From hit songs to hidden gems! Spring songs recommended for people in their 30s

spring melancholyMrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs. GREEN APPLE – Spring Melancholy

A pop tune spun the day after graduation, depicting springtime partings and reunions.

Motoki Omori, the vocalist of Mrs.

GREEN APPLE, beautifully captures the complex emotions unique to adolescence through memories with friends.

While wrestling with faint longing and ideals, the melody overflowing with feelings for someone was also featured as the theme song for Suntory’s “Craft Boss” commercial.

Tinged at times with melancholy yet brimming with hope, its sound gently nudges those who, with the arrival of spring, are ready to take a new step forward.

cherry blossomKyogo Kawaguchi

Kyogo Kawaguchi – Sakura

With its simple yet deeply moving melody and richly expressive musicality, it continues to be cherished as a timeless classic.

The lyrics, which skillfully weave in the changing seasons, carry a warm message of hope for a future with a loved one and the resolve to move forward with hope in one’s heart.

Released in December 2003 by Warner Music Japan, this piece was created for a commercial featuring Doraemon as the image character.

Like a warm breeze that heralds the arrival of spring, it is a gem you’ll want to listen to whenever you wish to feel calm and gentle.

cherry blossomKetsumeishi

Ketsumeishi “Sakura”

A gem of a love song that delicately portrays the feelings of looking back on a past romance with the arrival of spring.

The lyrics, rich with emotion as they weave together memories and the ache of parting, have resonated with many listeners.

Released in February 2005, the song sold around 210,000 copies in its first week despite having no tie-in, and it reached No.

1 on the Oricon Weekly Chart.

The music video features Masato Hagiwara and Emi Suzuki, and garnered attention for its drama-style storytelling.

It’s a pop tune recommended for those who have experienced a breakup with a beloved partner, or for anyone who wants to immerse themselves in the bittersweet feelings of spring.

Cherry Blossom BookmarkAKB48

[MV full] Sakura no Shiori / AKB48 [Official]

Released in February 2010, this track showcases a new side of AKB48.

Centered on themes of parting and new beginnings, the exquisite ballad eschews flashy dance performances in favor of tender vocals and harmonies.

In addition to serving as the theme song for the TV Tokyo drama “Majisuka Gakuen,” it also secured multiple tie-ins, including the AOKI “AOKI × AKB48” commercial song.

It surpassed 300,000 copies in first-week sales—the first time in seven years for a female group—and topped the Oricon weekly chart, becoming a major hit.

With a heartwarming melody and lyrics perfect for the spring season, it’s a song that makes you want to sing it at graduations, farewell gatherings, and other moments of parting with loved ones.

Cherry Blossom Rainabsorb

absorb "Sakura no Ame" MV Full

This is a widely beloved song that is often performed at graduation ceremonies.

Its lyrics vividly depict the scene of cherry blossoms fluttering in the air, leaving a strong impression and beautifully capturing the springtime atmosphere where farewells and new encounters intersect.

The band absorb first released it online in February 2008, and it was issued as their major-label debut single in November of the same year.

It was adapted into a novel in 2012, and into a film starring Maika Yamamoto in 2016, among other cross-media developments.

It’s a recommended track for those about to take a new step forward or those who want to look back on cherished memories with close friends.

Sing of springback number

Sing of spring

A gem-like ballad that depicts a heartrending farewell against a springtime backdrop.

Its delicate imagery intertwines beautifully with the protagonist’s emotions, unable to fully accept the parting.

Featured on back number’s February 2009 mini-album “Nogashita Sakana,” the song’s simple, acoustic guitar–driven arrangement and poignant melody sink deep into the heart.

It’s a track meant to be heard as a gentle anthem of encouragement for those who, while carrying the pain and loneliness of heartbreak, still try to look forward.

GibbsRingo Sheena

Shiina Ringo – Gibbs

Since her debut, Ringo Sheena has continually brought a fresh breeze to the rock scene.

This track, released as an advance single from the album “Shōso Strip,” is notable for its lyrics that use distinctive numerical notation and its striking sound where piano and guitar intertwine.

It’s a masterpiece that vividly portrays the feelings of a woman who seeks a deep bond with her lover while feeling uneasy about the passage of time.

Covered by many artists across eras, it continues to captivate music fans.

It’s a stirring song perfect for a spring night, letting you savor the joy and bittersweetness of love at the same time.