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