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)
crescent moonkururi
A work that makes you want to listen while gazing up at the night sky, blending a sense of wistfulness and comfort.
It’s a song by Quruli, a Kyoto-born band that has been active on the Japanese music scene for many years, released in 2009 as their 21st single.
It was chosen as the theme song for the NHK period drama “Naniwa no Hana: Ogata Koan Jikencho.” The way the band sound and piano tones gently intertwine is incredibly pleasant.
It also seems to pair perfectly with Kishida’s unadorned vocals.
Somehow, it conjures up images of my hometown in my mind.
J-Pop Songs I Want to Play on Piano | A Curated Selection of Beautiful, Soul-Cleansing Ballads (51–60)
Best FriendKiroro
When it comes to pop songs with beautiful piano, many people immediately think of Kiroro, the Okinawan vocal-and-piano duo.
This song was released in 2001 and became the theme song for the NHK morning drama series Churasan, so it’s likely familiar to many listeners.
Vocalist Tamashiro wrote it in gratitude to pianist Kinjo, who always encouraged her; Tamashiro’s dignified voice is gently wrapped in the timbre of Kinjo’s piano.
jewelTatetakako
It’s a ballad that makes you reflect on the meaning of life and the shape of society.
The song is by Takako Tate, a singer-songwriter from Nagano Prefecture, and it’s included on her 2004 mini-album Sora.
It was used as an insert song in the film Nobody Knows.
If you’ve seen the movie, I think it will resonate with you especially deeply.
Every single word of the lyrics is beautiful—and yet so heavy.
The more carefully you listen, the more it stirs your emotions and brings you to tears.
YaeNisshoku Natsuko
The ballad “Yae” evokes a tenderness like being wrapped in the gentle sunshine of spring.
In this piece, the piano played by singer-songwriter Natsuko Nisshoku leaves a strong impression.
Its light, sprightly piano and straightforward vocals resonate pleasantly, and as you listen, it stirs such sorrow that tears may begin to flow naturally.
The falsetto in the chorus, in particular, conveys a fragile atmosphere, making it a recommended track for letting your tears out and finding relief during tough times.
The transition right after the chorus into a more powerful singing style is also beautiful, so be sure to pay attention to that part as well!
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.
My NoteSukima Suichi
This song is striking for its soul-cleansingly beautiful melody and profound lyrics.
It pairs perfectly with the piano’s delicate timbre, and its relaxed, warm sound gently sinks into the heart.
Released in November 2006, it was also used as the theme song for the animated film Doraemon: Nobita’s Dinosaur 2006.
Included on the album Evening Breeze Blend (Yūkaze Blend), it holds an important place in Sukima Switch’s discography.
The lyrics, which portray a journey of self-expression and growth, are perfect for moments when you want to face yourself or sort out your feelings.
How about taking some time to play it on the piano and slowly have a conversation with yourself?
MayumiKAN
KAN is an artist who has publicly influenced musicians like Kazutoshi Sakurai of Mr.
Children and aiko.
A defining feature of his work is his piano-and-vocal style, deeply inspired by Billy Joel.
This is one of his signature ballads.
Its refreshingly uplifting chorus is also known for having been used in a cider commercial in the past.