Recommended tear-jerking songs for women: classic and popular J‑pop tracks

We’ve put together a collection of songs you’ll want to listen to when you’re heartbroken, or when, for reasons you can’t quite explain, you just want to have a good cry.

From famous tracks to hidden gems, this feature is sure to help you find the perfect song to match your mood.

Listen while thinking of someone, or while facing your own feelings.

Even well-known songs you hear all the time can make you think, “Wait, was this always such a tearjerker?” when you really listen closely.

So go ahead and cry your heart out—and feel refreshed afterward!

Playlist

Recommended tear-jerking songs for women: classic and popular J‑pop tracks
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	May it be filled with kindnessJUJU		A heartfelt song filled with love for my beloved dog
2	PrologueUru		Uru’s singing voice, which shot to fame with “Prologue.”
3	366 daysHY		A heartrending song that brings tears with memories of an old love
4	NautilusYorushika		Yorushika “Nautilus,” a song that unleashes emotions
5	Letter to TomorrowTeshima Aoi		A song with a beautifully moving singing voice
6	A Bouquet for YouUtada Hikaru		Hikaru Utada, a voice that sings of love and heartache
7	era; age; time; periodNakajima Miyuki		Miyuki Nakajima’s classic song “Jidai” saves the heart.
8	365 daysMr.Children		A heartrending love song that touches the heart, moving
9	aitaiKato Miria		A poignant song that shakes the heart, singing the pain of a broken heart
10	Things that have formShibasaki Kou		Active not only as an actress but also as a singer…
11	setting sunToukyou Jihen		Shiina Ringo’s Tokyo Jihen “Rakujitsu,” an emotionally powerful masterpiece
12	I long to see you now.MISIA		MISIA, an artist with a voice that can move your heart…
13	planetariumOtsuka Ai		Ai Otsuka’s “Planetarium,” a song about the feelings of heartbreak
14	GarnetOku Hanako		Okuhanako’s “Garnet” resonates with me.
15	-ness; typicality; the quality/essence of being [X] (as in “X-ness” or “X-like character”)SUPER BEAVER		A straight-up cheer song that really hits home.
16	Love StoryAmuro Namie		Namie Amuro’s love song “Love Story” stays with me.
17	Love in both handsACIDMAN		A heartfelt song of love and remembrance, “Love in Both Hands”
18	Deep RiverUtada Hikaru		Utada Hikaru’s moving masterpiece “Deep River”
19	KanadeSukima Suichi		Sukima Switch’s classic breakup song “Kanade”
20	Last sceneikimonogakari		Feelings and regrets toward someone I can’t forget
21	Remember mekururi		The 26th release by Quruli in 2013...
22	Please forget it.Yorushika		A heartbreak song that wishes happiness for an ex
23	harborsupittsu		A wistful longing and a wish to reunite within memories
24	beetle (specifically, a rhinoceros beetle)aiko		Aiko’s love songs: bravado and delicacy
25	one grainwacci		Wacci’s new song, a ballad depicting the decision to part ways
26	Never again…BENI		A poignant ballad where lingering feelings for a lover waver with resolve
27	Then, why?Abe Mao		The pain of love tossed around by a teasing attitude
28	The thing I wanted mostMakihara Noriyuki		Noriyuki Makihara’s heartwarming masterpiece that conveys kindness toward others
29	Because you are hereUru		Warm singing voice and lyrics that think of a loved one
30	House by the riverMatsuzaki Nao		A song that evokes the poignancy and warmth of life
31	Letter ~Dear You at Fifteen~Anjura Aki		A moving classic that heals troubled youth: a graduation song
32	presentTamaki Kōji		Koji Tamaki’s moving masterpiece that resonates with the heart
33	a typical womanShiina Ringo		The worldview of a song depicting Shiina Ringo’s mother–daughter relationship
34	filamentUru		A translucent singing voice and deep emotion move the heart
35	I stillmilet		milet’s love ballad that serves as a movie theme song
36	Memory of LifeNikaidou Kazumi		Kazumi Nikaido’s songs convey the preciousness of life.
37	Family SongHoshino Gen		As the theme song for the drama “Overprotected Kahoko,” 2...
38	a single flowertuki.		A bittersweet song inspired by Jujutsu Kaisen
39	moonlightOnitsuka Chihiro		Chihiro Onitsuka's 'Gekkou', the theme song for the drama TRICK
40	So it wasn’t me, huh.riria.		Lilia, a popular singer-songwriter on TikTok
41	Baby Don’t CryAmuro Namie		Namie Amuro’s classic hit, a heartwarming cheer song!
42	SAD SONG feat. No No Girls FINALISTSchanmina		Stirring songs give people’s dreams a push
43	Forever LoveX JAPAN		X JAPAN's moving masterpiece, a heartrending ballad
44	maybeYOASOBI		YOASOBI’s heartbreak song, a calm breakup
45	Snow BlossomNakajima Mika		“Yuki no Hana,” which wishes for happiness that lasts forever. Singer Naka…
46	NO SIDEMatsutōya Yumi		An inspiring masterpiece themed around rugby
47	Only oneYano Akiko / Imawano Kiyoshiro		Akiko Yano’s classic “Hitotsu Dake” resonates with the heart.
48	Scene of angelsOzawa Kenji		Kenji Ozawa's classic song that profoundly sings of life and death
49	If being alive is painfulMoriyama Naotaro		An introduction to songs that accompany life’s hardships and become a light of hope.
50	At the End of SorrowElefanto Kashimashi		A small song of hope to overcome sorrow
51	meteorKobukuro		The beautiful harmony that Japan is proud of has an amazing sound...
52	pupilaiko		A gentle song that sings of the joy of love and of parting
53	heartaimyon		Aimyon, a heartrending love ballad
54	Sentimental KissShio Reira		A ballad by Shio Reira. A gentle portrayal of the end of a romance.
55	AiHata Motohiro		A song in which a heart that can’t believe in love begins to melt
56	wedgeOku Hanako		Okubana Ko’s Memory Songs to Listen to After a Breakup
57	how beautiful you areHamasaki Ayumi		A ballad that sings gratitude to my mother
58	Just being alive is admirable.ReoNa		ReoNa's emotional ballad song
59	passing by each otherSoala		A song that expresses the bittersweet feelings of heartbreak in an R&B style
60	After the nightadieu		Moka Kamishiraishi’s adieu “After the Night”
61	What do you want to become?Rozarīna		A healing song that helps you face your true feelings
62	remainingYoshizawa Kayoko		A song by Kayoko Yoshizawa that sings about the pain of heartbreak
63	To My AdolescenceAka-hoho Shishunki		Expressing adolescent feelings through the coming-of-age theme song of Red Cheek Teenage Puberty
64	If ISekitori Hana		A message song from Hanarete Sekitori to children
65	Give me a gentle kiss.DREAM COME TURU		Even the love that never came true—meeting that person made me fall in love...
66	Tear SongOka Midori		A classic song about the loneliness and anxiety of urban women
67	You let me do as I please, and yet…arekunn		Make Are-kun’s romantic feelings a viral hit
68	contrailArai Yumi		A gem of a song imbued with feelings for a deceased classmate
69	tomorrowNoda Megumi		A ballad that portrays a heartbreaking emotion with a gentle singing voice
70	If I can laughUrufuruzu		A song of hope to overcome the sufferings of life
71	Your nameYamazaki Masayoshi		A song by Masayoshi Yamazaki imbued with a father’s feelings
72	homeKiyama Yusaku		A famous song that sings of love and warmth for family
73	NonfictionHirai Ken		Ken Hirai's moving theme song resonates with the heart
74	signJUJU		JUJU delivers a heartfelt song as a movie theme
75	Homeayaka		Ayaka’s “Home” is a gentle song about thinking of someone far away.