A heartbreak song known to those in the know. Hidden gems of Japanese music that resonate with the heart.

When you go through a heartbreak, it can feel like there’s a gaping hole in your heart.

You want to cry but no tears come, you want to talk to someone but can’t find the words.

In moments like these, isn’t it music that gently stays by your side? In this article, we’ll introduce a wide range of hidden gems in Japanese breakup songs—from those from a male perspective to those from a female perspective.

Their poignant lyrics and melodies are sure to speak for how you’re feeling right now.

We hope you can immerse yourself as much as you need, and that it becomes a small step toward looking forward again.

Playlist

A heartbreak song known to those in the know. Hidden gems of Japanese music that resonate with the heart.
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Please forget it.Yorushika		A bittersweet song that wishes for a loved one’s happiness
2	me me sheRADWIMPS		A masterpiece by RADWIMPS, a timeless song that gently embraces the pain of the heart.
3	somedaySaucy Dog		The sorrow of heartbreak and the courage to move forward
4	OrangeSMAP		A classic farewell song whose lyrics of gratitude resonate in the heart
5	Because I fell in loveaimyon		A classic song that sings of the sense of loss in love and of gratitude
6	Night of Osmanthuskinoko teikoku		On an autumn night, the scent of osmanthus brings back memories.
7	Love? (As if.)Hitsuji Bungaku		A classic song that portrays the end of love and lingering attachment
8	MetronomeYonezu Kenshi		A heartrending farewell between two people whose hearts have grown apart
9	It’ll get stained.Chatmonchy		Chatmonchy heartbreak song “Somaruyo”
10	Unfit to be a loverKoresawa		A heartfelt cry depicting the anguish of heartbreak and self-reflection
11	tear(s)Marushii		A heart-touching song that portrays the bittersweet pain of heartbreak
12	A world without youto shiki		Looking back on the past and taking a new step forward
13	Hide-and-seekYuuri		'Hide-and-seek' is a bittersweet song about unrequited love.
14	two peopleaiko		Aiko’s poignant song depicting the end of love and a brave facade
15	I want to forget.wacci		Depicts a poignant feeling of being unable to forget a past love.
16	Even if I forget somedayback number		It's one of their early songs, a classic in the heartbreak genre...
17	wedgeOku Hanako		“My heart trembles at the heartrending melody.” “Tears well up before I know it…”
18	pinkshaitoopu		A heartbreak song that portrays the complex emotions of a woman who can’t forget, even after being betrayed
19	contact lens caseSaucy Dog		Gently tucking away the pain of heartbreak in my heart
20	From our joined handsback number		A song that lightly sings of regret
21	You are freeCHAGE and ASKA		CHAGE and ASKA, a masterpiece that sings of the pain of heartbreak
22	OverMr.Children		A song from a male perspective that portrays the heartbreak of lost love.
23	Happy Endingback number		A movie theme song about the pain of heartbreak
24	CoffeeSuga Shikao		Suga Shikao's masterpiece that sings about love
25	To You Who Don’t Know LoveNEWS		Theme song of NEWS's “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time”
26	MPRINCESS PRINCESS		The pain of a broken heart and the glow of beautiful memories
27	to live onKANA-BOON		KAN, known for emotional depth and poetic expression…
28	A lie in the mirror smiles.T-BOLAN		A masterpiece that sings of the frustrations of love and self-loathing
29	KanadeSukima Suichi		A breakup song about parting with a loved one
30	The Mole’s SongEXPRESS		Rousing myself with the power of poetry
31	Wake you upieiri reo		A positive song about overcoming the pain of heartbreak
32	One more time,One more chanceYamazaki Masayoshi		A classic hit by Masayoshi Yamazaki that sings about the pain of heartbreak
33	youHY		It’s a heartbreak song. I couldn’t be honest and now I regret it, but…
34	the first strong spring wind21 seiki, aijō busoku		A heartwarming song that depicts the spring breeze and the season of farewells
35	GoodbyeNishino Kana		A bittersweet love song about choosing to break up after growing apart
36	Then, why?Abe Mao		The pain of love tossed around by a teasing attitude
37	carpaimyon		The appeal of Aimyon’s heartbreak song “Koi”
38	lingering loveKitatani Ruki		Ruki Chatan’s heartbreak song “Koinokori” resonates deeply with the heart.
39	I want to see youGACKT		A ballad that sings of GACKT’s heartrending love
40	Effeminate; overly sentimental; being clingy/whiny (context-dependent)Gōruden Bonbā		The Gothic... which is a visual kei rock band
41	First LoveUtada Hikaru		"The classic song 'First Love' is a social phenomenon."
42	Cape TourYamamoto Kōtarō & Uīkendo		Cape Tour was in the 1970s, Kotaro Yamamoto…
43	Close your eyesHirai Ken		Hirai, who is active as a singer-songwriter...
44	Kanna Route 8Matsutōya Yumi		Included in their own best-of album, ...
45	River of MemoriesNakajima Miyuki		A song that likens the pain of heartbreak to the flow of a river
46	Even if it’s farNishino Kana		Kana Nishino’s songs are classic anthems that cheer on romance.
47	Everyday Revolutionneguse.		A musical work that heals the pain of heartbreak
48	My love was overflowing.mosao.		Mosawo’s heartbreak song draws empathy on social media
49	existenceTENSONG		Expressing the pain of heartbreak through a soul-stirring song
50	Love is blind.yangusukinii		A hopeful song about getting over a broken heart
51	by next timeaiko		A delicate portrayal of heartbreak by aiko...
52	Far awayHamasaki Ayumi		A masterpiece that sings of the pain of heartbreak and the fleeting nature of happiness
53	The Last LieBENI		A heartfelt poem singing of the pain of parting and lingering attachment
54	LiarUeto Aya		Aya Ueto expresses the bittersweet feelings after a broken heart.
55	To you who didn’t choose meKoresawa		A song that expresses the pain of heartbreak in a pop style
56	LOVEDMISIA		A broken heart is sad, but I’m glad I was able to fall for that person...
57	Heartbreak ~Are you happy now?~Sonar Pocket		A song about the pain of heartbreak and the hope of moving on
58	Tulipindigo la End		A song that expresses the pain of heartbreak through the language of flowers
59	I don’t want to see you; I want to see you.Ueno Yūka		Express the bittersweet emotions of heartbreak through a piano ballad
60	breakup songOkazaki Taiiku		A song by Okazaki Taiiku about heartbreak pain and staying positive
61	Beyond the goodbyeMatsushita Kohei		Introducing Kohei Matsushita’s songs that heal the heart after a heartbreak
62	You at your worstHamano Haruki		A song that portrays the feelings of a woman recovering from heartbreak.
63	Friend(s)☆★azu		A friendship song that encourages heartbreak and heals the heart
64	the absolute worstMarushii		A mistake everyone makes but never wants to admit to anyone…
65	It was all you.Yamazaki Masayoshi		Masayoshi Yamazaki’s heartrending breakup song resonates with the heart
66	I won’t fall in love anymore.Makihara Noriyuki		Since you disappeared from before my eyes...
67	See ya.Naoko Ken		A song about the pain of heartbreak and the courage to move forward
68	loverFukuyama Masaharu		Masaharu Fukuyama’s 8th single “All My…”
69	Cheer up!Yakushimaru Hiroko		Lyrics and composition by Mariya Takeuchi; in '84, Yakushi…
70	I want to take only you away just like this.DEEN		Hit songs by DPEN from the '90s are masterpieces.
71	AloneMayo Okamoto		A heartfelt cry that sings of the pain of a broken heart
72	Baby BabyOkamura Takako		With such an extremely girly intro, my chest involuntarily…
73	Listening to OliviaAnri		As a heartbreak song from a woman's perspective, rather than simply lamenting the breakup…
74	CinderellaOku Hanako		The sorrow of a broken heart and the world of Cinderella