[Nostalgic Songs] Gentle Drizzle Rain Songs: A Collection of Classic Japanese Hits
When you gaze out the window and see the steady patter of rain.
.
.
just putting it into words makes the scene come to life, doesn’t it?
There are probably many people who would say, “I love rainy days.”
In this feature, we’re introducing classic Japanese songs that take rain as their theme—tunes that will fill you with nostalgia the moment you hear them.
We’ve picked “nostalgic hits” from the ’90s and earlier, so it might strike a chord with a wide range of generations.
Please read through to the end.
You’re sure to rediscover the music of your memories.
- [Rain Songs] Songs to listen to on a rainy day. A special feature on rain-themed tracks.
- Songs of the Rainy Season: Classic Tracks and Rain Songs That Evoke Tsuyu Through Their Lyrics
- Rain Songs: A curated selection of tracks that feature rain in the lyrics — including many nostalgic Japanese hits
- Children’s songs to sing on a rainy day / children’s songs with a rain theme
- [Rainy Season] A Collection of Vocaloid Songs to Listen to in June [Early Summer]
- Songs for every season: classic and popular tunes of spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
[Nostalgic Songs] Gentle Drizzle Rain Songs: A Collection of Japanese Classics (1–10)
Taking shelter from the rainMasashi Sada
A charming rainy-day song that’s a little comical and warms the heart, “Ameyadori.” Released by Masashi Sada in 1977, it became his first single to top the Oricon charts.
It tells a love story about two people who meet while taking shelter from the rain, set to a relaxed melody.
In true Sada fashion, the unique and humorous lyrics are so vivid that anyone can picture the scenes, offering a cozy sense of comfort on a rainy day.
Another highlight is that this live-recorded track includes bursts of laughter throughout.
It’s crafted with a fun, cheerful vibe—perfect for a slow, rainy day, so give it a listen.
Rainy BlueHidemasa Tokunaga
When it comes to rain songs by male artists, many timeless classics were born and have been sung for years from the Showa era into Heisei.
Rainy Blue is one of them.
It was the debut single of singer-songwriter Hideaki Tokunaga, released in 1986.
Though a nostalgic tune, it has been performed frequently on various music programs and covered by many artists, making it beloved across generations—truly a quintessential rain song.
The lyrics were written by Makoto Ogi, and the music was composed by Tokunaga himself.
Tokunaga’s high, clear voice pairs exquisitely with the fragile lyrical world, evoking a unique rainy scene for each listener.
It’s a beautiful masterpiece.
Rainy MidosujiOuyang Feifei
One of the rain songs most familiar to people in Osaka is “Ame no Midosuji.” It was originally a piece released by the American instrumental rock band The Ventures, and Fei Fei Ouyang covered it in 1971.
That cover was her debut single.
It’s a local favorite that’s still often heard, especially on music programs in the Kansai area.
The lyrics mention place names like Umeda Shindo and Shinsaibashi.
The singer roams in search of the one she longs for, and the bass rhythm seems to mirror her aimless wandering.
Fei Fei Ouyang’s cool vocals and subtly mysterious aura make it a stylish rain song.
[Nostalgic Songs] Drizzly Rain Songs: A Collection of Classic Japanese Hits (11–20)
In the Rain of RemembranceMasaharu Fukuyama
In the Rain of Reminiscence is a song about rain washing everything away.
It was the 1990 debut single of Masaharu Fukuyama, who went on to become a defining actor and singer-songwriter of the Heisei era.
Although it’s a breakup song, its energetic band sound and dancing piano make it a dazzling anthem about rain! He apparently set out to create an unmistakably upbeat track.
Kicked off with the line, “This is my song of beginnings,” it’s a number that gets crowds even more excited at live shows.
It wraps you in a brightness that blows away pain and hardship.
Even on a rainy day, it leaves you feeling refreshed!
ENDLESS RAINX JAPAN
Speaking of X JAPAN, their grand ballads that highlight YOSHIKI’s piano are captivating, aren’t they? This is a moving song that represents X JAPAN’s ballads, themed around unceasing rain.
It’s memorable for the way it starts with a simple, gentle arrangement—YOSHIKI’s piano and TOSHI’s vocals—and then expands into a majestic full-band sound.
Just as the rain never stops, the song portrays sorrow steadily piling up, and TOSHI’s resonant, soaring voice conveys a heartrending emotion, like a cry from the heart.
A Tale of Raindolphin
Speaking of Iruka, her classic “Nagori Yuki” is famous, but she also has a masterpiece that depicts rain.
Released in 1977, it became a hit second only to “Nagori Yuki.” This one, too, was written and composed by Shozo Ise.
It portrays a richly lyrical romance between adults and is incredibly heartrending.
Listening to it when you’re out of sync with your lover or on the verge of breaking up will likely deepen your sense of empathy.
The song shines with Ise’s signature literary scene-setting, and the deeply expressive guitar tone further enhances its appeal.
Ice RainShizuka Kudo
The single “Ice Rain,” released in November 1994.
This song was written with the idea of the hidden dramas behind the glamorous cityscapes leading up to the year’s end.
Shizuka Kudo is well known for her ballads, and this one is beautifully crafted as well.
It will likely bring back memories of youth for some listeners.
The lyrics convey the sorrow of parting and offer comfort to those overwhelmed by their emotions.
Though it depicts snow, I think the imagery could just as well be replaced with rain.
Different from her cool image, Kudo’s gentle, soft vocals here are wonderful and sink in tenderly.