J-POP to Play on Piano | A Curated Selection of Beautiful, Soul-Cleansing Ballads
Ballad-style songs often weave warm messages and heartrending stories, and there are so many that really pierce the heart! Such bittersweet yet beautiful ballad songs pair perfectly with the delicate tones of the piano.
Performing them as piano solos without vocals brings out subtle changes in melody and harmony, letting you feel a different kind of beauty from the original.
In this article, we’ll introduce Japanese ballads that are perfect for piano performance.
We’ve picked a variety of songs—from tear-jerkingly poignant to beautifully cleansing—so please take your time and savor them.
J-POP I Want to Play on the Piano | Carefully Selected Beautiful, Soul-Cleansing Ballads (1–10)
Song of PointillismInoue Sonoko
A song that adds a touch of brilliance to the story as an insert track for the film “Aonatsu: 30 Days with You.” Although the two protagonists have feelings for each other, they somehow know they can’t stay together forever—this song portrays their bittersweet love.
It evokes a vividly illustrated page of youthful days.
The lyrics and vocals, vibrant yet tinged with sorrow, are further colored by the piano accompaniment.
Be sure to check out the version sung together with Mrs.
GREEN APPLE as well.
CorrectRADWIMPS
A RADWIMPS song that tells a heartrending story.
Its simple, warmly nostalgic melody pairs beautifully with piano.
Start by practicing the right-hand melody, which is catchy and easy to remember, then add the left-hand bass to keep the beat.
To build up to a powerful chorus, play the other sections gently; adding clear dynamics will create a grand performance that evokes deep emotion.
Released digitally in January 2024 and issued on CD shortly after, this piece is also known as a staple for graduation season.
As it’s increasingly sung at ceremonies, some of you may have already tried your hand at the piano accompaniment.
Mutual loveaiko
Aiko’s new song delicately portrays a bittersweet love.
Its warm melody and lyrics brimming with feelings for the other person resonate deeply.
Released in April 2024, the track was also chosen as the ending theme for the anime film Detective Conan.
Though the tempo is relaxed, it calls for nuanced emotional expression, so when playing it on the piano, be mindful of the lyrics’ world and play with care.
It’s a recommended piece for those who want to cherish the feeling of being in love or express their feelings for someone special through music.
SubtitleOfisharu Higedan Dism
An emotional winter ballad seeking warmth amid the freezing cold.
Distinguished by its sensual melody and lyrics that sing of deep affection, this piece pairs perfectly with the sound of the piano.
Satoshi Fujihara’s clear, transparent vocals from Official HIGE DANDism blend beautifully with the piano’s delicate tones.
Released in October 2022, it drew major attention as the theme song for the drama “silent,” starring Haruna Kawaguchi.
Highly recommended if you’re looking for a heartrending song about parting with a lover or cherishing feelings for someone important.
dogwood (flowering dogwood)Hitoto Yo
Here is one of Yo Hitoto’s signature songs, released in 2004.
After an opening featuring only a striking piano and vocals, the piece builds into a moving arrangement.
It was written in a short time, inspired by an email from a friend who was in New York when the September 11 attacks occurred.
The song has been covered by many artists, and in 2010, a film inspired by it was released.
Its theme of human love and the raw sound of the piano deeply resonate with the heart.
globeYonezu Kenshi
This piece was written as the theme song for the film The Boy and the Heron, directed by Hayao Miyazaki.
Created by Kenshi Yonezu after five years of exchanges with Miyazaki, it’s a deeply moving song.
It carries a hopeful message that “the future stretches on forever,” gently enveloping the listener’s heart.
Released in July 2023, it created a major buzz, topping the charts on various streaming platforms.
In piano performance, the beauty of the melody stands out even more.
Don’t worry too much about the changes in meter—just follow the notes while picturing the melody.
Once you’re comfortable, add dynamics to heighten the chorus.
It’s a recommended track for anyone seeking a soothing, heartwarming moment.
aspiration; longing; ardent desireFukuyama Masaharu
This work is characterized by a profoundly moving, beautiful melody and lyrics filled with deep emotion.
Released in December 2023 as the theme song for the film “If I Could Meet You Again at the Hill Where That Flower Blooms,” it pairs perfectly with the gentle timbre of the piano; adding delicate expression in performance brings out the song’s appeal even more.
Echoing a story set in Japan during wartime, it sings of love for a cherished person and the preciousness of life.
Combined with Masaharu Fukuyama’s warm vocals, it’s a song that resonates deeply with listeners.
It’s one I particularly recommend to those who have experienced parting from someone important or who stand at a crossroads in life.
SoranjiMrs. GREEN APPLE
This song delves deeply into the preciousness of life.
Characterized by beautiful strings and a mystical chorus, its subtle melodic and harmonic shifts stand out even more when performed on piano.
The title, inspired by soranjiru—meaning “to recite by heart without looking”—embodies the idea of repeatedly recalling everyday life and the bonds with loved ones, reaffirming their value.
Released in July 2023, it was chosen as the theme song for the film ‘From Lageri with Love,’ starring Kazunari Ninomiya and Keiko Kitagawa.
With this work, Mrs.
GREEN APPLE emphasizes the importance of maintaining the courage to keep moving forward despite hardships and setbacks.
It’s a perfect song for those who want to rediscover the significance of often-overlooked moments and the value of their bonds in daily life.
I was looking at the moon.Yonezu Kenshi
Kenshi Yonezu, the singer-songwriter whose 2018 release “Lemon” was a huge hit.
His 2023 release “Tsuki wo Miteita” (“I Saw the Moon”) opens with a very striking, emotional intro featuring only soft vocals and piano.
The highlight is when the chorus arrives: the strings come in all at once, and his singing shifts to a more powerful tone.
Another must-hear moment is the development right after the chorus, where it pares back to just strings and piano.
Overall, there are many sections where you can enjoy the harmony between the piano and the other parts, so be sure to listen with that in mind!
seamUeno Daiki
A heartfelt ballad by Daiki Ueno that pairs perfectly with the piano’s delicate tones.
Released in April 2024 as the opening theme for the Kansai TV/Fuji TV Monday 10 p.m.
drama “Unmet: A Neurosurgeon’s Diary,” this piece portrays the ebb and flow of memory and emotion, as well as the ambiguous boundaries that lie within people’s hearts.
The lyrics, where tenderness and anxiety intersect, are sure to resonate deeply with listeners.
The melodic composition and Ueno’s gentle vocals create a soundscape whose beauty stands out even more when performed as a piano solo.
Try playing this piece on a quiet night or in a moment when you’re thinking of someone special.