A tear-jerking love song that gently stays by your heart

Cry On Your SmileKubota Toshinobu

Toshinobu Kubota – CRY ON YOUR SMILE [Official Video Short ver.]

This is a renowned ballad that tenderly yet poignantly captures the feelings of seeing a loved one off as they set out toward their dreams.

Released in October 1987, it became a milestone as the artist’s first entry into the Oricon Top 10.

Built on an R&B foundation, its beautiful melody is paired with lyrics filled with such deep affection that you find yourself in tears even within the other person’s smile—listening makes your chest tighten.

The emotionally overflowing ad-libbed outro is breathtaking, conveying irrepressible feelings that bring tears to your eyes.

Chosen as the theme song for the Toho film “Kamitsukitai,” it’s also included on the best-of album “the BADDEST.” When you listen to it as you cheer on someone dear at the start of a new chapter, it feels like a gentle push on the back.

the red threadKobukuro

Kobukuro “Red Thread”

Kobukuro weaves an epic, nearly seven-minute story, singing of a fateful bond with beautiful harmony.

It portrays a year in the lives of two people who once drew a line in their relationship and decided not to see each other for a while.

Some listeners may see themselves in the protagonist, who believes and keeps waiting until the other person’s heart arrives at an answer—reflecting a complex love that continues even after a breakup.

After being included on the indie release “Root of my mind,” this song was covered by Yui Aragaki and also used in a Nippon Life commercial.

Choosing to part ways yet still thinking of the other person somewhere in your heart is proof of how deeply you loved, isn’t it? This song seems to gently embrace that painful feeling and affirm the meaning of taking time apart.

crescent moonIkeda Ayako

Crescent Moon.avi

This is a song by Ayako Ikeda, whose crystalline, transparent voice seeps into the heart, keeping you company on a silent night.

In a delicate soundscape painted by piano and strings, it sings of a single-minded heart that, beneath the cold light of the moon, seeks to turn tears of the past into hope for the future.

Through repeated meetings and partings, it comes to understand the meaning of love, and its wish to become a kinder person is sure to stir a quiet emotion in listeners as well.

Released in July 2005, the track is also included on the acclaimed album “Lunar Soup.” The album features a JR Kyushu commercial song, and among them this piece shines with a particularly poetic brilliance.

A gemlike ballad for those reflective nights when you want to gently soothe your heart.

Just a Kiss feat. AimyonSuda Masaki

Masaki Suda “Just a Kiss feat. Aimyon”

It’s a duet song that tightens your chest with its frustrating relationship, as if a single scene were lifted from a short film.

Written and composed by Aimyon and sung together with Masaki Suda, it portrays a man and woman who say that a kiss alone can keep them connected.

Even though they long for each other, the ache of hearts that don’t quite meet comes through vividly.

The track is included on Masaki Suda’s album “LOVE,” released in July 2019.

When your relationship feels a bit unsteady, or on nights when you want to sink into feelings that defy words, the harmony woven by their two voices will likely seep gently into your heart.

Your happinessUru

[Official] Uru "Kimi no Shiawase wo"

A tale of unrequited love that begins with a poetry reading.

Crafted by Uru herself, this work beautifully portrays deep affection for the other person and a resolute acceptance of parting.

Though close in proximity, a distance in hearts is felt—the aching inability to convey one’s feelings.

Because she wishes for the other’s happiness, she suppresses her own emotions; her delicate inner world is delivered through a simple yet striking melody.

Released in November 2023, the song features a piano- and acoustic guitar–centered arrangement that is simple but deeply moving.

It’s a piece that stands beside those who harbor the complex feelings of loving someone while suffering as they wish for that person’s happiness.

I didn’t want to know, if it meant losing it.atarayo

Atarayo – “I Didn’t Want to Know, If It Meant Losing You” (Music Video)

This piece delicately portrays the turmoil of a woman who realizes that every “word” from the lover she’s supposed to be in love with is a flimsy lie.

She wants to believe but can’t; she doesn’t want to lose them, yet being together only makes it hurt more.

These tangled emotions resonate alongside Atarayo’s urbane sound.

Released in January 2022 and included on their first album, “In the Polar Night, the Moon Remains Silent,” the song emerged from a collaboration with Junwaidan.

It’s a highly relatable track that offers solace to those exhausted by the effort of trusting a partner, and to those who had no choice but to part ways with someone they love.

heartaimyon

Aimyon – Heart [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

A poignant ballad that carefully portrays the complex emotions of love.

Released in 2021, this song was written by Aimyon as the theme for the TBS Tuesday drama “Only Just Married.” During production, she rewrote the lyrics from scratch for the first time, focusing on expressing feelings that are “not too cute, yet not too clumsy.” Inspired by the heart’s shape—round on top and pointed at the bottom—the song explores a relationship where affection and pain coexist.

It resonates deeply with those struggling with marriage or romance.