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