[Tanabata Song] Exquisite Japanese love songs to listen to under the starry sky
When it comes to Tanabata on July 7, the famous story is that it’s the one day of the year when Orihime and Hikoboshi are allowed to meet.
Maybe because of that episode, don’t you find yourself wanting to listen to fleeting, bittersweet love songs when Tanabata comes around? In this article, we’ll introduce love songs with a Tanabata theme that we recommend, as well as tracks that will move those in long-distance relationships and romantic songs that are perfect for the night sky.
If you’re looking for BGM for a Tanabata event or want to expand your karaoke repertoire, be sure to check it out!
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[Tanabata Songs] Exquisite Japanese Love Songs to Hear Under the Starry Sky (61–70)
Poem of the StarsMILLEA
The song I want to listen to while thinking of someone I can’t meet on the night of Tanabata is MILLEA’s “Hoshi no Uta” (Poem of the Stars).
Chosen as the 2016 theme song for the “Tenku no Rakuen: Japan’s Best Starry Sky Night Tour” held in Achi Village, Nagano Prefecture, it’s included on the mini-album of the same title.
In the music video, the starry sky of Achi Village—recognized as Japan’s best—unfurls alongside the enchanting shadow theater of the contemporary shadow-play troupe KAKASHIZA, making it wonderfully romantic.
Even if the person you wanted to gaze at the beautiful stars with isn’t by your side, looking up at that same sky can make you feel as if they’re close.
This tender yet wistful song wraps even a slightly lonely Tanabata night in warmth.
A night of hundreds of millions of stars that seem about to fallRAG FAIR
This is a song by the male a cappella vocal group RAG FAIR.
It was released in 2006 as their 13th single.
It drew attention when it was used as the ending theme for the variety show “Ucchikuru!?”.
The song’s ethereal tone, which evokes a sense of nostalgia, is striking.
The lyrics convey a poignant longing—an aching desire to see someone dear.
ORIONNakajima Mika
A great song I recommend that expresses the feeling of not being able to see your beloved is Mika Nakashima’s “ORION”! Released in 2008 as her 27th single, it’s one of her signature tracks and reached No.
6 on the Oricon Weekly Chart.
It was featured as an insert song in the TBS drama “Ryusei no Kizuna” and became a hot topic along with the show.
It’s a masterpiece filled with a bittersweet emotion, like capturing the feelings of Orihime and Hikoboshi, who can’t meet until Tanabata.
If you haven’t listened to it yet, be sure to check it out—along with the drama!
Saddle of a Shooting StarKubota Toshinobu
“Ryusei no Saddle” is a track included on Toshinobu Kubota’s first album, “SHAKE IT PARADISE.” It’s dance music with a 1990s R&B vibe that showcases Kubota’s appeal to the fullest.
“Ryusei no Saddle” is highly regarded by fans and within the industry, and although it was never released as a single, it was included on his best-of album.
While it’s not directly related to Tanabata, since it sings about shooting stars, it might be a nice song to listen to on Tanabata.
SpacewalkDECO*27
This work is a song by the Vocaloid producer DECO*27, released on July 7, 2023.
Inspired by the story of Orihime and Hikoboshi, it’s a perfect Tanabata love song that portrays bittersweet romance and the fragility of human relationships.
Sung by Hatsune Miku, it conveys the complexity of affection and the fleeting surges of emotion.
The lyrics, intertwining the sweetness of love with the pain of its end, resonate deeply with listeners.
It’s a striking track that showcases DECO*27’s exceptional sensibility.
long-distance relationshipRADWIMPS
A track from the 2006 album “RADWIMPS 4: Okazu no Gohan,” which was soaring in popularity at the time.
While RADWIMPS often sing from personal experience, this was reportedly their first song written as fiction—a unique piece that likens the small distance of a minor misunderstanding to Orihime and Hikoboshi.
People say couples grow closer after fights, and love strengthens through various clashes.
It’s the kind of song you’ll want to listen to precisely because you can’t meet, so it’s perfect for Tanabata.
The brisk guitar rhythm is memorable, and its positivity—turning distance into an ally—will lift your spirits!
summer festivalWhiteberry
At the time, Whiteberry was an all-girl band of 15- and 16-year-olds, and their signature song was Natsu Matsuri.
It’s a cover of a track by the band JITTERIN’JINN, but Whiteberry made it so much their own that they even performed it on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
The image of a girl’s summer-festival romance fits them perfectly, making it an ideal song for the group.
