Emotional Japanese songs popular on TikTok. Moving tracks that leave you at a loss for words.

naporiVaundy

napori

Singer-songwriter Vaundy, who has garnered attention for his multifaceted talent spanning from songwriting and composing to visual production.

This track, included on his May 2020 album “strobo,” is also known as the song used in the commercial for Bourbon’s Alfort Mini Chocolate.

Its intimate vocals and minimal sound delicately capture the anxiety and emotional wavering that lurk within peaceful moments with a lover.

The worldview, which cherishes the fleeting “now” precisely because it is ephemeral, makes you want to sink into it alone late at night.

With total streams surpassing 300 million, this mellow pop tune became a long-running hit, resonating widely with its chill atmosphere.

Blue JeansHANA

HANA / Blue Jeans -Music Video-

Produced by Chanmina, HANA is one of today’s most talked-about girl groups.

When their debut single “ROSE” was released in April 2025, it topped the Billboard JAPAN Hot 100.

Among HANA’s songs, the one I especially recommend is their second single—the group’s first mid-tempo ballad love song.

The highlight of this track is, above all, its lyrical world.

You want to stay true to yourself like a pair of well-worn jeans, yet in front of the person you like, your confidence falters and jealousy creeps in.

It paints a picture of those bittersweet late-night feelings of love.

Many listeners will likely relate to the anxious thought of not knowing when you’ll see each other next.

It’s a stylish and emotional piece that also features a collaboration with the casual brand DIESEL.

Midnight Girlimase

[imase] Midnight Girl (Music Video)

With its laid-back beat and faintly nostalgic melody, it feels like it melts into the stillness of the night.

Crafted by imase—an artist gaining attention at home and abroad after breaking out on TikTok—this track is a groovy number with a touch of R&B.

Its bittersweet, wistful worldview quietly reflecting on a past love really strikes a chord.

The gentle vocals further underline the sentimental mood.

Released in January 2024, it was chosen as the theme song for the drama “Chaser Game W: My Power-Harassing Boss Is My Ex-Girlfriend,” and was later included on his debut album, “Bonsai.” It’s a chill track that softly untangles the heart—perfect for nights when you want to drift into thought at the end of the day.

leap day personRADWIMPS

RADWIMPS – Leap Day Person [Official Music Video]

The theme song for the film “In This Corner of the Limited Time” (Yomei 10-nen), which sings of an irreplaceable love story woven within a finite span of time.

Created by RADWIMPS in March 2022, the piece was composed by Yojiro Noda after carefully reading the script and stepping into the characters’ perspectives.

The lyrics, which delicately depict the miracle of meeting someone so dear you’d wish to share your very life with them, as well as the pain of those left behind, are deeply moving.

Beginning with a piano melody and gradually expanding into a full orchestra, the arrangement superbly conveys the swell of emotion.

It’s a song to listen to when you want to savor the time with someone precious, or to feel the profound value of the person you love.

LeoYuuri

Yuuri 'Leo' Official Music Video

Let me introduce a ballad that reminds us how irreplaceable our everyday, ordinary moments truly are.

Included on Yuuri’s album “Ichi,” released in January 2022, this song tells the story of the bond between a dog and its owner.

As the owner grows up and spends more time with a romantic partner, the lyrics tenderly convey the lonely feelings from the pet’s perspective.

The music video, directed by Mai Sakai and starring rising actress Rin Kataoka, became a hot topic as a tear-jerking MV.

Singing about the importance of the “ordinary” that we often only recognize after it’s gone, this song will gently accompany you when you want to reflect on the time you share with family or pets.

pulserokudenashi

Rokudenashi “Pulse” / Rokudenashi – Pulse [Official Music Video]

An emotional song themed around the heartbeat, it celebrates the importance of expressing your feelings to someone you cherish.

Written, composed, and arranged by Mikito-P, the track was released in May 2025.

Ninjin’s beautiful vocals over a piano accompaniment leave a strong impression, while the hybrid sound—incorporating a programmed rhythm section—is stunning.

Give it a listen whenever you want your heart to be moved!

Moshi Moshi (feat. Hyakuzoku)Nozomi Kitay

Moshi Moshi (feat. Hyakuzoku)

An emotional track that vividly captures the ups and downs of a rollercoaster of feelings.

It conveys the complexities of love in the digital age with a distinctive melody.

Released in January 2024, this song hooks listeners with its catchy phrases.

Nozomi Kitay’s soaring vocals pair perfectly with the rhythmic sound.

It gained popularity on TikTok and even reached the top three on Japan’s Hip Hop/Rap Singles Weekly chart.

Perfect for those struggling with love or questioning the shallow connections on social media.

Listen together, and it might clear away the haze sitting deep in your heart.