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Noriyuki Makihara Ballad Songs: Popular Song Rankings [2026]
Singer-songwriter Noriyuki Makihara, who gained popularity with his gentle vocals and relatable lyrics.
All of his songs are well-loved, but I think his ballads are especially popular.
This time, we’ll introduce Noriyuki Makihara’s ballads in a ranking format.
Noriyuki Makihara Ballad Songs: Popular Song Rankings [2026]
Far, far awayMakihara Noriyuki1rank/position
This piece is distinguished by a warm melody that gently embraces the feelings of those who have left their hometowns.
In this song, Noriyuki Makihara weaves his thoughts for friends far away, portraying the universal desire to stay connected despite the distance, and it tenderly resonates with listeners.
It was included on the June 1992 album “Kimi wa Boku no Takaramono” and later drew renewed attention when it was used in a 2006 NTT East Japan commercial.
The song expresses the wish to have people back home see how one is striving in a new place, while celebrating the importance of unchanging bonds amid personal change.
It is sure to strike a deep chord with those starting a new chapter in life or those who have experienced being separated from dear friends.
At all times.Makihara Noriyuki2rank/position
This is one of Noriyuki Makihara’s signature songs that everyone has heard at least once.
Packed with a positive and powerful message, it gives courage to many listeners and empowers them to face life’s challenges.
Released in June 1991, the song became a massive hit, surpassing one million sales in just six months.
It was also selected as the entrance march for the 64th National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament in the spring of 1992, and it continues to be loved by people of all ages.
It’s the perfect song not only for those who want to sing it at karaoke, but also for anyone who needs encouragement or wants to live true to themselves.
The thing I wanted mostMakihara Noriyuki3rank/position
“The Thing I Wanted Most” is a self-cover that Noriyuki Makihara released in 2004 with new Japanese lyrics for “THE GIFT,” a song he originally provided to the British group Blue.
It was used as the theme song for the NTV drama “Last Present: The Final Summer Living with My Daughter.” The song beautifully conveys human kindness, and its lyrics leave you with a warm feeling.
The piano performance carries a powerful, gospel-like intensity, offering many standout moments.
Be sure to listen with a focus on the piano!
I won’t fall in love anymore.Makihara Noriyuki4rank/position
A gem-like ballad that delicately portrays the pain of heartbreak and the hope of taking a new step forward.
Noriyuki Makihara’s gentle vocals tenderly envelop the protagonist’s complex feelings as they struggle to accept a breakup with their lover.
While carefully depicting the loneliness and confusion felt in everyday life, it also resonates with the positive resolve hidden behind the words “I won’t fall in love anymore.” Released in May 1992, the song was used as the theme for the drama “After the Children Are Asleep,” reaching No.
2 on the weekly Oricon chart and No.
7 for the year.
It’s a song that stands as emotional support, accompanying you through the healing process of a broken heart.
Tearful ChristmasMakihara Noriyuki5rank/position
If you’re looking for a Christmas song that’s heartbreakingly sad and will make you cry, this is the one.
Noriyuki Makihara’s “Namida no Christmas” (“A Tearful Christmas”) tells the story of a man who gets his heart broken right before Christmas.
The lyrics open with him spotting his ex-girlfriend in town, spending the holiday with her new partner.
The cheerful, blissful atmosphere of Christmas contrasts with the protagonist’s lingering feelings for his ex, soaking into you right down to your core.
The saxophone that comes in during the interlude and toward the end sounds achingly emotional, as if mirroring the state of his heart.
LOVE LETTERMakihara Noriyuki6rank/position
It’s a deep-cut album track that was never released as a single, yet it enjoys immense popularity among fans.
It’s a bittersweet unrequited-love song about someone who’s leaving for far away, marked by four-on-the-floor piano and an arrangement that feels both light and wistful, evoking the scenery seen from a departing train.
The overall vocal range spans F#3 to A4, with the bridge (C section) reaching the highest and most climactic notes.
The melody line is simple, so even those unfamiliar with the song can pick it up quickly.
Its coming-of-age vibe makes it easy to sing at karaoke without feeling heavy.
Highly recommended.
Sakura MelodyMakihara Noriyuki7rank/position
Sakura Melody is a song that gently offers a heartwarming melody for new beginnings.
Originally written by Noriyuki Makihara for Miliyah Kato and Shota Shimizu, it also appears as a self-cover by Makihara on his album Bespoke.
The lyrics reflect gratitude toward cherished friends and companions who will go their separate ways after graduation, while looking back on shared memories.
The calm yet powerful vocals evoke nostalgia and warmth, making it a track that many embarking on graduation or a new chapter in life can relate to.
chicken riceHamada Masatoshi / Makihara Noriyuki8rank/position
A collaboration single by Masatoshi Hamada of Downtown and singer-songwriter Noriyuki Makihara, who has many hit songs.
The track was born after Hamada half-jokingly asked for a song during their joint appearance on the music show “HEY! HEY! HEY! MUSIC CHAMP.” The lyrics, penned by Hitoshi Matsumoto, weave in episodes from his childhood and really tug at the heartstrings.
Beneath its pop sensibility, there’s a palpable sentimental atmosphere that, I think, made a striking statement within the Christmas-song category, which is often dominated by love songs.
It’s a J-pop classic that warms the heart with its portrayal of family bonds.
Snow in MarchMakihara Noriyuki9rank/position
This is a coming-of-age ballad capturing a spring scene twenty days after graduation.
With a melody that gives a gentle impression and a tender singing voice, it conveys young people’s anxieties and hopes about change, as well as the fleeting time spent with cherished friends.
Amid out-of-season snowfall, the image of walking shoulder to shoulder with friends is depicted in a way that resonates deeply.
Included on Noriyuki Makihara’s album “Kimi wa Dare to Shiawase na Akubi o Shimasu ka.” released in September 1991, this piece is captivating for its calm and warm poetic worldview.
It is a classic you’ll want to listen to with the arrival of spring—one that accompanies the hearts of those feeling complex emotions at life’s turning points and reflecting on days in flux.