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 Soul-Cleansing Beautiful Ballads (81–90)
HumanNisshoku Natsuko
This is a track from the first full-length album, “Gyakko de Mienai,” released in 2015.
It’s a piano ballad that showcases Natsuko Nisshoku’s playing, which evokes a rich array of sounds like a full orchestra.
The fresh, sharp-edged lyrics convey anger and resignation, as well as the hope that stands in contrast to them.
Give it a relaxed listen amid the unresolved days of life.
Gather the WindYano Akiko
This is a track from the 1987 album GRANOLA.
It’s a cover of a classic by Happy End, the legendary Japanese band formed by lyricist Takashi Matsumoto and Haruomi Hosono of YMO.
Be sure to listen to this ballad, featuring a strikingly dynamic, free-roaming piano performance.
It’s just loveMISIA
This is a piano ballad included on “LOVE IS [Xth] E MESSAGE,” released in 2000.
Over the beautiful piano, MISIA’s soulful vocals resonate throughout.
The lyrics, written by MISIA herself, express the candid feelings of being in love.
It’s a song we want everyone in love to hear.
DESTINYMy Little Lover
This is the 11th single, released in 1998.
It’s a ballad featuring an evocative piano with a bittersweet, catchy melody.
Boosted by its tie-in with the drama “WI-maime no LOVE,” it became a major hit.
It’s a song I’d like people who can’t let go of their straightforward feelings of love to listen to.
GibbsShiina Ringo
A ballad released for the first time by Ringo Sheena, whose unique voice and performances never cease to captivate.
It sings of a girl who wants to cherish this very moment more than yesterday or tomorrow.
It’s a track where the bittersweetness typical of a ballad fuses with Ringo Sheena’s signature rock style.
At the beginning, the piano repeatedly plays the same note, leaving a striking impression.
The bittersweet yet powerful vocals and the strong instrumentation are irresistibly cool and resonate straight to the heart!
DearestHamasaki Ayumi
When it comes to divas, many people probably think of Ayumi Hamasaki.
Among her many ballads, this one is especially famous.
The dramatic climax at the end—unimaginable from the subdued beginning—is a must-hear.
Ayumi Hamasaki’s ability to sing this song with such a delicate voice is truly impressive.
J-Pop Songs You’ll Want to Play on Piano | A Curated Selection of Beautiful, Soul-Cleansing Ballads (91–100)
Like a star in the nightKuraki Mai
It’s a memorable song where Mai Kuraki performs a piano-and-vocal rendition in music videos and live shows.
It begins with a quiet tone that feels dark, as if expressing anxiety, and then, when the chorus hits, unfolds into a bright, majestic sound that makes the world seem to open up—almost like an escape from anxiety.
Because it’s a slow ballad, you can fully savor the subtle emotional nuances in the lyrics and Mai Kuraki’s excellent vocal technique.
