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

This is a playlist of carefully selected hidden gems among tear-jerking Japanese songs that move listeners to tears.

While it’s centered on ballads, the approaches vary: some are dramatic, some unadorned, some have a rich, weighty sound, and others are built simply.

All of them have great lyrics, so be sure to check them out.

Playlist

Hidden gems among tear-jerker songs. Recommended popular tracks.
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Moon DropsRUI		A moving song by Kou Shibasaki that sings of the sorrow of bereavement
2	NonfictionHirai Ken		Ken Hirai’s signature song “Nonfiction”
3	Christmas songback number		back number's love drama theme song
4	Always keep the sun in your heartKureyon-sha		Crayon is a Japanese music unit with warm lyrics.
5	Things that have formShibasaki Kou		Ko Shibasaki's single theme song is hugely popular
6	emptyyuzu		A ballad by Yuzu that sings about feelings for a woman
7	OverMr.Children		Mr.Children Heartbreak Song “Over”
8	ArrowsBUMP OF CHICKEN		A hidden gem by BUMP OF CHICKEN
9	White LoveSPEED		SPEED's fifth single
10	I don’t want to let go.T-BOLAN		A moving classic that sings of feelings for a loved one
11	Tree of WadatsumiHajime Chitose		Chitose Hajime’s debut single became a big hit
12	searchlightTamaki Kōji		Koji Tamaki to perform the theme song for the drama
13	I love you. ~100 Regrets~Sonar Pocket		Sonar Pocket’s poignant love song
14	YELLikimonogakari		Ikimono-gakari to compose required piece for school music competition
15	I miss youBEGIN		An eternal classic that nostalgically looks back on a love that has ended
16	GoodbyeGAO		GAO's husky-voiced heartbreak song
17	A Ballad for YouTHE MODS		A ballad about a man and a woman clinging to love
18	migratory bird[Alexandros]		Wataridori has a bittersweet music video and a refreshing thrill
19	precious; noble; sacred; venerableflumpool		flumpool’s first new song in nine months
20	Precious thingsroodo obu mejyaa		The memorable debut single of Road of Major
21	The meaning of goodbyeNogizaka 46		Became a moving song due to Nanami Hashimoto’s graduation
22	Rainy BlueTokunaga Hideaki		Hideaki Tokunaga’s “Rainy Blue” is a heartrending song.
23	Eine KleineYonezu Kenshi		The poignant magical world of Kenshi Yonezu
24	Under the same skyayaka		A cheer song released before medical treatment
25	A gentle lieAcid Black Cherry		Lies and weakness born of love
26	Unchanging ThingsOku Hanako		Oku Hanako's tear-jerking songs and classic movie theme songs
27	Mirror, mirrorFujita Maiko		Fujita Maiko’s Snow White-themed heartbreak song
28	Love in both handsACIDMAN		Quietly singing of a relative’s death with regret and gratitude
29	366 daysHY		HY “366 Days” Red Thread theme song
30	the scent of flowersMr.Children		Mr.Children digital-only single
31	RAINSEKAI NO OWARI		SEKAI NO OWARI’s “RAIN” is the theme song of a Studio Ghibli film
32	balladKetsumeishi		Ketsumeishi’s ballad, an emotional masterpiece clouded by an affair scandal
33	Robinsonsupittsu		Spitz’s “Robinson,” released in 1995
34	Goodbye PatternItō Toshihiro		Toshihiro Ito's Heartbreaking Song of Farewell
35	Love is AllShiina Megumi		Shiina Megumi's song about adult love
36	Together foreverKobukuro		Kobukuro’s 10th single
37	When Someone’s Wish Comes TrueUtada Hikaru		Hikaru Utada Movie Theme Song Single
38	cactusPorno Graffitti		Pornograffitti's heartrending masterpiece
39	At all times.Makihara Noriyuki		The popularity of Noriyuki Makihara’s classic song “Donna Toki mo” (“No Matter What”/“Whenever”
40	moonlightOnitsuka Chihiro		Chihiro Onitsuka’s “Gekkou” became a massive hit as a TV drama theme song.
41	Full of memoriesH₂O		A signature song by the folk duo H2O that sings of youthful love and growth
42	blue skyTHE BLUE HEARTS		A masterpiece that sings of the folly of judging people by their appearance and the absurdity of the world.
43	Letter ~Dear Fifteen-Year-Old Me~Anjura Aki		A moving song themed around a letter to my future self
44	Someday Merry ChristmasB’z		The appeal of B’z’s ballads
45	Ti AmoEXILE		EXILE “Ti Amo” A song of unrequited love
46	Togetsu Bridge ~Thinking of You~Kuraki Mai		Mai Kuraki’s smash hit song. Guinness record holder.
47	Letter to TomorrowTeshima Aoi		Aoi Teshima's moving theme song
48	Hold Your Last ChanceNagabuchi Tsuyoshi		The strength to rise no matter how many times you fail
49	Rainy Amusement ParkSasuke		A ballad depicting memories of an amusement park date and a breakup
50	single bedSha ran Q		A classic ballad by Sharan Q that poignantly depicts the heartache of a broken romance
51	The Last RainYasushi Nakanishi		A gem-like ballad portraying rain and parting
52	Hide-and-seekYuuri		Yuri's debut song that depicts the pain of heartbreak
53	Close your eyesHirai Ken		A ballad about longing for a lost lover
54	SubtitleOfisharu Higedan Dism		A song that expresses the feelings of people with hearing loss as beautifully as snow
55	To new loversback number		back number's heartrending song
56	brilliant; radiant; dazzlingMiura Daichi		A ballad that gently embraces thoughts for the departed
57	White LoversKuwata Keisuke		Keisuke Kuwata's winter ballad song
58	May it be filled with kindnessJUJU		A heartwarming ballad that depicts gratitude and love for a beloved person
59	sympathetic tearsHitoto Yo		Hitoto Yo's debut work, a heartwarming, original sound
60	Spirit Boat (Shoro Nagashi)sadamasashi		A gem of a ballad that conveys the pain of loss with a gentle melody
61	Maplesupittsu		A gem-like ballad by Spitz that poignantly sings of lost feelings
62	Sorrow Rides the Busmakaroni enpitsu		An inspiring song by Macaroni Empitsu
63	The Last LieBENI		A bittersweet ballad song by BENI
64	The True Nature of TearsSUPER BEAVER		The emotional songs of SUPER BEAVER
65	Wasted wishesAKB48		AKB48’s music video about a closing elementary school made me cry.
66	About meMrs. GREEN APPLE		Everyone is a unique and irreplaceable being.
67	It’s going to spill.YU-KI		An inspiring, moving song that resonates in YUKI’s heart
68	calm (of the sea), lull; Nagi (a Japanese given name)Marushii		Marcy’s heartbreak love ballad
69	Yours sincerelyrokudenashi		A heart-stirring song by good-for-nothings that accompanies the journey of self-discovery
70	Love, Day After TomorrowKuraki Mai		The debut song is a hidden gem.
71	It was all you.Yamazaki Masayoshi		A song by Masayoshi Yamazaki that depicts a heartrending love
72	Memo lockShio Reira		A poignant song that depicts lost love
73	Voice of the Seaurashima tarou		The au Santaro commercial song where Urashima Taro sings “Umi no Koe”
74	Azure RabbitNoriko Sakai		Noriko Sakai’s “Aoi Usagi” is a TV drama theme song.
75	World of AzureRemioromen		Remioromen's hidden gem
76	Tears Flowing EndlesslyNatsukawa Rimi		Okinawan traditional music brings a sense of nostalgia and warmth
77	ElfAdo		The theme song for a grand tale of solitude and growth
78	A rolling rock, morning falls upon youASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION		The rousing development of the song “Rolling Rock” and its striking music video
79	left earCreepHyp		The bittersweet feeling of recalling your partner’s ex
80	If tomorrow comesJUJU with JAY’ED		Introduction to JUJU with JAY’ED’s moving song
81	Shizuku (feat. indigo la End)yama		Expressing complex feelings toward a loved one in an emotional way
82	tear(s)Ketsumeishi		An encouraging song about moving forward with the theme of tears
83	Overflows ~Unable to Put It into Words~Naoto Intiraymi		Naoto's moving theme song
84	Flavor Of LifeUtada Hikaru		Utada Hikaru’s tearjerker songs are popular
85	And then I’m at a lossŌsawa Yoshiyuki		Adrift in a room of memories after a breakup with a lover