Masterpiece! Tear-jerking breakup songs by Japanese bands

Introducing a carefully curated selection of tear-jerking breakup songs from Japanese bands!

Love is fun in any era, but once you experience a breakup, even the happy memories can become painful to recall.

Not many people choose band songs when they’re heartbroken, but I’ve gathered some recommendations—so take this chance to give them a listen.

I focused on popular artists to make the picks easy to enjoy, even for those who don’t usually listen to band music.

You might even find that song you’ve been curious about!

Playlist

Masterpiece! Tear-jerking breakup songs by Japanese bands
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	somedaySaucy Dog		A song about the pain of heartbreak and the resolve to look forward
2	piercingreGretGirl		The earrings from my ex are my last memory.
3	tear(s)KANA-BOON		A guitar rock song that portrays a heartrending love
4	Even if you went and became somebody’s damn girlfriendtensai bando		A heartfelt song that candidly sings about the pain of heartbreak and touches the soul
5	SolaninASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION		‘Solanin’ is a masterpiece that portrays relationships and the self.
6	I got a boyfriend/girlfriend.My Hair is Bad		A heartbreak that moves forward while still holding onto lingering feelings
7	me me sheRADWIMPS		A wistful heartbreak song about someone you can’t forget
8	PretenderOfisharu Higedan Dism		Singing about the pain of heartbreak and the resolve to choose separation
9	Hand in handkuriipuhaipe		A song about the pain of heartbreak and the feelings for a loved one
10	Impersonationkuriipuhaipe		CreepHyp’s heartbreak song, a movie theme song
11	I miss youUVERworld		UVERworld’s heartbreak rock ballad song
12	BYE BYESHISHAMO		A hopeful song about getting over a broken heart
13	playing loversmakaroni enpitsu		A wistful love song by Macaroni Enpitsu
14	I meet peopleMrs. GREEN APPLE		Mrs. GREEN APPLE’s heartbreak song “Gahōjin”
15	Happy Endingback number		An emotional breakup song by back number
16	I didn’t want to know, if it meant losing it.atarayo		A rock band’s song that portrays the turmoil of a heartrending love
17	Magic of a Summer Nightindigo la End		A wistful song that dwells on memories of a summer night
18	mutual feelingsthe shes gone		A song of heartbreak, regret, and healing—melodies that resonate with the heart
19	umbrellaKing Gnu		A melancholic ballad by King Gnu depicting heartbreak
20	The song that comes afterback number		A hidden gem by back number that portrays the pain of heartbreak
21	Tokyoichou BOYZ		A bittersweet song of memories by Ging Nang BOYZ
22	Love SongGO!GO!7188		An emotional breakup song by GO!GO!7188
23	I became someone else’s girlfriend.wacci		The emotional turmoil of realizing your ex’s good qualities after a breakup
24	wishsumika		A song of poignant unrequited love and hope
25	HappinessSHE’S		A poignant SHE’S classic that sings of the pain of heartbreak: “Happiness.”
26	Love? (As if.)Hitsuji Bungaku		A classic song that portrays the end of love and lingering attachment
27	Good ByeHY		A soothing song that sings of gratitude and a positive heart
28	holy warjoōbachi		Depicting a unique worldview and the pain of heartbreak
29	rayBUMP OF CHICKEN		A forward-looking farewell song that makes you laugh and cry, by BUMP OF CHICKEN
30	It’ll get stained.Chatto Monchī		Chatmonchy sings the melancholy of parting
31	I wish you were hereLEGO BIG MORL		The feelings of a band that sings about the pain of heartbreak and lingering attachment
32	Regretsumika		A song that refreshingly portrays the pain of heartbreak
33	avocadoyonige		yonige introduces the heartbreak song “Avocado”
34	Love songSambomasutā		A heartrending love song that sings of the pain of a broken heart
35	Happinessback number		The heartache and torment of a love that cannot be reciprocated
36	Moon Song[Alexandros]		A poignant song by [Alexandros] that sings about the pain of heartbreak.
37	I like you, but it seems you don’t really like me.back number		A refreshing song that sings of the pain of heartbreak and the hope that follows.
38	I didn’t like it that much.Base Ball Bear		A song that portrays the pain of heartbreak and the emotional gap between men and women
39	Et ceteraONE OK ROCK		A poignant rock ballad that sings of lingering love
40	Until the day I can no longer rememberback number		A heartrending ballad that sings of the pain and sense of loss of a broken heart.
41	orangeChatto Monchī		Chatmonchy’s heartbreak song resonates with the heart.
42	OverMr.Children		A song with a mysterious atmosphere after a heartbreak
43	366 daysHY		HY’s classic song “Akai Ito” is a love ballad that resonates with the heart.
44	fishback number		A poignant ballad that sings of a love that doesn’t want to let go.
45	Blue TearsJUDY AND MARY		A bittersweet breakup song by JUDY AND MARY
46	Maplesupittsu		A poignant masterpiece by Spitz, with tones that resonate in the heart
47	MissingAndrop		A song that expresses a bittersweet longing for a former lover
48	I×USilent Siren		A bittersweet love song that lingers in winter memories
49	catDISH//		Takumi Kitamura’s DISH// masterpiece, a heartrending love song
50	DollsJanne Da Arc		A man and woman who have broken up, hollow like dolls
51	The Last Love LetterSabasusutā		Heartbreak feelings sealed in a burning letter
52	Heartbreak Conveyor-Belt Sushitoukyou shoki shoudou		A coming-of-age song that sings about the pain of heartbreak at a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant
53	rain10-FEET		10-FEET’s classic that views heartbreak in a positive light
54	Aprilmol-74		Swaying feelings of love in the spring breeze, a wistful melody sinks into the heart.
55	the absolute worstMarushii		The pain of a betrayed love and the complex emotions that come with it
56	single bedSha ran Q		Sharan Q’s breakup song resonates with the heart
57	fuseHalo at yojōhan		A beautiful, heartrending song about the pain of heartbreak, told from a third-person perspective.
58	long hairFOMARE		A popular breakup song on TikTok
59	moreConton Candy		A rock ballad depicting the regrets of love
60	No way I’m going to forget it.SHISHAMO		Emo rock that hurls the emotions of heartbreak
61	Goodbye to youKaneyori Masaru		An emotionally moving music piece that portrays the pain of a broken heart
62	spring breezeflumpool		A poignant masterpiece by flumpool that sings of the importance of everyday life
63	I don’t like it.yangusukinii		The heartrending feelings of a woman who can’t forget a past love
64	Song of the Eternal NightKami wa saikoro o furanai		The hit song by the buzzworthy band Kami wa Saikoro wo Furanai
65	ONE DAYZa Rūzudoggusu		A bittersweet breakup song by a band from Fukui
66	When the magic wears offSaucy Dog		Saucy Dog’s moving love song
67	Feeling FineL’Arc〜en〜Ciel		A song about taking a positive new step forward after heartbreak
68	spring stormmakaroni enpitsu		An inspiring song by Macaroni Empitsu
69	rendezvousshaitoopu		Sheitoupe, popular on social media, depicts the pain of heartbreak.
70	In that casemakaroni enpitsu		Macaroni Enpitsu’s heartbreak song
71	MPRINCESS PRINCESS		A song of heartbreak's pain and a heart where time has stopped
72	Two ShadowsNovelbright		A heart-touching ballad that sings of the bittersweet feelings of heartbreak
73	tear(s)Marushii		A heart-touching song that portrays the bittersweet pain of heartbreak
74	tragic heroineMy Hair is Bad		A bittersweet coming-of-age song about heartbreak that resonates with the heart
75	Love letterTHE BLUE HEARTS		A love song that wishes for the other person’s happiness even after a heartbreak
76	From our joined handsback number		A poignant ballad that realizes the importance of a lost love
77	freesiaMarushii		Marcy’s heartbreak song, the pain of a breakup
78	Effeminate; overly sentimental; being clingy/whiny (context-dependent)Gōruden Bonbā		A famous Golden Bomber song that portrays heartbreak
79	Rouge of Fragmentsbokula.		A rock ballad depicting lingering feelings after a breakup
80	Loyal Dog Boku-kō35.7		A heartbreak ballad about waiting for an ex-lover
81	WhyHysteric Blue		A classic song that sings of unreachable feelings and a heartrending love.
82	GravityLUNA SEA		LUNA’s SEA’s wistful heartbreak song
83	BathroomYu-anesu		A moving song that objectively speaks about the pain of heartbreak
84	Revolveryonige		A youthful song that portrays the heartache of a broken heart and a forward-looking spirit
85	In loveHY		A gem of a ballad that portrays the feelings of overcoming heartbreak and moving forward
86	petalback number		A heartbreak song layered over cherry blossom petals