Songs of Nighttime Cherry Blossoms: A curated selection of classic and popular cherry blossom tracks that evoke a dreamlike scene!

Night Cherry Blossom BluesNagayama Yōko

Yoko Nagayama “Yozakura Blues” Music Video

Young people may not know this, but Yoko Nagayama used to be a full-on idol.

Her cover songs—like Jun Mayuzumi’s “I Want to Ride the Clouds” and Bananarama’s “Venus”—were huge hits, and there was a time when she was hailed as the queen of covers.

Then came her sudden switch to enka… it was quite a shock back then.

Her nighttime cherry-blossom song is this one, “Yozakura Blues.” Set in Kyoto, the lyrics dwell on a man she parted ways with; while it chronicles heartbreak, there’s a certain springlike brightness to it.

The slightly pop-tinged enka sound seems to give spring an extra push, too.

It’s a track I’d recommend even to those who aren’t into enka.

cherry blossomNagabuchi Tsuyoshi

Sakura

It’s a masterpiece that exudes the melancholy of a man feeling lonely on a night by himself.

It’s a song by Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi, a singer-songwriter from Kagoshima Prefecture, included on his 21st album “FRIENDS,” released in 2009.

There are times when you catch yourself thinking, “I’m jealous of the way that person lives,” right? And compared to that, you end up sinking into self-loathing.

It’s a piercing ballad that traces memories while reflecting on the night cherry blossoms.

Be sure to listen to it on a spring evening while taking a walk.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Araki Jakkan

Report a problem

cherry blossoms at nightAldious

Aldious / Night Sakura (LIVE) from “Radiant A Live at O-EAST” (DVD)

A song by Aldious, a metal band that leads Japan’s girls’ metal scene with flashy costumes and top-tier musicianship.

It pairs the imagery of nighttime cherry blossoms with metal—an unlikely combination—but the result is a superb track where a robust metal sound carries melodies rich with the kind of wistful emotion beloved in Japan.

The classical, melodic twin-lead guitar harmonies featuring tapping are pleasing to the ear, making this a night-cherry-blossom song we’d recommend even to those unfamiliar with metal.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Hoshino Takashi

Report a problem

cherry blossoms at nightYamakawa Yutaka

Yozakura

It’s a melancholic song that contrasts the beauty of cherry blossoms at night with a life filled with struggles alongside a loved one.

It’s sung by Yutaka Yamakawa, an enka singer from Mie Prefecture who drew attention with his debut single “Hakodate Main Line.” It was released in 1992 as his 13th single.

The lyrics—saying that being with you is all that matters—really hit home.

It feels like watching a scene from a movie.

You can’t help but hope that all those hardships and heartfelt feelings will be rewarded someday.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Araki Jakkan

Report a problem

PuzzleKanjani∞

Puzzle Kanjani Eight Cover

Kanjani Eight’s “Puzzle” is a song that makes you feel as if your heart is being tightly gripped.

Released in 2009 as the lead track of the album PUZZLE, it was written and composed by Kazuyoshi Saito, who has also recorded it as a self-cover.

Songs that suit viewing cherry blossoms at night are often love songs, but this one feels more like taking a hard look at your current self—some listeners may even feel a slight ache in their chest.

It’s a sentimental tune that brings back memories of places you used to hang out and friends from the past when you’re feeling down.

True to Kanjani Eight’s style, it also weaves in place names and landmarks from Osaka.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

utatane

Report a problem