Heisei-era heartbreak songs: A roundup of classic tracks from the ’90s to the 2010s
From around the 1990s through the 2010s, countless timeless songs were released in the Heisei music scene.
Among them were many heartbreak songs, and I’m sure many of you have been listening to them ever since they first came out.
In this article, we’ll introduce a wide selection of those Heisei-era heartbreak songs all at once.
We’ve chosen tracks that carry a nostalgic feel—ones that will bring back memories from those days when you listen.
If you lived through that era, please enjoy them while reminiscing.
And if you’re from a younger generation and didn’t experience that time, we encourage you to take your time listening while reading the lyrics.
- Breakup songs that were hits in the 2000s
- A heartbreak song that was a hit in the 90s. Classic and popular tracks in Japanese music.
- Emotional songs from the Heisei era. Nostalgic tracks that really hit you.
- Tear-jerking J-pop from the ’90s. Hit songs and real tearjerkers.
- Breakup songs sung by male artists that I’d recommend to Gen Z
- [Heisei Love Songs] A carefully selected collection of gem-like love songs that continue to be cherished even in the Reiwa era!
- [Female Heartbreak Song] A soul-stirring song dedicated to you, who loved with all your heart.
- [Heisei Songs] Classic hits from the Heisei era that are popular on Instagram Reels
- Tears won’t stop with these sentimental lyrics! Heisei-era tearjerker songs
- Guaranteed Tearjerker for Men! Japanese Breakup Songs Depicted from a Male Perspective [2026]
- My heart aches with bittersweet pain! Breakup songs I’d recommend to Gen Z
- Just listening makes my chest tighten... Breakup songs recommended for the Yutori generation
- Recommended breakup songs by male artists for the Yutori generation
Heisei-era heartbreak songs: A roundup of classic tracks from the ’90s to the 2010s (31–40)
AloneMayo Okamoto
Mayo Okamoto’s third single delicately sings of the complex emotions of a woman whose boyfriend was taken by her friend.
Beneath her show of bravado lies profound loneliness and a heartrending longing for the one she loves—feelings that strike a deep chord.
Released in November 1996, it reached No.
10 on the Oricon Weekly Chart.
It’s a gem of a ballad you’ll want to listen to quietly when you wish to reflect on the pain of heartbreak and the subtleties of human relationships.
Lovers AgainEXILE
A gem of a medium-tempo ballad that sings of the resolve and hope to step into a new love after recovering from heartbreak.
It strikingly captures the emotional growth of being able to cherish past pain, even while still carrying a heavy heart.
Released in January 2007 and featured in au’s “LISMO!” campaign commercial, the song peaked at No.
2 on the Oricon singles chart and ranked in the karaoke top 10 for three consecutive years.
Why not take a moment in a warm room to soak in the voice that gently seeps into your heart, and reflect anew on your feelings for someone special?
Sakura GirlNEWS
Sung by NEWS, this song portrays a fleeting love that begins with the arrival of spring and ends like falling cherry blossoms.
The lyrics weave a beautiful story filled with a range of emotions, using cherry blossoms—an emblem of spring—as a motif to exquisitely express the poignancy of meeting and parting.
Released in March 2010, the track debuted at No.
1 on the Oricon weekly chart.
It’s a song that stays close to the heart during springtime scenes of new encounters and farewells.
In conclusion
We’ve introduced a number of breakup songs that defined the Heisei era. Back then, when you were going through a tough time after a breakup, I bet there were songs you listened to over and over. Music is mysterious that way—just hearing a memorable song once can instantly bring back the events and feelings from that time. I’d be happy if you’ve found “that one song” that stays close to those painful yet precious memories.