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.

Playlist

Heart-wrenching Japanese hit songs from the 2000s. Songs that make you cry.
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	I wonder if it will be sunny tomorrow.Kuwata Keisuke		Keisuke Kuwata’s masterpiece: the courage to face the past and move forward
2	secret base ~What You Gave Me~ZONE		ZONE's signature song “secret base” resonates with the heart.
3	Midnight ExpresswayFurawā Kanpanīzu		A moving masterpiece that affirms the feelings of youth
4	Just… I miss youEXILE		EXILE’s moving winter ballad masterpiece
5	tear(s)Ketsumeishi		Ketsumeishi’s classic song “Namida” encourages people
6	KanadeSukima Suichi		Sukima Switch’s iconic, heart-touching song “Kanade”
7	366 daysHY		A moving song that portrays HY’s heartrending love
8	budKobukuro		A song we created after meeting at a street performance, filled with feelings for (my) mother
9	road; way; path; street; route; Tao (in philosophy)EXILE		Graduation song “Michi (The Road)”: a song of farewells and memories
10	Close your eyesHirai Ken		Ken Hirai’s poignant ballad “Hitomi wo Tojite” (Close Your Eyes)
11	I miss youHayashibe Satoshi		Becoming an overnight star on a karaoke show
12	Song of DepartureMr.Children		Mr.Children’s “Tabidachi no Uta” is a graduation song that resonates with the heart.
13	me me sheRADWIMPS		RADWIMPS’s famous song “me me she”
14	To all living thingsMoriyama Naotaro		Naotaro Moriyama, a masterpiece that depicts life and living
15	miss youKobukuro		Kobukuro’s poignant masterpiece “Roadmade”
16	Riding on the back of a silver dragonNakajima Miyuki		Miyuki Nakajima’s powerful theme song conveys hope.
17	Snow BlossomNakajima Mika		Mika Nakashima’s classic “Yuki no Hana” is a signature masterpiece of the 2000s.
18	HOMEShimizu Shota		Shota Shimizu's 'HOME': thoughts for a precious person far away
19	LIFE is… ～another story～Hirai Ken		A tour de force whose theme song by Ken Hirai soothes the heart
20	Love PhotosOtsuka Ai		Ai Otsuka’s “Sakura,” the movie’s theme song, is moving.
21	wedgeOku Hanako		A heartbreakingly bittersweet love song, an immensely popular classic
22	sympathetic tearsHitoto Yo		Hitoto Yo’s debut song, a masterpiece that portrays emotion
23	Tears Flowing EndlesslyNatsukawa Rimi		A heartfelt prayer from Okinawa for someone dear
24	SauterjiPorno Graffitti		The appeal of heartbreak songs that resonate deep in the heart
25	STARSNakajima Mika		Mika Nakashima’s shocking debut single
26	I long to see you now.MISIA		Feelings we want to convey, a voice that surpasses imagination
27	SakurazakaFukuyama Masaharu		A bittersweet heartbreak song, a track that suits the cherry blossom season
28	I love you. ~100 Regrets~Sonar Pocket		A popular song that portrays the sorrow of a broken heart
29	A Bouquet for YouUtada Hikaru		Expressing sorrow and farewell through beautiful lyrics
30	dogwood (flowering dogwood)Hitoto Yo		A masterpiece imbued with Yo Hitoto’s prayer for peace
31	I WILLazu		A heart-touching ballad that sings of the pain of heartbreak
32	Goodbye, my beloved.Hana＊Hana		A moving song about parting with my grandfather
33	nape (of the neck)aiko		A moving song that portrays the pain of heartbreak and a woman's emotions
34	Things that have formShibasaki Kou		Memories shine forever in the heart.
35	FlowerORANGE RANGE		A heart-touching ballad by ORANGE RANGE
36	planetariumOtsuka Ai		A ballad imbued with the bittersweetness of love under the starry sky
37	A flower that blooms only hereKobukuro		Kobukuro’s popular single set in Okinawa
38	I miss you so much, I want to see you.Nishino Kana		Bittersweet breakup songs are still popular today.
39	StoryAI		AI's masterpiece: a voice that resonates with the heart
40	You Go Your WayCHEMISTRY		A bittersweet song about fateful encounters and partings
41	You were…Hamasaki Ayumi		A heartbreak song that captures Ayumi Hamasaki’s heart
42	YOUYUI		The heartbreak song “Hello” is a tear-jerking masterpiece.
43	Effeminate; overly sentimental; being clingy/whiny (context-dependent)Gōruden Bonbā		A quintessential song of bittersweet heartbreak
44	Love DrizzleShonan no Kaze		An uplifting song with lyrics about overcoming heartbreak
45	White LoversKuwata Keisuke		A ballad that depicts the feelings of winter love
46	Flavor Of LifeUtada Hikaru		A classic song by Hikaru Utada that portrays heartbreak
47	RESISTANCENakajima Mika		Mika’s theme song that sings of the pain of heartbreak
48	PromiseKōda Kumi		A classic song about the meeting and parting of two people