike Little Sister Audition.” Originally a roughly 30-second piece created for a commercial, the song was used in Kirin Beverage’s “Gogo no Kocha” (Afternoon Tea) TV ad.

Due to the strong response to the commercial, a full-length version was produced.

The contrast between the rock‑tinged guitar over a refreshing arrangement and her cute vocals is exquisite.

It’s a catchy number with a melody that lingers in your ears and a pleasantly nostalgic atmosphere.

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Hoshino Takashi

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A melody instead of a bouquetShimizu Shota

Shota Shimizu 'Instead of a Bouquet, a Melody' Short Ver.

With a gospel-inspired arrangement, it delivers a heartfelt ode to pure love.

“Hanataba no Kawari ni Melody wo” (A Melody Instead of a Bouquet) is singer-songwriter Shota Shimizu’s 20th single, released in 2015.

At the time of its release, it was used as the theme song for the drama “Designer Baby: Detective Hayami, A Difficult Case Before Maternity Leave.” The song drew renewed attention in 2021 after a much-discussed performance on the hugely popular YouTube channel THE FIRST TAKE.

It’s a track that showcases authentic R&B—often cited as a core part of Shota Shimizu’s musical roots.

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Yoimachi Jēn

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Become a shadowTanaka Yuri

Become a shadow

Yuri Tanaka, the vocalist of Blu-Swing—a nu-jazz band active on Japan’s jazz scene since the 2000s—is also active as a solo singer.

In 2022, she released a cover of Kage ni Natte, a song written by Yumi Matsutoya.

The arrangement transforms the moody original into a resonant AOR sound.

Her crystalline vocals, which narrate a story unfolding in a somewhat mysterious world, are sure to linger in your ears.

It’s a song that paints a sentimental nighttime scene, evoking nostalgic landscapes.

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mutō

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