Japanese Pop Sakura Song Rankings [2026]

Sakura AleAdachi Kana76rank/position

Kana Adachi “Sakura Yell”

Sakura Yell is a cherry blossom song released around the same time as Kana Adachi’s high school graduation.

Her feelings about graduating come through in her vocals.

While many sakura songs evoke the sadness of parting, this one sings of a positive farewell.

It conveys a bright, springtime atmosphere full of hope.

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Cherry Blossoms of HopeDEEP77rank/position

DEEP – Sakura of Hope (PV)

DEEP, who sing “Sakura of Hope,” is a group that includes members such as EXILE’s vocalist ATSUSHI.

The secret to their popularity among young people likely lies not only in their excellent singing and cool style, but also in their wonderful lyrics.

cherry blossoms at nightSEKAI NO OWARI78rank/position

Yozakura

Included on SEKAI NO OWARI’s album “Eye,” released in February 2019, this song is a moving piece that overlays fleeting cherry blossoms with the stirrings of love.

It forms a pair with “Himawari,” featured on the album “Lip” and sharing the same melody, and leaves a strong impression with its dark atmosphere that delicately depicts the loneliness of spring nights.

Its gentle acoustic sound exudes lingering attachment and bittersweet longing for a loved one.

By contrasting opposing realms—past and future, night and day—the song succeeds in drawing out deeper emotions.

A gem of high artistic quality, it’s a track you’ll want to listen to alone on a quiet night.

the first strong spring windnishina79rank/position

haruichiban

Nishina’s song portrays the emotions of people facing farewells and new departures with the arrival of spring.

Built on the warm tones of an acoustic guitar and a simple band sound, the track is marked by a gentle yet fleeting vocal performance.

Chosen as the theme song for radiko’s new commercial, it was released digitally in March 2023.

By depicting both sides of the spring season—“parting” and “beginning”—the piece is crafted so listeners can layer it onto their own experiences.

It’s a song that resonates with many, embracing memories with loved ones, the loneliness of growing distant, and the resolve to keep moving forward.

cherry blossomKawamoto Makoto80rank/position

[MV] Makoto Kawamoto “Sakura”

Makoto Kawamoto gently sings this classic, whose tender spring light and calm melody seep into the heart.

At the life milestone of graduation, it delicately portrays a schoolgirl’s complex feelings as she faces parting with friends, along with her uncertainty and hope for the future.

Accompanied by a melodious piano, it beautifully captures the fresh emotions of youth.

Released in April 1998, the song reached No.

2 on the Oricon weekly chart and sold over 200,000 copies, despite having no tie-in at the time.

It’s a perfect track for a drive with the windows down in the soft spring sunshine.

Listen to it as you cruise through rows of cherry blossoms, and anyone will find it overlapping with their own memories.