Tears won’t stop with these sentimental lyrics! Heisei-era tearjerker songs
In every era, there are sentimental songs that tug at our heartstrings.
Songs about the pain of heartbreak, of course, and those that depict an eternal farewell with someone dear—just picturing those scenes can bring you to tears.
And it’s not only sad songs; there are also countless tracks that express gratitude.
So this time, we’re introducing tear-jerker songs born in the Heisei era.
Why not give them a listen when you want to have a good cry?
- Heart-wrenching Japanese hit songs from the 2000s. Songs that make you cry.
- [For when you want to cry or feel sad] Tear-jerking masterpieces that make you cry when you listen
- Tear-jerking J-pop from the ’90s. Hit songs and real tearjerkers.
- Tear ducts guaranteed to burst! Heart-wrenching masterpiece songs I’d recommend to Gen Z
- From bittersweet tracks to heart-wrenching tunes! Heisei-era unrequited love songs
- For When You Need a Good Cry: Soul-Soothing Tearjerker Classics — Life, Love, and Work
- A beautiful melody soothes the heart… Heisei-era ballad hit songs
- [Today's Tearjerker Song] Tear ducts destroyed! Timeless and trending tracks that will make you cry no matter what
- The nostalgic atmosphere tugs at your heartstrings. Tear-jerker songs from the Showa era.
- Tear-jerking youth songs: recommended classics and popular tracks
- Just listening will surely move your heart! A moving song that represents the Heisei era.
- Heisei-era heartbreak songs: A roundup of classic tracks from the ’90s to the 2010s
- [Just the Lyrics Make Me Cry] Tear-Jerking Songs That Touch the Heart
Tears won’t stop with these sentimental lyrics! Heisei era tearjerker songs (11–20)
Tears of MagnoliaSutādasuto☆Rebyū
A love ballad that sings of the profound sense of loss after losing the lover to whom eternal love was vowed.
Using the magnolia—the flower that symbolizes spring—as its motif, it beautifully depicts warm memories with a beloved person and the loneliness felt after their loss.
It was included as the first track on Stardust Revue’s album “SOLA,” released in March 1993, and was later released as a single, selling 150,000 copies.
In 2005, an acoustic version was produced for a Nikka Whisky commercial.
For those who have lost someone precious or who recall bittersweet memories in the spring season, this work will resonate deeply with your heart.
Winter IllusionAcid Black Cherry
A song that sings of feelings for a lost lover shakes the hearts of its listeners.
Yasu’s overwhelming vocal power and his resonant tone even in the high range capture the sorrowful lyrics brilliantly.
Released in January 2008, the track resonated with many, topping the Oricon daily chart among other achievements.
It’s recommended not only for those who have experienced heartbreak or separation, but also for anyone who wants to reaffirm their bond with someone important.
Why not surrender yourself to the heart-piercing melody as you’re wrapped in the cold of winter?
Rainy Amusement ParkSasuke
This is a ballad that poignantly depicts memories of a couple’s date at an amusement park and their bittersweet parting.
It weaves together contrasting scenes: a past moment of riding a carousel in the rain, and the present, where the narrator catches sight of a former lover with shorter hair, looking happy.
The lingering attachment the protagonist still feels, along with a quiet resolve to face forward and live on, gently presses on the heart.
A warm sound centered on acoustic guitar and piano highlights the story-rich lyrics.
Included on Sasuke’s album “Smile,” the piece was released in October 2004, reached No.
3 on the Oricon charts, sold over 450,000 copies, and was certified Platinum.
It’s a song you’ll want to listen to on a rainy day, especially when you’re trying to heal the pain of a broken heart.
White LoversKuwata Keisuke
A gem-like ballad woven from winter’s chill and gentle warmth.
Rather than viewing past love as a failure, it tenderly celebrates those moments of affection, wrapped in the distinctive warmth of Keisuke Kuwata’s vocals.
With imagery like snow quietly piling up and a calm atmosphere shaped by strings and winds, this single was released in October 2001.
Familiar from Coca-Cola commercials and, more recently, UNIQLO’s HEATTECH ads, the song also won the Gold Prize at that year’s Japan Record Awards.
It’s a heartfelt recommendation for anyone who has gone through a farewell with someone dear and wants to cherish the memories.
Theory of the Mindful HeartRADWIMPS
A signature ballad by RADWIMPS that gently soothes hidden feelings and a lonely soul.
Its poetic lyrics, which portray delicate emotions, and its emotional melody sink deeply into the heart.
You can’t help but empathize with the protagonist—burdened by self-denial and fear of others—who encounters a pure presence, is cleansed at heart, and discovers a new self.
Released in July 2006, it reached No.
13 on the Oricon weekly chart.
It was later included on the album “RADWIMPS 4 ~Okazu no Gohan~,” significantly boosting the band’s popularity.
When you feel lost in life or have experienced a farewell with someone precious, this song is sure to be a source of support.
sympathetic tearsHitoto Yo
A debut work by Yo Hitoto that delicately portrays people’s emotions in our lonely modern society.
Amid an information-saturated daily life, the protagonist searches for a place to belong, gently expressing the warmth of a heart that empathizes with others’ tears and stays by their side.
Its original sound weaves together elements of gospel, R&B, and oriental influences, beautifully harmonizing with her crystal-clear vocals.
Since its release in October 2002, the song reached No.
4 on the Oricon weekly chart.
The following year, it won the Japan Record Award for Best New Artist and was performed on the NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen.
It’s a song I sincerely want to share with those struggling with human connections or those who feel the urge to be there for someone.
I can't stop crying at these sentimental lyrics! Tearjerker songs from the Heisei era (21–30)
LieHata Motohiro
This is a renowned song by Motohiro Hata, distinguished by a cool, electronica-tinged sound that begins with an atmosphere reminiscent of being submerged in the sea.
It masterfully captures the complexities of our modern emotions—the truth behind muddled words, the emptiness of layering a dry heart over reality, and the descent into self-deception.
Delicately portraying the subtleties of the heart and the ambiguity between “lies” and “truth” in human relationships, this track opens the December 2015 album Scenes of Blue.
As Hata himself notes, “In today’s era, it’s hard to tell what’s a lie and what’s real,” and the song vividly depicts feelings everyone has likely experienced in everyday life.
It resonates deeply with those struggling in important relationships or harboring complicated emotions.