Tear-jerking love songs: classic and popular hits from Japanese music

remainingYoshizawa Kayoko

Kayoko Yoshizawa 'Left Behind' MUSIC VIDEO

A song by Kayoko Yoshizawa that delicately portrays the poignancy of love.

It expresses the protagonist’s feelings as they linger in the afterglow of a past romance, depicted alongside the scene of returning home at dawn.

Released in November 2018, it was recorded in response to strong demand from fans.

Yoshizawa reflects her own experiences and emotions in the piece, approaching production with the youthful stance of “only doing what I love.” The music video features actress Serena Motola, who plays a girl coming home in the morning.

It’s a track that comforts those who’ve experienced heartbreak or are trying to move on from a loved one.

Recommended for moments when you want to quietly revisit the feelings that remain in a corner of your heart.

First LoveUtada Hikaru

Hikaru Utada – First Love

A melody that gently embraces a bittersweet farewell and unforgettable memories.

The lingering sweetness of young love woven by a 16-year-old Hikaru Utada seeps into the listener’s heart.

While accepting a past romance as a cherished memory, it also conveys a forward-looking strength to take a new step.

Included on the album “First Love,” released in March 1999, it was chosen as the theme song for the drama “Majo no Joken,” which began airing in April of the same year.

Set against a warm arrangement of piano and strings, even the breaths in the vocal performance resonate as part of the story.

This gem of a song offers solace when parting with someone dear or when you wish to bring closure to a past relationship.

Gentle RainKoizumi Kyoko

Kyoko Koizumi – Gentle Rain (Official Video)

The lyrics penned by Kyoko Koizumi herself delicately depict loneliness in the city, chance encounters, and a heartfelt longing for the other person.

Released in February 1993, the song drew attention as the theme for the drama “To Love” and became a major hit, reaching No.

2 on the Oricon charts and selling over 950,000 copies.

Koizumi’s voice, carried by Shoko Suzuki’s beautifully composed melody, blends poignancy with warmth, gently resonating with listeners.

It’s a song you’ll want to listen to alone on a rainy day—one that softly soothes the heart when you’re feeling the loneliness of the urban bustle or holding onto thoughts of someone dear.

Your Song for YouKawasaki Takaya

Takaya Kawasaki - Kimi no Tame no Kimi no Uta [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

This is a heartwarming song that contrasts the grandeur of the universe’s history with the small acts of love found in everyday life.

It is one of Takaya Kawasaki’s signature works, included on the 2018 album “I believe in you.” After its initial release on an indie label, it was reissued by Victor Entertainment.

The song portrays the preciousness of each moment with a loved one, expressing a straightforward, sincere devotion to someone dear.

The gentle tone of the acoustic guitar and the tender vocals resonate as if softly enveloping those feelings.

It’s a piece that supports anyone reflecting on relationships with irreplaceable people—partners, family, and others—and feeling a deep sense of love.

Above the setting sunKawasaki Takaya

Takaya Kawasaki - Above the Sunset [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

A poignant love song by Takaya Kawasaki that strikingly portrays a person who appears calm and quiet yet harbors passionate feelings deep inside.

Released in July 2024 as the ending theme for the TV Tokyo drama “Hidamari ga Kikoeru,” the song delicately weaves in imagery of wind, scents, and scenery to express unspoken feelings and the ache of missed connections.

It’s a recommended track for anyone who carries a faint crush yet struggles to put it into words, or for those who wish to look back on the dramatic, bittersweet trajectory of a romance.

Magic CarpetKawasaki Takaya

Takaya Kawasaki - Magic Carpet [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

Kawasaki Takaya’s pure, affectionate vocals seem to speak for the feeling of being in love.

The lyrics, woven with straightforward words, convey a deep yet gentle devotion to a loved one.

Even without money or status, the song candidly expresses the desire to protect someone important.

Released in July 2018 as a track on the album “I believe in you,” it was later selected as the theme song for a LINE drama in December 2020, drawing even more attention.

Don’t miss the beautiful, repeating vibrato in the chorus and the warm tone of the acoustic guitar.

It’s a gem of a love song to listen to when you realize your feelings for someone special—or when you want to confess them.

Close your eyesHirai Ken

Hitomi wo Tojite – Ken Hirai (Full)

It’s the theme song of the film “Crying Out Love, in the Center of the World.” Ken Hirai has written many love songs, but even though more than 10 years have passed since its release, “Hitomi wo Tojite” remains a classic love song that many people can still sing.