Heart-wrenching Japanese hit songs from the 2000s. Songs that make you cry.
In this article, we’ll introduce tear-jerking Japanese songs that were hits in the 2000s.
The Y2K culture, referring to the era around the year 2000, has been getting renewed attention in the Reiwa period and is creating a buzz.
The J-POP scene of the 2000s featured many classic ballads and emotionally powerful tracks that tug at the heartstrings.
We’ve picked a diverse lineup—from long-running hits and popular songs still sung today to hidden gems.
If you’re from that generation, we recommend reminiscing about those days as you take your time reading through the lyrics.
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- Ballad songs that were hits in the 2000s
- Tear-jerking J-pop from the ’90s. Hit songs and real tearjerkers.
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- The nostalgic atmosphere tugs at your heartstrings. Tear-jerker songs from the Showa era.
- A melancholic “yami” song that was a hit in the 2000s. A bittersweet track.
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- [Heisei Love Songs] A carefully selected collection of gem-like love songs that continue to be cherished even in the Reiwa era!
- All big hits! A roundup of classic J‑Pop songs that were popular in 2000
Tear-jerker Japanese hit songs from the 2000s: Cry-worthy tracks (11–20)
I miss youHayashibe Satoshi
Toshifumi Hayashibe became an overnight star after appearing on a karaoke TV show.
Many of you probably cheered him on while watching back then.
His debut single is “Aitai.” It’s a ballad that expresses gratitude and love for someone you can no longer see, including those who have passed away.
The melody is gentle and highlights his crystal-clear voice.
By the way, there’s also a piano version with an even more restrained arrangement that I highly recommend.
Song of DepartureMr.Children
Mr.Children is a band that released numerous massive hits from the 1990s through the 2000s and continues to be supported by a wide audience today.
Tabidachi no Uta is a mid-tempo number released in 2007.
It’s a song about gently holding on to precious feelings as you move forward, and it gradually became familiar as a graduation song.
Not only students but also working adults will surely find themselves deeply relating to it.
The gentle lyrics depicting farewells and new beginnings, and the very last line of the chorus, sink in profoundly.
Listening to it when you’re anxious or during a season of departures may bring you to tears.
It’s a song that lets you believe in a future where you can smile together again.
me me sheRADWIMPS
RADWIMPS is a rock band formed in 2001.
One of their early masterpieces that enjoys passionate support from fans is “me me she.” Sung from a man’s perspective, it portrays the sorrow of heartbreak and the lingering feelings of love even after a breakup.
The lyrics, which depict love in an incredibly straightforward and pure way, make a strong impact—you won’t forget them once you hear them.
By the way, the title is read “memeshii,” a play on the Japanese word meaning “effeminate” or “pathetically sentimental.”
To all living thingsMoriyama Naotaro
Singer-songwriter Naotaro Moriyama is widely known for the smash hit “Sakura (Dokusho)” and for songs with powerful messages that captivate fans and never let go.
His 5th single “To All Living Beings,” used as the theme song for the TV drama “Beloved You” and as an insert song in “Mr.
Kinpachi in Class 3B, Series 8,” features striking, philosophical lyrics sourced from the Kokin Wakashu.
The opening, which begins with a weighty choral arrangement, seems to link perfectly with its message depicting life and existence.
Cynical yet imbued with truth, it’s a masterpiece that blends simplicity with grandeur.
miss youKobukuro
This song is included on Kobukuro’s first major-label album, Roadmade, released in 2001.
It was also selected as the theme song for the TV drama “Aibō: The Chemistry Unit” and was later re-released as a single.
With its gentle acoustic guitar tones and the duo’s vocals standing out, the track conveys a sense of loneliness while also evoking a clear, uplifting atmosphere.
The lyrics straightforwardly depict the pain of parting and the regret over a love that has vanished.
Precisely because the song is delivered with a sound that can seem bright, the poignancy of the lyrics feels all the more striking.
