[2026] A summer song that tightens your chest with bittersweet feelings. A classic summer tune that touches the heart.

When you think of summer, many people imagine a season of fun at the beach and festivals! That said, have you ever felt the unique wistfulness or loneliness that only summer brings? Precisely because it’s such a hot, blazing time of year, the quiet of the night can squeeze your heart with a pang of sorrow, and the end of summer can leave you feeling lonely…

In this article, we’ll introduce plenty of songs filled with that bittersweet, sentimental feeling that’s unique to summer.

Experience another side of summer—one that’s not just about fun.

Playlist

[2026] A summer song that tightens your chest with bittersweet feelings. A classic summer tune that touches the heart.
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	All of the YouthFujifaburikku		Fujifabric's bittersweet summer classic
2	fireworks (launched into the sky)DAOKO × Yonezu Kenshi		A collaboration between Kenshi Yonezu and DAOKO, the theme song for a film.
3	The Summer When You Were ThereMr.Children		Bittersweetly reminiscing about the summer memories with you
4	secret base 〜What You Gave Me〜ZONE		An emotional summer song that promises a reunion with a best friend
5	Only for you, clear skiesYorushika		Depicting the brilliance of youth and a sense of loss
6	The End of SummerMoriyama Naotaro		Naotaro Moriyama’s classic song that sings of summer’s end
7	Marigoldaimyon		Aimyong’s masterpiece: the bittersweet feelings of summer
8	Midsummer FruitSazan Ōrusutāzu		A Southern All Stars classic that beautifully sings of lingering feelings for a past love
9	cotton candyback number		Back Number’s summer festival ballad
10	summer stormJenīhai		A poignant classic that resonates at summer’s end
11	sunflowerAdo		A moving work that sings of warmth and delicate emotions
12	SunshadeYuka		A summer classic that gently wraps the pain of heartbreak
13	To my dear youInoue Sonoko		Depicting a bittersweet love in the summer twilight
14	Nagisasupittsu		A poignant Spitz classic that evokes the end of summer
15	miraclemiwa		A refreshing, exhilarating summer love song written and composed by miwa
16	SUMMER SONGYUI		YUI's summer classic, an emotionally rich song.
17	Heat haze of Augustmakaroni enpitsu		Macaroni Enpitsu's summer youth song
18	Summer IllusionOmoinotake		Omoinotake’s Natsukoi Song
19	Live the summerRyokushokushakai		A youth song that sings of summer passion and hard work
20	sea glasssutoreitenaa		A poignant classic that captures the end of summer
21	NatsuneYuuri		Yuuri’s masterpiece that sings of the end of summer
22	Goodbye, Summer DaysYamashita Tatsuro		Tatsuro Yamashita’s masterpiece depicting the end of summer and personal growth
23	Magic of a Summer Nightindigo la End		A bittersweet love song by indigo la End
24	The Story You Don’t Knowsupercell		Signature songs of supercell: the aching sorrow of unspoken love
25	WILLNakajima Mika		Mika Nakashima’s heartbreak song WILL
26	Fireworks in Augustmurasaki ima		A song that sings of the loneliness at the end of summer
27	You are the seaMy Hair is Bad		A bittersweet summer song by My Hair is Bad
28	Summer NudeMagokoro Burazāzu		The poignant lyrics of Magokoro Brothers' classic summer song
29	Nylon threadSakanakushon		Sakanaction’s mellow summer song
30	Summer memories scented by the windAAA		A song that portrays a bittersweet summer romance
31	Summer Days of 1993class		A refreshing song themed around the summers of the ’90s
32	Dawn and Firefliesn-buna		A song about finding a light toward the future while being lost
33	I miss youBEGIN		BEGIN’s debut song, the sorrow of parting
34	dogwood (flowering dogwood)Hitoto Yo		A moving song that wishes for the happiness of a loved one
35	BoyhoodInoue Yosui		About Inoue Yosui’s representative summer song, characterized by nostalgia and gentleness
36	Summer NudeToki Asako		"Summer Nude" is a classically mature summer love song.
37	Let me hear the poetry of the wind.Kuwata Keisuke		Keisuke Kuwata’s bittersweet summer song
38	Perfect Blue feat. Tiji Jojo, Daichi Yamamoto, RYO-ZSTUTS & ZOT on the WAVE		A song that depicts the blue sky and sea, and the bittersweet memories of summer
39	The summer you gave meieiri reo		Leo Ieiri's love song, the bittersweetness of summer
40	A midsummer passing showerUtada Hikaru		Utada Hikaru’s heartrending masterpiece
41	Voice of the Seaurashima tarō (kiritani kenta)		The Voice of the Sea is a bittersweet love song about unrequited love.
42	Summer HornsInagaki Junichi		A poignant masterpiece for the end of summer
43	Ghost of the SeaYonezu Kenshi		Movie theme song, a song of meeting, parting, and reunion
44	Summer loverSHISHAMO		A woman's struggle and resolve to end a summer romance
45	That summer is becoming an addiction.Jenīhai		A nostalgic song that depicts the end of summer
46	Trace that dreamYOASOBI		YOASOBI's bittersweet summer love tune
47	Dawn in Summeratarayo		A ballad that delicately portrays memories of parting at the summer sea
48	Blue SummerTRACK15		Singing of a frustrating love at summer’s end
49	Rainy WednesdayOhtaki Eiichi		Eiichi Ohtaki’s summer classic, a piece of music brimming with emotion.
50	You from that summerSugiyama Kiyotaka		An unforgettable summer memory that touches the heart
51	The Last Song of MidsummerAratani Shota		A bittersweet farewell song that feels like the end of summer
52	The End of SummerPRINCESS PRINCESS		A heartbreak song about the end of love
53	Baby, I love youTEE		A signature song that expresses a bittersweet love from a male perspective
54	summer festivalWhiteberry		A famous summer song that sings of the loneliness of a broken heart
55	fireworksaiko		A song by aiko about the heartbreak of not being able to go to the fireworks
56	balladKetsumeishi		A ballad by Ketsumeishi about an unrequited love
57	Tears Flowing EndlesslyNatsukawa Rimi		A classic summer song themed around tears in the Okinawan dialect
58	tear(s)Marushii		Bittersweet memories of heartbreak at summer’s end
59	I want to be your lover.Abe Mao		A love song that poignantly portrays a one-sided summer crush
60	I saw you.≠ME		A bittersweet summer crush, a song that resonates in the heart of youth
61	Shadows of SummerMrs. GREEN APPLE		A pop song by Mrs. GREEN APPLE themed around summer
62	Goldfish FireworksOtsuka Ai		Ai Otsuka’s famous ballad themed around a summer breakup
63	Summer-colored FireworksSnow Man		A ballad of gratitude and loneliness depicting a summer scene
64	SetsukaYamamoto Aya		Sayaka Yamamoto’s new summer-themed song, produced by Seiji Kameda
65	Drowning in summerBocchi		A song in which Bocchi sings about summer memories
66	July 7, sunnyDREAMS COME TRUE		A bittersweet love song, the theme for a Tanabata romance movie
67	Sound of SummerGReeeeN		GReeeeN’s summer song portrays unrequited love and fireworks
68	Ice Cream SyndromeSukima Suichi		Sukima Switch's bittersweet love song
69	I miss you.UVERworld		A song of bittersweet feelings about parting from a lover to pursue a dream
70	KissHugaiko		aiko summer songs, depictions of lingering feelings for past romances
71	Lovers’ Fireworksmatsuri feat. enu		A bittersweet love between two people brought together by fireworks
72	parasolNanawo Akari		A bittersweet song about Nanaou Akari’s summer memories
73	fireworksSandaime Jē Sōru Burazāzu fromu Eguzairu Toraibu		A bittersweet love song likened to fireworks
74	AitaiKato Miria		Miliyah Kato’s classic song “Aitai” is a summer tune.
75	Ephemeral FireworksKami wa saikoro o furanai		A song that portrays a bittersweet love at the end of summer
76	fireflyFujita Maiko		The ache of not knowing how the other person feels
77	Shonan My LoveTUBE		A ballad that brings back Shonan youth memories
78	Goodbye Sunset feat. Emi OkamotoRIP SLYME		Nostalgically depicting the end of a summer romance
79	Because of the summerRADWIMPS		RADWIMPS's 'Natsu no Sei' is a beautiful, floaty song
80	Tears of Tropical FishFlower		Flower’s classic song about summer love
81	summer hazeatarayo		A love song that sings of Atarayo’s summer
82	Spicasupittsu		A double A-side single with Spitz’s “Kaede”
83	Lamp starharuka nakamura + suis from Yorushika		A film theme song whose delicate music envelops the heart
84	Sunflower FireworksAile The Shot		A sentimental song that portrays the bittersweet feelings of summer love.
85	Fireworks feat. SHUedhiii boi		A summer love song by edhiii boi and his junior
86	Sentimental Sorrow Flowerkohanaramu		Kohanarame’s end-of-summer sense of loss piano ballad
87	fireworkschanyu i		Chanyu-I’s fireworks were inspired by the Ehime fireworks festival.
88	Heartfelt Fireworksmafumafu		Mafumafu’s summer love song, a track that layers fleeting ephemerality over fireworks
89	I Hopeyoru yoru		Yaya’s “I Hope” is a masterpiece to listen to at the end of summer.
90	Blue Hawaii Lemon≒JOY		A refreshing ≒JOY song that portrays the feelings of summer love
91	Midsummer day!Nogizaka 46		Nogizaka song that depicts summer memories
92	No match for itNatsukawa Shiina		Shiena Natsukawa’s laid-back girls’ rock
93	Run Through the MemoriesMy Hair is Bad		My Hair is Bad’s new song expresses summer memories and hope
94	August Is My Namekururi		Quruli's wistful, nostalgic melody
95	left-right confusionYorushika		Yorushika’s ballad for a movie theme song
96	End of SummerShimizu Shota		Shota Shimizu’s famous song depicting a summer breakup
97	SUMMER ENDiri		A heartfelt song by iri that portrays the end of summer
98	Shadows of Summerkinoko teikoku		A song where bittersweet emotions resonate on a summer evening
99	Summer Time MagicAme no Parēdo		A classic rain parade that evokes summer
100	A Midsummer NightHatsukoi no Arashi		A first love ballad echoing on a summer night
101	Fish’s LoveSuper VHS		A bittersweet summer romance, urban electropop
102	H.A.N.A.B.I ~The Summer When You Were There~ZONE		Vivid memories of summer love and fireworks
103	The Whereabouts on August 31furenzu		Depicting a poignant love at the end of summer
104	NatsuneGLAY		A moving ballad where summer romance and scenery intertwine
105	White BeachHY		A classic that depicts Okinawa’s scenery and the emotions of the seasons
106	Ghost in the FlowersYorushika		A wistful melody that paints memories of summer
107	Unchanging ThingsOku Hanako		A ballad that gently accompanies Okuda Hanako’s heart
108	HANABIHamasaki Ayumi		A poignant classic that captures the end of summer
109	sunflowerFukuyama Masaharu		A heartwarming song that sings of summer memories
110	GarnetOku Hanako		The theme song of The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, a track that resonates with the heart
111	Midsummer FireworksLIL LEAGUE		A poignant love song that likens a summer romance to fireworks
112	Promise of SunflowersHata Motohiro		The Doraemon theme song, the poignancy of parting
113	Our Summer DreamYamashita Tatsuro		Tatsuro Yamashita’s moving summer classic
114	Blue JeanGLAY		Summer seaside, the melody of a nostalgic love
115	mixMarushii		Google Pixel CM song, Marcy's heart-touching track
116	A Shortcut to SummerSakurazaka46		A summer youth love song that resonates with the heart
117	You’re not here.Saucy Dog		A summer dusk, memories of a bittersweet love
118	TSUNAMISazan Ōrusutāzu		Heartbreak emotions swaying like waves
119	Summertime CinderellaRyokushokushakai		A heartwarming song that depicts the bittersweet feelings of a summer love
120	Magic hourRyokushokushakai		A song of pure feelings on a summer evening
121	A summer night in the citykinoko teikoku		A song by Kinoko Teikoku that paints a heartrending reminiscence
122	Fireworks of ShoesYorushika		Music that depicts the transience of fireworks and the tremors of the heart
123	sparklerInoue Sonoko		A coming-of-age song that poignantly sings of summer’s end
124	The Summer That Vanished Beyond the GlassŌsawa Yoshiyuki		A wistful love ballad at summer’s end
125	late summer heatkaho		Music of the wistfulness and hope at summer’s end
126	fireflyFukuyama Masaharu		Masaharu Fukuyama's heartrending summer ballad
127	Front memorySuzuki Emiko × Kameda Seiji		A song of summer memories and bittersweet love
128	Brilliant RainKing Gnu		A strong will to face adversity and musicality
129	Beautiful finsupittsu		An ocean-inspired worldview, a Detective Conan theme song, and a classic by Spitz
130	Stars swimmakaroni enpitsu		A rock song that portrays the sense of loss in summer and youth
131	JULYMs. OOJA		A ballad by Ms.OOJA. It expresses the feelings of a summer romance.
132	ENDLESS SUMMER NUDEMagokoro Burazāzu		Magokoro Brothers’ summer love song from 1997
133	fireworksAAA		A wistful song themed around AAA’s summer festival
134	Song of PointillismMrs. GREEN APPLE		A wistful love in the insert song of Aonatsu
135	sea glassSaucy Dog		Saucy Dog's summer song 'Sea Glass'
136	Embracing SummerTUBE		TUBE's Summer Love Love Song
137	rememberUru		Uru’s moving theme song
138	Summer Love Lifeaiko		Aiko’s heartbreak songs color the end of summer.
139	Summer MemoriesKetsumeishi		Introducing Ketsumeishi’s classic summer songs
140	Sentimental Ghost feat. OkiishiNatsunose		A song that sings of the bittersweet feelings at the end of summer
141	First NightYorushika		A bittersweet ballad of memories to listen to on a summer night
142	Sparklers feat. Lila IkutaSato Chiaki		A collaboration song of sparklers
143	Summer AfternoonŌura Ryūichi		Expressing the poignant emotions of a summer afternoon on the piano
144	Time, stop.Yazawa Eikichi		Eikichi Yazawa’s summer song “Stop Time”
145	NatsumiAKASAKI		A bittersweet love song depicting the end of summer in AKASAKI
146	SpumoniBREIMEN		Digital release of a bittersweet summer love-themed song
147	Those summer fireworksDREAMS COME TRUE		DREAMS COME TRUE’s classic summer song that evokes nostalgic memories
148	fireworkskyanai		The summer farewell song that Kyanai announced upon returning
149	Golden MoonSuga Shikao		Lyric analysis of Shikao Suga’s summer-oriented songs
150	bubble; foam; ephemeral (as in something short-lived)wanuka		Introducing the Fleeting Charm of Wanuka’s Summer Song
151	blue moontoukyou shoki shoudou		Rock ballad of Tokyo Initial Impulse
152	Summer DayMoritaka Chisato		Chisato Moritaka's Summer Love Song
153	SquallFukuyama Masaharu		Masaharu Fukuyama's summer love ballad
154	The Summer That Vanished Beyond the GlassSuzuki Masayuki		A poignant masterpiece ballad that looks back on a summer romance
155	Becoming a Thousand WindsAkiyama Masashi		Masafumi Akikawa’s “A Thousand Winds” and related songs
156	Summer Melancholy [time to say good-bye]L’Arc〜en〜Ciel		L'Arc's Summer of Depression is making headlines
157	I’ve listened to so many heartbreak songs, and I’m done with being someone who just keeps crying.riria.		Riria provides a ballad as a heartbreak song
158	as alwaysChatto Monchī		A poignant song by Chatmonchy about summer love
159	August nightyangusukinii		A rock song depicting young, skinny love
160	planetariumOtsuka Ai		Ai Otsuka’s signature song about summer memories
161	tropical nightSHISHAMO		SHISHAMO’s Tropical Night sings of yearning love
162	The Swirling Summer Fermataoishikuru meronpan		A song that expresses the sense of loss at the end of summer
163	Harmony at the End of SummerInoue Yosui & Anzen Chitai		Inoue Yosui and Anzenchitai’s “Harmony at Summer’s End”
164	Drops of SummerŌyama Yurika with LiLi		A summer song that cherishes being yourself
165	Fireworks MagicAnsako		A love song with a fireworks theme
166	Way Of DifferenceGLAY		A bittersweet love story from GLAY
167	At the mercy of the seaYOASOBI		Depicting the poignancy of summer in a YOASOBI song