Songs to listen to in autumn: Ranking of popular Japanese bands [2026]

language of flowersMr.Children36rank/position

Flower Language Mr.Children

A gemlike ballad woven by Mr.Children that portrays the pain of parting and the growth it brings.

Using the cosmos flower’s language of flowers as a motif, it gently sings of the heartache of a broken heart and the lessons learned from it.

Included on the album “Shifuku no Oto,” released in April 2004, this piece is a masterpiece in which Kazutoshi Sakurai’s delicate vocals and the band’s exquisite performance resonate deeply.

It’s a song that offers new insights with every listen—truly a companion that runs alongside your life.

Ya Ya (I Won’t Forget That Time)Sazan Ōrusutāzu37rank/position

Yaya, I Won’t Forget That Era — Southern All Stars

A song filled with nostalgia and warmth.

Released in October 1982, this heartwarming ballad gently embraces memories of youth.

Weaving college-era friendships and bittersweet love into its lyrics, it resonates deeply with listeners.

Chosen as the theme song for a Mazda MPV commercial, it has been loved by so many that it even appears in high school music textbooks.

It’s best enjoyed on an autumn evening by the window, listened to at a relaxed pace.

Why not bask in fond memories and reflect on cherished moments with someone special?

Howl at the MoonYorushika38rank/position

Yorushika – Howl at the Moon (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

If you’re looking for a song that’s perfect for the autumn season, I recommend this track by Yorushika.

The lyrics are striking, expressing the feelings of a protagonist burdened by loneliness and inner conflict through the metaphor of a creature howling at the moon.

It’s a song characterized by deep literary nuance and an emotional melody.

Released as a digital single on October 6, 2021, it drew attention even before its release, with an advance broadcast in Lawson stores nationwide in August 2021.

It’s perfect for spending long autumn nights after a school festival or sports day, listening with friends or a significant other.

Why not tune in to the heartfelt vocals, feeling both the difficulty of expressing emotions and the desire for self-fulfillment?

moonbowBUMP OF CHICKEN39rank/position

Gekkou

This is a song that conveys a strong resolve to find a light of hope beyond the darkness.

Created by the four-piece rock band BUMP OF CHICKEN, it was included on the album “aurora arc,” released in July 2019.

It was written specifically for the TV anime Karakuri Circus.

As you listen to the oriental tones woven by acoustic guitar and accordion, you feel as if you’re being led into another world.

On a moonlit night, why not dive into its grand worldview?

Monochrome of the Autumn WindFIELD OF VIEW40rank/position

FIELD OF VIEW – Monochrome of the Autumn Breeze (Music Video)

This is a memorable song whose poignant vocals ride on the autumn breeze and sink into the heart.

While quietly reflecting on a lost love, the lyrics also carry a resolve to move forward.

It was used as the ending theme for Nippon TV’s “Manekin” and released in October 2000.

Although the song was produced with an autumn image in mind, the music video was unexpectedly filmed in early summer.

The members standing on the coastline in black suits left a strong impression.

When spending a long autumn night at karaoke, singing this song will make you feel the autumn air even more—an intertwining of wistfulness and warmth.

MPRINCESS PRINCESS41rank/position

Princess Princess “M”

This gentle, bittersweet ballad of unrequited love resonates with people in their 50s.

The classic by PRINCESS PRINCESS was included on the 1988 album “LET’S GET CRAZY” and was later released as a single.

Its lyrics delicately portray the pain and lingering feelings of a broken heart, striking a chord with many and remaining beloved over the years.

The arrangement carries strong emotions within a calm atmosphere, making it perfect for long autumn nights.

Why not listen slowly while reminiscing about precious memories with someone special?

The Koshu Highway is already in autumn.RC sakuseshon42rank/position

RC Succession – Koshu Kaido Is Already Autumn (1976)

“Kōshū Kaidō wa Mō Aki Nanosā,” a song by RC Succession about the changing scenery along the Kōshū Highway as it runs from Tokyo through Yamanashi to Nagano, is included on their 1976 album Single Man.

Its melody, rich with a folk-like melancholy, also evokes the feeling of autumn.

The lyrics depict someone carrying a deep pain, driving along the Kōshū Highway and speaking reflectively about how autumn has already arrived.

If you’re feeling pent-up and want to blow off some steam, why not give it a listen?

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