Moody Japanese classics: recommended popular songs

I’ve put together a playlist of moody Japanese songs—popular hits, timeless classics, and hidden gems—perfect for twilight or nighttime, when you want to savor some grown-up time.

It’s great for relaxing alone, or for listening quietly with your spouse, partner, or someone special.

Enjoy a wonderful time.

Playlist

Moody Japanese classics: recommended popular songs
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	AliensKirinji		Kirinji’s song “Alien” portrays a lonely love
2	Let yourself go with the flow of timeTeresa Ten		The Legend of Teresa Teng, the Diva of Asia
3	The Last RainYasushi Nakanishi		A gem-like ballad portraying rain and parting
4	Wine Red Heartanzenchitai		Safe Zone (Anzen Chitai) captivated by Koji Tamaki’s voice
5	Ti AmoEXILE		An adult love song about a forbidden romance
6	Sake, Tears, Men, and WomenKawashima Eigo		Eigo Kawashima’s Melancholy Masterpiece and Final Days
7	Pink sighTakahashi Mariko		A Mediterranean-style love classic: passion and beauty
8	Broken RadioTokunaga Hideaki		A masterpiece with captivating high notes and vibrato
9	The Path of Starlit Shadowschiaki naomi		The singer of applause, a moving masterpiece from their later years.
10	I LOVE YOUOzaki Yutaka		The sorrowful songstress, her soul is inherited by her son.
11	Love is overŌyō Fifi		A classic song by a Taiwanese singer about a breakup
12	dearestFukuyama Masaharu		A poignant tale of deep love and farewell
13	Crystal Kingdaitokai		A superb song with outstanding vocals, featuring captivating high notes and harmonies.
14	It’s a sad color, isn’t it?Ueda Masaki		Masaki Ueda’s classic song “It’s a Sad Color.”
15	I want to hug you.Mr.Children		A gem-like love ballad by Mr.Children
16	A street corner where even lovers get wetNakamura Masatoshi		Masatoshi Nakamura's classic melodies for adults
17	Scorpio womanMikawa Ken’ichi		Reappraising Kenichi Mikawa’s “Scorpio Woman”
18	Mary Janetsunoda☆hiro		Hiro Tsunoda’s deep voice is captivating.
19	atonementTeresa Ten		Teresa Teng's signature song Tsugunai
20	The one I still love even after we’ve broken upRosu Indiosu & Shiruvia		A classic mood-kayō hit that colored the Bubble Era
21	Lingering Snowiruka		The classic song “Nagori Yuki” by Iruka is moving.
22	So sad I can’t bear itZa Fōku Kurusedāzu		A moving work that brings tears with a heart-healing singing voice
23	Blue Light Yokohamaishida ayumi		Remembering Yokohama's night view and famous songs
24	Midnight PretendersAran Tomoko		A city pop classic, the feelings of the urban night
25	moonlightmoumoon		A heartwarming autumn night song embraced by moonlight
26	KanadeSukima Suichi		A gemlike ballad by Sukima Switch
27	Precious LoveEXILE ATSUSHI		A wedding song by EXILE ATSUSHI themed around love
28	Look up at the stars in the nightSakamoto Kyu		The Appeal of “Ue o Muite Arukō”
29	Until we meet againOzaki Kiyohiko		Kiyohiko Ozaki: an overwhelming voice and appearance
30	Why did I end up falling in love with you?Tōhōshinki		A ballad that portrays the poignancy of heartbreak and love
31	Good Night BabyZa Kingutonzu		Popular hit songs by The King Tones
32	Sometimes, old storiesKatō Tokiko		A song that shines with Tokiko Kato’s captivating singing voice
33	Ruby RingTerao Akira		The sexy singing voice and charm of Akira Terao
34	The Scent of CyclamenFuse Akira		Akira Fuse’s singing voice is charming and resonant.
35	Do whatever the hell you want.sawada kenji		The allure of the sexy singer, Kenji Sawada
36	Boat SongYashiro Aki		Aki Yashiro’s classic: a gentle song from a man’s perspective
37	rootKing Gnu		A warm ballad that sings of unassuming value
38	First LoveUtada Hikaru		A moving song by 15-year-old Hikaru Utada
39	Someday Merry ChristmasB’z		B’z’s classic Christmas ballad
40	Love SongGReeeeN		GReeeeN’s 2007 message song
41	Goodbyeofukōsu		A gem-like ballad depicting a breakup with a lover
42	single bedSha ran Q		A classic ballad by Sharan Q that poignantly depicts the heartache of a broken romance
43	Hide-and-seekYuuri		Yuri's debut song that depicts the pain of heartbreak
44	Close your eyesHirai Ken		A ballad about longing for a lost lover
45	White LoversKuwata Keisuke		A heartwarming ballad that turns the bittersweet love of winter into a blessing
46	Sharks and MermaidsOkamura Kazuyoshi		Kazuyoshi Okamura’s first ballad depicts an adult romance.
47	Lovers AgainEXILE		EXILE’s mature romantic ballad
48	Magic of a Summer Nightindigo la End		Beautifully depicting a delicate night scene and a heartrending love...
49	I can’t forget it.Sakanakushon		An unforgettable 80s-style song
50	NightmareSugiyama Kiyotaka		Kiyotaka Sugiyama’s new song, imbued with deep emotion and hope
51	Hymn to LoveKoshiji Fubuki		Fubuki Koshiji: The Allure of Chanson and Takarazuka
52	To Marie on Fifth AvenuePedoro & Kapurishasu		The depth of the classic songs sung by Mari Takahashi
53	A seagull is a seagull.Naoko Ken		Ken Naoko’s charm lies in her diverse expressions and striking contrasts.
54	Like the flow of a riverMisora Hibari		Hibari Misora, the last song with lyrics by Yasushi Akimoto
55	All-Night RadioAdo		Ado's new song becomes a TV drama theme song
56	My loverGorin Mayumi		A heartrending song that steals the heart, the sorrow of parting
57	A Good Day to Set Out on a JourneyYamaguchi Momoe		A classic song sung by Momoe Yamaguchi with youthful charm and sensuality
58	Listening to OliviaAnri		Anri’s debut song, written and composed by Ami Ozaki.
59	DESIRENakamori Akina		Akina Nakamori, who stands out as an outlier in the idol world
60	Love Story Comes SuddenlyOda Kazumasa		The classic song 'Because I Met You'