Compared to the past, we write and receive letters far less often nowadays.
Still, letters have their own charm, and I think they’re a wonderful way to convey your feelings.
Precisely because of the times we live in, there may be many things that come across better in a letter.
This time, I’ll be introducing songs with the theme of “letters.”
There are many kinds of letters—thank-you notes, love letters, letters to your future self—so there are all sorts of “letter songs.”
Just hearing the word “letter” makes it feel like something filled with heartfelt emotions, doesn’t it?
Since there are letter songs for many different situations, I hope you’ll find a favorite.
- Popular love-letter songs that deliver your feelings. Timeless classics that touch the heart.
- [Tearjerker] Songs that make your heart tremble with tears & moving tracks with lyrics that touch the soul
- Masterpieces that sing of love. Recommended popular songs.
- [Song of Gratitude] Timeless classics and the latest tracks that convey heartfelt “thank you” to your seniors
- A classic song that sings of gratitude to one’s parents. Thank you, Dad and Mom!
- Tear-jerking inspirational songs: recommended masterpieces and popular tracks
- [For Women] A Song to Gift Your Dear Friend | A Curated Selection of Heart‑Touching Friendship Songs!
- [Bereavement Song] To you whom I can no longer meet... Tear-jerking songs about death
- A Must-See for Those in Their 20s: A Collection of Youthful Songs That Bring Back School Days
- [Must read] Songs with great lyrics. Moving songs you’ll want to listen to while reading the lyrics
- Songs with strong messages. Classic J-Pop masterpieces and recommended popular tracks.
- Masterpieces with the theme of “tears.” A roundup of moving tracks that tug at the heartstrings.
- [J-Pop] A Collection of Unrequited Love Songs That Stay Close to Your Heart
A song themed around letters. Popular letter songs (1–10)
Letter to TomorrowTeshima Aoi
A song by Aoi Teshima used as the theme for the Fuji TV drama “Love That Makes You Cry.” It was created at the direct request of the producer, who fell in love with Teshima’s poignant and beautiful voice.
The lyrics, spoken like a letter, are delivered with a gentle vocal tone, making it a moving piece.
It mirrors the drama’s storyline, so watching the show will deepen your interpretation of the song even further.
A Letter to an AstronautBUMP OF CHICKEN
Songs that use letters as a motif are popular these days.
In BUMP OF CHICKEN’s track, a unique premise—a letter to an astronaut—conveys childhood memories, the passage of time, and the fragility of human relationships.
Set to a pop sound grounded in a four-on-the-floor beat, it showcases Motoo Fujiwara’s distinctive lyrical world.
Released as a single in October 2010, it topped the Oricon weekly chart and is also included on the album COSMONAUT.
Praised by astronaut Soichi Noguchi, this song is recommended when you want to convey your feelings to someone important or reflect on the past.
Loveletteraiko
This is a song that captures emotions conveyed through a letter.
Released in July 2013 as a single by aiko, it is one of the works commemorating the 15th anniversary of her major-label debut.
The lyrics, which depict the scene of reading a letter from someone special over and over, are striking, carefully expressing feelings for the other person and the subtle shifts in emotion through the medium of a letter.
The song features a rock-influenced sound and aiko’s clear, expansive vocals, and it was created with live performance in mind.
It’s a perfect track to listen to while writing or reading a letter, so be sure to give it a listen when you write to someone important to you.
Letter ~Dear You at Fifteen~Anjura Aki
A song by Angela Aki that was broadcast on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” and used as the compulsory piece for the NHK All-Japan School Music Competition (Junior High Division).
It features letter-like messages sung from the 15-year-old self to the present self and from the present self to the 15-year-old self, and it’s also a classic song for graduation ceremonies.
It has resonated with many adolescents, honestly expressing anxieties and feelings toward one’s future self.
It’s a song that gives you a gentle push forward, so please give it a listen.
Cotton HandkerchiefŌta Hiromi
Like a heartfelt letter, it’s a timeless song that resonates deeply.
Hiromi Ohta’s pure, crystalline voice sinks into the soul.
Released in December 1975, it was performed at the 27th NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen the following year.
The lyrics poignantly depict a long-distance romance between a man leaving his rural hometown for the city and a woman who remains behind.
Told in a dialogue between the two, the story vividly contrasts urban and rural values.
It’s a song that comforts those who have experienced parting from someone dear or who yearn for a distant lover.
When you want to convey feelings kept in your heart, give it a listen.
a note left behindVaundy
A richly expressive song that transcends genre boundaries.
Released in November 2022, it is a track Vaundy created around the theme of “the power and limits of words.” The music video, produced in collaboration with Morisawa, drew attention for visually expressing the lyrics using as many as 77 different fonts.
It’s recommended for those facing farewells or carrying unspoken feelings, and can be enjoyed by listeners as they connect it with their own experiences.
A must-listen for anyone who has gone through love or heartbreak.
Sunday Love LetterOfisharu Higedan Dism
Included on the album “MAN IN THE MIRROR,” released in June 2016, this track encapsulates the early charm of Official HIGE DANDism.
Written from the perspective of a man in a long-distance relationship, the lyrics convey an attitude of cherishing the small joys found in everyday life.
Its gentle, piano-centered arrangement further enriches the lyrical world.
It’s a recommended song for those who want to treasure time with their partner or who are in a long-distance relationship.
Be sure to listen to it together with your loved one.