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 weep-worthy tracks (1–10)
I want to see you.sawada chikako
A huge hit by Chikaco Sawada released in 1990, this song is about an eternal farewell to a lover.
Its lyrics, which directly express “death” without softening it, are shocking when you listen to them again.
Beginning with warm memories in the first verse, then moving into a story that depicts the helpless feelings after losing a lover, Sawada’s heartfelt singing—conveying the protagonist’s struggle to face a painful reality—makes it impossible to hold back tears just by listening.
It’s a timeless masterpiece that anyone can relate to if they’ve experienced a precious presence going far away—not only a lover, but also a family member, friend, or beloved pet—and carry the same kind of sorrow as the protagonist.
Hello Again ~A Place That’s Been Around Since Long Ago~My Little Lover
My Little Lover, known affectionately as “MairaBa,” began as a trio featuring the renowned producer Takeshi Kobayashi—who has worked with artists like Mr.
Children—vocalist akko, and guitarist Kenji Fujii.
Debuting in the mid-’90s, they created numerous classic songs that left their mark both in memory and on the charts.
Among them, the 1995 release “Hello, Again ~Mukashi Kara Aru Basho~” became a massive hit, also serving as the theme song for the Nippon TV drama Endless Summer.
When it comes to the topic of ’90s hits, this track is always one of the first to be named.
From the memorable intro phrase played by Kenji Fujii’s guitar, to the poignant melody sung by akko’s naturally toned voice, to the simple yet deeply moving lyrics—just listening to it makes your chest tighten with emotion.
The Last RainYasushi Nakanishi
This is the second single by Yasushi Nakanishi, a singer from Nara Prefecture, chosen as the theme song for the variety show “Hitachi Ashita P-KAN Kibun!” A long-running hit, it sold 900,000 copies from its 1992 release through 1998 and continues to be covered by various artists today.
Its heartrending lyrics and emotionally charged vocals evoke the loneliness and sorrow felt after parting with a lover.
A quintessential tearjerker of the 1990s, it’s a song that can bring you to tears no matter when you listen.
LOVE LOVE LOVEDREAMS COME TRUE
Have you ever liked someone so much that you felt such strong affection it almost brought you to tears? It’s surprising when tears spill out before you know it, isn’t it? This song carries that overwhelming love on the most beautiful melody.
I think anyone who listens to it will feel memories of someone special welling up in their heart.
I want to hug you.Mr.Children
Just hearing the tone of the piano in the intro is enough to bring some people—especially those of a certain generation—to tears as a conditioned reflex.
With a universal melody and lyrics born from Kazutoshi Sakurai’s outstanding songwriting sense, and an efficient, perfectly judged ensemble, it’s truly a gem of a ballad.
When Sakurai sings it like this, you can’t help but feel ready to follow him for life.
Although it’s loved as one of Mr.
Children’s timeless signature songs, the truth is that when it was released in 1992 as their second single, it didn’t sell very well.
Back then, Mr.
Children were more of a hidden treasure for those in the know, so the fact that it was reappraised after their explosive breakthrough might come as a surprise to younger listeners.