Hidden gems among tear-jerker songs. Recommended popular tracks.

White LoversKuwata Keisuke

Keisuke Kuwata – Shiroi Koibitotachi (Full ver.)

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.

Memo lockShio Reira

Leira Shio / Memo Lock [Official Music Video]

This song is a poignant piece that resonates deeply, depicting a story of lost love.

The protagonist’s complex emotions are woven into the lyrics, striking a chord with listeners.

Released in May 2024, it’s a track packed with Leira Shio’s unique worldview.

The music video, directed by Ao Inoue, brilliantly brings that world to life.

Filmed in a quarry, its dreamlike visuals skillfully portray the protagonist’s inner landscape.

It’s a song for anyone who has lost someone important or stands at a crossroads in life.

It’s sure to move you.

Voice of the Seaurashima tarou

"The Voice of the Sea" Full ver. / Urashima Taro (Kenta Kiritani) [Official]

Urashima Taro’s “Umi no Koe” (Voice of the Sea) is a love song sung by Ura-chan in au’s Santaro commercial series.

It’s an original track created specifically for the commercial, expressing his feelings for Oto-chan.

Remarkably, the composition was done by BEGIN’s Masaru Shimabukuro, showing how seriously they approached it.

Azure RabbitNoriko Sakai

Noriko Sakai Blue Rabbit

Noriko Sakai’s “Aoi Usagi” (Blue Rabbit) was also the theme song for the Nippon TV drama “Hoshi no Kinka,” in which she herself appeared.

Sakai played the protagonist—a character with a now shockingly tragic backstory of having been abandoned as an orphan due to being deaf and mute.

World of AzureRemioromen

Remioromen – Blue World

Released on October 12, 2005, it’s their seventh single.

When you think of Remioromen, many people probably imagine “Konayuki” or “March 9,” but despite being the complete opposite of those famous songs—up-tempo with a mysterious sound—this track is still deeply moving.

It’s truly a hidden gem!

Tears Flowing EndlesslyNatsukawa Rimi

Rimi Natsukawa “Nada Sousou” Music Video

This is a signature song by Rimi Natsukawa, known as a singer from Okinawa.

Songs in the Okinawan musical tradition give listeners a sense of nostalgia and warmth.

It’s a piece that naturally brings tears to your eyes, so it’s also popular as a song to listen to when you feel like crying.

I think it’s a hidden masterpiece that today’s teenagers surprisingly don’t know!

A rolling rock, morning falls upon youASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION

ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION 'Rolling Rock, Morning Falls Upon You'

As the title “Rolling Rock” suggests, it’s a track that gradually builds while unfolding at a relaxed, rolling pace.

The image of holding a megaphone in the music video is striking—very reminiscent of Shiina Ringo.

Turning the raw performance itself into the PV is seriously cool!