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Lovely jazz

[2026] A Collection of Classic Japanese Ballads with a Jazz Flavor

When people hear “jazz music,” many tend to feel it’s a bit intimidating… and there may be quite a few who feel that way.

In fact, from the Showa era right up to today in Reiwa, there have been many artists and bands who’ve been influenced by jazz and elevated that influence into J-pop.

So this time, we’re focusing on J-pop ballads—specifically, timeless tracks that exude a stylish, mellow vibe with a clear touch of jazz.

Even if you don’t usually listen to jazz, there’s plenty here to enjoy, so be sure to check it out!

Playlist

[2026] A Collection of Classic Japanese Ballads with a Jazz Flavor
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1eastColoration BluesEGO-WRAPPIN’
Coloration BluesEGO-WRAPPIN'play_arrow
EGO-WRAPPIN’ is a male-female duo that...
2eastKissORIGINAL LOVE
KissORIGINAL LOVEplay_arrow
It’s already been over 20 years since its release...
3eastIt was you.Toki Asako
It was you.Toki Asakoplay_arrow
Asako Toki is a Japanese singer. Jazzy...
4east2019 Farewell (To Lily)kataomoi
2019 Farewell (To Lily)kataomoiplay_arrow
A beautiful ballad influenced by jazz, ...
5eastMetroJUJU
MetroJUJUplay_arrow
A piano that evokes the breath of refined jazz...
6eastLove AddictNakajima Mika
Love AddictNakajima Mikaplay_arrow
A sophisticated jazz ambiance and a passionate singing voice...
7eastStrange BirdEmerald
Strange BirdEmeraldplay_arrow
The jazz hues that color the city at night and the J-pop…
8eastDon’t Fall Asleep feat. Ikuko Harada (clammbon)YONA YONA WEEKENDERS
Don't Fall Asleep feat. Ikuko Harada (clammbon)YONA YONA WEEKENDERSplay_arrow
A masterpiece in a ballad style that poignantly depicts the night scene…
9eastfor exampleCRCK/LCKS
for exampleCRCK/LCKSplay_arrow
Poetic words are woven, and a mellow atmosphere drifts...
10eastget backNakamura Kaho
get backNakamura Kahoplay_arrow
A J-P… that incorporates elements of sophisticated jazz
11eastTears of the OrphansMISIA
Tears of the OrphansMISIAplay_arrow
Solemn strings and a bluesy melody...
12eastNewborn Melody (feat. bird)Hirado Yusuke
Newborn Melody (feat. bird)Hirado Yusukeplay_arrow
A luxurious blend born from the fusion of jazz and J-pop...
13eastNothingWONK
NothingWONKplay_arrow
The concept that WONK announced in June 2020…
14eastRainy driveTakeuchi Mariya
Rainy driveTakeuchi Mariyaplay_arrow
Urban, sophisticated rain sounds interwoven with jazz piano…
15eastIf the magic has worn offMononkuru
If the magic has worn offMononkuruplay_arrow
An adult romance that begins with delicate piano melodies…
16easta single petalBlu-Swing
a single petalBlu-Swingplay_arrow
A delicate and beautiful melody that evokes the season of dancing cherry blossoms...
17eastBeautiful Thingorange pekoe
Beautiful Thingorange pekoeplay_arrow
A melody that evokes the delicate essence of jazz...
18eastone’s true feelingspengin rasshu
one’s true feelingspengin rasshuplay_arrow
To the sensual rhythm of bossa nova, the woman...
19eastplay girlyKojima Mayumi
play girlyKojima Mayumiplay_arrow
Mayumi Kojima, steeped in jazz influences…
20eastAngel Who Calls Themself TimeCymbals
Angel Who Calls Themself TimeCymbalsplay_arrow
A poetic depiction of the urban landscape and the passage of time, C…
21eastYou like whisky, don’t you?Yano Saori
You like whisky, don’t you?Yano Saoriplay_arrow
Saori Yano gently played Sayuri Ishikawa’s commercial song on the saxophone.
22eastSILENT NIGHTparis match
SILENT NIGHTparis matchplay_arrow
Paris Match is a duo of one man and one woman...
23eastDecember 17CRAZY KEN BAND
December 17CRAZY KEN BANDplay_arrow
Crazy Ken Band was formed by Yokoyama, formerly of Cools…
24eastAliensKirinji
AliensKirinjiplay_arrow
Kirinji was formed in 1996, centered around the Horigome brothers…
25eastLove MattersShanti
Love MattersShantiplay_arrow
Shanti Snyder is a member of Godiego’s...
26eastHoly Trianglepichikāto faivu
Holy Trianglepichikāto faivuplay_arrow
When I try to make a romantic song, I end up panning it left and right…
27eastSeleneorange pekoe
Seleneorange pekoeplay_arrow
Orange pekoe is popular among men and women in Japan...
28eaststemShiina Ringo
stemShiina Ringoplay_arrow
The East that fused traditional Japanese instruments like the koto and shakuhachi with Western music...
29east23:30Perfume
23:30Perfumeplay_arrow
A downtempo sound that gently reflects the late-night atmosphere…
30eastWoman In LoveShoji Kumi
Woman In LoveShoji Kumiplay_arrow
Delicate piano tones and a gentle jazz arrangement...