[Songs that play during moving scenes] A collection of touching masterpieces of Japanese pop/rock that stir the soul

dogwood (flowering dogwood)NEW!Hitoto Yo

Hitoto Yo – Hanamizuki

This is one of Yo Hitoto’s signature songs, packed with a warm feeling of caring for someone.

Its gentle worldview, which wishes happiness for someone you love, and Hitoto’s clear, translucent voice quietly seep in and leave you with a sense of purification.

The track was released in February 2004 as her fifth single.

It was used as the theme song for Nippon TV’s Tuesday Suspense Theater and also drew attention as the theme song for the film of the same name starring Yui Aragaki.

Loved across generations, it became the most-sung karaoke song of the Heisei era.

It’s a recommended number for moments when you’re thinking of someone important, when you’re tired, or when you want to relax.

A timeless masterpiece that gently sinks into the heart, to be sung and listened to for years to come.

I can’t put it into wordsNEW!Oda Kazumasa

Kotoba Ni Dekinai (Live)

When it comes to timeless songs that have colored countless moving moments, this track sung by singer-songwriter Kazumasa Oda stands out.

It weaves deep gratitude for a loved one and bittersweet feelings kept in the heart into its melody, powerfully resonating with listeners.

Released as a single under the name Off Course in February 1982, it was later included on Oda’s solo album “Jiko Best,” among others.

It was also widely used as the corporate CM song for Meiji Yasuda Life, so many people have likely heard it.

With a warmth that gently accompanies life’s major milestones—meetings and farewells alike—it’s the perfect ballad for expressing your feelings to someone special in meaningful settings such as weddings or graduation ceremonies.

Promise of SunflowersNEW!Hata Motohiro

Motohiro Hata – “Himawari no Yakusoku” Music Video

A song by Motohiro Hata that captivates many with his crystal-clear, soothing voice.

It’s a ballad that rides on the warm tones of an acoustic guitar, expressing universal themes of feelings for a precious person by your side and what you can do for them.

Hata’s delicate vocals—often described as a “voice made of steel and glass”—have a gentle, penetrating charm that resonates in the heart.

Released in August 2014 as his 17th single, this track has been loved as the theme song for the 3D CG animated film STAND BY ME Doraemon.

Centered on the feelings one has before parting, it’s recommended for moving occasions where you want to express gratitude to someone special, such as graduations and weddings.

StoryNEW!AI

AI – Story

Your heart can’t help but swell at the warm message of compassion and those soul-stirring vocals.

This is a signature single by AI, known for her powerful voice and rich expressiveness, released in May 2005.

It’s also included on the album “MIC-A-HOLIC A.I.” The English-lyric version, which portrays bonds between people and unconditional love, was released digitally in October 2014 and was chosen as the Japanese end theme for the Disney film Big Hero 6.

When you’re feeling lonely or want to think of someone special, listening to it can wrap you in a deep, gentle sense of love and reassurance.

It’s also perfect for emotional moments like weddings or farewell gatherings.

Please take the time to really listen—this masterpiece will move you to tears.

SubtitleNEW!Ofisharu Higedan Dism

Official HIGE DANDism – Subtitle [Official Video]

This is Official HIGE DANDism’s winter ballad that vividly captures both the difficulty and the preciousness of expressing your feelings to someone important.

It portrays a warm love that seems to melt a frozen heart, and Satoshi Fujihara’s soft yet earnest vocals are deeply moving.

Released in October 2022, the song was written as the theme for the TV drama “silent.” In July 2024, it was included on the acclaimed album “Rejoice,” and it continues to be loved by many listeners.

For those who have feelings they want to convey but struggle to find the right words, this song will gently stay by your side.

It’s a masterpiece perfectly suited for emotional moments when you want to share overflowing feelings, such as weddings or farewell gatherings.

threadNEW!Nakajima Miyuki

thread

It’s that popular song that likens encounters between people to the warp and weft of a woven fabric.

Lives that have been lived separately intersect, creating new value and evoking a profound sense of connection.

With Miyuki Nakajima’s gentle voice resonating in the heart, this piece was included as the final track on the classic album “EAST ASIA,” released in October 1992, and was later released as a single in February 1998 as the theme song for the drama “Seija no Koushin” (March of the Saints).

Since 2015, it has also been featured in Toyota Home TV commercials and widely used across various media.

It’s perfect not only as a celebratory song for weddings, but also recommended for those marking life’s milestones such as graduations and farewell gatherings.

It’s a deeply moving track, ideal for reappreciating the miraculous encounter with someone special.

First LoveNEW!Utada Hikaru

Hikaru Utada – First Love

A masterpiece by Hikaru Utada that quietly sings of unforgettable memories of past love and the aching feelings that never fade with time.

Her transparent vocals—blending the freshness of her teens with a mature sense of resignation—deeply move listeners.

Released as a single in April 1999, this song was used as the theme for the TBS drama “Majo no Jōken” (Forbidden Love).

It was a single cut from the landmark album “First Love,” released the previous month, and became a record-breaking hit ballad in Japanese music history.

It’s a track I especially hope will reach those who have experienced a deep love that changes meaning many times throughout life, or those who want to quietly immerse themselves in old memories.