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 (21–30)
Aino Katachi feat. HIDE (GReeeeN)MISIA
“Ai no Katachi feat.
HIDE (GReeeeN)” is a song released by MISIA in 2018.
Singing alongside MISIA is HIDE from the popular high-tone vocal group GReeeeN.
Since it was used as the theme song for the TV drama ‘Gibo to Musume no Blues’ (Stepmother and Daughter’s Blues), many people likely discovered it through the show.
MISIA’s voice, blending warmth and tenderness, pairs perfectly with HIDE’s beautiful high notes in the chorus.
The piano is clearly audible throughout, and the steady rhythm makes it a great recommendation for piano practice.
Ghost in the FlowersYorushika
A song written as the theme for the animated film “A Whisker Away.” The movie tells the story of a girl who carries a secret she can’t share with anyone and searches for her “true self” amid her wavering emotions.
The lyrics mirror the film’s content, resulting in a track that can move you to tears.
The distinctive piano rhythm at the beginning reflects the cuteness and energy of the protagonist, a cheerful and lively second-year middle school girl.
It’s a beautiful, ephemeral, and captivating piece.
J-POP Songs You’ll Want to Play on Piano | A Curated Selection of Beautiful, Soul-Cleansing Ballads (31–40)
single bedSha ran Q
A ballad that expresses a man’s lingering feelings for his former partner.
There must be many men who can relate when they truly listen to the lyrics.
Since the vocalist, Tsunku♂, has undergone throat surgery, we may never hear this song live, but it’s a track I want to keep listening to forever.
let gom-flo loves YOSHIKA
m-flo often blends hip-hop and dance music into catchy pop tracks.
They’ve released a wide range of songs, from upbeat tunes to tender ballads.
“let go” is a ballad highlighted by a sorrowful piano melody.
The gentle vocals are sung by the female singer-songwriter YOSHIKA.
While piano parts often get drowned out in soaring choruses, this song keeps the piano at its core throughout, making it a must-listen for anyone who loves the sound of piano.
365 daysMr.Children
Mr.Children is a four-piece rock band that has released numerous hit tunes known to everyone; by now, there’s likely no one in the J-pop scene who doesn’t know their name.
“365 Nichi,” included on their 16th album SENSE, is a ballad that enjoys high popularity among fans despite never having been released as a single.
Its lyrics, which remind us that something special exists within the things we take for granted, strike straight to the heart alongside a piano-centered ensemble.
Overflowing with love, the song has also become a wedding staple.
broad daylightKing Gnu
Here’s the King Gnu song that was released in 2019 as the theme song for the TV drama “Innocence: False Accusation Lawyer.” What’s especially lovely is that, unlike the typical eight-beat backing often heard in ballads that begin with piano, the accompaniment moves and pauses in step with the melody.
Daiki Tsuneta, who writes and composes for King Gnu, is a multi-instrumentalist who began his musical career in classical music, and that background may be influencing his songwriting.
Hello, see you tomorrow.Kotoringo
“Konnichiwa Mata Ashita” is Kotringo’s debut song—a beautiful piano-driven number discovered by Ryuichi Sakamoto.
Its gentle, unconventional pop melody and Kotringo’s whisper-soft vocals are deeply soothing.
The romantic, warm lyrics feel purifying, and it’s a lovely ballad that makes the piano’s melody shine even more.
It lets you savor the small joys in life, and its atmosphere makes you want to listen to it together with your child.
