10 J-Pop Songs Recommended for Rainy Days
On rainy days, J-POP songs with lingering vocals, gentle instrumentation, and a moderate rhythm are a better fit than overly upbeat tracks. This article is a list of 10 emotional Japanese songs recommended for those who want to listen to quiet music on cloudy days, during nighttime walks, at a café, or at home.
If you're just starting to listen to J-POP, first 10 Recommended Artists for J-POP Beginners After reading this post and finding an artist you like, I recommend expanding your discovery to playlists organized by mood. In this post, I’ll focus on the song’s mood, vocals, instruments, and key listening points, without quoting any lyrics.
Hanip Summary
| Listening Situation | Recommended Songs | Mood |
|---|---|---|
| For those quiet nights when you want to listen to something soothing | Mika Nakashima – “Snow Flower,” Kaze Fujii – “Let’s Go Home” | Calm and lingering melodies |
| Perfect for playing at a café or at home | Aimyon – “I Want to Tell You I Love You” (愛を伝えたいだとか), Aimer – “Kataomoi” (カタオモイ) | Soft and soothing, with a focus on vocals |
| For when you want to listen to this on a rainy walk | Spitz (スピッツ) – "Cherry" (チェリー), Hitsuji Bungaku (羊文学) – "More Than Words" (more than words) | A light yet emotionally resonant band sound |
| When you want a slightly more intimate atmosphere | Yorushika – “That’s Why I Quit Music,” Sakanaction – “Endless” | A lonely and immersive soundscape |
Why J-POP Is Perfect for Rainy Days
On rainy days, sounds seem to come across as a little closer. The sound of rain outside the window, the dimmed lighting, and the slower pace all combine to make the singer’s breathing and the sounds of instruments like the guitar and piano stand out more clearly.
There are many J-POP songs that are perfect for days like this. Rather than being too heavy or somber, many of them blend a sense of melancholy with warmth, making them great to play casually even on cloudy days.
Criteria for Choosing Calm and Emotional Songs
- Songs where the vocals aren't too far away: On rainy days, songs that focus on the vocals are just right.
- Songs that aren't too complex instrumentally: Songs with piano, guitar, and light drumming are easy on the ears.
- Songs that aren't too slow: Songs that combine a lingering aftertaste with a good rhythm are more enjoyable to listen to over time than songs that just have a strong sense of melancholy.
- Songs with a sense of space: Songs with a lingering melody go well in quiet settings, such as at home, in a café, or on a nighttime stroll.
If you're curious about the various musical styles within J-POP 7 Tips for Getting Started with J-POP If you read this article along with the music, you'll find it easier to distinguish between vocal pop, band sounds, and singer-songwriter ballads.
10 J-Pop Songs Recommended for Rainy Days
1. Aimyon – “I Want to Tell You I Love You” (愛を伝えたいだとか)
One-line description: This is a rhythmic, emotional pop song that’s perfect for playing in a café on a rainy day.
Aimyon’s “I Want to Tell You I Love You” isn’t just a gentle, mellow track—it’s got just the right amount of groove. The guitar and rhythm move along lightly, so even on a cloudy day, the mood doesn’t get too gloomy.
- Highlights: It’s best to listen to this song while focusing on the vocalist’s natural delivery and the repetitive rhythm.
- Recommended situations: At a café, while working from home, on a rainy afternoon
- Recommended for: People looking for Japanese music that’s emotional but not too depressing
2. Spitz (スピッツ) – Cherry (チェリー)
One-line description: This is a clear, gentle band song perfect for a walk after the rain has stopped.
Spitz’s “Cherry” is an old song, but it still has a melody that’s easy to listen to even on first listen. It feels less like the heavy atmosphere of a rainy day and more like a ray of sunlight peeking through the clouds on a cloudy day.
- Highlights: The understated vocals and guitar sounds flow effortlessly.
- Recommended situations: A light stroll, an afternoon after the rain has stopped, while riding the bus or subway
- Recommended for: People who like mellow yet upbeat band music
3. Yorushika (ヨルシカ) – That’s Why I Quit Music (だから僕は音楽を辞めた)
One-line description: This is a melancholic yet crisp band pop track that’s perfect for listening to alone on a cloudy day.
Yorushika’s “So I Quit Music” makes a strong impression right from the title, but the song itself features vivid emotional depth and a distinct melody. The vocals are clear, and the band’s sound has just the right amount of richness, making it perfect for getting lost in on a rainy night.
- Highlights: It's worth listening to the contrast between the clear vocals and the fast-paced instrumentation.
- Recommended situations: A nighttime walk, a room all to myself, or when I want to really focus on listening to music
- Recommended for: People who enjoy emotional band sounds and an epic atmosphere
4. Green-Yellow Society (緑黄色社会) – I Can't Say It (言えない)
One-line description: This pop-rock song captures the mood of a cloudy day without feeling too heavy.
The song “I Can’t Say” by Green-Yellow Society features clear vocals and a clean arrangement, making it easy for even first-time listeners to follow along. While it has a sentimental feel, the song as a whole doesn’t get too somber, giving you a sense of gentle comfort even on a rainy day.
- Highlights: It's worth listening to the parts where the power of the vocals blends harmoniously with the band's sound.
- Recommended situations: A café, on the way home from work, a rainy evening
- Recommended for: People who like Japanese bands with clear vocals
5. Mika Nakashima – Snow Flower (雪の華)
One-line description: This is a classic Japanese ballad that’s perfect for listening to quietly on a rainy night.
Mika Nakashima’s “Snow Flower” is a song strongly associated with winter, but it also fits perfectly on rainy days. The lingering notes of the piano, strings, and vocals create a wonderful atmosphere for listening to alone at night.
- Highlights: It’s worth listening to the subtle tremor in the vocals and the way the instruments gradually build up.
- Recommended situations: Late at night, a quiet room, or to wrap up a moody playlist
- Recommended for: Those who enjoy mellow ballads and songs that leave a lasting impression
6. Kenshi Yonezu – "Lemon"
One-line description: This song, with its low vocals and emotional melody, perfectly captures the atmosphere of a rainy day.
Kenji Yonezu’s “Lemon” conveys clear emotions without being overly intense. With its low, dry vocals, crisp melody, and subdued arrangement, it’s perfect for quiet listening on a cloudy day.
- Highlights: It's worth listening to how the emotions expand in the chorus and the deep, rich quality of the vocals.
- Recommended situations: A rainy night, time spent alone, a quiet commute
- Recommended for: For those who want to start by listening to some classic, emotional J-POP songs
7. Kaze Fujii (藤井 風) – Let's Go Home (帰ろう)
One-line description: This song, with its calm piano and laid-back vocals, helps soothe the soul on a rainy day.
Kaze Fujii’s “Let’s Go Home” is quiet but never monotonous. Centered around the piano, the song unfolds slowly, and the vocals flow naturally, without any forced effort.
- Highlights: It’s worth listening to the sense of space between the piano and vocals, and how the atmosphere becomes more expansive as the song progresses.
- Recommended situations: When I got home after a night walk, a quiet café, a day off
- Recommended for: People who enjoy emotional Japanese songs centered around the piano
8. Hitsuji Bungaku (Sheep Literature) – More Than Words
One-line description: It’s a dreamy band sound that goes perfectly with the air on a cloudy day.
"More Than Words" by Hitsuji Bungaku features soft, floating vocals, with the guitar and drums providing a calm backdrop to the song. It has a somewhat melancholic feel without being too heavy, making it a perfect fit for a rainy day playlist.
- Highlights: It’s worth listening to for the sensation that the vocals seem to float slightly above the instruments and the sense of spaciousness.
- Recommended situations: A night walk, by the window on a cloudy day, late afternoon
- Recommended for: People who enjoy dreamy band music and soft female vocals
9. Sakanaction (サカナクション) – Endless (エンドレス)
One-line description: This is an electronic-driven track that perfectly captures the urban atmosphere of a rainy night.
"Endless" by Sakanaction is a song that blends live band sounds with electronic elements. Rather than evoking the quiet atmosphere of a rainy day, it brings to mind the lights of the night streets and wet roads.
- Highlights: You'll love the immersive experience created by the repetitive rhythms, electronic sounds, and low-key atmosphere.
- Recommended situations: A night walk, a city in the rain, time spent alone listening to music through my earbuds
- Recommended for: Someone who prefers music with sophisticated, dark electronic sounds over mellow ballads
10. Aimer – Kataomoi
One-line description: This is a warm, vocal-driven song that’s perfect for playing quietly at home.
"Kataomoi" by Aimer is a gentle song centered around guitar and vocals. Even amidst the chilly atmosphere of a rainy day, it doesn't feel overly melancholic and leaves a warm afterglow.
- Highlights: It's worth listening to the parts where the husky vocal tone blends naturally with the guitar accompaniment.
- Recommended situations: At home, at a café, on a quiet night, while reading
- Recommended for: People who enjoy soft female vocals and gentle, emotional songs
How to Choose What to Listen to Based on the Situation
A song perfect for listening to at night
- Mika Nakashima – Snow Flower (雪の華)
- Kenshi Yonezu – Lemon
- Kaze Fujii (藤井 風) – Let's Go Home (帰ろう)
- Sakanaction (サカナクション) – Endless (エンドレス)
At night, songs with a sense of space and a lingering resonance work better than those where the vocals are too prominent. When listening quietly by yourself, try turning the volume down a bit and paying attention to the space between the vocals and the instruments.
Songs that are great to play at a café or at home
- Aimyon – “I Want to Tell You I Love You” (愛を伝えたいだとか)
- Green-Yellow Society (緑黄色社会) – I Can't Say It (言えない)
- Aimer – Kataomoi
- Spitz (スピッツ) – Cherry (チェリー)
At a café or at home, songs with a relaxed rhythm and natural vocals work better than overly dramatic ones. When I’m working or reading, I find it less stressful to focus on the instruments and the overall atmosphere rather than the lyrics.
Songs to Listen to While Taking a Walk
- Spitz (スピッツ) – Cherry (チェリー)
- Hitsuji Bungaku (Sheep Literature) – More Than Words
- Yorushika (ヨルシカ) – That's Why I Quit Music (だから僕は音楽を辞めた)
- Sakanaction (サカナクション) – Endless (エンドレス)
On a rainy walk, listening only to very mellow songs can make you feel down. If you mix in some songs with just the right amount of rhythm, your steps will stay light even on a cloudy day.
Recommended playlist for when you want to listen to something that isn't too depressing
On a rainy day, if you start listening to music with a song that’s too heavy, it might make you feel even more down. It’s more pleasant to start with a rhythmic song, slip in a sentimental one halfway through, and finish with a song that leaves a lasting impression.
- Spitz (スピッツ) – Cherry (チェリー) : A light and refreshing start
- Aimyon – “I Want to Tell You I Love You” (愛を伝えたいだとか) : A rhythm reminiscent of a café
- Green-Yellow Society (緑黄色社会) – I Can't Say It (言えない) : A Balance Between Vocals and Band Sound
- Hitsuji Bungaku (Sheep Literature) – More Than Words : The Dreamlike Atmosphere of a Cloudy Day
- Aimer – Kataomoi : Warm, Vocal-Driven Emotion
- Yorushika (ヨルシカ) – That's Why I Quit Music (だから僕は音楽を辞めた) : A Slightly Deeper Immersive Experience
- Sakanaction (サカナクション) – Endless (エンドレス) : Electronic sounds reminiscent of a nighttime street
- Kenshi Yonezu – Lemon : A Calm Emotional Tone
- Kaze Fujii (藤井 風) – Let's Go Home (帰ろう) : A Journey of Reflection
- Mika Nakashima – Snow Flower (雪の華) : A Quiet Finale
This order isn't set in stone; it's just a suggestion to help keep the mood flowing smoothly. If you’d like a brighter sound, include more tracks by Spitz, Aimyon, and Ryokuo Shakai earlier in the playlist; if you prefer a calmer vibe, focus on tracks by Mika Nakashima, Kaze Fujii, and Aimer.
Recommended for people like this
- People looking for Japanese music to listen to on a rainy day
- Anyone who wants to create a playlist of songs perfect for cloudy days
- People who are looking for songs to listen to at night but find music that’s too depressing a bit overwhelming
- People who want to listen to mellow Japanese songs and band music at the same time
- People who are new to J-POP and want to start with emotional songs rather than fast-paced, flashy ones
This playlist isn't just a collection of quiet songs. To keep your spirits from getting too low even on cloudy days, I've mixed in vocal-driven tracks, band songs, and tracks with electronic sounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
If it's your first time listening to J-POP on a rainy day, which song should you start with?
If you want to start off with something light, I recommend “Cherry” by Spitz; if you’d like to listen to something more emotional, I suggest “Kataomoi” by Aimer or “Lemon” by Kenshi Yonezu.
What are some songs to listen to on a rainy day that aren't too depressing?
Songs like “I Want to Tell You I Love You” by Aimyon, “I Can’t Say It” by Green-Yellow Society, and “Cherry” by Spitz are relatively easy to listen to.
What songs are good for a nighttime walk?
"More Than Words" by Hitsuji Bungaku, "Endless" by Sakanaction, and "Let's Go Home" by Kaze Fujii are perfect for a nighttime stroll.
What are some mellow Japanese songs that would be good to play in a café?
Songs like “Kataomoi” by Aimer, “I Want to Tell You I Love You” by Aimyon, and “Cherry” by Spitz fit the café atmosphere perfectly.
Do I have to listen to ballads on rainy days?
You don't have to. Ballads are nice, but listening only to very mellow songs can make you feel a little down. Mixing in some songs with a band sound or a light rhythm will make for a more enjoyable listening experience.
Where is the safest place to watch official music videos?
The safest way to watch the official music video is on each artist's official YouTube channel. We recommend using legitimate music streaming platforms like Spotify to listen to the songs.
