A collection of timeless ballads sung by idols—songs that deeply touch the heart

Even though it’s springKashiwabara Yoshie

Harunanoni

A bittersweet yet beautiful song about feelings for someone you’ll no longer be able to see after graduation.

Released in January 1983 as Yoshie Kashiwabara’s 14th single, it is one of her signature tracks, written and composed by Miyuki Nakajima.

It peaked at No.

6 on the Oricon Weekly Chart and won the Gold Award at the 25th Japan Record Awards.

The song also led to her first appearance on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

Its worldview—where the brightness of spring cruelly intersects with the pain of parting—strikes straight to the heart.

Rather than going for flashy drama, the piece is memorable for its steady progression, where the melody calmly unfolds and the emotional shadows gradually deepen.

Revisited every graduation season, it continues to be loved across generations.

It’s recommended for moments when, on the cusp of a new beginning, you want to pause and gather your thoughts.

A Lonely Graduation CeremonyAsaka Yui

Hitoribocchi No Sotsugyoshiki (2015 Remaster)

On the morning of graduation, feelings that end without ever being spoken—here’s a song that Yui Asaka renders with delicate nuance.

Included on the album “Star Lights,” released in February 1987, the record marked a major leap in her career, peaking at No.

8 on the Oricon charts.

This track is a gently paced ballad that carefully sketches scenes of school life—classroom seats, yearbook messages—while quietly tracing the emotions of someone who couldn’t confess their love.

Though not showy, its structure beautifully conveys the spring atmosphere and the subtle flutter in one’s chest.

It’s a number that gently stands beside anyone facing graduation, and anyone carrying feelings they couldn’t put into words.

Graduation -GRADUATION-Kikuchi Momoko

Graduation -GRADUATION-

Released in February 1985, Momoko Kikuchi’s fourth single remains beloved as a classic that colors the graduation season.

With lyrics by Yasushi Akimoto and composition/arrangement by Tetsuji Hayashi, this work is a slowed-down ballad whose delicate sound evokes the hazy spring sunlight.

The lyrics sensitively depict universal emotions—not only graduation as a school event, but also parting, the passage of time, and the feeling that there is no going back.

In addition to being featured in a Shiseido “Acne” commercial, it also drew attention as the theme song for a television drama of the same name starring Momoko Kikuchi herself.

It reached No.

1 on the Oricon weekly chart and is included on the album “TROPIC of CAPRICORN.” It’s a song you’ll want to play when you wish to express gratitude to irreplaceable friends and mentors with whom you’ve shared precious days.

Search for Diamond Lily＝LOVE

=LOVE (Equal Love) / 5th Single “Sagase Diamond Lily” [MV full]

Cherry blossoms, an old school building, a uniform button—packed with such scenes of spring, this =LOVE song is the group’s fifth single, released in April 2019.

With lyrics written by Rino Sashihara and a fresh melody crafted by multiple composers, it pairs a bright tempo with lyrics that gently ache with the passage of time.

It reached No.

2 on the Oricon Weekly Chart and earned a Gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan.

The track was also featured in Mr.

Fusion’s programming school “Prosta Kids” commercial.

In its story-driven music video, the turmoil of parting with friends is portrayed with care.

It’s recommended not only for those approaching graduation, but also for anyone who struggles to put their gratitude for friends into words.

Listen as spring arrives, and you’ll feel moved to cherish the time you have with the people who matter most.

Blue JeansHANA

HANA / Blue Jeans -Music Video-

A mid-tempo ballad that portrays a tender yet slightly bittersweet love, like a pair of well-worn jeans.

This track, released in July 2025 by HANA, who emerged from the audition show “No No Girls,” features lyrics written by producer Chanmina.

You can really feel the ache of nighttime anxiety—wondering “When will we meet again?”—and the loss of confidence that comes from comparing yourself to others.

Although their debut single “ROSE” topped the charts, this release also includes a collaboration with the casual brand DIESEL.

It’s the kind of song that will gently stay by your side on sleepless nights spent worrying about love or when you want to sort out your feelings.

You will fall in love this summer.≠ME

≠ME (Not Equal Me) / 1st Single 'You Will Fall in Love This Summer' [MV full]

The idol group ≠ME produced by Rino Sashihara released their major debut single in July 2021.

This work refreshingly portrays the feelings of summer love, and a notable feature of the music video is its delicate depiction of romance between girls.

The lyrics express a protagonist who, prompted by a fortune-telling, resolves to take a step toward love.

It’s a piece where the exhilaration and bittersweetness of youth coexist.

When you realize you have feelings for someone of the same sex, this is a song that gently gives you a push forward.

When I think of youTOKIO

When I Think of You Kimi Wo Omou Toki TOKIO Tomoya Nagase Nagase Tomoya

When introducing TOKIO’s songs, there’s no way we can leave out this jewel of a ballad! It’s one of the group’s masterpieces—a beautifully mellow love ballad.

Delicate guitar tones gently intertwine with vocals that are sweet yet tinged with sadness.

The song is written from the perspective of a shy man, and the way it carefully portrays the wavering of a heart in love is truly captivating, don’t you think? Released in February 1999, it also served as the theme song for their flagship variety show and was included on the acclaimed album “YESTERDAY & TODAY.” It’s a track that stays close to your heart on quiet nights when you’re thinking of someone special.