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 (71–80)
Rainy Melody of LoveJanne Da Arc
A ballad by Janne Da Arc, famous as a visual kei band.
The vocalist’s unexpectedly high voice for a man is extremely captivating.
The song’s atmosphere retains a band-like feel and is really cool.
Highly recommended for its song structure and the band’s performance skills.
Reunion (produced by Ayase)LiSA×Uru
A moving ballad that symbolizes the end of winter and a new beginning.
LiSA’s clear, translucent vocals blend exquisitely with Uru’s deep expressiveness, stirring the listener’s heart.
The delicate piano work by Ayase conveys both poignancy and warmth at the same time.
Released in November 2020, the song was also used as the theme for the animated film “STAND BY ME Doraemon 2.” Their performance on the YouTube channel THE FIRST TAKE drew widespread attention and has been embraced by many.
It’s a heartwarming number you’ll want to savor on a quiet winter night.
DrifterHarada Ikuko
The gently murmuring, conversational singing voice and the beautiful tone of the piano resonate in the heart.
It’s a solo track by Ikuko Harada, the vocalist of the band clammbon, included on her 2008 release Kihai to Yoin (Traces and Afterglow).
For moments like “My heart feels a little tired” or “I’m anxious about what the future holds,” this work will be there by your side.
Listen while reflecting on your past and your future.
CAN YOU CELEBRATE?Amuro Namie
When it comes to the signature works of Heisei-era diva Namie Amuro, this song is the one.
This ballad, marked by its gentle, graceful piano tones, is beloved as a classic wedding song.
Released in February 1997, it became a major hit as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Virgin Road.” Its lyrics tenderly depict two people vowing eternal love, resonating deeply with many listeners.
Amuro’s transparent, pure vocals blend beautifully with Tetsuya Komuro’s delicate composition, and the result became the best-selling track in her catalog.
It’s a song you’ll want to listen to when you want to feel the bond with someone special.
SWEET 19 BLUSEAmuro Namie
This is the title track from the seventh album, SWEET 19 BLUES, released in 1996.
It was later released as a single and became a huge hit.
The piano by producer Tetsuya Komuro is particularly memorable.
There was indeed a time when no one could have imagined that these two would announce their retirement.
It’s a timeless masterpiece that transcends the passage of time.
Pure Love SongShonan no Kaze
A very easy-to-listen track that blends hip-hop with a ballad.
It’s an excellent song that expresses young people’s romantic feelings.
The hip-hop elements with skillful rhymes and the ballad-style chorus are outstanding.
I think many people discovered Shonan no Kaze through this song.
Decembermilet
“December,” included on the 2023 album 5am by singer milet—who has released many collaborative tracks—expresses her feelings for her mother and sings about how childhood experiences support who she is today.
Her smooth delivery, weaving Japanese and English lyrics, conveys love and gratitude to the mother who has supported her all along.
It’s a moving ballad carried by beautiful strings and piano melodies.
Performing it while thinking of someone dear might bring a lump to your throat.
