Popular J-Pop Ballad Song Rankings [2026]
We’re presenting the latest rankings from the Popular Ballads [J-Pop Rankings], all at once, ordered by most plays! Ballads often express sentimental or heart-wrenching feelings, don’t they? Japanese ballads carefully capture the subtle emotional shifts unique to Japanese sensibilities, and many of them are easy to relate to, don’t you think? The playlist is updated weekly.
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Popular Japanese Ballad Songs Ranking [2026] (31–40)
A melody instead of a bouquetShimizu Shota36rank/position
“Instead of a Bouquet, a Melody” is also popular as a wedding song.
It has been a long-running hit on charts like karaoke and streaming.
Although it’s a 2015 track, it has continued to draw attention across various scenes, from its performance on THE FIRST TAKE, to comedian Yoshizumi using it in the finals of a competition, and its appearance on the audition show PRODUCE 101 JAPAN SEASON 2.
It’s a warm, heartfelt love song that’s quintessential Shota Shimizu.
The melody is wonderful, of course, but the lyrics are truly beautiful as well.
The pure feelings gently move your heart—you can’t listen without tears.
It’s a ballad that feels like a gift.
Eine KleineYonezu Kenshi37rank/position
Included on Kenshi Yonezu’s major-label debut album and still beloved by fans today is “Eine Kleine.” It’s also known as a karaoke staple.
This song is a bittersweet ballad that voices the fear of a relationship with a loved one falling apart.
It isn’t quite a breakup song; its subtly nuanced lyrics are likely why so many people relate to it.
Incidentally, the title “Eine Kleine” is German and carries the sense of “a girl who is not loved.” Knowing that gives the lyrics’ story a different hue, doesn’t it?
OH MY LITTLE GIRLOzaki Yutaka38rank/position
A love ballad that was rediscovered as the theme song for Fuji TV’s 1994 Monday 9 p.m.
drama “Kono Yo no Hate,” and has continued to be loved across generations.
At karaoke, it’s a classic that gets the room gently buzzing when men in their 50s sing it while reminiscing about their youth.
The overall vocal range is D#3 to A4, which should be relatively comfortable for male singers.
If you sing the verses (A and B sections) quietly, almost like speaking, you can instantly set the mood.
The big highlight is the very first chorus.
Take a good breath beforehand and hit it right on cue—you should find it feels great to sing.
Doing an impression can be fun, but by all means try belting it out in your own voice!
The summer you gave meieiri reo39rank/position
The song that captures bittersweet summer memories is Leo Ieiri’s “Kimi ga Kureta Natsu” (“The Summer You Gave Me”).
Released as a single in 2015, it was used as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Koinaka,” and it reached No.
6 on the Oricon singles chart.
It also won the Best Drama Song at the 86th The Television Drama Academy Awards.
As of 2022, the music video on YouTube has surpassed 20 million views.
The lyrics, which echo the drama’s poignant storyline, perfectly suit an evening beach at sunset—be sure to give it a listen!
Broken RadioTokunaga Hideaki40rank/position
This was his 10th single and one of Hideaki Tokunaga’s signature songs.
It reached No.
5 on the Oricon Weekly Chart and became a huge hit ballad, selling a total of about 360,000 copies.
He also performed it at NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen in 2006 and 2009, and it continues to be loved across generations.
Many people do impressions of Hideaki Tokunaga, but when you sing it at karaoke, I hope you’ll sing boldly in your own voice! The overall vocal range of the song is F#3 to A4, which may be comfortable for many male singers, but the chorus stays on the higher side, so if you’re not familiar with the song you might end up straining your throat.
It’s very important to keep your throat open and direct your breath toward the notes! Lift those facial muscles and sing with expression!
Popular Japanese Ballad Song Rankings [2026] (41–50)
Snow BlossomNakajima Mika41rank/position
The 10th single by Mika Nakashima, a singer known for her exotic beauty and translucent, ephemeral voice.
Also used as the commercial song for Meiji Seika’s “boda” and “galbo,” in which she herself appeared, this work is one of her signature songs and has been covered by numerous artists.
Its fantastical arrangement, evocative of the title, is brimming with a charm that still makes you want to listen to it when winter comes.
The song won the Gold Prize at the 45th Japan Record Awards in 2003, and it’s a gem of a ballad that many people likely have in their karaoke repertoire.
Someday Merry ChristmasB’z42rank/position
A song by B’z, the two-piece rock unit that has remained at the forefront for over 30 years since their debut and can be called a living legend of the Japanese rock scene.
Among the many beautiful ballads B’z has released, this one is especially popular with fans, and even many people who aren’t fans know it.
Tracing the beautiful memories with a lover and seeing oneself in a stranger—lyrics like these can make your chest tighten when you sing them after a heartbreak.
With poignant lyrics carried straight to the heart by emotional vocals and gentle acoustic guitar arpeggios, it’s a song you’ll want to belt out at karaoke when you’ve had your heart broken.
