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.
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Breakup songs by Japanese bands. Recommended masterpieces and popular tracks (1–10)
somedaySaucy Dog
The starry sky we saw at the top of that hill, the carefree way we lay down on the ground—those vivid memories shared by just the two of us squeeze my chest with the ache of knowing that time will never return.
It’s a heartbreak song that powerfully conveys the struggle to accept a farewell while recalling the profile of someone precious.
This track is included on Saucy Dog’s first mini-album, “Country Road,” released in May 2017.
It’s the song that changed their fate, becoming the catalyst for winning the Grand Prix at an audition in December 2016.
While holding a past love as a beautiful yet painful memory, it gently gives you a push to keep moving forward.
Good ByeHY
A ballad marked by the piano’s gentle timbre and a vocal performance that speaks to the heart.
Featured on the 14th album HANAEMI, released in February 2021, this track was written and composed by Nakasone.
Unlike a song that simply dwells in the sorrow of heartbreak, it conveys gratitude toward the other person and embodies the strength to look forward, resulting in a piece that gently encourages the listener.
It’s sure to give you courage when you want to overcome the pain of parting and take a new step forward.
Night of Osmanthuskinoko teikoku
On an autumn night when the season’s presence deepens, have you ever found yourself stirred by a faint sweet scent that awakens old memories? Many people may have experienced a gentle recollection surfacing when they catch the fragrance of fragrant olive on a street corner.
This song by Kinoko Teikoku is a track from their album “Time Lapse,” released in September 2018.
The transparent vocals woven by Chiaki Sato and the nostalgic, emotional melody sink deeply into the heart.
On a quiet night spent alone, why not immerse yourself completely as you reminisce about a past love?
Love? (As if.)Hitsuji Bungaku
“Koi Nante” by Hitsujibungaku vividly captures the pain that lingers in everyday life after a romance ends, as well as the lingering attachment to a former lover.
It’s the closing track on their EP “Zawameki,” released in February 2020, and has continued to be cherished by fans as a hidden gem.
The steady, understated beat instead highlights emotional instability, tightening the listener’s chest.
As vocalist Moeka Shiotsuka has said, she set out to write a love song, and the lyrics delicately portray those contradictory feelings—trying to accept a breakup while still harboring a faint hope.
On a night when you want to quietly reflect on the end of a love, why not listen to it alone and take it in?
bad habitMy Hair is Bad
A beloved classic from My Hair is Bad since their early days, this song closes out the single “Hitomebore e.p.,” released in July 2015.
Through conversations between lovers and everyday miscommunications, the lyrics capture the frustration of swallowing one’s true feelings, striking straight to the heart.
The accumulation of vivid, concrete scenes gradually exposes the unbridgeable distance between the two—an absolutely stunning structure.
Although it never had a tie-in, it was performed with high intensity at their Yokohama Arena show in April 2019, letting you feel the essence of them as a live band.
Despite its relaxed tempo, the chorus overflows with emotion and is thoroughly compelling, making it a perfect listen for those carrying unspoken truths or for nights when you want to fully immerse yourself in the world of the lyrics.
Idiot!UNFAIR RULE
This is a song by UNFAIR RULE, a three-piece rock band from Okayama Prefecture.
It’s just over a minute long, yet it’s packed with lingering feelings for an ex, bravado, and even a cathartic parting shot at the end.
The track features tempo changes that keep it dramatic and engaging despite its brevity.
It’s included on their first mini-album, “Takaromono,” released in February 2022.
Perfect for blasting away post-breakup blues and getting that refreshing rush!
moreConton Candy
A ballad that captures, with a rock sound, the feelings of being tormented by regret while looking back on a love that has ended.
Released in January 2024, this track marks a step beyond Conton Candy’s previously pop-oriented style.
The lyrics, drawn from vocalist Tsumui’s own real experiences, repeat the question of “if only I had…” and pierce the heart.
It’s a song that gently stays by the side of anyone who can’t let go of a past romance or something they’ve lost.