Tear-jerking songs recommended for high school students: classic and popular Japanese hits
I think there are many kinds of tear-jerking songs—love songs, songs about dreams, songs about friends and family, and more.
I’ve gathered songs you’ve probably heard at least once, so if you listen while taking a close look at the lyrics, some of them might even make you cry!
Playlist
| Tear-jerking songs recommended for high school students: classic and popular Japanese hits | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1 | viviYonezu Kenshi |  play_arrow | Kenshi Yonezu’s moving song, together with its music video |
| 2 | Song SevenRADWIMPS |  play_arrow | RADWIMPS’s moving masterpiece, music that shakes the heart |
| 3 | Bye, my friendbokula. |  play_arrow | The bittersweetness of youth, bokula.’s masterpiece |
| 4 | one’s true feelingssumika |  play_arrow | I don’t want to give up! Resolve and the power of comrades |
| 5 | himawariMr.Children |  play_arrow | Emotion-filled movie theme songs, heart-touching tracks |
| 6 | Happy Endingback number |  play_arrow | An inspiring, heart-touching song by back number |
| 7 | spring melancholyMrs. GREEN APPLE |  play_arrow | A youth song by Mrs. GREEN APPLE |
| 8 | YC&K |  play_arrow | A sad love song, a classic by C&K |
| 9 | DarlingMrs. GREEN APPLE |  play_arrow | Mrs. GREEN APPLE’s ballad of courage and hope |
| 10 | About meMrs. GREEN APPLE |  play_arrow | An oasis for the heart that stays by your side, a song of empathy |
| 11 | Blue in the classroomHoshimachi Suisei |  play_arrow | A moving song that portrays the parting and hope of youth. |
| 12 | The kid who always gets comparedTsuyu |  play_arrow | An anthem to encourage those hurt by comparisons with others |
| 13 | Just being alive is admirable.ReoNa |  play_arrow | ReoNa’s song “Nai Nai” gently embraces the heart |
| 14 | Bye-bye.yamazaru |  play_arrow | A sad song of regret for someone precious |
| 15 | Miracleillion |  play_arrow | Yojiro Noda's solo project song |
| 16 | YELLikimonogakari |  play_arrow | Ikimono-gakari’s moving graduation song |
| 17 | Letter ~To You, Fifteen~Anjura Aki |  play_arrow | An anthem of hope that carries on into the future |
| 18 | Sakura RabbitKawasaki Takaya |  play_arrow | A bittersweet coming-of-age graduation song that resonates in the heart |
| 19 | Bedroom TalkOfisharu Higedan Dism |  play_arrow | Official HIGE DANDism’s soothing neo-soul track |
| 20 | I love youback number |  play_arrow | A masterpiece that sings of the treasures in everyday life |
| 21 | Someday, these tearsLittle Glee Monster |  play_arrow | An anthem of encouragement that resonates with the hearts of those who pursue their dreams |
| 22 | Dinner Songtuki. |  play_arrow | A song that gently expresses the struggle between love and parting |
| 23 | That’s all there is to it.Marushii |  play_arrow | Depicting lingering attachment and love for someone you broke up with |
| 24 | powder snowRemioromen |  play_arrow | A moving song with striking high notes in the chorus |
| 25 | Blink of YouthShiina Ringo |  play_arrow | An emotional masterpiece by Ringo Sheena, a self-cover song |
| 26 | Heroineback number |  play_arrow | back number's winter love songs |
| 27 | hana cherieNissy(Nishijima Takahiro) |  play_arrow | Nissy’s 7th single that resonates with the heart |
| 28 | Your SongYasuda Rei |  play_arrow | Rei Yasuda’s soul-stirring voice and feelings |
| 29 | A Clockwork DreamKeyakizaka46 |  play_arrow | A song depicting youthful farewells and a sense of loss |
| 30 | ElfAdo |  play_arrow | A theme song by Ado depicting a lonely struggle and growth |
| 31 | tear(s)GENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE |  play_arrow | A heartrending song by GENERATIONS that portrays a romantic breakup |
| 32 | budGOOD ON THE REEL |  play_arrow | A song about a man trying to get over a broken heart |
| 33 | I loved you to the point it hurt.Lisa Halim feat. JAY’ED |  play_arrow | A bittersweet heartbreak song, a collaboration between Lisa and JAY’ED |
| 34 | We areONE OK ROCK |  play_arrow | ONE OK ROCK's fight song |
| 35 | All rightPERIDOTS |  play_arrow | A soothing singing voice enchanted by the guitar's tone |
| 36 | CorrectRADWIMPS |  play_arrow | RADWIMPS Graduation Support Song |
| 37 | Question 1Ao |  play_arrow | A moving song depicting the anxieties and hopes of high school students |
| 38 | Clown Lovelecca |  play_arrow | A heartbreak song by the reggae singer lecca |
| 39 | so-called loveplenty |  play_arrow | A song with a fleeting, ephemeral vocal that makes you contemplate love |
| 40 | Scooping up blueatarayo |  play_arrow | A refreshing song that colors a page of youth |
| 41 | Dear Sir or Madam, on this day when cherry blossoms fluttermafumafu |  play_arrow | Mafumafu’s Spring Youth Story |
| 42 | harborsupittsu |  play_arrow | A refreshing harbor farewell song by Spitz |
| 43 | Be the soil that makes flowers bloom, rather than the flowers themselves.berii guddoman |  play_arrow | A song that honors the preciousness of those who support others |
| 44 | It’s already Sunday outside the window.Kyūshūdan |  play_arrow | A bittersweet love song by a Kyushu man, a story of a married couple |
| 45 | Sakura PhotographHatsuboshi Gakuen |  play_arrow | A ballad for the season when cherry blossoms dance, an emotional song |
| 46 | Want You BackKato Miria |  play_arrow | Miliyah Kato’s powerful breakup song |
| 47 | Words of FarewellŌhashi Torio |  play_arrow | Ohashi Trio gives a jazzy cover of “Okuru Kotoba.” |
| 48 | A Bouquet for YouUtada Hikaru |  play_arrow | Utada Hikaru’s smash-hit theme song |
| 49 | GraduationOzaki Yutaka |  play_arrow | Yutaka Ozaki’s message of youth, expressing a longing for freedom |
| 50 | DREAMERIkuta Rira |  play_arrow | A gem of a mid-tempo ballad whose passion for chasing dreams and unwavering devotion strikes the heart |
| 51 | Letter to TomorrowTeshima Aoi |  play_arrow | A heartwarming ballad that faces forward with hope and anxiety |
| 52 | Surely love is unfair.Matsumuro Masaya |  play_arrow | Masaya Matsumuro’s song that sings about the loneliness of a broken heart. |
| 53 | I miss youHayashibe Satoshi |  play_arrow | Satoshi Hayashibe’s poignant masterpiece that resonates with the heart |
| 54 | periodIshizaki Hyuui |  play_arrow | Huwie Ishizaki’s heartbreak song |
| 55 | Gazing up, the sky is blueHata Motohiro |  play_arrow | An inspiring song by Motohiro Hata that captures the milestone of graduation |
| 56 | Graduation PhotoArai Yumi |  play_arrow | A classic of youth and memories, painted with a gentle singing voice |
| 57 | To My AdolescenceAka-hoho Shishunki |  play_arrow | A coming-of-age song that gently portrays adolescent emotions |
| 58 | road; way; path; street; route; Tao (in philosophy)EXILE |  play_arrow | A song of parting and hope—an emotionally resonant track from EXILE |
| 59 | 366 daysHY |  play_arrow | Expressing the earnest feelings of unrequited love |
| 60 | A Song for a FriendSonar Pocket |  play_arrow | A coming-of-age pop tune that sings about the bonds of friendship |
| 61 | Tears of MagnoliaStardust Revue |  play_arrow | The aching feeling of thinking about a loved one |
| 62 | Goodbyekariyushi 58 |  play_arrow | I feel a powerful strength to live that comes from parting |
| 63 | Unable to become an adultkujira |  play_arrow | Warm lyrics that embrace solitude and affirm oneself |
| 64 | futureKobukuro |  play_arrow | Introduction of a heartwarming ballad song |
| 65 | Blue BenchSasuke |  play_arrow | Regret and feelings toward my ex-girlfriend after our breakup |
| 66 | March 9Remioromen |  play_arrow | A graduation song as a love song. Expressing feelings of gratitude. |
| 67 | Precious thingsroodo obu mejyaa |  play_arrow | A rock ballad depicting friendship and farewell |
| 68 | Everyone, everyone is shining.Yugeda Kensuke |  play_arrow | A message of encouragement to children singing of spring's hope |
| 69 | SCHOOL DAYSshiritsu ebisu chūgaku |  play_arrow | A song of anticipation and determination for a new life |
| 70 | contrailArai Yumi |  play_arrow | Expressing Yumi Arai’s youthful impressions with a clear, translucent singing voice |
| 71 | End creditstenkousei |  play_arrow | The signature song of the transfer students: Natsue Mizumoto’s sense of transparency |
| 72 | I want to take only you away just like this.DEEN |  play_arrow | A love song that revives the loneliness of a forgotten romance |
| 73 | After-schoolDaisycall |  play_arrow | A fast-paced song that captures youthful romance |
| 74 | Loved oneFOMARE |  play_arrow | A song about everyday life and feelings for a loved one |
| 75 | First loveFlower |  play_arrow | Flower is perfect, and Reina Washio’s singing voice is popular. |
| 76 | NAOHY |  play_arrow | HY's "NAO" is a song about unrequited love. |
| 77 | GraduationMy Hair is Bad |  play_arrow | High school romance is brief and marked by bittersweet farewells. |
| 78 | The end of the beginningTENSONG |  play_arrow | A moving song that portrays the end and the beginning of TENSION |
| 79 | horizonback number |  play_arrow | back number’s cheer song becomes a big hit |
| 80 | proofflumpool |  play_arrow | A song of parting with companions and a new departure |
| 81 | Unrequited lovemiwa |  play_arrow | Miwa is a singer and popular among young people. |
| 82 | Sakura, You, and Ituki. |  play_arrow | tuki.’s songs express the bittersweetness of youth. |
| 83 | treasurewacci |  play_arrow | Wacci’s Everyday Life, Dramatic |
| 84 | Youth and a momentmakaroni enpitsu |  play_arrow | Macaroni Enpitsu’s youth song |
| 85 | crescent moonayaka |  play_arrow | Ayaka’s songs are widely covered and well known. |
| 86 | You…Nishino Kana |  play_arrow | Kana Nishino is an artist popular among women. |
| 87 | Every dayAbe Mao |  play_arrow | Mao Abe is a distinctive artist popular among junior high and high school students. |
| 88 | secret base ~What You Gave Me~ZONE |  play_arrow | A classic anthem of youth and farewell, newly appreciated by a younger generation |
| 89 | Connect!Misaka Saki |  play_arrow | A youthful song where the bonds with friends resonate in the heart |
| 90 | You are my friend.Hirai Ken |  play_arrow | A classic ballad by Ken Hirai brimming with friendship |
| 91 | Dear My FriendEvery Little Thing |  play_arrow | This one is Every Little Thin… |
| 92 | presentSEKAI NO OWARI |  play_arrow | The set piece for NHK’s All-Japan School Music Competition and… |
| 93 | Bridge of Gloryyuzu |  play_arrow | I want to say this on the birthday of someone who’s had a year full of hardships… |
| 94 | A ribbon doesn’t suit me.Team N |  play_arrow | "Ribbons Don't Suit Me" is, on their birthday... |
| 95 | to cry innocently; to weep with a childlike airAKASAKI |  play_arrow | A heartwarming song where love and longing for a precious person intertwine |
| 96 | One-sided loveCHIHIRO |  play_arrow | A moving song that sings of the pain of unrequited love |
| 97 | We againSG |  play_arrow | Farewells and reunions, a song of hope that colors youth |
| 98 | passing by each otherSoala |  play_arrow | A song that expresses the bittersweet feelings of heartbreak in an R&B style |
| 99 | beetle (specifically, a rhinoceros beetle)aiko |  play_arrow | Popular songs by aiko, relatable lyrics |
| 100 | planetariumOtsuka Ai |  play_arrow | A classic song that sings of Ai Otsuka’s heartrending feelings of love |
| 101 | Voice of the Seaurashima tarō (kiritani kenta) |  play_arrow | A moving piece sung by Kenta Kiritani for a mobile phone commercial theme |
| 102 | A.S.A.P. — Rush to me right nowEMI MARIA |  play_arrow | A stylish R&B track that reflects EMI MARIA's feelings |
| 103 | HeartacheONE OK ROCK |  play_arrow | A famous ONE OK ROCK song that portrays regret and the pain of parting |