A collection of romance-themed songs. Let’s listen to some Japanese love songs.

Unrequited Love in the Music RoomKeyakizaka46

Keyakizaka46 'Unrequited Love in the Music Room' Short Ver.

It’s a Keyakizaka46 song that overlays the feeling of first love onto the sound of a piano echoing through a quiet after-school hallway.

It’s a unit track by Rika Ozeki, Minami Koike, and Neru Nagahama, included on TYPE-D of the single “Ambivalent,” released in August 2018.

The refined scene of someone not opening the music room door where their crush is, instead listening intently to the notes leaking out, tightens the listener’s chest.

If you’re someone who wants to cherish your current relationship without breaking it… this song will surely stay close to your delicate feelings.

Mermaid in FebruaryAKB48

2gatsuno Mermaid

This AKB48 song paints a romantic scene that makes you want to head to the chilly seaside in lingering-February cold.

It’s memorable for lyrics that liken carefree frolicking by the winter ocean to a mermaid, turning even the cold spray of the waves into shared memories.

Performed as a unit song with Azuki Yagi on vocals at a theater show in December 2024, it was later included on the album “AKB48 ~studio recordings collection~ AKB48 18th Stage ‘Koko Kara da,’” released in December 2025.

This work is a bittersweet love song that captures feelings of affection so strong they make even selfish behavior seem adorable.

It’s the perfect track for gazing out at the quiet winter sea and sinking into a sentimental mood.

February is cryingtsuki to adabana

Moon and Ephemeral Blossoms — “February Is Crying” (Official Music Video)

This song is included on Tsuki to Adabana’s first EP, “Live Houses and You,” released in August 2020 by the Hyogo-born rock band.

It’s a guitar-driven rock track that blends urgency with melancholy, vividly conjuring scenes of dry late-winter air and a city waiting for dawn.

The lyrics go beyond simple romance to portray respect and jealousy toward an admired person, as well as the inner conflict over a relationship that might break if you get too close—something that really tightens the listener’s chest.

The music video was released in July 2020 and drew attention, especially within the live house scene.

Try listening as you overlay it with that feeling of holding back because you care too much, in the chilled air just before spring arrives.

Capturing both the fragility and intensity of February, this work is sure to resonate with your most complex emotions.

forget-me-notAwesome City Club

Awesome City Club / Wasurena (MUSIC VIDEO)

When your heart is unsettled with love troubles, you find yourself wanting to listen to moving ballads.

The trio Awesome City Club, known for their music that blends a wide range of genres like rock and soul, released Wasurena in 2021, which was chosen as an inspiration song for the film We Made a Beautiful Bouquet.

The twin-vocal harmonies are striking, highlighting the beautiful melodic lines.

The edgy, alternative arrangement is also a standout.

If you’re dealing with heartbreak or feel your feelings for your partner starting to fade, give it a listen.

This bittersweet love song, themed around “flowers,” is sure to soothe you.

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CITRUSDa-iCE

Da-iCE / “CITRUS” (Theme song for the Nippon TV Sunday drama “The Way of the Househusband”) Music Video

Da-iCE is a five-member dance and vocal group that won the 63rd Japan Record Awards.

Their four-octave twin vocals drew significant attention.

Their song “CITRUS,” released in 2020, was used as the theme song for the drama The Way of the Househusband.

Its energetically unfolding, dramatic band sound is deeply moving, and their passionate choral work, filled with determination, is also striking.

If you have the desire to “protect the one you love,” be sure to give it a listen.

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NAOHY

HY – NAO (Official Music Video)

When you’re heartbroken, you find yourself wanting to listen to gentle, comforting ballads.

The perfect song for times like that is “NAO.” It’s included on Confidence, released in 2006 by HY, a mixture band from Okinawa.

The track was created by vocalist Izumi Nakasone based on a story she heard from a friend.

Its piano-driven, emotional sound really resonates.

Her soulful voice conveys that loneliness directly.

Give it a listen when you want to have a good cry at the end of a relationship.

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I LOVE…Ofisharu Higedan Dism

Official HIGE DANDism – I LOVE… [Official Video]

It takes courage to say “I love you” straight out, doesn’t it? For anyone who wants to convey that feeling, the song I recommend is “I LOVE.” It was released in 2020 by Official HIGE DANDism, a four-piece band known for their jazzy, soulful sound, and it was used as the theme song for the drama “An Incurable Case of Love.” The dynamic brass band arrangement leaves a strong impression, and the grand, soul-evoking claps resound throughout.

The bittersweet lyrics capture the feeling of “I like you, but I can’t be honest,” and are sure to make your heart flutter.

Why not listen to Satoshi Fujihara’s powerful vocals and take the step to share your feelings with the person you like?

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