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