Lovely nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs

[Rain Songs] Songs to listen to on a rainy day. A special feature on rain-themed tracks.

[Rain Songs] Songs to listen to on a rainy day. A special feature on rain-themed tracks.

Last updated:2025/8/21

Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICKeisuke Hane
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. After working at a music studio and in wedding sound engineering, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with various instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in middle school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on personal music activities and professional experience, produces daily articles, including song introductions, features on music festivals around Japan, and live reports. Enjoys a wide range of music, from domestic and international rock to, more recently, a broad spectrum of J-pop.
A Vocaloid producer who is also a music writerWakachan Araki
I started playing guitar in middle school and focused on band activities during my student years. I’ve been a hobbyist Vocaloid producer for over 15 years. After entering the workforce, I gained experience in various roles, including event sound engineering and videography/photography. As a writer, I’ve contributed introduction articles for music and manga websites, and in 2022 I had the opportunity to write the bonus liner notes for IA SUPER BEST. My specialties are Japanese rock, Vocaloid, and manga.

Do you like rainy days?

Some people dislike them because you get wet and can’t go out, while others love the sound of the rain or the calm atmosphere—there are all kinds of opinions.

For many, rain also ties in with a slightly bittersweet feeling, and there are plenty of songs that use rain as a theme to sing about that sense of poignancy.

In this article, we’ll introduce lots of popular songs that are perfect for listening to on a rainy day!

While many of them are melancholy, there are also songs that sing about hope—like how the rain will stop someday—so be sure to listen to plenty of them!

[Rain Songs] Songs to listen to on a rainy day. Special Rain Song Feature (1–10)

KotonohaMotohiro Hata

Motohiro Hata – “Kotonoha” Music Video — Makoto Shinkai / Director’s Cut

Kotonoha Motohiro Hata

A rainy-day song with an intro that unmistakably feels like Motohiro Hata.

It’s a 2013 track written as an image song for the film “The Garden of Words.” Senri Oe’s cover of “Rain” is well known too, but this one is also a wonderful rain song.

The choice to write it as “Kotonoha” rather than the usual word for “words” draws you right into the mood of rain and the rainy season.

Beyond the beautiful imagery that links with the film’s worldview, the expressions about bonds between a man and a woman, and about connecting with people in similar circumstances “under the same sky,” really hit home.

The idea that rainy skies will surely clear—that we can overcome hardships—feels truly encouraging.

Raise the rankinglower

the smell of rainiri

the smell of rain

The smell of rain iri

“Ame no Nioi” is a perfect song for when you want to savor the unique atmosphere of rain along with music.

It’s included on singer-songwriter iri’s 2022 album “neon”; she’s known for her groovy tracks rooted in hip-hop and R&B.

The languor of rainy days intertwines with iri’s smoky voice to create a fresh, distinctive feel.

Don’t you sometimes find the scent of rain somehow calming? Add music to that, and it’s even more so.

The laid-back lyrics and stylish track will color a rainy day when you just want to relax.

Raise the rankinglower

RAINSEKAI NO OWARI

SEKAI NO OWARI「RAIN」Short Version

RAINSEKAI NO OWARI

This song is, just as the title suggests, “RAIN”—rain.

Since it was the theme song for the animated film Mary and The Witch’s Flower, many of you may have heard it in commercials and elsewhere.

Its lyrics are filled with nature—rain, rainbows, the sky, the moon—vividly painting scenes in your mind.

With Fukase’s clear, pure vocals brightening even a rainy day, it’s the kind of rain song that lifts your spirits.

Raise the rankinglower

The sound of rainMirei Touyama

Mirei Touyama 'Sound of Rain' Music Video

The Sound of Rain - Mirei Tooyama

On a rainy day when you just can’t forget an ex, this song, “Ame no Oto” (“Sound of Rain”), is there to keep you company.

It’s a single by singer Mirei Toyama—known for her down-to-earth love songs—released in 2022.

Remarkably, the track was written by Takaya Kawasaki, famous for “Mahou no Jutan.” A love song intertwined with rainy imagery, it wraps you in a gentle, lingering melancholy through its tender melody and Mirei’s voice.

The rain’s quiet grace draws out feelings you’d tucked away deep inside.

With that atmosphere, you may find yourself reflecting slowly and deeply.

Try listening as you layer it over your own memories.

Raise the rankinglower

ENDLESS RAINX

“X JAPAN” “ENDLESS RAIN” HD high-quality video [THE LAST LIVE]

ENDLESS RAINX

A five-piece rock band, X, who have produced many songs that at first glance seem contradictory—fierce, metal-tinged tracks and beautiful ballads—released this as their second major-label single.

With its heartrending lyrics and melody, it’s a beautiful ballad that evokes, just as the title suggests, an endless rain.

Highlights abound, including a melancholic twin-lead guitar solo and vocalist ToshI’s soaring high tones.

It’s a track that lets you sink into that rainy-day blue mood—perfect for listening when you want to relax at home while watching the downpour outside your window.

Raise the rankinglower

The Last RainYasushi Nakanishi

Yasushi Nakanishi / Last Rain [Official Music Video]

The Last Rain Nishi Yasushi

A song by Yasushi Nakanishi overflowing with love for a partner who leaves despite being loved beyond measure.

It stayed on the charts as a long-running hit for years and was on the verge of becoming a million seller.

It was also used as the theme song for the program “Hitachi Ashita P-KAN Kibun!” which answered weather-related questions.

Many artists, including Koda Kumi and Acid Black Cherry, have covered it.

The lyrics, which intertwine the sadness of a breakup with the melancholy of rain, really hit home.

It’s a track you’ll want to listen to on a quietly rainy night.

Raise the rankinglower

Cry like it's raining.Nakamura Emi

NakamuraEmi “Cry Like the Rain” Music Video

Cry like rain Nakamura Emi

This song, the lead track from the album NIPPONNO ONNAWO UTAU Vol.

6 released in February 2019.

Songs about rain often have a calm vibe and tend to express a downcast mood, but this one is a bit different—a positive tune that makes you feel like, “I won’t lose, I’ll keep going.” When things get tough, cry your heart out; the rain will hide your tears.

It’s a song that gives you a gentle push forward.

Raise the rankinglower