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)
My sincere heartAina ji Endo
A solo track by Aina the End, known as a member of BiSH.
Her husky, expressive vocals match beautifully with the gentle piano accompaniment that creates a jazzy vibe.
The lyrics, which pour out her feelings for a man she wants to truly understand her, are emotional and deeply moving.
It’s also a song worth noting because Yasuyuki Okamura wrote both the lyrics and the music.
The studio recording is, of course, fantastic, but it also makes you imagine how cool it would be to see her perform it live with a full band behind her.
BoyhoodInoue Yosui
Released in 1990, this song gradually became a long-running hit and was certified a million seller by the Recording Industry Association of Japan in 1997.
It is one of Yosui Inoue’s signature tracks, featuring a striking piano performance by Takao Kisugi.
Beyond commercials where Inoue himself sings, it’s also often hummed by the actors appearing in them.
With its beautiful yet easy-to-hum melody, it’s a song many find themselves singing along to.
It’s also a crowd-pleaser at karaoke—the cheers start as soon as the intro plays.
J-POP You’ll Want to Play on Piano | A Curated Selection of Beautiful, Soul-Cleansing Ballads (101–110)
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.
A midsummer passing showerUtada Hikaru
A ballad sung by Hikaru Utada that carries a powerful, summer-memory-evoking feeling.
Built around the piano with strings gradually joining in, its simple yet grand sound seeps into the heart.
Alongside the sound, the vocals are striking, conveying both a strong life force and the fragility of life, making it a song with a strong message.
It evokes the image of strength—continuing forward in life while repeatedly experiencing sorrow and pain, and carrying them along.
setting sunToukyou Jihen
If you want to evoke a mature woman, this song is it.
With Shiina Ringo’s characteristically lyrical, melancholic lyrics and a beautiful, resonant piano, it’s a dramatic ballad.
The title “Rakujitsu” means the setting sun, and the theme is the heartache of losing something precious.
Partings are truly painful, but by facing the warmth of the time you shared and the undeniable presence that was there, sometimes you can overcome the sadness.
Let the lyrics, which shine like a single ray of light, slowly sink in.
hugiri
Set in a world where snow dances, this piece captures the feelings that surface when we suddenly revisit memories of the past.
iri’s distinctive vocals beautifully color the musical landscape.
Written as the JR SKISKI 2023–2024 campaign song, it was released digitally in January 2024.
Known for albums like “Groove it,” iri is a seasoned artist, and this track showcases her unique style—fresh yet tinged with nostalgia.
Highly recommended for fans of sentimental ballads.
Be sure to enjoy it on piano as well.
It’s nothing.makaroni enpitsu
A song by Macaroni Empitsu whose gentle piano tones seep into the heart.
Hattori’s clear, translucent vocals carefully paint the small joys of everyday life.
The lyrics, which sing of the preciousness of ordinary moments with a loved one, are sure to resonate deeply with listeners.
Included on the album “Expectations for a Happy Ending,” released in January 2022, this track also secured tie-ins with films and anime.
It’s a piece that gently accompanies quiet moments spent with a partner or someone dear.