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

Sayonara, baby.Kato Miria

Miliyah Kato 'Sayonara Baby'

This is a bittersweet love song about a heart swaying between true feelings and outward appearances.

She wants to believe his words, yet deep down she doubts them, and still can’t bring herself to end things… You can sense her wavering emotions in the chorus’s back-and-forth between the man and woman.

The track is a work by singer-songwriter Miliyah Kato, released in September 2008 as her 13th single.

Its arrangement is striking, unfolding from a wistful piano intro into a danceable four-on-the-floor sound.

The song is also included on the acclaimed album “Ring.” When you’re unsure of the other person’s feelings and don’t know what to do, listening to this might resonate with your complicated state of mind.

Love ForeverKatō Miriya × Shimizu Shōta

Miliyah Kato × Shota Shimizu “Love Forever”

The golden duo representing the J-POP scene, Miliyah Kato and Shota Shimizu, have an unmissable duet song.

While celebrating the joy of meeting, its lyrics occasionally hint at an inevitable end, making it achingly bittersweet and tightening your chest.

Told from both of their perspectives, it’s a track that powerfully conveys gratitude toward the person who saved them from lonely days.

Released in May 2009 as a single by Miliyah Kato and included on the classic album “Ring,” the song became hugely popular, with its music video winning an award at MTV VMAJ 2010.

The section in the latter half where their harmonies intertwine is a must-hear.

It’s a masterpiece perfect for nights when you want to bask in the beautiful memories and bittersweetness of love.

366 daysHY

HY 366 Days LIVE

I think “366 Days” is one of HY’s three major tear-jerker ballads, alongside “Song for…” and “NAO.” It was the theme song for the drama and film adaptations of Red Thread in 2008, and it’s a classic breakup song that many people sing at karaoke.

25th ChromosomeRADWIMPS

RADWIMPS – The 25th Chromosome [Official Music Video]

Speaking of RADWIMPS, many people strongly associate them with their huge hit “Zenzenzense,” the theme song of Your Name.

However, their debut song “Nijūgokome no Senshokutai” (The 25th Chromosome) features a development that feels more quintessentially RADWIMPS, and its lyrics—pleasantly unsettling in a good way, with a stalker-like vibe—are excellent.

It’s a perfect entry point for those who discovered RADWIMPS through “Zenzenzense.”

Smile and say goodbyeFujifaburikku

Fujifabric / Laugh and Say Goodbye

Speaking of Fujifabric during Masahiko Shimura’s era, songs like “Akane-iro no Yūhi,” “Aki Kiiro no Kinmokusei,” and “Wakamono no Subete” are often cited as masterpieces, but in contrast, “Waratte Sayonara” can be considered a hidden gem.

It’s a song about brooding over one’s own failings toward an ex-lover, sinking into regret and sorrow.

If you listen to it right after a breakup, you’ll definitely cry.

tobacco / cigarette(s)Koresawa

Koresawa “Tobacco” [Music Video]

A singer-songwriter beloved for relatable, down-to-earth lyrics, Koresawa delivers a piercing song of regret.

The protagonist is portrayed desperately trying to recover the warmth of lost days from the small personal items their partner left behind.

The depictions of miscommunication—“If only I’d paid more attention to them,” “If only they had cared more about me”—will resonate painfully with anyone who has parted ways with a long-time partner.

Released in March 2017, this work is marked by its acoustic sound.

For those who feel their own shortcomings led to the breakup, this song may quietly sit with you and allow you to shed your tears.

Song of PartingNakajima Miyuki

Farewell Song

This is a song by Miyuki Nakajima that portrays a heartrending farewell where all you can do is watch the other person walk away.

The work depicts a protagonist who, while still holding onto lingering attachment and kindness for the other person, accepts an inescapable loneliness they can do nothing about.

The complex emotions born from years spent together are sure to resonate deeply with anyone who has experienced the major turning point of divorce.

Released in September 1977, the song became Miyuki Nakajima’s first to top the Oricon charts.

It’s also known for being used as background music in the drama “Tokusou Saizensen.” You can also hear it on the album “Aishiteiru to Ittekure.” On nights when you feel crushed by an unbearable loneliness, don’t you think listening to this song might make you feel your feelings are being affirmed?