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

Recommended for cherry-blossom viewing season! Classic sakura songs and spring songs

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.
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICSasashina
Deputy Editor of the web media RAG MUSIC. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. In my student days, I studied broadly at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, covering sound, lighting, and video technology, and acquired skills from comprehensive stage production to the fundamentals of creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, and have consistently built my career on the production side, taking on diverse tasks centered around music. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting in my own way, as well as insights and discoveries from interacting with my kids every day. I hope I can be of help to you, even just a little!

As the cherry blossoms begin to bloom and the full-fledged hanami season arrives, many of you are probably looking for sakura songs and spring songs.

You’ll want some BGM for your hanami, and maybe songs to sing at karaoke afterward too!

But sometimes it’s hard to find a song that really clicks, isn’t it?

So in this article, we’ll introduce must-hear classics and perfect Japanese tracks for the hanami season, focusing on staple sakura songs and spring songs.

There are also some recently released tunes, so be sure to read through to the very end!

Recommended for cherry-blossom viewing season! Classic sakura songs & spring songs (41–50)

DarlingMrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs. GREEN APPLE "Darling" Official Music Video

Darling - Mrs. GREEN APPLE

This song features a light rhythm that evokes the warmth of spring and a melody that gently embraces personal doubts and inner conflict.

It portrays, from Mrs.

GREEN APPLE’s characteristically down-to-earth perspective, the emotional wavering everyone experiences in youth—wondering whether it’s okay to be one’s true self.

Created as a symbol of the band’s new phase, it was produced as the theme song for the NHK General special program “Mrs.

GREEN APPLE 18 Festival” in January 2025, and its collaboration with 1,000 18-year-olds generated a huge response.

This track warmly and gently nudges forward those beginning a new chapter in life or searching for their authentic selves.

Raise the rankinglower

On nights when cherry blossoms fallAimyon

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

On nights when cherry blossoms fall, Aimyon

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.

Raise the rankinglower

Delicious Survivorchill of early spring

Hanabie (chilly weather during cherry blossom season). Tasty Survivor - Lyric Video [HANABIE.]

Delicious Survivor—chilled by the lingering spring cold.

Hanabie.

’s track, where fiery shouts intersect with catchy melodies, portrays the courage to face harsh trials and the bonds with comrades.

The protagonist keeps moving forward even in difficult situations, depicted alongside a powerful performance that kindles a light of hope in listeners’ hearts.

Written as the opening theme for the TV anime “Momentary Lily,” airing from January 2025, it was released for early streaming on January 30 of the same year.

A bold endeavor from the group, who continue their energetic run with the EP “Bucchigiri Tokyo,” this song stands by those weighed down by everyday frustrations and gives them the courage to look ahead.

Raise the rankinglower

cherry blossomKobukuro

Sakura

Sakura Kobukuro

Released on November 2, 2005, “Sakura,” the cherry blossom-themed song by Kobukuro.

It’s also famous as a graduation song, and there are surely people who have sung or heard it at graduation ceremonies.

It’s a classic that almost everyone has heard at least once, so if you sing it at karaoke after cherry-blossom viewing, others will probably join in too.

Raise the rankinglower

When cherry-blossom hues danceMika Nakashima

Mika Nakashima “Sakurairo Mau Koro” MUSIC VIDEO Shorts ver.

Sakurairo Mau Koro by Mika Nakashima

Mika Nakashima’s cherry blossom song “Sakurairo Maukoro.” Her wistful vocals, together with vivid accompaniment featuring piano and strings, create a beautiful musical tone.

The lyrics express the transience and poignancy of the cherry blossom season.

It’s especially recommended for those who want to listen to a mellow, gently atmospheric song.

Raise the rankinglower

SakurazakaMasaharu Fukuyama

Masaharu Fukuyama – Sakurazaka (Full ver.)

Masaharu Fukuyama - Sakurazaka

The 15th single by singer-songwriter Masaharu Fukuyama, who enjoys immense popularity and name recognition both as an actor and as a musician.

The song was used as the theme for the “Future Diary V” segment on the variety show “U-nan no Honto-kō!” and is also known for being modeled after Sakurazaka in Ōta Ward, Tokyo, which served as the filming location.

Born from Fukuyama’s own real-life experiences, the heartrending lyrics and the beautiful melody woven by his captivating low voice create a lyrical atmosphere befitting a classic spring song.

As a well-known masterpiece, it’s a spring tune that people will find themselves listening to intently even at cherry-blossom viewing gatherings.

Raise the rankinglower

spring melancholyMrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs. GREEN APPLE – Spring Melancholy

Spring Melancholy (Mrs. GREEN APPLE)

This song delicately portrays the transience of youth and the emotions of adolescence.

It’s said that Motoki Omori, the vocalist of Mrs.

GREEN APPLE, wrote it the day after his high school graduation ceremony.

It’s a perfect track to listen to during graduation season.

The song was tied in as the theme for Suntory’s “Craft Boss” commercial and became widely loved.

In March 2024, it surpassed 100 million cumulative streams on the Billboard JAPAN charts.

Why not give it a listen this spring, a season that evokes farewells and growth? Its heartfelt lyrics and beautiful melody are sure to color your memories.

Raise the rankinglower