Tear-jerking songs recommended for men in their 40s: classic and popular Japanese hits

When you hear the phrase “songs that make you cry,” what kind of songs come to mind?

From heartbreaking ballads like breakup songs to tracks that sing about life, there are many kinds of tear-jerkers.

In this article, we’ll introduce a comprehensive selection of moving songs recommended for men in their 40s!

We’ve picked a wide range—from songs that perfectly match your current situation to ones that will bring back old emotions and move you to tears—so be sure to read the lyrics and listen closely!

Playlist

Tear-jerking songs recommended for men in their 40s: classic and popular Japanese hits
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Tears of MagnoliaStardust Revue		STARDUST REVUE’s signature song “Mokuren no Namida”
2	After the FestivalKuwata Keisuke		The melancholy and allure of Keisuke Kuwata’s classic song “Matsuri no Ato”
3	overMr.Children		Mr. Children’s classic song “Over,” a moving masterpiece
4	One more time, One more chanceYamazaki Masayoshi		Masayoshi Yamazaki, active as a musician and actor
5	TSUNAMISazan Ōrusutāzu		A classic song that portrays lingering attachment and bittersweet emotions after a heartbreak
6	Ballad of a SingerSaitō Kazuyoshi		Kazuyoshi Saito in the ’90s, the classic song “Utautai”
7	single bedSha ran Q		The 90s hit “Single Bed” is Sharan Q’s signature song.
8	Bye For NowT-BOLAN		The famous song “Bye For Now” by T-BOLAN
9	Robinsonsupittsu		Spitz’s Masterpiece “Robinson” and Its Musicality
10	countrysideTamaki Kōji		Koji Tamaki’s signature song “Den-en” and a hymn to affirming life
11	Like tonight’s moonElefanto Kashimashi		Elekashi, songs of youth, unforgettable
12	The Last RainYasushi Nakanishi		90s J-pop classic ballad 'The Last Rain'
13	Tears of the MagnoliaStardust Revue		A classic by Stardust Revue, a bittersweet love song.
14	I don’t want to let go.T-BOLAN		A famous song by T-BOLAN, a love song for someone special
15	HOWEVERGLAY		The Appeal of GLAY’s Masterpiece “HOWEVER”
16	OH MY LITTLE GIRLOzaki Yutaka		Yutaka Ozaki’s masterpiece, a heart-stirring ballad
17	Sayonara ColorSUPER BUTTER DOG		"Sayonara Color" is a classic song of youth.
18	BE WITH YOUGLAY		GLAY's powerful rock songs resonate in the heart
19	Sunflower DreamSaitō Kazuyoshi		Saito Kazuyoshi’s positive classic song
20	Sorrow like snowHamada Shogo		Shogo Hamada’s classic song that makes you feel hope in life
21	Rainy BlueTokunaga Hideaki		Hideaki Tokunaga’s famous song expresses a heartrending feeling.
22	Tomorrow never knowsMr.Children		The signature ballad from Mr.Children’s biggest hit
23	I AM YOUR SINGERSazan Ōrusutāzu		Gratitude and Hope for Southern’s 30th Anniversary
24	TRUE LOVEFujii Fumiya		The Checkers’ classic, an eternal love song
25	windKobukuro		A poignant ballad depicting a springtime farewell, a masterpiece by Kobukuro.
26	I wanted to kiss you again.B’z		From summer to winter, B’z’s poignant love song
27	Can’t Say Anything… SummerTHE JAYWALK		A classic 90s song by J-WALK depicting a summer farewell.
28	Snow SmileBUMP OF CHICKEN		Melancholic ballad masterpieces to listen to in winter
29	Last SongGACKT		A GACKT ballad that moves from snowy silence to passion
30	Close your eyesHirai Ken		Ken Hirai's moving romantic ballad
31	I want to become a rainbow.TUBE		A poignant ballad masterpiece by the summer band TUBE
32	aloneGosuperāzu		Gospellers’ classic song “Hitori”
33	I won’t fall in love anymore.Makihara Noriyuki		Noriyuki Makihara’s breakup song resonates with the heart.
34	I want to see you.yuzu		Yuzu releases a ballad dedicated to expressing gratitude to his father
35	Believe in your dreamsTokunaga Hideaki		A popular adventure song from an anime theme
36	Far, far awayMakihara Noriyuki		A heartwarming masterpiece by Noriyuki Makihara that portrays friendship
37	suddenlyFIELD OF VIEW		90s hit songs, memories of youth
38	You’re no longer here.FUNKY MONKEY BABYS		A ballad about the pain of heartbreak
39	Unrequited loveSUPER BEAVER		A bittersweet love ballad by SUPER BEAVER
40	The End of SummerMoriyama Naotaro		Noriyuki Moriyama’s masterpiece that depicts the poignancy of summer
41	KaraBank Band		Socially-contributive musical works by Bank Band
42	DestinyAee! group		Aぇ! group’s bittersweet love song
43	more than anyoneBE:FIRST		A ballad depicting the struggles of a man tormented at heart by BE:FIRST
44	somedaySaucy Dog		A love song that portrays heartbreak and memories
45	Goodbyeofukōsu		Off Course’s pure love ballad, poignantly expressing the end of a romance
46	Rainy Amusement ParkSasuke		A ballad depicting memories of an amusement park date and a breakup
47	180°yamazaru		A love ballad of a mountain monkey. Depicting the struggles of romance.
48	Close your eyesHirai Ken		A ballad about longing for a lost lover
49	Heartbreaker (I fell in love with a cowgirl)Hirai Dai		Hirai Dai's country love song
50	First loveHata Motohiro		A ballad by Motohiro Hata. It sings of bittersweet memories of love.
51	MetronomeYonezu Kenshi		Kenshi Yonezu’s love ballad, feelings passing each other by
52	sonetACIDMAN		A song that portrays Hokkaido’s nature and embodies a resolve to live
53	My WayDef Tech		A song that sings about the importance of moving forward as yourself
54	Dan Dan Kokoro HikaretekuFIELD OF VIEW		A refreshing song filled with young love and courage
55	forever; for good; indefinitelyGReeeeN		A ballad depicting memories and love with a lover
56	Bridge of Gloryyuzu		An anthem that cheers you on to overcome hardships and seize hope
57	Banzai ~ So glad I loved you ~Urufuruzu		A rock song by Ulfuls that sings about love
58	ForeverGosuperāzu		A masterpiece that sings of an eternal bond with a loved one
59	Midnight ExpresswayFurawā Kanpanī		Flower Companies' youth rock fight song
60	Sorrow Rides the Busmakaroni enpitsu		An inspiring song by Macaroni Empitsu
61	Stars on EarthNakajima Miyuki		A musical piece of respect and inspiration for the unnamed people
62	SymphonyHirai Dai		Dai Hirai sings powerfully about his feelings for someone special
63	Prayer FlowerHirai Dai		A warm ukulele song filled with love for my grandmother
64	Broken RadioTokunaga Hideaki		A classic song that captures the wavering emotions of youth, offering comfort to the heart.
65	I’ve always liked you.Saitō Kazuyoshi		Saito Kazuyoshi’s Lyrical Love Song
66	homeKiyama Yusaku		A song by Yusaku Kiyama that celebrates parental love and the joys of raising children
67	White LoversKuwata Keisuke		Introduction to Keisuke Kuwata’s winter ballad songs
68	cherry blossomMoriyama Naotaro		The signature song by Naotaro Moriyama, the scenery of sakura (cherry blossoms)
69	Sake, Tears, Men, and WomenKawashima Eigo		A socially conscious masterpiece that depicts the feelings of men and women
70	Let’s become a familyFukuyama Masaharu		A famous song themed around Masaharu Fukuyama’s marriage
71	SakurazakaFukuyama Masaharu		Masaharu Fukuyama's classic song 'Sakurazaka' is easy to sing.
72	An unfinished love song I’ve been working on foreverHata Motohiro		A ballad that gently portrays love built over time
73	Someday Merry ChristmasB’z		B’z’s moving ballad “Itsuka no Merry Christmas”
74	CheersNagabuchi Tsuyoshi		A famous song by Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi that celebrates the start of a new chapter in life
75	sepiaDōjima Kōhei		The ballad “Sepia,” which sings of memories of Kohei Dojima.