Height comparisonNEW!Sakushi: Umino Atsushi / Sakkyoku: Nakayama Shinpei

Height Comparison – Sei Kurabe | The mark on the pillar was from the year before last [Japanese Song / Shoka]

As Children’s Day approaches, many people may find themselves recalling the marks on the pillar.

This children’s song, written by Atsushi Unno with his younger brother in mind—seventeen years his junior—depicts a warm scene where the older brother measures his little brother’s height.

It is said that the lyrics also capture the loneliness of not having met the previous year, preserved as a two-year record.

With music composed by Shinpei Nakayama, it was published as a collection of sheet music in May 1923.

The song has continued to be sung for many years and was selected in 2007 as one of the “100 Best Japanese Songs.” As you feel the May breeze, why not look back on nostalgic memories with your siblings and family? Enjoy this seasonal song with a bright, uplifting spirit, as if gazing up at the majestic Mount Fuji.

Goodbye for today.NEW!Moriyama Ryoko

Goodbye for today.

This classic by Ryoko Moriyama lights a warm glow in the heart during March, the season of farewells.

The lyrics, filled with unchanging friendship and the hope of reunion, let us feel hope even amid loneliness.

Originally born out of volunteer activities in 1966, it was released in 1967 as the B-side to the single “Love Is Blue.” Since then, it has been loved for many years, being broadcast on NHK’s “Minna no Uta,” selected in 2007 for the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ “100 Best Japanese Songs,” and even adopted as a station melody in 2018.

Its simple, beautiful melody is easy to hum—perfect for recreation time or moments of nostalgic reflection.

How about joining your voices together, reaffirming the bonds of friendship with everyone?

Ferris wheelMy Hair is Bad

Kanransha

This is a track from the album “boys,” released in June 2019, cherished among fans as a hidden gem.

The lyrics are striking, capturing a poignant feeling as a fleeting glimpse of a Ferris wheel during a drive stirs thoughts of a lover and time that won’t return.

There’s no flashy tie-in, but it’s a song that epitomizes their knack for distilling everyday scenes.

With a gentle tempo that swells into an emotionally charged chorus, the dramatic structure is sure to resonate deeply with listeners.

More than vocal range, this ballad hinges on the singer’s expressiveness, so choose it when you want to savor the story in the lyrics or as background music for a nighttime drive.

It will quietly keep you company on nights when you want to linger in a bittersweet mood.

Little by littleSARD UNDERGROUND

SARD UNDERGROUND “Little by little, little by little” MV YouTube Size

This medium-tempo ballad by SARD UNDERGROUND breathes new life into previously unreleased words left by Izumi Sakai of ZARD.

The song carefully portrays the delicate process of how our relationships with loved ones—and our own hearts—slowly change.

Many listeners will likely see themselves in the earnest protagonist, who refuses to rush yet steadily strives to move forward.

Vocalist Yua Jinno’s clear, pure voice gently wraps around that single-minded sincerity.

Released in February 2020, the track served as an ending theme for the anime Detective Conan and has been cherished by many fans.

On nights when your heart feels unsteady, listening to it may leave you with a warm feeling, as if someone is softly giving you a push from behind.

budKobukuro

Kobukuro – Tsubomi

“Tsubomi” is Kobukuro’s 14th single, released in 2007.

It was written as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Tokyo Tower: Mom and Me, and Sometimes Dad.” The song conveys Kobuchi’s gratitude and feelings to his late mother.

The True Nature of TearsSUPER BEAVER

The True Nature of Tears

Songs by SUPER BEAVER are characterized by lyrics that resonate with the heart and a powerful sound.

This work conveys the importance of facing yourself through tears.

It was released digitally in January 2025 as the theme song for NHK General’s late-night drama “Vanilla na Mainichi.” Deeply intertwined with the drama’s worldview, it has become a piece that strongly resonates with viewers.

It’s recommended for those who want to confront their emotions or are seeking music that offers emotional support.

Enjoying it alongside the drama may bring an even deeper sense of emotion.

Hide-and-seekYuuri

Yuuri “Kakurenbo” Official Music Video

Yuri’s debut work, which likens a heartrending unrequited love to a game of hide-and-seek, is a soul-stirring ballad that delicately portrays loneliness and the pain of parting.

In a room left behind after his live-in girlfriend has gone, the man’s feelings—surrounded by objects that still evoke her presence—are woven together by a gentle, translucent voice.

Released in December 2019, the piece is a labor of love born from street performances following the breakup of the rock band THE BUGZY.

The warm timbre of the acoustic guitar closely follows the man’s earnest emotions.

It’s a song recommended for those who wish to soothe the pain of heartbreak—perfect for a nighttime drive or for quietly sipping a drink alone at home.