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