Tear-jerking J-pop from the ’90s. Hit songs and real tearjerkers.
The 1990s were the era in J-pop history when CDs sold the most, and countless timeless classics were born that are still loved in the 2020s.
It was truly J-pop’s golden age, with artists and bands from a wide range of genres scoring hit after hit—an important period that greatly expanded the possibilities of Japanese music.
From among the dazzling array of brilliant 90s songs, this time we’re highlighting “tear-jerkers”: masterpieces that remain etched in both the record books and our memories.
Whether you lived through that time or you’re a younger music fan who’s recently gotten into 90s Japanese music, be sure to check them out.
- Iconic ballads of 90s J-pop: nostalgic mega-hits and fan favorites
- [Tearjerker] Songs that make your heart tremble with tears & moving tracks with lyrics that touch the soul
- Tear-jerking songs recommended for women in their 40s: classic and popular Japanese tracks
- A roundup of hit love songs from the ’90s
- Tear-jerking songs I want to sing at karaoke
- A heartbreak song that was a hit in the 90s. Classic and popular tracks in Japanese music.
- A hidden gem among tearjerker songs. Recommended popular tracks.
- A coming-of-age song that was a hit in the ’90s. A classic and popular track in Japanese music.
- [So touching it makes you cry] A heartbreakingly wistful and sad song that tightens your chest
- Classic and hit songs by nostalgic Japanese bands from the 1990s
- Tear-jerking songs recommended for women in their 50s: classic and popular Japanese hits
- The nostalgic atmosphere tugs at your heartstrings. Tear-jerker songs from the Showa era.
- Heisei-era heartbreak songs: A roundup of classic tracks from the ’90s to the 2010s
Tear-jerking J-pop from the ’90s. Hit songs and sob-worthy tracks (21–30)
Rusty NailX JAPAN
This is the 10th single by X JAPAN, a five-member rock band that climbed to global prominence with a metal sound long said to be difficult to gain a foothold in the J-pop scene.
Chosen as the theme song for the TV drama “Kimi ga Mienai,” the track features a cool arrangement that moves from a mysterious harpsichord opening into a driving rock sound.
Its classical ensemble—more than just sheer intensity—likely tugged at both the tear ducts and heartstrings of many listeners.
A rock number whose beauty stands out, it’s a quintessential showcase of X JAPAN at their best.
Gentle RainKoizumi Kyoko
It’s a tender, bittersweet love song whose lyrics vividly conjure up scenes.
Although the two have confirmed their mutual feelings and grown close enough to speak of each other as fate, the other person still won’t make the bold, decisive move to claim them as their own.
The song pours out that frustrating longing, overlaying it with the image of rain.
Surely more than anyone else in the worldNagayama Miho & WANDS
“More Than Anyone in the World, Surely” is a smash-hit single born from a collaboration between Miho Nakayama and the rock band WANDS.
It was incredibly popular and truly a song that defined its era.
At a time when collaborations weren’t all that common, it was a forward-looking track that anticipated the times.
Bye For NowT-BOLAN
When talking about 1990s J-pop, you can’t ignore the success of the so-called “Being-kei” artists and bands.
Groups like WANDS and ZARD racked up massive hits and dominated the Oricon charts, and amid that Being boom, T-BOLAN stood out with their tough, straight-ahead rock-band image.
Led by frontman Arashi Moritomo, who wrote their songs and was known for his gritty, tenacious vocal style, they were especially acclaimed for their rock ballads.
Released in 1992 and a million-seller, “Bye For Now” is a classic whose orchestral hit in the intro makes an immediate impact.
Beyond its skillful song structure, its heartfelt message to someone setting off on a distant journey still resonates across generations.
If someone important to you is embarking on a new chapter, try singing it for them at karaoke.
kissORIGINAL LOVE
ORIGINAL LOVE is one of the musicians who shone in the 1990s.
They brought sophisticated, urban music—unlike anything Japanese listeners had heard before—to audiences across the country.
“Kiss” is one of ORIGINAL LOVE’s signature songs and remains a beloved tearjerker to this day.
Goodbye, YesterdayTUBE
When you think of TUBE, you think of summer, right? This song is a passionate track that makes you feel the summer heat, but it’s also filled with feelings for an unforgettable lover.
I bet many women can relate to that contradiction of “I hate him, but I love him.”
SAY YESCHAGE and ASKA
It’s a massive, smash-hit song born in the Heisei era—so famous that adding any explanation almost feels boorish.
Beyond its record-breaking 2.822 million copies sold, it sparked an unprecedented boom across Japanese society, thanks also to the classic drama it theme-songed, “The 101st Proposal,” and its iconic line, “I won’t die!” Because it’s so overwhelmingly well-known, those who remember that time might feel a bit embarrassed by it now, but listening again reveals just how exquisitely crafted the song is.
The instantly recognizable intro, ASKA’s uniquely phrased, brilliant lyrics and melody, CHAGE’s flawless harmonies, the airtight ensemble—just listening wraps you in an indescribable sense of awe.