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 (41–50)
Child of the devilHiguchi Ai
Influenced by her mother, who was a music teacher, Ai Higuchi was exposed to various instruments from a young age and began her career as a keyboard-playing singer-songwriter at 18.
The digital-only single Akuma no Ko, written as the ending theme for the TV anime Attack on Titan The Final Season Part 2, is a striking number with a mysterious melody and a dramatic ensemble.
Its grand, piano-centered sound further amplifies the message and imagery of the lyrics.
It’s a ballad whose beauty is overwhelming, drawing you into its world.
Snow BlossomNakajima Mika
A signature song by Mika Nakashima, whose powerful, husky voice that seems to echo endlessly and deeply emotional performances have made her one of Japan’s leading artists.
It’s a ballad that links the aching longing of unwavering devotion to a beloved partner with the harsh cold of winter.
The song also drew attention as the motif for a film.
Its gently yet poignantly resonant vocals, supported by a piano accompaniment, are captivating.
A track that conveys the strength of emotion in a straightforward way.
PrologueUru
This song was the theme for TBS’s Tuesday drama “Chugakusei Nikki” (Junior High School Diary).
It opens with subtle, scenic descriptions, and as it heads toward the chorus, the music unfolds as if emotions are overflowing—perfectly mirroring the drama’s storyline and the characters’ uncontrollable feelings of love.
From the intro, the piano is used strikingly, and the gentle vocals blend exquisitely with the piano’s crystalline tone.
As the song builds toward the chorus, the piano accompaniment also grows more intense, developing into a rich, deep timbre that is especially captivating.
beetle (specifically, a rhinoceros beetle)aiko
Here is Aiko’s fourth single, released in 1999.
In this song, she likens herself to a rhinoceros beetle—the strongest-looking insect yet actually fragile—and from the intro to the ending, the unadorned, acoustic piano fits beautifully and gently supports her vocals.
Speaking of Aiko’s music, her chord choices are so stylish, and those unexpected turns are wonderful too.
It’s even been covered by major artists like Keisuke Kuwata of Southern All Stars.
I wanted to kiss you again.B’z
A song by B’z, the two-piece rock unit that has always been at the forefront of the scene and reigns over Japan’s rock world.
Despite never being released as a single, it’s a ballad that enjoys overwhelming support among fans.
From the piano intro that plays the chorus melody, to the tear-jerking guitar solo that builds the song before the final chorus, to the arpeggiated outro layered with gut guitar, the arrangement lets you fully immerse yourself in its heartrending lyrics and melody—surely making it a masterpiece among ballads.
Just… I miss youEXILE
Starting with ATUSHI’s powerful voice, this song makes you feel incredibly heartbroken.
The two singers’ vocal abilities are outstanding, and the chorus draws you in without even realizing it.
The lyrics sink into your heart, and you can strongly feel the emotion of wanting to see that person again.
futureKobukuro
Mirai is a song by Kobukuro, performed by Shunsuke Kuroda and Kentaro Kobuchi, and it was used as the theme song for the Toho film Orange.
Released in 2015, the track reached No.
4 on the Oricon Singles Chart and enjoyed a long run on the charts alongside the film’s success.
The lyrics—vowing to support you even though my feelings won’t reach you—are heartbreakingly poignant.
The intro features a distinctive, key-shifting, almost mysterious sound, with the piano performance standing out as well.
If you like it when you listen, try playing it yourself!
