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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Classic songs that go well with autumn leaves: perfect fall tracks for beautiful scenery and drives (41–50)
On the maple path, on the hill where a guitar playsKOTOKO
KOTOKO, a singer who has also performed as a vocalist for I’ve in the past, enjoys popularity not only in Japan but overseas as well.
The track Kaede no Michi, Gitaa no Kanaderu Oka de from her third album UZU-MAKI leaves a lasting impression with its airy guitar sound and catchy melodies.
The lyrics, marked by striking depictions of regret while looking back on past actions, are likely to resonate with many listeners’ own experiences.
It’s a number whose cute vocals and lively sound feel delightful, yet can stir a touch of sadness when you listen to it while watching the autumn leaves.
The Koshu Highway is already in autumn.RC sasekushon
RC Succession is a rock band formed around Kiyoshiro Imawano, known as a rock star who left his mark on J-pop history.
Although it was never released as a single, Koshu Kaido wa Mou Aki na no sa, included on their third album Single Man, is regarded as one of RC Succession’s notable songs.
The plaintive vocals and ensemble evoke a nostalgic feeling, like the emotions stirred by autumn foliage.
As the title suggests, it’s a lyrical number you’ll want to listen to while traveling along the Koshu Highway in the fall.
Promise in Madder Redikimonogakari
When there’s a hint of autumn in the air, it makes you want to listen to gentle, sentimental music.
“Akane-iro no Yakusoku” is the perfect song for autumn drives and outings.
It was released by Ikimono-gakari in 2007 and was featured in a commercial for au’s “LISMO.” The lyrics, which showcase the beauty of the Japanese language, pair wonderfully with autumn’s vivid scenery.
Its mid-tempo ballad feel adds a touch of elegance to leisurely trips.
Why not add this song to your playlist and let it deepen the memories you share with someone special?
It’s already autumn.CRAZY KEN BAND
A song vividly portraying autumn scenery has arrived from Crazy Ken Band.
Released in September 2006, this work delicately captures the changing of the seasons.
Ken Yokoyama’s warm vocals beautifully evoke the feeling of autumn air.
With a unique choice of words, it weaves scenes where the lingering traces of summer meet the arrival of fall.
The rhythm—perfect for a drive—and the gently reflective lyrics form a pleasing contrast, making it a great companion for autumn foliage outings.
It’s a track that accompanies the small moments of everyday life.
The melody flowing past the window view feels like being wrapped in an autumn breeze, and it fits perfectly with the sentimental mood of twilight.
The youth I walked through with youŌta Hiromi
Although they moved up to Tokyo together, it became necessary to send only the woman back to her hometown.
This is a delicate autumn song gently sung by Hiromi Ohta, herself a woman, capturing the man’s feelings.
Words like the hometown’s fluttering autumn leaves and the evening glow of clouds vividly evoke the scenery.
Ruby RingTerao Akira
When you think of “Ruby no Yubiwa” (Ruby Ring), it’s a smash hit that represents the 1980s and also the biggest hit for Akira Terao, renowned as both a musician and an actor.
With lyrics by the master Takashi Matsumoto and music composed by Terao himself, “Ruby no Yubiwa” was released in 1981 as his sixth solo single, and it’s interesting that it only started selling about a month after it came out.
It also won the 23rd Japan Record Award, cementing its status as one of the most iconic songs in Japanese popular music.
In the 2020s, it’s highly regarded as city pop, too—the urbane sound arrangement with a hint of jazz and Terao’s deeply cool, rugged vocals are just unbelievably dandy and stylish.
While it’s not specifically an autumn-themed song, the slightly lonely atmosphere of fall and the song’s sense of melancholy seem like they’d pair together perfectly.
a balmy autumn daytsukuyomi
A song that portrays the changing seasons and the transience of life.
The beauty of autumn’s turning leaves is expressed as a symbol of an impending farewell.
The lyrics, which mirror life in the falling leaves, evoke deep emotion.
Released in August 2024, this work is part of Tsukuyomi’s project “We Call That God.” It’s slated to be included on a mini-album of the same name, featuring an interconnected world that ties in with a novel and visual content.
Perfect for moments when you want to feel the quiet and melancholy of autumn, and highly recommended as background music for a fall foliage drive.