[Take it easy] Recommended ballad songs to help you sleep
Have you been able to sleep soundly lately?
There are probably many people who are so busy they can’t get enough sleep, or who can’t fall asleep even when they try.
In this article, we’ll introduce ballad songs that can help you get a good, restful sleep.
We’ve gathered songs with relaxed tempos, tunes that gently lead you into comfortable slumber, and tracks that wrap you in warmth—perfect for falling asleep.
Life may be hectic every day, but ruining your health defeats the purpose.
Listen to the ballads we recommend and get a good, slow, restful sleep!
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[Take it slow and rest] Recommended Ballad Songs for Sleeping (1–10)
crescent moonayaka
When it comes to ballads you’ll want to listen to at night, Ayaka’s “Mikazuki” is a must.
Released as a single in 2006, it reached No.
1 on the Oricon Singles Chart.
It’s been featured in commercials for au’s “LISMO” and McDonald’s Japan’s “Tsukimi Burger” series.
The piano intro, which evokes a starry night sky, gives you the feeling you’ll drift off to sleep gently.
Be sure to listen in bed and enjoy a peaceful night!
One more time,One more chanceYamazaki Masayoshi
A song with an acoustic sound that gently lulls you to sleep is Masayoshi Yamazaki’s “One more time, One more chance.” Released as a single in 1997, it was also used as the theme song for the animated film “5 Centimeters per Second.” Yamazaki’s tender vocals and the tone of the acoustic guitar have a calming effect.
How about watching the music video where he sings this song under a starry sky, and then heading to bed?
Letter to TomorrowTeshima Aoi
This is a song by Aoi Teshima, notable for her distinctive vocal style that blends in breath as if imbued with life.
It was also used as the ending theme for the drama “Someday, When I Recall This Love, I’m Sure I’ll Cry.” The warm, acoustic sound seems to further highlight her singing voice.
The gentle lyrics—like reading a letter to a loved one or to oneself—are memorable as well, and the song conveys a tender image that feels encouraging as you move toward the future.
[Rest Up] Recommended Ballad Songs for Sleeping (11–20)
trumpet vineAndō Yūko
The song used in the commercial for Gekkeikan’s classic sake “Tsuki” is Yuko Ando’s “Nōzenkatsura.” The album it’s included on, Merry Andrew, released in 2006, reached No.
10 on the Oricon charts.
“Nōzenkatsura” features an acoustic sound of just piano and vocals, and Ando’s distinctive, deeply moving voice has a soothing effect.
It’s a track I highly recommend listening to in bed!
dearestFukuyama Masaharu
This song was chosen as the theme for the film “Suspect X” and released under the name KOH+.
Later, Fukuyama did a self-cover, which was included on his 2009 album “Zankyo.” It was also used in a Toshiba commercial, so many of you may know it.
It’s a very heartrending ballad that captures the feelings for a loved one you can no longer meet—tears are inevitable when you listen.
That said, if you’re going through a tough time, a work that empathizes with your sadness like this might actually make it easier to fall asleep.
So sad I can’t bear itKotoringo
“No matter what I do, I just can’t digest it…” If you ever have to go to sleep with that feeling, please give this a listen.
Composed by Kotringo and released in 2016, it was used as the opening theme for the animated film In This Corner of the World.
The original song was released in 1968 by The Folk Crusaders, and this is a cover version.
Despite its very sorrowful lyrics, how does it manage to sound so beautiful? It’s a ballad with remarkable depth.
Good nightikimonogakari
If you listen to it when you’re feeling a little sad, you might be able to sleep soundly.
It’s a song by Ikimonogakari, a music group that has long been at the forefront of the Japanese pop scene, included on their fifth album, “NEWTRAL,” released in 2012.
With Yoshioka’s warm vocals, it’s a soothing ballad that’s perfect for closing out the album.
The lyrics carry a slightly bittersweet tone, but it’s the kind of song that lets you go to sleep believing, “Tomorrow can surely be a better day.”