Tear-jerking songs recommended for women in their 50s: classic and popular Japanese hits

Every listener has their own memories and personal connections to musical works.

This time, we’ve put together a selection of “tear-jerker” songs that are likely to be especially memorable for women in their 50s.

The focus is on hit songs from the 1980s to the 1990s and the popular ballads of the time.

As you read this article, we hope it helps you recall your own “good old days,” and that just hearing a melody or a line of lyrics will instantly bring back the atmosphere of that nostalgic era—letting you feel the power of music.

Playlist

Tear-jerking songs recommended for women in their 50s: classic and popular Japanese hits
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	mermaidNOKKO		NOKKO’s classic ballad gently unravels the ache deep in the heart
2	Strawberry Statement, Once Againbanban		A signature song by Banban, a youthful tune composed by Yumi Arai
3	Tears of Magnolia ~acoustic~Sutādasuto☆Rebyū		Introduction to Stardust Revue’s classic ballads
4	It’s a sad color, isn’t it?Ueda Masaki		Masaki Ueda’s Heart-Touching Ballad Masterpieces
5	Blue airmailArai Yumi		A classic song that sings of the heartache of a long-distance romance.
6	youyashiki takajin		The appeal of Takajin Yashiki’s classic song “Anta”
7	MPurinsesu Purinsesu		Princess Princess’s heartbreak song
8	Stop the clockKarumen Maki		A classic song about the ache of love that resonates with the heart.
9	PRIDEImai Miki		Miki Imai’s smash hit song, produced by Tomoyasu Hotei
10	Lapis-Lazuli EarthMatsuda Seiko		Seiko Matsuda’s signature song “Ruri-iro no Chikyuu” is a beautiful ballad.
11	red flowerchiaki naomi		Feelings of facing the past in 'The Red Flower'
12	makeupShimizu Shota		The Appeal of Miyuki Nakajima’s Breakup Song “Kesho”
13	I’m glad I met you.Koizumi Kyoko		Drama theme song: Kyoko Koizumi’s feelings toward her father
14	Love is overŌyō Fifi		A heartrending breakup song resonates with the heart
15	A woman born in OsakaBORO		A song depicting the life of a woman from Osaka
16	Sometimes, old storiesKatō Tokiko		A song that sings of youthful memories, hope, and nostalgia.
17	Just loveWatanabe Machiko		A classic song that sings of the pain of heartbreak and the hope that follows
18	Azure NocturneOzaki Ami		A serenade song by Ami Ozaki that sings of love
19	JunTakahashi Mariko		Jun, a heartbreak song by Mariko Takahashi
20	Let yourself go with the flow of timeTeresa Ten		Teresa Teng’s famous song, a heart-touching ballad
21	Swaying feelingsZARD		ZARD “Makenaide,” Pocari Sweat commercial song
22	A Good Day to Set Out on a JourneyYamaguchi Momoe		Momoe Yamaguchi's 'Playback Part 2,' an autumn classic
23	MPRINCESS PRINCESS		The youthful ache of being unable to open your contacts after a heartbreak
24	First loveMurashita Kōzō		A bittersweet first-love classic that represents the 1980s
25	The Bridge of PromiseSano Motoharu		Motto Sano’s inspiring classic that resonates with the heart, cheering on life
26	ShipwreckNakamori Akina		A poignant breakup song that portrays a woman's emotions
27	Just by you being herekome kome CLUB		Awarded the grand prize as a hit song and a masterpiece about mutual love.
28	Wandering Love SongNagabuchi Tsuyoshi		Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi’s first love, a bittersweet song of youth
29	You’re My Only Shinin’ StarKadamatsu Toshiki		A classic song by Toshiki Kadomatsu dedicated to Miho Nakayama
30	On her way back from shoppingElefanto Kashimashi		A matured Elecashi song filled with memories
31	sparklingOda Kazumasa		The theme song of Koi no Chikara, an encouraging song
32	Azure RabbitNoriko Sakai		Tetsuro Oda’s classic, Noripi’s big hit
33	Wonderful DaysUNICORN		A languid track imbued with feelings from before the breakup
34	My RevolutionWatanabe Misato		A classic anthem of youth that makes you reflect on yourself.
35	Remember meTUBE		A poignant love song by TUBE that portrays the pain of heartbreak
36	Another OrionFujii Fumiya		An inspiring ballad by Fumiya Fujii
37	It always begins with rain.ASKA		A gentle third single like ASKA’s “Ame (Rain)”
38	I’ve always liked you.Saitō Kazuyoshi		A nostalgic, bittersweet song about being confessed to at a class reunion
39	Embracing sleepless nightsZARD		ZARD’s signature song, a masterpiece by Izumi Sakai. A symbol of 1990s J‑Pop.
40	Sorrow like snowHamada Shogo		Shogo Hamada’s masterpiece—its poignant lyrics resonate with the heart.
41	MissingKubota Toshinobu		An iconic bittersweet 80s love song
42	Happy endingOhtaki Eiichi		A rhythmic love song by Eiichi Ohtaki
43	Love will winKAN		A signature upbeat anthem of the ’90s
44	Give me a slow boogieMinami Yoshitaka		A classic masterpiece that sings of Showa-era masculine love
45	Love stories happen suddenlyOda Kazumasa		The famous song from Tokyo Love Story
46	I won’t fall in love anymore.Makihara Noriyuki		Heartfelt lyrics that capture the soul of a classic
47	One more time,One more chanceYamazaki Masayoshi		Masayoshi Yamazaki's poignant ballad, a classic song about heartbreak
48	SAY YESCHAGE and ASKA		90s J-POP, timeless songs that touch the heart
49	CheersNagabuchi Tsuyoshi		Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi's 'Kanpai,' a classic that celebrates life's milestones.
50	Christmas EveYamashita Tatsuro		A moving classic that colors Christmas
51	Hold me.Matsuda Seiko		A classic hit by Seiko Matsuda that portrays a bittersweet love
52	likeDREAMS COME TRUE		A DCT (Dreams Come True) classic that comforts the pain of heartbreak
53	Tearful KissSazan Ōrusutāzu		Southern All Stars hit songs, 1990s TV drama theme songs
54	Broken-winged angelNakamura Ayumi		A masterpiece that sings of the feelings of a girl hurt by love
55	Let’s Count Your Kisses ~You were mine~Koyanagi Yuki		Yuki Koyanagi classics that are easy to pitch and fun to sing at karaoke
56	Lovers’ PavementTHE ALFEE		THE ALFEE's classic song colors the autumn night, earning their first No. 1 on the Oricon chart
57	Get Along TogetherYamane Yasuhiro		90s hit songs, sweet love songs
58	Aino Katachi feat. HIDE (GReeeeN)MISIA		“Aino Katachi” is an easy-to-sing masterpiece.
59	I love you more than anyone.Furuchi Toko		A classic song that portrays the bittersweet emotions of people in love
60	In the Name of LoveHamada Shogo		Shogo Hamada’s Heartfelt Ballads
61	Rainy BlueTokunaga Hideaki		A heartrending love story that begins in a phone booth at midnight
62	LOVE LOVE LOVEDREAMS COME TRUE		DREAMS COME TRUE’s classic hit, a nostalgic, heartwarming song
63	Cactus FlowerZaitsu Kazuo		Drama theme songs stay in the heart along with memories.
64	CAN YOU CELEBRATE?Amuro Namie		Namie Amuro’s smash hit song, a moving masterpiece that resonates with the heart
65	Goodbyeofukōsu		A classic by Off Course that depicts a winter city.
66	Words of FarewellKaientai		Takeda Tetsuya’s heartbreak song, a song of departure
67	Stars on EarthNakajima Miyuki		Cheering on the light of hope, the unsung heroes
68	AloneMayo Okamoto		A ballad that sings of a woman’s complex feelings after her lover was taken by her friend
69	In a new cityImai Miki		A signature ballad by Miki Imai that gently portrays a turning point in life
70	I’m only gazing at you.Daikoku Maki		A woman's bittersweet feelings as she changes herself for love
71	Wine Red Heartanzenchitai		A love song portraying mature romance that revives forbidden memories
72	I can’t stop this sadnessAnri		The heartrending feelings of a woman whose boyfriend was taken by her best friend
73	Even though it’s springKashiwabara Yoshie		Yoshie Kashiwabara’s graduation song, written and composed by Miyuki Nakajima
74	rainMoritaka Chisato		A tale of heartbreak and a heart drenched in rain
75	romantic feelingsAikawa Nanase		Nanase Aikawa’s signature song, a heartrending love ballad
76	I’m sorryTakahashi Mariko		Mari Takahashi’s classic song depicting parting and regret
77	After you passed byTHE ALFEE		Theme song for The Alfee’s movie “Touch 3.”
78	You’re My Only Shinin’ StarNagayama Miho		A romantic ballad that vows love under the moonlit night
79	I’m falling in love with you againSakamoto Fuyumi		A love song that gently weaves the renewed romance of a long-married couple
80	Come, spring.Matsutōya Yumi		A heart-touching masterpiece by Yumi Matsutoya that evokes the feeling of spring
81	stationTakeuchi Mariya		A heartrending love story about former lovers who reunite at a train station
82	My Dear EllieSazan Ōrusutāzu		Southern All Stars’ first ballad, a heartrending classic.
83	A Smile in Returnkyandīzu		Candies’ last single, a song of youth.