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

You and the summer music festivalSHISHAMO

SHISHAMO “You and the Summer Festival”

Are there people out there imagining what it would be like to go to a summer music festival with that special someone they adore? This song by the three-piece girls’ band SHISHAMO is packed with that kind of sweet, bittersweet youth.

The track is set around a festival date with someone you’re interested in.

It captures both a passion for music and the delicate emotional ups and downs of worrying about how the other person sees you—guaranteed to make your heart flutter.

Released in July 2014, the song is also included on the album “SHISHAMO 2.” It was used as the ending theme for TV Tokyo’s “JAPAN COUNTDOWN,” reaching many listeners.

If you want to start a summer romance, this song will surely give you the courage you need.

It’s also highly recommended for couples to listen to together!

dancerVaundy

[75th NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen Performance Song] Odoriko / Vaundy: Music Video

This is a track released in November 2021 by Vaundy, a multi-artist who handles everything from songwriting and composing to visuals.

As Junji Ishiwatari described it, it embodies a “beauty of subtraction,” possessing a mysterious charm that captivates listeners with just simple rhythm and vocals.

The song depicts a bittersweet longing: dreaming of a future with someone who has drifted away, wishing for a chance to start over.

You can almost picture the protagonist’s helplessness.

The track is also included on the acclaimed album “replica.” Why not give it a listen on a night when you want to reminisce about a past love and indulge in a touch of sentimentality?

Sniper.Yuika

Sniper. / “Yuika” [MV]

This is a pop number by Yuika, who has been gaining buzz thanks to dance videos on TikTok.

The song comically portrays a one-sided-crush strategy, treating the person she likes as a “target” and aiming straight for their heart.

The play-by-play, live-broadcast-style lyrics are memorable, and listening to it really makes your heart flutter! Yuika wrote this track when she was a second-year high school student; it was released digitally in April 2024 and later included on the album “Longing for Navy.” With its up-tempo melody and the protagonist’s earnest feelings, it’s a song that sends emotions soaring.

If you’re in the middle of a crush, you might just find yourself unable to sit still when you listen!

Love WindIkuta Rira

Lila Ikuta “Koikaze” Official Music Video

This piece was written as the theme song for ABEMA’s romance reality show “Kyo, Suki ni Narimashita: New Zealand Edition.” Created in April 2025 by Lila Ikuta, who is also active as the vocalist of the musical duo YOASOBI, it marks the third time she has provided a theme song for the series.

The song portrays someone hesitantly stepping forward—despite the confusion of falling in love and a timid heart shaped by past wounds—guided by sincere feelings.

Its fresh guitar sound, like the arrival of spring, gently embraces a wavering heart.

With Ikuta’s clear, translucent vocals that resonate deeply, it feels like the perfect number for the beginning of a new romance.

Love, Lala ~Where Love Is Headed~eill

eill | Love, lala ~Where Love Is Headed~ (Official Music Video)

A track by eill that evokes the glittering, slightly nostalgic sound of ’80s–’90s city pop.

As its moniker “summer love driving song” suggests, it portrays a romance where sweetness and heartache coexist.

You can feel the protagonist’s wavering emotions: anxiety about a relationship with no clear future, mixed with the resolve to move forward even if it means letting something go.

Having launched her full-fledged solo career in 2018, she released this song in July 2025, captivating listeners with its dramatic world-building.

It’s perfect for summer nights when you’re driving while thinking of someone special, or for a solo café moment when you want to sink into a slightly sentimental mood.

Its sophisticated melody will surely make your time feel special.

bouquetback number

back number – Bouquet (full)

This is a gem of a love song where unpretentious conversations between lovers convey a clumsy yet profound affection.

It portrays a vague anxiety about the future alongside a straightforward desire to stay together, and listening to it warms the heart.

Released in June 2011 as back number’s second single, the track is also included on the acclaimed album “SUPER STAR.” Many will recognize it as the ending theme for TBS’s COUNT DOWN TV.

The fact that it received over 50 power plays on radio stations nationwide at the time speaks to how much attention it garnered.

This work, which makes you feel the preciousness of everyday life with someone important, continues to be cherished as a classic wedding song.

Love’s Melody and Rainy SkiesAAA

AAA / “Love Sound and Rainy Sky” Music Video

It’s an exquisite love song brimming with the frustration of wanting to say “I love you” but not being able to.

Released in September 2013 as AAA’s 38th single, it was also included on the album Eighth Wonder.

The poignant melody, echoing the early autumn rainy skies, blends with the members’ emotionally rich vocals, and the swelling feelings press upon your heart.

It won the Excellence Award at the 55th Japan Record Awards.

Praised as a remedy for love, this track is perfect for listening on long autumn nights, lost in thought.