Rain Songs: A curated selection of tracks that feature rain in the lyrics — including many nostalgic Japanese hits
Japan has words for rainy seasons and seasonal rains, such as tsuyu (the rainy season), harusame (spring rain), and shigure (late autumn showers).
In Japanese popular music, there are masterpieces that depict the look of “rain” in each season, as well as lyrics that poignantly link rain with one’s emotions.
In this article, we’ve selected songs that feature the word “rain” in their lyrics.
We’ll cover a wide range, from nostalgic classics everyone knows to the latest hits.
Please relax and enjoy to the end as you picture scenes of rain.
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[Rain Songs] Carefully selected tracks with “rain” in the lyrics! Many nostalgic J‑pop hits included (11–20)
Rain is like a blanketKirinji
While urban yet pastoral in spirit, Kirinji have carved out a genre all their own.
This track, too, showcases their distinctive style to the fullest.
Its melody, reminiscent of a gently falling rain, leaves you with the sensation of your ears being lightly moistened.
Released in June 2001, the song features the popular singer aiko on backing vocals, and the music video includes dancer Yui Kawaguchi.
Listen by the window on a rainy day, and even more evocative scenes will arise in your mind.
Light Blue RainYagami Junko
Junko Yagami’s fifth single is a classic with a delicate, ephemeral atmosphere.
Its lyrics, which reminisce about a lost love, stir a range of emotions in listeners.
Characterized by her clear, crystalline high notes and a melody that is sorrowful yet warm, the song was released in September 1978 and became a major hit that marked a turning point in Yagami’s career.
It’s a track I highly recommend to anyone looking for music to play on rainy days or to those compiling a playlist that captures the feeling of Japan’s four seasons.
A midsummer passing showerUtada Hikaru
A piano ballad by Hikaru Utada that resonates deeply with the heart.
It expresses sudden loss and profound sorrow through a melody that falls gently like rain.
The lyrics, imbued with feelings for her late mother, trace emotions toward a cherished presence now gone and move the listener’s heart.
Included on the album “Fantôme,” released in September 2016, it was also used as the theme song for Nippon TV’s NEWS ZERO.
It’s a song you’ll want to listen to on rainy days, one that offers comfort in the farewells and sense of loss everyone experiences.
Rainy Day WomanMatsubara Miki
A song released in 1980 by singer Miki Matsubara.
It’s a sultry city-pop track that depicts events on a rainy day.
In the first half, it recalls memories of spending a sunny summer day with a loved one; in the second half, it portrays saying goodbye to a lover on a rainy day.
This structure further highlights the melancholic mood of the rain.
Even in sadness, its message of self-affirmation really hits home, doesn’t it?
rainMoritaka Chisato
A bittersweet love story spun by raindrops.
Chisato Moritaka’s translucent vocals beautifully capture both the pain of heartbreak and the glimmer of hope.
Released in September 1990 as her 11th single, the song is also included on the album “Kokon Tozai.” It gained popularity across Asia and has been covered by many artists.
Perfect for rainy days—and for times when your heart feels overcast—this track seeps into the soul.
Recommended for anyone who’s experienced heartbreak or wants a quiet moment of self-reflection.
In the night sky after the rainRC sakuseshon
An immortal masterpiece by RC Succession that vividly paints the night sky after the rain.
Its simple yet resonant melody stirs the listener’s emotions.
While colorfully expressing the sorrow of losing a beloved car, the lyrics are marked by a subtly sexy turn of phrase.
Released as a single in January 1980, this work became a turning point as the band shifted to a rock lineup.
Listen during the rainy season as you gaze out the window, and your heart will dance in sync with the rhythm played by the sound of the rain.
[Rain Songs] Carefully selected tracks with 'rain' in the lyrics! Many nostalgic J‑Pop hits also featured (21–30)
rainNakajima Miyuki
It is a quintessential heartbreak song by Miyuki Nakajima, evoking a poignant scene of a helpless farewell.
Originally written in November 1978 as a song for Rumiko Koyanagi, she performed it at that year’s NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
The following year, Nakajima rearranged it in a folk style and included it on her first self-cover album, “Okaerinasai.” The profound despair of being betrayed by a lover, and the loneliness like being struck by cold rain, are sung over a quiet and beautiful melody.
When you want something to gently stay close to an unhealed wound in your heart, isn’t this a work that makes you want to listen closely to that pain?