Timeless songs that go perfectly with autumn leaves. Autumn tunes ideal for beautiful scenery and drives.
During the fall foliage season, our hearts are captured by the beautiful landscapes that shine in the crisp autumn air.
Of course, the breathtaking views at famous spots are wonderful, but even the small scenes we come across in everyday life can soothe us.
Those vivid hues of red, yellow, and orange.
Spend the moment with music, and you’ll create even more wonderful memories.
In this article, we’ve picked songs that pair perfectly with autumn leaves.
There are plenty of autumn-themed songs, but surprisingly few that focus specifically on fall foliage.
So we’ve also included tunes that match a leisurely stroll, perfect drive songs for cruising down a momiji (maple) road, and some ballads as well.
We hope this helps you choose the perfect BGM for your fall foliage outings.
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Timeless songs that pair perfectly with autumn leaves. Fall tracks ideal for beautiful scenery and drives (1–10)
glowing madder-redAimer
A song sung by Aimer that seems to capture both the vividness and the melancholy of autumn scenery.
It was also used as the ending theme for the anime Natsume’s Book of Friends Go (Season 5).
The sound, centered on piano and strings, is striking, and its grand, evolving development feels as if it expresses the magnitude of the emotions within.
The lyrics, which strongly convey pain and suffering, are also memorable, evoking an image of being swallowed by autumn’s lonely atmosphere.
It’s a majestic piece that mirrors the changing colors of the leaves with shifts in one’s own emotions and surroundings, portraying a sense of carrying inner anguish.
Way of Light ~Autumn Leaves~Hanībēzu
This is a rearranged version of a children’s song released by Honey Bears in August 2023.
The lyrics, which juxtapose the beauty of autumn leaves with personal growth, are striking.
Its grand, melodic sound carries a nostalgic atmosphere.
Blending character-based content with music, this work vividly portrays autumn scenes, resonating deeply with listeners.
It’s perfect as background music for autumn leaf viewing or a scenic drive.
When you want to reflect in nature, listening to this song may give you the courage to take a new step forward.
Crescendo of Fallen LeavesKawai Sonoko
Many people who spent their youth in the 1980s still believe, even now in the 2020s, that Sonoko Kawai is the “eternal girl.” Known as member No.
12 of Onyanko Club and said to be the most popular, Kawai moved toward a more artist-focused path after her solo debut, aiming to step away from a pure idol image.
Her second solo single, “Ochiba no Crescendo,” released in 1985, was created by a golden duo: lyrics by Yasushi Akimoto and composition by Tsugutoshi Goto, who would later become her husband.
The lyrics compare the sorrow of heartbreak to falling leaves, and the achingly bittersweet yet irresistibly pop melody is, as expected, superb.
Kawai’s fresh, innocent vocals also have a charmingly idol-like quality.
If you take a drive during the autumn foliage season while listening to this song, you might find yourself feeling a little sad as images arise of those vividly colored leaves eventually becoming fallen leaves.
Masterpieces that pair well with autumn foliage: perfect fall songs for beautiful scenery and drives (11–20)
Even if blown by the windKeyakizaka46
If you want to boost your mood while driving along Momiji Road, I recommend “Kaze ni Fukaretemo.” Released by Keyakizaka46 in 2017, it was featured in a Mechakari commercial.
Its cool, stylish sound makes autumn’s colorful scenery feel even more fashionable.
The upbeat rhythm and catchy hooks add excitement to a walk or a drive.
The lyrics, which evoke falling leaves and the beauty of nature, will get you excited if you listen before heading out to see the autumn foliage!
street tree(s)Ozaki Yutaka
Singer-songwriter Yutaka Ozaki, who debuted as a teenage icon and achieved immense popularity, tragically passed away at the young age of 26 and became a legend.
Different from the Ozaki known for famous songs like “Graduation,” “Seventeen’s Night,” and “I LOVE YOU,” the title track of his masterpiece album “Gairoju” (Street Trees)—which clearly captures Ozaki in his twenties—was written based on his experiences while staying in New York.
The lyrics brilliantly liken the loneliness felt in a big city and the sight of people striving to live their lives to street trees.
The song is a magnificent masterpiece, beginning quietly in the first half and evolving into a grand arrangement with full orchestra and chorus in the latter half.
Those who only know Ozaki’s public image may be surprised by the mature melancholy that this track conveys.
Why not listen to it while watching autumn leaves drift down one by one?
Scent of autumnBikkeburanka
This is a song released in 2014 by Vickeblanka, known for arrangements that prominently feature high-tone vocals and piano.
From the very beginning, the soaring high notes instantly draw you into the world of the song.
It depicts the painful act of looking back on memories with an unforgettable loved one, while telling oneself not to remain stuck in place and to keep moving forward—a piece that evokes the loneliness of autumn.
A Colorful WorldJUDY AND MARY
This song by JUDY AND MARY seems to express a variety of emotions tied to autumn.
While it has a grand sound that evokes vast landscapes, it also conveys a cool, melancholic atmosphere like an autumn breeze.
The lyrics use many words that evoke the seasons of summer and autumn, creating a dreamy, floating sensation.
It portrays the transition from summer to autumn and the passage of one’s own time.
It’s a lonely yet powerful track that also conveys the changing colors of the trees and of one’s emotions.