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)
I am here.Yamazaki Masayoshi
This is a song released in 1998 by Masayoshi Yamazaki, a renowned Japanese singer-songwriter who is also highly regarded as an actor.
It was used as the theme song for the Nippon TV drama “Kiseki no Hito,” in which he starred, and debuted at No.
3 on the Oricon charts.
The song became a major turning point that led to his breakthrough.
With the warm tones of acoustic guitar, the elegant resonance of strings, vocals that begin as if speaking and soar into an emotionally explosive chorus sure to move listeners to tears, and lyrics that convey feelings in a straightforward way—there’s truly nothing to criticize.
It’s a gem of a ballad that showcases not only his songwriting sensibility but also his exceptional talent as a guitarist to the fullest.
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.”
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.
Believe in your dreamsTokunaga Hideaki
Debuting in 1986 with a one-of-a-kind voice and striking good looks, Hideaki Tokunaga has continued to create era-defining classics.
Since the 2000s, his cover album series “VOCALIST,” featuring songs by female artists, has been a massive hit.
He truly embodies what it means to be a “singer,” maintaining a commanding presence throughout his career.
His biggest hit, “Yume o Shinjite,” released in 1990, is a medium-tempo masterpiece that was also used as the theme song for the anime Dragon Quest.
While it’s naturally a timeless classic that resonates with listeners of any generation, the older you get, the more you come to appreciate the nostalgic beauty of its melody and the lyrics that gently encourage you without being pushy.
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.