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.
- [Tearjerker] Songs that make your heart tremble with tears & moving tracks with lyrics that touch the soul
- Breakup songs that were hits in the 2000s
- Ballad songs that were hits in the 2000s
- Tear-jerking J-pop from the ’90s. Hit songs and real tearjerkers.
- 2000s: A Collection of Hit Karaoke Classics
- Tears won’t stop with these sentimental lyrics! Heisei-era tearjerker songs
- Love songs that were hits in the 2000s. Classic and popular Japanese songs.
- [So touching it makes you cry] A heartbreakingly wistful and sad song that tightens your chest
- 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.
- [Touching the Heart] Timeless Ballad Masterpieces. A Collection of Unfading Classics and the Latest Songs [2026]
- [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)
Riding on the back of a silver dragonNakajima Miyuki
“Riding on the Silver Dragon’s Back,” produced as the theme song for the drama Dr.
Coto’s Clinic, was released in 2003 by Miyuki Nakajima, a singer-songwriter beloved across generations.
The lyrics, which evoke the protagonist confronting hardships in the medical field, leave a strong impression.
You can feel the passion in the shift from the calm verse to the chorus with its weighty sound.
It’s a song that offers courage and hope, carried by her supple yet powerful voice.
Let yourself receive its message that blows away doubt and anxiety.
Snow BlossomNakajima Mika
The song that won the Gold Award at the 2003 Japan Record Awards is “Yuki no Hana” (“Snow Flower”).
It was also performed on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen for two consecutive years, so it’s no exaggeration to say it’s one of the defining tracks of the 2000s.
This piece was created by Mika Nakashima, and her signature crystal-clear voice is showcased to the fullest.
Please lend an ear to its delicate melody and her beautiful vocals.
By the way, she also performed it on THE FIRST TAKE in 2021, so you might want to give that version a listen as well.
HOMEShimizu Shota
“HOME,” released in 2008 as singer-songwriter Shota Shimizu’s major-label debut, expresses honest feelings for a loved one from whom he’s been separated in order to pursue dreams and goals.
Many people who left their hometowns for school or work will likely relate.
Its gentle beat and bittersweet yet warm melody are soothing to the heart.
It’s a song that stays close to you when you feel anxious or lonely and are on the verge of tears.
Be sure to listen to his voice, which perfectly matches the crystalline sound.
LIFE is… ～another story～Hirai Ken
For those who are worn out by everyday life, I recommend listening to “LIFE is…
~another story~.” This song was specially written by Ken Hirai as the theme for the hit drama “Say Hello to Black Jack.” Its lyrics, which encourage people striving through their daily lives, are sure to resonate with your heart.
The quiet, piano-centered melody also tugs at the heartstrings.
Note that the melodies differ between the album version and the single version, so if you’re curious, try comparing them.
Love PhotosOtsuka Ai
This is a single released by Ai Otsuka in 2006.
It was newly written as the theme song for the film “Tada, Kimi wo Aishiteru” (Heavenly Forest) and was also widely used in commercials.
It won the Gold Prize at the 2006 Japan Record Awards and was performed on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen, reflecting its high popularity.
Featuring a gentle, piano-centered sound, it conveys the feeling of looking back on memories with someone special and facing one’s own heart.
While gazing at photographs that capture moments in time, the song portrays love growing stronger, along with a certain bittersweet emotion.
