A masterpiece piano ballad
This is a song list of ballads performed by Japanese singers, featuring striking piano sounds.
It’s packed with highly soothing tracks whose warm piano tones and gentle melodies will put listeners at ease.
Recommended for those who are feeling tired.
Masterpieces of piano ballads (1–10)
First loveOku Hanako
Released in 2010 as Hanako Oku’s 10th single.
It is the ultimate heartbreak song, depicting “after an adult loses a love they genuinely fell for,” and has been praised by many women as deeply relatable.
The piano’s timbre and Oku’s clear, translucent vocals create a ballad that conveys the poignant ache of a broken heart.
FlowerNaka Kousuke
It was released in 2007 as Kousuke Atari’s third single.
The song was newly written by the duo Naotaro Moriyama and Omodakacho Taito, and was used in a commercial for Satsuma Shuzo’s sweet potato shochu “Satsuma Shiranami.” With its warm and distinctive vocals that encourage many listeners, it is one of Kousuke Atari’s signature songs.
dogwood (flowering dogwood)Hitoto Yo
It was released in 2004 as Yo Hitoto’s fifth single.
The lyrics were written in about a week, inspired by an email from a friend who was in New York at the time of the September 11 attacks, and they express a wish for life to continue alongside someone dear.
It is regarded as Yo Hitoto’s biggest hit.
Tears of MagnoliaStardust Revue
This song, included as the first track on Stardust Revue’s 1993 album CD “SOLA,” was released as a single the same year.
It’s a song about parting with someone important, with piano accompaniment and a heartrending vocal that resonates deeply.
It’s a ballad you’ll want to listen to while thinking of someone dear.
dearestKOH+
It was released in 2008 as KOH+’s second single.
The song was used as the theme for the film adaptation of the drama Galileo, titled Suspect X, and marked KOH+’s first activity in a year, the collaboration unit of Kou Shibasaki and Masaharu Fukuyama.
The following year, Masaharu Fukuyama recorded a self-cover.
KissHugaiko
Released in 2008 as Aiko’s 24th single, this song was used as an insert track in the film Hana Yori Dango F (Final) starring Mao Inoue.
It reached No.
2 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.
Aiko performed it at the 2008 NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen, and it is a bittersweet ballad that conveys the end of a romance.
Goodbye, my beloved.Hana＊Hana
It was released in 2000 as Hana*Hana’s second single.
The song was written by vocalist Izumi Kojima as a dedication to her grandfather, who passed away when she was 16, and it was used as the theme song for the TBS/Toshiba Sunday Theater drama “Oyaji.” It became Hana*Hana’s biggest hit.
sign; mark; symbol; omenMr.Children
Released in 2006 as Mr.Children’s 29th single.
Chosen as the theme song for the Nippon TV drama “14-year-old Mother,” it reached No.
1 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.
It’s one of Mr.Children’s classic ballads, conveying a warm love that resonates with the drama’s storyline.
I stopped being alone.Yano Akiko
The theme from “My Neighbors the Yamadas” is performed here in a lovely piano arrangement.
I’ve previously introduced an orchestral version, but when this gentle depiction of everyday life is rendered on piano, it becomes even more immersive, like being drawn into a world of memories.
Everyday life is something everyone has, and it’s unique to each person—not measured by anyone else’s standards.
Yet when the everyday life that must have been mine is shown as images, a quiet feeling of “this is somehow nice” arises.
This piano version touches many people’s heartstrings and will surely brighten the listeners’ everyday lives.
likeDREAMS COME TRUE
It was released in 1994 as DREAMS COME TRUE’s 16th single.
It reached number one on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart, and was later used as the insert song “SUKI,” the English version, in the film July 7th, Sunny.
It’s a beautiful piano-driven piece and a relaxed ballad.