Japanese Pop ‘Sakura’ Song Rankings [2025]

cherry blossomDA PUMP8rank/position

DA PUMP / Sakura MV+SPOT (short ver.)

DA PUMP became a household name nationwide thanks to the massive 2018 hit single “U.

S.

A.” The song released after “U.

S.

A.” was this track, “Sakura.” In sharp contrast to its predecessor, it’s a heartfelt number with a gentle, mellow melody that showcases vocalist ISSA’s impressive voice, resonating deeply.

Beyond the melody, the lyrics are richly infused with traditional Japanese elements, evoking a distinctly Japanese spring.

The word “fabulous,” which serves as a key motif in the song, also became a talking point.

SAKURA DropsHikaru Utada9rank/position

Hikaru Utada – SAKURA Drops

A song by Hikaru Utada that depicts a fragile, beautiful love like cherry blossom petals swaying in the wind.

As the pain of heartbreak begins to heal, the mingled hope and anxiety of falling in love again are expressed like the feeling of waiting for spring’s arrival.

Released in May 2002, the track was used as the theme song for the TBS drama “First Love” and reached No.

1 on the Oricon weekly chart.

The music video, directed by Kazuaki Kiriya, conveys the song’s world with dreamlike, visually stunning imagery.

It’s a piece you’ll want to listen to while strolling beneath illuminated rows of cherry trees on a spring night.

SakurazakaMasaharu Fukuyama10rank/position

Masaharu Fukuyama – Sakurazaka (Full ver.)

A gem of a love song that captures both the ache of parting and a glimmer of hope.

Its tender, bittersweet feelings and the sincere wish for the other’s happiness seep in together with a gently comforting melody.

Masaharu Fukuyama’s delicate vocals softly embrace the lingering emotions that remain even as he accepts the end of a romance.

Released in April 2000, the song drew attention as the theme for TBS’s popular segment “Mirai Nikki V” on the show “Uunnan no Hontoko!” and ranked second on Oricon’s year-end singles chart.

It became a massive hit, selling over 2.

29 million copies in total.

With lyrics that depict a farewell mirrored by the falling cherry blossoms of spring, it’s a song you’ll want to hear in a season of new encounters and goodbyes.

On nights when cherry blossoms fallAimyon11rank/position

Aimyon – On the Night the Cherry Blossoms Fall [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

A delicately rendered song about the arrival of spring and the pain of parting has arrived from Aimyon.

Its melody cradles feelings that scatter like cherry blossom petals, layering in the sense of distance between two people, anxieties about the future, and the bittersweetness of the changing season.

Her vocals carry a warm tenderness that quietly seeps into the heart.

Released in February 2021, the track was used as the theme song for ABEMA’s romance reality show “Koi to Ookami ni wa Damasarenai” and is also included on the album “Kimi no Me ni wa Ochiru yo Record.” It’s recommended for those taking a new step on a spring night when cherry blossoms are in full drift, or for anyone experiencing a farewell with someone dear.

Alongside its gently embracing sound, it offers a moment to release the feelings tucked away deep inside.

When cherry-blossom hues danceMika Nakashima12rank/position

Mika Nakashima 'Sakurairo Maukoro' Music Video

This is a deeply moving ballad by Mika Nakashima, where delicate piano and beautiful strings seep into the heart.

Released in February 2005 and featured in a Suntory “Freixenet” commercial, the song paints a scene of fluttering cherry blossoms as it portrays a farewell to a loved one and the earnest wish to keep those feelings forever tucked away in one’s heart.

It’s a song that gently stays by your side when you want to reminisce about precious memories under the night sakura, or when your heart wavers before a new season.

SAKURAIkimonogakari13rank/position

Ikimono-gakari “SAKURA” Music Video

This is a classic song that gently sings of the changing spring season with a cherry blossom motif.

Released in March 2006, it marked Ikimono-gakari’s major-label debut.

Its arrangement incorporates pop-rock elements, and Kiyoe Yoshioka’s warm vocals resonate deeply.

The song was featured in a commercial for NTT East’s DENPO115, and in 2021 it was also used in a McDonald’s Teritama Burger commercial.

The lyrics weave together the loneliness of farewell and the anticipation of new beginnings, evoking empathy with images of memorable places and landscapes.

In the spring when cherry blossoms are in full bloom, this heartwarming track gently supports those embarking on graduations or new chapters in life.

Spring ThiefYorushika14rank/position

Yorushika – Spring Thief (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

A gem from Yorushika that portrays the fragility of human life through cherry trees and the spring breeze.

The crystal-clear vocals and pop sound blend beautifully, capturing the falling sakura with exquisite grace.

Even within its ephemerality, the melody inspires hope, resonating deeply with listeners.

Released in January 2021 and featured in a Taisei Corporation TV commercial, the song also drew attention for its stunning CG-animated music video and earned high praise on various music charts.

It’s a track we recommend to those welcoming a new season or parting with someone dear.

Listen alone in a park at dusk, and you’ll feel a moving emotion seep into your heart.