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)
Spot the differenceSuda Masaki
This is Masaki Suda’s first digital single, chosen as the theme song for the TV drama “Perfect World.” Composed by singer-songwriter Kenshi Yonezu, its story-like lyrics and wistful melody really resonate.
In life—and in any situation—failure and mistakes tend to carry a negative image, but the lyrics, which sing about the present precisely because of those mistakes, can offer great courage and hope.
It’s a track that conveys a beautiful world view through both its lyrics and melody.
J-Pop Songs I Want to Play on Piano | A Curated Selection of Beautiful, Soul-Cleansing Ballads (51–60)
This LoveAnjura Aki
A ballad that sings about “true love,” conveying warmth and inner strength.
It’s a song by singer-songwriter Angela Aki, known for the hit “Tegami ~Haikei Juugo no Kimi e~,” released as a single in 2006.
It was featured as an ending theme for the anime BLOOD+.
The dynamic development of the music and Angela Aki’s straight, soaring vocals are in perfect harmony, and the result is wonderful.
Merry Christmas Mr. LawrenceRyuichi Sakamoto (Sakamoto Ryūichi)
Ryuichi Sakamoto, affectionately nicknamed “the Professor,” boasts a wide-ranging musical background centered on classical music while embracing folk and popular traditions.
His piece Merry Christmas, Mr.
Lawrence—also known from the film of the same name—is likely a tune everyone has heard at least once.
Its oriental-tinged melody and classical ambience create such a powerful impression that vivid scenes come to mind even though it’s an instrumental with no lyrics.
The delicate piano phrases soothe the heart, making it a timeless masterpiece you’ll want to listen to again and again.
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.
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!
