Ranking of Moving/Japanese Pop Songs [2026]

dogwood (flowering dogwood)Hitoto Yo43rank/position

Hitoto Yo – Hanamizuki

Against the backdrop of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, Yo Hitoto wrote this renowned ballad as a prayer for peace.

Its lyrics, depicting unconditional love that wishes for the lasting happiness of dear ones and their loved ones, gently move the hearts of listeners.

Released in February 2004 as her fifth single, the song is also known as the theme for the film of the same name starring Yui Aragaki and Toma Ikuta.

It set a record by staying on the Oricon chart for 125 consecutive weeks and has been passed down through many voices.

The melody that the yutori generation heard in their youth is sure to resonate even more deeply now that they’ve grown up.

On a night when you want to quietly wish for someone’s happiness, why not listen to it again?

Song of a FriendBUMP OF CHICKEN44rank/position

BUMP OF CHICKEN “Friend’s Song”

The song I want to listen to while reflecting on a friend I’m parting ways with is BUMP OF CHICKEN’s “Tomodachi no Uta” (“Song of Friends”).

The lyrics, written by Motoo Fujiwara as he thought of characters from works he loved since childhood, convey a clumsy yet warm sense of friendship, and the grand sound incorporating trumpet is sure to resonate deeply with men as well.

Released in February 2011 as their 19th single, this track moved many as the theme song for the film “Doraemon: Nobita and the New Steel Troops—Angel Wings.” It’s a song that wraps up the anxieties of a new departure and gently nudges you forward.

Even if you end up walking separate paths, it makes you believe the time you shared won’t disappear—a masterpiece filled with kindness.

MiracleGReeeeN45rank/position

GReeeeN – Kiseki

When it comes to youth anthems, you just can’t leave this one out! Released in May 2008 as the theme song for the drama “ROOKIES,” GReeeeN’s signature track “Kiseki” is a pure love song that celebrates the joy of meeting the person you love and the resolve to walk into the future together.

True to its title, the lyrics call the couple’s meeting a “miracle” (kiseki) and describe the path they’ve walked as a “trace” or “trajectory” (also kiseki)—a wordplay that stirs the heart every time you listen.

In 2009, it was also chosen as the entrance march for the National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament, making it beloved across generations.

It’s a moving song you’ll want to play at graduations, thank-you parties, and those final moments with dear friends or a loved one, to express your gratitude.

bouquetback number46rank/position

back number – Bouquet (full)

This is a gem of a love song where unpretentious conversations between lovers convey a clumsy yet profound affection.

It portrays a vague anxiety about the future alongside a straightforward desire to stay together, and listening to it warms the heart.

Released in June 2011 as back number’s second single, the track is also included on the acclaimed album “SUPER STAR.” Many will recognize it as the ending theme for TBS’s COUNT DOWN TV.

The fact that it received over 50 power plays on radio stations nationwide at the time speaks to how much attention it garnered.

This work, which makes you feel the preciousness of everyday life with someone important, continues to be cherished as a classic wedding song.

day by dayYoshida Yamada47rank/position

Hibi / Yoshida Yamada [MUSIC VIDEO]

Yoshida Yamada deliver a heartfelt performance of a gem-like love song that gently depicts the daily life of an elderly couple who have spent many years together.

From their first meeting through marriage, child-rearing, and old age, this warm story that reexamines life’s joys and sorrows is deeply moving.

Released in December 2013, the song was featured on NHK’s “Minna no Uta,” with member Yoshitaka Yamada also handling the character design for the animation.

More than a decade after the group’s formation, this track beautifully crystallizes the musicality the duo has woven together.

Loved by many, it’s a perfect Mother’s Day gift—a song imbued with gratitude for family and the bonds between parents and children.

Bridge of Gloryyuzu48rank/position

Yuzu “Eikou no Kakehashi” Music Video

It’s a famous ballad that’s deeply etched into many people’s memories, along with moving scenes from the festival of sports.

It embraces the unknown struggles, frustrations, and all the accumulated effort, and gives you the warmth and courage to move forward.

Released in July 2004, it was used as the theme song for NHK’s coverage of the Athens Olympics.

The powerful vocals and harmonies of Yujin Kitagawa and Koji Iwasawa are something you’ll want to hear when you hit a major wall or need to fire yourself up.

It truly is a life-affirming anthem that rekindles the flame in a discouraged heart.

remainingYoshizawa Kayoko49rank/position

Kayoko Yoshizawa 'Left Behind' MUSIC VIDEO

Opening with a wistful melody that evokes the end of summer, this piece is one of singer-songwriter Kayoko Yoshizawa’s signature songs.

The languid feelings of the morning after a night spent with a lover—where exhilaration and guilt mingle—are spun out in literary language.

Her slightly languorous yet gentle voice further accentuates the bittersweet mood.

Released as a single in October 2017, the track was also selected as a “POWER PLAY” on Nippon TV’s Buzz Rhythm.

It was later included on the album Actress Sisters.

It’s a recommended listen for nights when you want to reminisce about a summer romance that has passed, or when you’d like to quietly sink into your thoughts alone.