A hidden gem among tearjerker songs. Recommended popular tracks.
From classic tearjerker love songs to songs for young people, songs about family, and songs about war—we’ve gathered hidden J-pop gems guaranteed to make you sob.
Every track is impossible to listen to without tears, so if you just want to cry your heart out, put on this list and let it all out.
Hidden gems of tear-jerking songs. Recommended popular tracks (1–10)
SAD SONGchanmina
An artist who captivates countless fans with her overwhelming vocal prowess and expressive power, Chanmina.
This song, quietly included only in the first limited edition of the album “Never Grow Up,” portrays the ache of realizing that even at the height of happiness, it won’t last forever.
Knowing the delicate backstory—that it was created in a six-tatami room—and the paradoxical feeling of being “so happy it hurts,” makes your chest tighten, doesn’t it? Originally a bonus track from an August 2019 release, it captured many hearts following its digital release in January 2025 and her performances on popular video platforms.
It’s a masterpiece that gently stays by your side on nights when time with someone precious feels both cherished and fleeting.
Memory of LifeNikaidou Kazumi
This song was also used for the ending of The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, and when I heard Kazumi Nikaido’s singing then, it moved me so much that I cried naturally.
As time passes, the film itself seeps deeper into your heart.
I think it’s a song that captivates people from all walks of life.
Amanojaku164/GUMI
The song has a rock style, and its cool vibe is the highlight.
As the title suggests, it expresses the feelings of an “contrarian” who ends up saying the opposite of their true feelings to the person they like, which many people can relate to.
It’s a track I’d recommend even to those who aren’t very familiar with Vocaloid.
Across timeHY
It’s a song with a war theme.
It’s the first time HY has sung a song like this, so I think it’s rare.
It makes me cry no matter when I listen to it.
War is wrong; we must never repeat the same mistakes.
Because all it brings is loss.
That message is carried in the lyrics and reaches straight to the heart.
Two HaretMiura Daichi
The beautiful piano and Daichi Miura’s powerful vocals are irresistible! And while some might think, “Dancing with a mid-tempo ballad?”—it’s Daichi Miura after all; the choreography fits the song perfectly! It’s not on YouTube, but the “entertainer” version of this track has a tender, tear-jerking arrangement too!
Magic Bullet ~Der Freischütz~T.M.Revolution
Speaking of T.M.Revolution’s music videos, “HOT LIMIT,” where he sings in that iconic suit out at sea, is probably the most famous.
But this particular promo video boasts quite a surprising twist.
It starts off feeling like a heartwarming, old-fashioned Showa-era human drama, and the developments in the latter half are the real highlight.
The song and lyrics are sad enough to make you cry, though…
It’s going to spill.YU-KI
A comforting song that captures the small joys and bittersweet moments of everyday life through YUKI’s clear, translucent vocals.
It was included on a double A-side single released in May 2024 and was also featured in a commercial for the cosmetics brand FANCL.
Lyrics like “so happy I could cry” and “there’s nothing wrong with saying you love what you love” convey the importance of expressing honest emotions.
It’s perfect for a relaxed listen while taking a walk or soaking in the bath.
It will gently embrace the feelings overflowing in your heart.
All of the YouthFujifaburikku
Fujifabric’s tenth single, “Wakamono no Subete,” has become nothing short of legendary.
It expresses the sadness and emptiness tied to summer and the memories that vanish along with the fireworks festivals.
In vocalist Masahiko Shimura’s hometown, it’s said that this song was once played throughout the town after his passing.
It’s a piece that’s impossible to listen to without tears.
Last Love LetterChatmonchy
The lyric “Tears only take shape when someone else sees them” is very striking.
The lyrics are just so good! The overflowing kindness and powerful melody resonate in the heart.
The music video’s setup is unique, and it’s a real tearjerker too.
Starting Line ~ A New BreezeBaba Toshihide
Toshihide Baba debuted in 1990, but he didn’t have any hits for a while.
This song, released in 2007, ranked in the Top 20 on the Oricon chart, and he appeared on the 2007 Kōhaku Uta Gassen, which brought him widespread recognition.
It’s a moving song with a message of not giving in to hardships and sorrow, and of keeping up the fight.