RAG MusicHeartbreak Songs
A wonderful heartbreak song

Breakup songs by Japanese bands: recommended classics and popular tracks

A love I’ve given up on—wouldn’t you call that a broken heart?

Sometimes giving up is essential, isn’t it? They say that by accepting it, you can gain the strength to overcome.

Today, I’d like to introduce a song that expresses those feelings straightforwardly in Japanese.

Heartbreak songs by Japanese bands: recommended masterpieces and popular tracks (91–100)

Nostalgiaikimonogakari

Ikimono-gakari “Nostalgia” Music Video
Nostalgiaikimonogakari

A masterpiece from Ikimono-gakari’s indie days, known for its poignant lyrics.

The vividly realistic words naturally paint scenes behind your eyes, and they pair perfectly with vocalist Yoshioka’s warm voice to deliver a song that truly pierces the heart.

It’s sure to bring tears.

I’m glad I was busy.Gōruden Bonbā

It’s a song included on Golden Bomber’s best-of album released in 2010.

When you’re heartbroken and alone, you can’t help thinking about the other person all the time.

That’s why it’s better to keep yourself busy with work or anything else—you can forget, even if only temporarily.

I think these lyrics are really relatable.

Unrequited loveSUPER BEAVER

A gem of a love song that portrays the bittersweet unrequited love almost everyone experiences at least once.

In this work by SUPER BEAVER, the emotional band sound seems to directly embody the world of the lyrics.

It’s featured as an insert song in NHK General’s late-night drama “Vanilla na Mainichi,” beautifully aligning with the show’s atmosphere.

Shibuya Ryota’s deeply expressive vocals are truly moving.

It’s a song that stays close to the hearts of those currently facing their feelings for someone.

DOLLSJanne Da Arc

This is a single by Janne Da Arc released in 2004.

When I first read the lyrics, I thought it was kind of awful because it seemed to be from the perspective of a guy watching his girlfriend refuse to break up.

But it turns out the song was written based on vocalist yasu’s real experience, and it’s actually the other way around—the one refusing the breakup is the guy, yasu himself.

Listening with that in mind, it really is a heartbreak song.

hundreds of millions of light-yearsOmoinotake

Omoinotake | Hundreds of Millions of Light-Years [Official Music Video]
hundreds of millions of light-yearsOmoinotake

A song by Omoinotake that sings of unwavering feelings for a loved one far away.

It repeatedly expresses the phrase “I love you,” which never fades with time.

Portraying lingering attachment to a former lover and the feelings that couldn’t be conveyed when they were together, it’s sure to resonate with anyone fresh from a heartbreak.

Released in January 2024, it was chosen as the opening theme for the TBS Tuesday drama “Eye Love You.” It’s recommended for listening while driving or during quiet nights.

This track fully showcases Omoinotake’s musicality, with particularly memorable piano tones.

Darkening RoomElefanto Kashimashi

A Darkening Room - Elephant Kashimashi cover
Darkening RoomElefanto Kashimashi

The tear-jerking breakup song “Kageri Yuku Heya,” released by Yumi Matsutoya during her Arai Yumi era.

Unlike Yuming’s original, Elephant Kashimashi’s cover expresses the sorrow of loss with powerful, earthy, human, and impassioned emotion—it’ll bring you to tears.

Even if you went and became somebody’s damn girlfriendtensai bando

Genius Band / Even If You End Up Becoming Someone Else’s Girlfriend
Even if you went and became somebody’s damn girlfriendtensai bando

Genius Band is a three-piece formed around Reitaro Kimyo, who continues his solo music career.

This masterpiece brims with heartache, vividly expressing the piercing feeling that even if an ex-girlfriend ends up with someone else, the love you feel for her doesn’t fade.