Ranking of Popular Japanese Love Songs and Romance Tracks [2026]

Love and romanceNovelbright15rank/position

Novelbright – Love and Romance [Official Music Video]

A love song by Novelbright that depicts life-sized love overflowing in the small moments of everyday life.

Yudai Takenaka gently sings about the changes of heart unique to romance, where your hobbies and preferences shift under the influence of someone you love.

Included on the album “Assort,” released in May 2022, this track features a simple, warm sound built on acoustic guitar and synth bass that’s soothing to the ear.

It’s a perfect song for couples who value ordinary moments over flashy gestures.

For White Day, why not spend a calm moment together, appreciating each other’s presence?

Christmas songback number16rank/position

back number – Christmas Song (full)

This is a song by back number themed around the winter season and romance.

It’s a sentimental, melodious ballad characterized by gentle vocals and expressive instrumentation.

It was also used as the theme song for Fuji TV’s Monday 9 p.m.

drama “5→9: The Monk Who Fell in Love with Me.” Released in 2015, it is included on the album Chandelier.

Set against images of winter’s chill and Christmas scenes, the song portrays poignant feelings and desires for a lover.

It expresses the loneliness of being unable to see that person and the aching longing for them, making it a track you’ll want to listen to during the winter season.

MetronomeYonezu Kenshi17rank/position

Kenshi Yonezu – Metronome

A song that overlays the gradual misalignment of two people’s relationship with an instrument keeping a steady rhythm, conveying a poignant sense of missed connections that tugs at the heart.

Included on the 2015 album “Bremen,” this track powerfully conveys the helplessness of starting in the same tempo only to drift apart over time, as well as the lingering attachment that makes you keep searching for the other person even after you’ve parted.

The animated music video—hand-drawn by Kenshi Yonezu himself with about 200 illustrations—visually deepens the song’s world and leaves a strong impression.

For anyone with an unforgettable love or who has experienced growing apart from someone dear, this is a sorrowful yet beautiful ballad that resonates deeply.

Eine KleineYonezu Kenshi18rank/position

Kenshi Yonezu – Eine Kleine

The more dearly you care for someone, the more frightening the parting that will one day come.

Capturing such a delicate emotional landscape, this piece grips the listener’s heart.

It’s a track from the album “YANKEE,” released in April 2014, and it also drew attention as the song used in Tokyo Metro’s “Color your days.” ad campaign.

Although it was never released as a single, it enjoys overwhelming popularity, with over 300 million views on video platforms.

Its bittersweet yet warm melody is perfect for a heartfelt karaoke moment, singing while thinking of someone you hold dear.

Love StoryAmuro Namie19rank/position

[Love Story] (stage-MIX 2011–2018) | Namie Amuro | chd

It’s a love ballad in which you can feel the pain conveyed through Namie Amuro’s powerful vocals.

It was also used as the theme song for the drama “Reasons I Can’t Find My Love.” The sound has a gentle atmosphere that evokes the image of slowly facing your own heart, and the piano accents seem to heighten the sense of poignancy.

The lyrics express both the growing love within oneself and the regret of not being able to be together.

It’s a moving song that suggests realizing the magnitude of love only after losing it.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

kappamaki

Report a problem

Before GoodbyeAAA20rank/position

AAA / "Before the Goodbye" Music Video

This is a song released in 2014 by AAA, a popular dance-vocal unit from avex, which won an Excellence Award at the Japan Record Awards.

The song depicts the breakup of two people who were once lovers.

No matter how deeply two people love each other, there are times when a breakup comes inevitably.

In such moments, I think all we can do is quietly wait for the painful time to pass… This is a song that helps support your feelings during those times.

It expresses, in a straightforward way, the feeling of still loving someone even as you part.

First LoveUtada Hikaru21rank/position

Hikaru Utada – First Love

A signature ballad by Hikaru Utada that offers a rewarding challenge for low-voiced women in their 40s.

The range spans E3–F5, with plenty of high notes, but it captivates with a conversational verse and expressive emotion.

Many people will know this song.

Because it’s sung with a whispery tone, it likely brings to mind a kind of head-voice feel.

Basically, head voice requires steady breath support.

If you tense up when taking a breath, you’ll end up chest breathing and won’t inhale enough air.

Diaphragmatic (abdominal) breathing is crucial.

Also, since the song builds up a lot toward the end, be mindful of balancing your volume.

For the English parts, try singing fluidly along the melodic line to lock into the rhythm.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Kubota Mami

Report a problem