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

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.

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.

Sentimental KissShio Reira

Reira Shio / Sentimental Kiss Acoustic ver. (full) [Official Music Video]

A gentle ballad by Reira Shio that delivers bittersweet feelings on a warm acoustic sound.

The lyrics delicately portray the distance between lovers after a breakup and the emotions wavering between heart and body, resonating deeply.

Her voice weaves memories of a feverish love and a faint lingering warmth with novel-like beauty, tenderly embracing the kind of heartache everyone has felt at least once.

Released in March 2022, the song was also used as background music for ABEMA’s dating show “He and the Wolf-chan Won’t Deceive.” It’s a track that will stay by your side on nights when you want to bask in memories of someone special, or when you need someone to hear the feelings you can’t hold inside.

MetronomeYonezu Kenshi

Kenshi Yonezu – Metronome

This is a bittersweet love song delicately woven by Kenshi Yonezu.

It likens the growing misalignment of two people’s feelings to the ticking tempos of two metronomes, portraying from a male perspective how a tiny discrepancy gradually widens into an irreparable rift, even as he cannot forget the other person.

When in love, we tend to get carried away alone and assume the other person feels the same.

It’s important to consider things from their point of view—including whether you truly like them and whether they truly like you.

This work is included on the album “Bremen,” released in October 2015.

User ManualNishino Kana

Kana Nishino 'Torisetsu' MV (Short Ver.)

When it comes to love songs, Kana Nishino comes to mind, and among her tracks, “Torisetsu”—often talked about because many men say they can’t relate to the lyrics—was the theme song for the film “No Longer Heroine,” starring Mirei Kiritani.

It’s a comedic love song that straightforwardly sings about feelings that even women find hard to put into words.

End creditstenkousei

Transfer Student – “End Roll” Music Video

This is a signature song by Natsue Mizumoto’s solo project, Tenko-sei, which went on hiatus in 2013.

Natsue Mizumoto’s vocals have a captivating transparency—so delicate they seem as if they might vanish.

I think many people are drawn to the fragile, almost breakable instability that defines Tenko-sei.

That’s not fair…arekunn

That's not fair... / Ale-kun [Official Music Video]

Are-kun’s song, which beautifully portrays aching love and suffering, has deeply moved many listeners.

While harboring intense feelings for the other person, the work delicately weaves the complex emotions of a woman swayed by ambiguous behavior.

Released in August 2021 as an advance track from the album “Breath,” it was also chosen as the ending theme for TV Asahi’s “BREAKOUT” in September, allowing it to resonate with an even wider audience.

Confused and hurt by the other person’s vague kindness, yet unable to suppress her feelings—this piece offers heartfelt empathy and comfort to anyone who bears the pain of an unrequited love.