Masterpieces that sing about loneliness: J-pop to listen to when you're alone
This is a carefully curated playlist of Japanese songs that sing about loneliness.
Even when we say “loneliness,” there are many ways to feel it and many forms it can take.
Sometimes you despair at being alone, sometimes you want to be alone, and sometimes you feel the ache of not being able to see someone.
The feeling of pressing on even without someone precious by your side might also be a kind of loneliness.
Here are timeless songs you’ll want to listen to in those lonely moments.
Beyond the massive hits, you’ll also find tracks with a different kind of impact—songs that quietly support you at your core.
Every song here is a wonderful piece that stays close to the listener, so give them all a listen.
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- Songs that hit home when you're feeling blue: masterpieces of Japanese music
- [Unrequited Love] Heart-wrenching Love Songs | A Roundup of Tear-Inducing Crush and Breakup Tracks
Masterpieces that sing of loneliness: J-POP to listen to when you're alone (51–60)
ODD TAXIsukaato to PUNPEE
This track features a sophisticated lo-fi beat that flows like the hustle and bustle of the city and the scenery of the night.
Skirt’s acoustic guitar and the saxophone crafted by PUNPEE beautifully capture the urban views you glimpse on a nighttime drive.
While portraying urban solitude and complex human relationships with a distinctive touch, the city as seen from a taxi driver’s perspective resonates deeply with listeners.
Released in April 2021 as the opening theme for the TV anime Odd Taxi, a re-recorded version was included on the album SONGS in November 2022.
It’s a piece that carries a mature afterglow, perfect for late-night drives or quiet moments in a nighttime café.
shadowShibasaki Kou
A masterpiece steeped in melancholy and poignancy, strikingly rendered in a 3/4 rhythm.
Feelings of loneliness, sorrow, and complex emotions toward a loved one are conveyed through Ko Shibasaki’s translucent vocals and the piano’s quiet melody, resonating deeply with listeners.
The beautiful, medium-tempo melody weaves a story alongside the delicate tone of the guitar—truly breathtaking.
Released in February 2006 and serving as the theme song for the TBS drama “Byakuyakō,” the piece struck a deep chord with audiences, reaching No.
2 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart and appearing on numerous releases, including the albums “Kiki ♥” and “Single Best.” The lyrics, penned by Ko Shibasaki herself with a keen grasp of the novel’s world, and the stirring melody gently embrace the hearts of those who have experienced heartbreak or parting.
He was alive, wasn’t he?aimyon
It’s a soul-stirring song that confronts the weight of life.
Released as Aimyon’s ambitious major-label debut in November 2016, it layers warm, heartfelt lyrics over stark despair to question the preciousness and sanctity of living.
Chosen as the opening theme for the TV drama “Is Kichijoji the Only Place You Want to Live?”, its fresh yet powerful vocals resonated deeply with listeners.
Blending elements of folk and pop rock, the song is carried by the gentle tone of an acoustic guitar.
The lyrics, which stand beside those who have felt loneliness or the difficulty of living at least once, quietly echo in the listener’s heart.
When you’re feeling down or troubled, try listening to it alone in silence.
Only on nights when I want to dieAina ji Endo
This is a heartwarming song that delicately portrays how the smile of someone precious comes to mind in moments when your heart feels like it might break amid an unremarkably passing everyday life.
Aina the End wrote and composed the song, with production by Shingo Sekiguchi of Ovall.
Her quietly companionable husky voice blends exquisitely with the warm acoustic sound.
Written in February 2020 as the ending theme for the MBS/TBS drama “Shinitai Yoru ni Kagitte” (“Only on the Nights I Want to Die”), Aina the End—who was a fan of the original work—carefully captured the story’s worldview.
It’s a song you’ll want to listen to when you feel lonely, hopeless, or on the verge of breaking.
The presence of someone dear, and the warmth of shared memories, will surely become a source of support for your heart.
Masterpieces that sing of loneliness: J-Pop to listen to when you’re alone (61–70)
TokyoKuwata Keisuke
A heart-stirring ballad that delicately portrays loneliness and a sense of loss against the backdrop of a rain-soaked city nightscape.
With Keisuke Kuwata’s signature deep vocals and melodies, it gently envelops the bittersweet emotions of people living in the city.
Exuding a suspense-drama atmosphere, the song topped the Oricon Weekly Chart for two consecutive weeks immediately after its June 2002 release.
Featured on the album “ROCK AND ROLL HERO,” it drew widespread attention and received high acclaim, including Song of the Year at the 17th Japan Gold Disc Awards.
It’s a gem of a masterpiece that reflects the mature heart—one you’ll want to listen to quietly on a solitary rainy night.
Memories SakeKobayashi Sachiko
Sachiko Kobayashi’s “Omoide-zake” can be considered her signature song, as it was an especially big hit among her many successes.
The image of drinking sake while thinking of a beloved man who is no longer there vividly evokes the quintessentially enka, Showa-era scene.
If I can see you in my dreamsSuzuki Masayuki
In any case, Masayuki Suzuki, who has exceptional vocal ability, delivers a true classic with the ballad “Yume de Aetara.” It’s a song in which someone who’s become lonely after breaking up with their lover expresses a bittersweet wish: “I hope I can see them in my dreams.” The cool, smoky vibe of the track is absolutely outstanding.