Sad songs. Emotional catharsis to detox your heart.
We’ve selected timeless and popular songs recommended by our studio staff that are so sad they’ll make you feel it just by listening.
Every once in a while, let’s detox the heart with a good cry.
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Sad songs. Emotional detox through tear therapy (1–10)
Heart Rainindigo la End
A heart-stirring ballad that quietly observes a bittersweet parting in love.
Its melody delicately captures subtle emotions, while the graceful sound of acoustic guitar and electric piano resonates deep within.
Released by indigo la End in February 2016, the song was featured as the TV commercial theme for the smartphone game ‘Shoumetsu Toshi’ and is also included on their second major-label album, ‘Aiiro Music.’ Told from the perspective of a woman reflecting on the end of a relationship, the lyrics leave a strong impression as they carefully express emotional shifts through the metaphor of rain.
It’s a song that stays close to your heart when you want to quietly accept the pain of heartbreak and move forward.
Only HumanK
A dramatic ballad by K that shines a light of hope, telling us that “beyond sorrow lies a smile.” Chosen as the theme song for the drama One Litre of Tears, the piece portrays people who keep looking forward even as they face life’s hardships.
When you’re exhausted, when you stop and wonder if things are okay as they are, this song gently gives you a push.
Released in November 2005, it reached No.
5 on the Oricon charts.
It’s also included on the album Beyond the Sea and continues to be cherished as one of K’s signature works.
Its tender, enveloping vocals are sure to give you strength.
Why feat. Emimi NodaTakase Tōya
A heartbreak ballad distinguished by a beautiful, soul-stirring melody.
Toya Takase’s emotional vocals and Emi Noda’s clear voice brilliantly capture the bittersweet feelings after a breakup.
Released digitally in January 2022 and included on the album “13-gatsu 1-nichi” (The First Day of the 13th Month), this song resonated with many listeners who relate to the joys of love and the pain of parting, drawing attention on charts across Asia.
It’s a track I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone who feels the loneliness that deepens at night or the emptiness of losing someone dear.
Sad songs. Kokoro detox through tear therapy (11–20)
Where does our sorrow go?Harukamirai
Harukamirai’s soul-stirring cries, rooted in their unique worldview, strike straight to the heart.
While reflecting the anxieties and chaos of society, the song carries a strong will to keep moving forward and a desire to protect cherished companions.
Conveying the importance of holding on to hope even amid struggle, this work fuses punk rock with emotional elements to deliver a powerful sound that shakes the listener.
Included on the album “Living Is About Holding Onto a Hope as Small as a Booger,” released in February 2025, it marks a new frontier for a band with a track record that includes theme and insert songs for the film “Rin.” This is a message song that resonates with everyone who, despite feeling loneliness and anxiety, still wants to face forward and live.
The True Nature of TearsSUPER BEAVER
This song gently seeps into the heart, delicately portraying the inner conflicts and emotional fluctuations that people carry.
In this work from SUPER BEAVER, the tender vocals and warm melody line express the loneliness everyone experiences and the feelings we hold inside, wrapping them in kindness.
It tells us that tears are not a sign of weakness, but rather something precious that helps us understand and accept ourselves.
Released in January 2025, it was written as the theme song for the NHK General TV drama “Vanilla na Mainichi.” The song is used strikingly within the show, carrying significant meaning for the story’s protagonist.
It’s the perfect track for those who are trying to overcome painful experiences or want to face their own emotions—an ideal song for when you need a good cry.
Ash and PrayerGEMS COMPANY
This song portrays the deep sorrow and hope that lie in the depths of the human heart.
It was selected as the ending theme for cour 2 of the anime NieR:Automata Ver1.1a.
The lyrics, which strongly reflect the world of NieR, depict human sin and redemption, leaving a piercing impression on listeners.
Vivid imagery of ash and prayer stands out, expressing the intertwining of ruin and salvation.
Released in July 2024, the song draws you into a world woven from lyrics by Yoko Taro and music by Keiichi Okabe.
The more you know about the story of NieR, the more deeply this track will resonate with you.
Endless JourneyMr.Children
It’s said that people even seek out chances to cry—so much so that there’s a trend called “ruikas,” where you listen to tear-jerking songs, shed some tears, and feel refreshed.
Perfect for such moments is this track, Mr.Children’s 15th single: a grand, moving song that begins with nothing but a solo piano accompaniment.
It was also used as the theme song for the drama “Naguru Onna” (The Woman Who Strikes).
