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 I Want to Play on the Piano | Carefully Selected Beautiful, Soul-Cleansing Ballads (1–10)
SoranjiMrs. GREEN APPLE
This song delves deeply into the preciousness of life.
Characterized by beautiful strings and a mystical chorus, its subtle melodic and harmonic shifts stand out even more when performed on piano.
The title, inspired by soranjiru—meaning “to recite by heart without looking”—embodies the idea of repeatedly recalling everyday life and the bonds with loved ones, reaffirming their value.
Released in July 2023, it was chosen as the theme song for the film ‘From Lageri with Love,’ starring Kazunari Ninomiya and Keiko Kitagawa.
With this work, Mrs.
GREEN APPLE emphasizes the importance of maintaining the courage to keep moving forward despite hardships and setbacks.
It’s a perfect song for those who want to rediscover the significance of often-overlooked moments and the value of their bonds in daily life.
I was looking at the moon.Yonezu Kenshi
Kenshi Yonezu, the singer-songwriter whose 2018 release “Lemon” was a huge hit.
His 2023 release “Tsuki wo Miteita” (“I Saw the Moon”) opens with a very striking, emotional intro featuring only soft vocals and piano.
The highlight is when the chorus arrives: the strings come in all at once, and his singing shifts to a more powerful tone.
Another must-hear moment is the development right after the chorus, where it pares back to just strings and piano.
Overall, there are many sections where you can enjoy the harmony between the piano and the other parts, so be sure to listen with that in mind!
spin; weave; compose (e.g., a story)tota
Tota’s song is striking for its nostalgic atmosphere and bittersweet emotion.
The lyrics skillfully weave in elements of nature—sky, wind, and starlit nights—gently enveloping feelings for someone lost.
Performed with a simple piano arrangement, its delicate emotional expression stands out even more.
Included on the album “oidaki,” released in February 2023, it also gained attention for a clear, translucent performance on the YouTube channel THE FIRST TAKE.
It’s a recommended track when you want to be close to thoughts of someone dear or to heal your heart.
Try playing it at a relaxed tempo, focusing on warm tones.
J-POP Songs You’ll Want to Play on the Piano | A Curated Selection of Beautiful, Soul-Cleansing Ballads (11–20)
366 daysHY
It also drew attention as the theme song for the TV drama Red Thread, which adapted a hugely popular mobile novel of the time.
It’s a heartrending love song about someone who, even after breaking up with their partner, can’t forget them and keeps loving them with all their heart.
That bittersweet yet strong feeling is conveyed through powerful vocals, making it a track that truly moves you.
Pay attention as well to the piano tones that envelop the song’s atmosphere.
Rather than a song that forces you to bounce back from the pain and sadness of heartbreak, it gently stays by your side.
If you call it loveUru
A song by singer-songwriter Uru that conveys deep affection and determination, it was also used as the theme for the Sunday drama “My Family.” The gentle, piano-centered sound feels like quietly facing one’s own heart, and the development into a grand chorus with added strings is moving.
It’s said to have been created around the themes of “rebirth” and “restart,” and the lyrics—closely aligned with the work—are also striking.
It depicts the truths realized through experiences of failure and the profound love that undeniably exists within one’s heart.
This warm ballad makes you reflect on what’s truly important to you.
seamUeno Daiki
A heartfelt ballad by Daiki Ueno that pairs perfectly with the piano’s delicate tones.
Released in April 2024 as the opening theme for the Kansai TV/Fuji TV Monday 10 p.m.
drama “Unmet: A Neurosurgeon’s Diary,” this piece portrays the ebb and flow of memory and emotion, as well as the ambiguous boundaries that lie within people’s hearts.
The lyrics, where tenderness and anxiety intersect, are sure to resonate deeply with listeners.
The melodic composition and Ueno’s gentle vocals create a soundscape whose beauty stands out even more when performed as a piano solo.
Try playing this piece on a quiet night or in a moment when you’re thinking of someone special.
AldebaranAI
AI, a female singer whose soulful vocals and charming persona captivate a wide range of listeners.
Her digital-only single Aldebaran, chosen as the theme song for the NHK morning drama Come Come Everybody, also drew attention for being written by singer-songwriter Naotaro Moriyama.
The grand introduction of piano and strings alone is enough to draw you into its world.
It’s a beautiful ballad whose sentimental melody and powerful vocals move the heart.
