Classic emo masterpieces in Japanese music. Recommended popular songs.
These days, people often play on the word “emotional” and say “emo-i” to describe when feelings are running high.
Listening to songs that put you in that emo mood can clear your mind, pump you up, and bring lots of other positive effects.
In this article, we’re shining a spotlight on that sense of “emo-ness” and have picked out some recommended tracks.
From hard-hitting tunes to mellow vibes and breezy numbers, we’ve selected songs from a variety of genres.
We hope you’ll find some “emo” songs that truly move your heart.
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Emo masterpieces in Japanese music. Recommended popular songs (91–100)
feel likeEVE
This song wraps you in warm feelings, stirring thoughts of youth and a gentle nostalgia.
It’s a work by singer-songwriter Eve, surprise-released on his birthday in May 2025.
Many listeners will relate to the lyrics, which trace small adventures in everyday life and memories of days gone by.
Its fresh, easy-to-listen-to electronic sound is another charm.
It’s the perfect track for revisiting fond memories or finding a moment of calm.
astronomical observationBUMP OF CHICKEN
A gem of a track by BUMP OF CHICKEN, beautifully depicting an inner landscape that reexamines the vastness of the universe and the direction of one’s life.
Using the starry sky as a metaphor, it unfolds to reveal anxieties and expectations for the future—and a steady sense of hope—making it a memorable masterpiece.
Released in March 2001 as an insert song for the Fuji TV drama “Celestial Observation,” the piece had a major impact on the music scene as a milestone of J-ROCK.
It is also included on the album THE LIVING DEAD.
It’s a song that gently encourages those who hesitate to move forward or carry vague anxieties.
Beginners may struggle with the performance at first, but once you grasp the pattern, it’s a joy to play!
Ms. SeptemberRADWIMPS
A heartwarming song that paints a scene at summer’s end, where ache and hope intersect.
It’s one of the tracks included on RADWIMPS’ album “RADWIMPS 3: Mujintō ni Motte Iki Wasureta Ichimai,” which marked their major-label debut in February 2006.
Simple yet emotional rock sounds define the song, which was first performed at the band’s milestone one-man live show in September 2005, becoming a work that symbolized their leap into the major scene.
It’s a piece that touches the heartstrings and makes you want to revisit it during that season when summer’s afterglow lingers and the signs of autumn begin to appear.
It’s also approachable for beginners and quite popular, so take this opportunity to give it a try.
NOW LOADINGmakaroni enpitsu
A sweet and bittersweet love song by Macaroni Empitsu that traces the journey of conveying feelings that are hard to put into words.
It beautifully captures the awkwardness of love and the dilemmas of emotion, carried by a gentle yet powerful melody.
Included on the album “Ima Dakishimeru Tarinai Dake o,” released in March 2025, the song was produced as the theme for the film “My Love Story With Yamada-kun at Lv999.” In collaboration with the movie starring Mizuki Yamashita, it perfectly matches a story that portrays modern romance sparked by gaming.
This track gently stands by those troubled by love or frustrated by unspoken feelings, giving them a soft, encouraging push forward.
Grapefruit MoonTOMOO
A heart-stirring song that portrays the sweet-and-sour pangs of youth and the journey into adulthood.
Born from feelings TOMOO experienced on a full-moon night, the track blends jazz and soul elements with her crystalline vocals to create a sophisticated piece.
It deftly conveys contrasting emotions—maturity and immaturity, satisfaction and longing—standing out even within the album “TWO MOON.” Released in advance in September 2023, it was followed by the album’s launch and an eight-show tour across seven cities nationwide.
The song resonates with the complex emotions of “growing up” that everyone living in the present can relate to.
It’s a gem I recommend for moments when you want to sort out your feelings or listen alone on a quiet night.
LOOPSIRUP
An emotional R&B tune that resonates with bittersweet memories of love.
Portraying happy, everyday moments with a lover—like café dates and casual conversations during a drive—the song is, in fact, a poignant love ballad that looks back on a lost romance.
SIRUP’s gentle, velvety vocals blend perfectly with the sophisticated sound production.
Released in August 2018 as part of the album “SIRUP EP2,” the track garnered a huge response, with its music video surpassing 10 million views.
Evoking real-life everyday scenes, it captivates with a comfortable groove that fuses R&B, soul, and hip-hop.
It’s the perfect song for when you want to bask in memories with someone special, or when you’re feeling the ache of love.
Amber-Hued City, Morning of Shanghai Crabskururi
This song unfolds a unique world where the bustle of the city intersects with human warmth.
Created in July 2016, it’s an ambitious work in which Quruli ventured for the first time into R&B- and hip-hop-inspired approaches.
Its nostalgic lyrics and refined orchestration weave a sonic landscape that gently embraces both the loneliness and the bonds of people living in the city.
The music video is an animated piece by Thai artist Wisut Ponnimit, whose warm style accentuates the song’s appeal.
The track has also been featured in various tie-ins, including NHK’s Minna no Uta and as the theme for the FM program Quruli Denpa.
It’s a heartfelt, emotional song recommended for those weary of urban life or wishing to reflect on their connections with loved ones.