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 Songs You’ll Want to Play on Piano | A Curated Selection of Beautiful, Soul-Cleansing Ballads (91–100)
Is there still anything that love can do?RADWIMPS
This song became the theme for the smash-hit animated film Weathering With You, so it’s a very well-known track across generations.
It’s a gentle ballad with beautiful piano melodies, yet it carries an incredibly strong core.
I think it resonates deeply with listeners of any age or background.
It’s the kind of song you’d want to keep as a charm for tough times—one that makes you feel you can live strongly with the teachings of that special someone in your heart.
tomorrowNoda Megumi
A ballad that portrays a bittersweet state of mind with a voice where gentleness and strength coexist.
The delicate conflict of trying to move forward to protect what’s precious is expressed with nuance.
Woven with a tender, translucent vocal, the melody sinks deeply into the listener’s heart.
Released by Emi Noda in October 2024 as the theme song for the drama “My Treasure,” the track features a sound marked by evocative piano and strings.
It’s a song that gently gives a push to those who, despite their doubts, choose to face forward and live on.
Perfect for moments when you want to convey your feelings to someone important through song, or when you need to rouse your own spirits.
The thing I wanted mostMakihara Noriyuki
“The Thing I Wanted Most” is a self-cover that Noriyuki Makihara released in 2004 with new Japanese lyrics for “THE GIFT,” a song he originally provided to the British group Blue.
It was used as the theme song for the NTV drama “Last Present: The Final Summer Living with My Daughter.” The song beautifully conveys human kindness, and its lyrics leave you with a warm feeling.
The piano performance carries a powerful, gospel-like intensity, offering many standout moments.
Be sure to listen with a focus on the piano!
Only youDani.
A gem of a love song where inorganic, Auto-Tuned vocals blend beautifully with passionate lyrics about pure love.
Dani.’s delicate voice gently embraces the vow of eternal love.
Rather than someone out in the world, the lyrics plainly trace the changing emotions brought about by meeting that one special person.
Released in November 2024 as a track on the album “Unmei tte.” (“Fate, you know.”), the song drew wide attention on social media and reached No.
2 on Spotify’s Viral Chart.
It’s a warm, comforting track that stays close to your heart when you want to reaffirm your feelings for a cherished partner or feel grateful for meeting your destined person.
Song for…HY
One of the finest love songs by HY—who have created numerous love songs—is “Song for…”.
It’s a mellow, slow-tempo track featuring a distinctive band sound that gently supports the piano accompaniment.
Most compelling of all is the warm, richly textured voice of lead vocalist Izumi Nakasone.
The song portrays the heartbreak of a couple who love each other but can’t meet, making it a track that long-distance couples will likely find deeply relatable.
guidelinesUru
“Kokoroe” has also become a hot topic as the ending theme for the drama Kazama Kojin: Kyōjō 0.
It’s a ballad written by singer-songwriter Uru, inspired by the drama’s original novel.
The song portrays the protagonist’s kindness and loneliness—elements not explicitly spoken of in the story.
The lyrics, at once tinged with solitude and warmth, are deeply moving.
As you listen, pay attention as well to Uru’s gentle vocals, which enhance the song’s powerful message.
Days of JewelsAina ji Endo
Aina the End, also known as a former member of BiSH.
Be sure to check out “Hoseki no Hibi” (Days of Jewels), which she created.
It drew attention when it was used as an insert song in the finale of the anime Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury.
The song likens the days we’ve lived to jewels and conveys a message of living strongly no matter what happens.
It’s a ballad with heartrending lyrics, but you’ll likely feel uplifted after listening.
Another highlight is how she expresses a range of emotions through humming.