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.
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J-Pop You’ll Want to Play on Piano | A Curated Selection of Beautiful, Soul-Cleansing Ballads (61–70)
I don’t like it.yangusukinii
Young Skinny is a four-piece rock band formed around Kayayu—who had been posting acoustic self-performances as a singer-songwriter on YouTube and TikTok—together with members recruited through social media.
Their final indie single, “Suki Janai yo,” draws you in from the layered intro of guitar, piano, and strings.
Its world depicting a sentimental heartbreak, paired with tear-jerking phrases, is sure to pierce the heart.
It’s a modern ballad with a beautiful, wistful melody.
FINAL DISTANCEUtada Hikaru
Many of you might know it because it was used in a docomo commercial.
It’s a song by Hikaru Utada, one of the singers leading the Japanese music scene, released in 2001 as her eighth single.
The beautiful harmony of piano and strings is moving on its own, and Utada’s vocals can bring you to tears.
Listening to it together as a couple might help you rediscover how important your partner is.
Be sure to sit down and really listen to it.
flameLiSA
This is the 17th single by female singer LiSA, chosen as the theme song for the film Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train, which has continued to break records not only in Japan but also on the international film scene.
LiSA’s powerful, emotional vocals and the majestic, commanding piano that matches the lyrics’ imagery come together to create a track that moves listeners even if they haven’t seen the movie.
It’s a standout ballad—both catchy and tinged with melancholy—that transcends the boundaries of what’s typically considered an anime song.
Azure Swimnishina
After her activities with Plusonica, singer-songwriter Nishina, whose songs feature lyrical lyrics and a soothing voice, has been drawing attention.
Her 14th single, “Seiran Yuei,” is striking for its clear, translucent melody carried by delicate piano phrases.
The lyrics, depicting someone unable to break free from their youth yet continuing to live on earnestly, are sure to resonate with many listeners.
It’s an emotional ballad whose fantastical worldview stirs the heart with its beauty.
to USalyu
This song is captivating for its resonant vocals and profound lyrics.
Salyu’s transparent voice gently delivers encouragement to those facing life’s hardships.
Marked by a beautiful piano tone, the track was released in July 2006 as Bank Band with Salyu and was also used as the theme song for TBS’s news program “Tetsuya Chikushi NEWS23.” The lyrics penned by Kazutoshi Sakurai carry thoughts for people who have experienced natural disasters, reminding us of the importance of supporting one another.
It’s a song I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone feeling worn out by daily life.
StoryAI
When it comes to love ballads that showcase solid vocal ability, AI’s “Story” comes to mind.
Released in 2005 as AI’s 12th single, it’s a song known for her powerful, gospel-inspired vocals.
An English version of “Story” was used as the Japanese ending theme for the 2014 film Big Hero 6.
The lyrics, which express a strong resolve to protect the one you love, match AI’s voice perfectly.
The piano accompaniment is also gospel-influenced and just as powerful as her vocals, so I highly recommend giving it a listen!
catDISH//
Written and composed by Aimyon, this song is performed by DISH// with Takumi Kitamura—who is also active as an actor—on vocals.
You can spot Aimyon’s distinctive ideas and unique word choices throughout the lyrics.
The breakup-themed lyrics, woven with such flavorful and striking expressions, together with the slow, gentle accompaniment, pierce straight into the heart.
Although the track was released in August 2017 as a coupling song to “Bokutachi ga Yarimashita,” it resurfaced in 2020 when an acoustic version was featured on the YouTube channel THE FIRST TAKE, drawing renewed attention.
It’s a song I’d recommend to anyone carrying a sense of heartbreak.