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.

Playlist

J-POP to Play on Piano \| A Curated Selection of Beautiful, Soul-Cleansing Ballads
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	CorrectRADWIMPS		A poignant masterpiece by RADWIMPS, an emotional piano performance
2	Mutual loveaiko		Aiko’s new song is a heart-stirring track that portrays the feelings of love.
3	SubtitleOfisharu Higedan Dism		A wistful winter love song, Satoshi Fujiwara’s masterpiece
4	Song of PointillismInoue Sonoko		A poignant, heart-touching song that portrays the bittersweet love of youth.
5	aspiration; longing; ardent desireFukuyama Masaharu		A movie theme song with a beautiful melody that resonates in the heart
6	globeYonezu Kenshi		The theme song by Hayao Miyazaki × Kenshi Yonezu resonates with the heart.
7	dogwood (flowering dogwood)Hitoto Yo		Yo Hitoto’s classic song, a hymn of love and hope
8	SoranjiMrs. GREEN APPLE		Singing of the courage to live and the preciousness of bonds
9	I was looking at the moon.Yonezu Kenshi		Introduction to Kenshi Yonezu’s “I Was Watching the Moon”
10	AldebaranAI		An inspiring song that captivates with an AI-generated singing voice
11	366 daysHY		A heartrending love song that shares in the pain of heartbreak
12	spin; weave; compose (e.g., a story)tota		Tota-san’s heartrending song resonates in my heart.
13	seamUeno Daiki		A ballad by Daiki Ueno. It paints memories and emotions with the delicate tones of the piano.
14	If you call it loveUru		Uru’s moving theme song, a message of love and rebirth
15	Close your eyesHirai Ken		Ken Hirai’s classic song “Hitomi wo Tojite” is a big hit.
16	evening primroseNovelbright		A wistful ballad that heals the heart and overcomes heartbreak
17	Letter to TomorrowTeshima Aoi		Aoi Teshima’s heartwarming masterpiece that delivers hope
18	Please forget it.Yorushika		Yorushika's Ballad: Bittersweet Love and Inner Conflict
19	I wonder if it will be sunny tomorrow.Kuwata Keisuke		Representative song by Keisuke Kuwata, theme song for a Monday 9 p.m. drama
20	1.15 Million Kilometers of FilmOfisharu Higedan Dism		A moving song that lovingly records precious memories
21	Night MusicMrs. GREEN APPLE		An emotional ballad from a movie soundtrack, with a heart-stirring melody
22	dizzinessOnitsuka Chihiro		Chihiro Onitsuka’s signature song “Memai” (“Dizziness”), a moving/heartfelt vocal performance
23	MiracleGReeeeN		A masterpiece that sings of the greatness of friendship and camaraderie
24	White LoversKuwata Keisuke		A poignant Keisuke Kuwata love song to listen to in winter
25	broad daylightKing Gnu		King Gnu's theme song features a distinctive accompaniment that's captivating.
26	Aino Katachi feat. HIDE (GReeeeN)MISIA		A heartwarming classic by MISIA and HIDE
27	NAOHY		HY's piano ballad that sings about the heartache of a broken heart
28	ENDLESS RAINX JAPAN		X’s signature song from “BLUE BLOOD,” moving
29	threadBank Band		Bank Band covers Miyuki Nakajima’s masterpiece
30	Ghost in the FlowersYorushika		A poignant theme song that reflects the film’s emotions
31	Child of the devilHiguchi Ai		The music of Higuchi Ai, a singer who performs keyboard-accompanied self-covers
32	KanadeSukima Suichi		Sukima Switch’s poignant classic, a love story
33	crescent moonayaka		Ayaka’s popular song “Mikazuki”: powerful piano and heartrending lyrics
34	single bedSha ran Q		A poignant ballad about a man's heartbreak
35	A Naked Heartaimyon		Aimyon’s candid love song from the heart
36	365 daysMr.Children		Mr.Children, a masterpiece that sings of love and something special
37	Just… I miss youEXILE		A moving song with ATUSHI’s singing that touches the heart
38	Hello, see you tomorrow.Kotoringo		Kotringo’s debut song, with a gentle singing voice
39	Kanata HarukaRADWIMPS		Theme song of a Shinkai film: a heart-stirring, moving ballad
40	spring melancholyMrs. GREEN APPLE		A warm song that resonates with the hearts of teenagers
41	OH MY LITTLE GIRLOzaki Yutaka		Yutaka Ozaki, a musical talent who passed away young
42	let gom-flo loves YOSHIKA		Fusion of hip-hop and dance m-flo
43	Snow BlossomNakajima Mika		Mika’s poignant love classic that sings of winter scenes
44	One more time, One more chanceYamazaki Masayoshi		The poignant masterpiece 'Kanade' that longs for someone lost
45	beetle (specifically, a rhinoceros beetle)aiko		aiko’s classic song “Kabutomushi,” powerful yet delicate
46	I wanted to kiss you again.B’z		An emotionally moving and heartrending ballad masterpiece by B’z
47	futureKobukuro		Kobukuro’s movie theme song “Mirai” is a moving work.
48	This LoveAnjura Aki		Angela Aki's masterpiece that portrays true love
49	First NightYorushika		A heart-stirring summer scene poem by Yorushika
50	crescent moonkururi		A timeless masterpiece that echoes through the night sky and stirs the heart.
51	Best FriendKiroro		The moving emotions woven by Kiroro’s piano
52	jewelTatetakako		A moving masterpiece that questions the meaning of life
53	YaeNisshoku Natsuko		Ballad “Yae,” a gentle and heartrending singing voice
54	PrologueUru		The emotionally charged theme song of “Chugakusei Nikki”
55	My NoteSukima Suichi		A beautiful melody and lyrics that resonate with the heart
56	MayumiKAN		A ballad by KAN characterized by piano and vocals
57	Sakura (2019)Moriyama Naotaro		The classic spring song “Sakura” resonates in the heart.
58	cold; curt; blunt; unfriendlyRADWIMPS		A song that depicts the subtle emotional interplay between men and women
59	Merry Christmas Mr. LawrenceRyuichi Sakamoto (Sakamoto Ryūichi)		Ryuichi Sakamoto’s masterpiece “Merry Christmas” resonates with the heart.
60	Forever loveX JAPAN		A moving piano ballad passed down through generations
61	We’re evenHanaregumi		A love ballad that sings of love and guilt
62	I don’t like it.yangusukinii		A sentimental song by a four-piece band formed on social media
63	FINAL DISTANCEUtada Hikaru		The docomo commercial song, a masterpiece by Hikaru Utada.
64	Spot the differenceSuda Masaki		Masaki Suda sings Kenshi Yonezu’s heart-touching masterpiece
65	flameLiSA		A moving masterpiece sung by LiSA from Demon Slayer
66	Azure Swimnishina		Nishina’s songs about youth and life are striking.
67	leap day personRADWIMPS		The moving charm of RADWIMPS' film music
68	Gather the WindYano Akiko		A classic ballad by Happy End
69	Thank you…KOKIA		A heart-touching masterpiece that conveys the importance of words
70	StoryAI		AI’s hit song “Story” captivates with its vocals.
71	catDISH//		A heartbreak song by DISH// with lyrics by Aimyon
72	Rainy Melody of LoveJanne Da Arc		Moving high notes and a sophisticated band sound
73	Reunion (produced by Ayase)LiSA×Uru		A moving song that sings of winter’s end and a new beginning
74	DrifterHarada Ikuko		Music whose gentle singing voice heals the heart
75	CAN YOU CELEBRATE?Amuro Namie		Namie Amuro’s “Virgin Road,” a moving masterpiece that resonates with the heart
76	SWEET 19 BLUSEAmuro Namie		An album track of a famous song produced by Tetsuya Komuro
77	Pure Love SongShonan no Kaze		A classic ballad masterpiece by Shonan no Kaze blending hip-hop
78	Decembermilet		A heartfelt ballad that sings of gratitude and love for my mother
79	LetterSHE’S		SHE’S’s “Letter” is a masterpiece piano ballad
80	Tears of Mulan ~acoustic~Stardust Revue		Acoustic version of Stardust Revue’s classic song
81	Mikuni Stationaiko		A wistful, heart-wrenching piano ballad by aiko that exudes nostalgia
82	pure whiteBikkeburanka		Vickeblanka’s piano songs resonate with my heart.
83	moonlightOnitsuka Chihiro		Chihiro Onitsuka’s classic song “Gekkou” used as a drama theme song
84	to USalyu		A song for people facing adversity
85	Letter Paper SongKuramubon		A sincere love song, Clammbon's heartwarming track
86	HumanNisshoku Natsuko		Natsuko Nisshoku’s powerful piano ballad
87	foxtail grassRADWIMPS		Yojiro Noda's songs are moving and resonate with the heart.
88	It’s just loveMISIA		MISIA's moving romantic piano ballad
89	DESTINYMy Little Lover		A poignant piano ballad that portrays pure first love
90	GibbsShiina Ringo		Shiina Ringo’s poignant first ballad
91	I want to hug you.Mr.Children		Kazutoshi Sakurai’s love songs for Mr. Children are popular.
92	Is there still anything that love can do?RADWIMPS		The moving theme song of the animated film “Weathering With You”
93	tomorrowNoda Megumi		A ballad that portrays a heartbreaking emotion with a gentle singing voice
94	The thing I wanted mostMakihara Noriyuki		Masayoshi Makihara’s moving song, a masterpiece brimming with human kindness.
95	Only youDani.		A love song that harmonizes Auto-Tune with passionate lyrics
96	Song for…HY		HY's earnest love song
97	guidelinesUru		The moving theme song for a drama written by Uru.
98	Days of JewelsAina ji Endo		Aina’s jewel-filled days have become a hot topic.
99	My sincere heartAina ji Endo		Aina the End’s jazzy solo song
100	BoyhoodInoue Yosui		A masterpiece by Yosui Inoue, captivating with its beautiful melody
101	Like a star in the nightKuraki Mai		A grand song where Mai Kuraki's emotional expression shines
102	A midsummer passing showerUtada Hikaru		A soul-stirring ballad by Hikaru Utada
103	setting sunToukyou Jihen		A song that faces the heartache of losing something precious
104	hugiri		A song that looks back on the past in a world where snow dances
105	It’s nothing.makaroni enpitsu		A song whose piano timbre resonates in the heart
106	remainingYoshizawa Kayoko		A moving song that heals the heart with the sound of the piano
107	A flower of no colorUtada Hikaru		A moving theme song sung by Hikaru Utada
108	Homeayaka		A ballad graced by Ayaka’s gentle piano and her translucent, pure singing voice
109	graceful wavinessNoda Yojiro		Yojiro Noda’s movie theme song is moving.
110	In loveHY		A ballad that portrays a heart accepting heartbreak and growing
111	Birthdaykururi		A lively birthday song by Quruli
112	EverythingMISIA		MISIA's “Everything” is a big hit song.
113	Bridge of Gloryyuzu		Olympic theme song: the courage to overcome setbacks
114	I can’t put it into wordsofukōsu		A timeless masterpiece singing the pain of heartbreak: Off Course’s “I Can’t Put It Into Words.”
115	planetariumOtsuka Ai		Ai Otsuka’s bittersweet first-love ballad
116	Love closes its eyesChara		A mature ballad, a duet between piano and vocals
117	shieldKurahashi Yoeko		Yoezo Kurahashi’s masterpiece, with lyrics and a melody that gouge the heart.
118	First LoveUtada Hikaru		Hikaru Utada’s classic love song “First Love”
119	DearestHamasaki Ayumi		Ayumi Hamasaki’s signature songs, with delicate vocals and uplifting energy