A tear-jerking, hardcore love ballad by a man
When it comes to classic love songs, ballads are the clear favorites.
There are all kinds of ballads, but this time we’re spotlighting tear-jerking love ballads sung by men.
We’ll introduce many timeless Japanese hits that truly move the heart.
It’s also a playlist you can use as a reference for your karaoke song choices.
A Tear-Jerking Man’s True-Love Ballad (1–10)
Unrequited loveSUPER BEAVER
SUPER BEAVER’s in-show song for NHK’s late-night drama “Vanilla na Mainichi” delivers a powerful rendition of aching, unrequited love that truly stirs the heart.
It’s a gem of a ballad where a melody that gently cradles a faint yearning blends beautifully with subtly warm lyrics.
First released digitally on March 7, 2025, and included on the single “Kataomoi / Namida no Shoutai,” out March 12, the track enriches the drama’s world alongside its main theme, “Namida no Shoutai.” With tender, emotional soundscapes and the band’s signature straightforward message, this heartwarming song keeps you company in those quiet moments when you secretly think of someone you love.
more than anyoneBE:FIRST
A poignant longing wrapped in kindness strikes the heart in this ballad by BE:FIRST.
While yearning for closeness with a loved one, the vivid lyrics portray a man’s struggle to keep his distance because of mental illness, along with the feelings that remain unchanged.
The richly expressive vocals of all the members and the melody beautifully color the story’s world.
Included on the single “Spacecraft / Sailing,” released on February 5, 2025, the song was also selected as the theme for the film “Hold Me Tighter Than Anyone,” which premiered that February.
This piece invites deep reflection on the meaning of continuing to care for someone important and on human connection.
It is recommended for those wrestling with feelings for someone they love, or for anyone seeking a touching ballad that resonates with the heart.
MelodyTamaki Kōji
It’s a heartfelt love ballad by Koji Tamaki, whose mature, embracing vocals and lyrics—simple yet powerful in their worldview—stir a radiant, uplifting feeling.
Widely cherished as a moving piece, it has become a renowned classic.
KaraBank Band
A soulful work by Bank Band that begins with the quiet resonance of a piano and gradually unfolds into a grand scale.
Its lyrics, interwoven with reflections on the depths of life and sharp insights into society, sound a warning to the modern world.
Released in January 2025, the piece beautifully blends Kazutoshi Sakurai’s emotionally rich vocals with Takeshi Kobayashi’s delicate arrangements.
Aina The End, Mone Kamishiraishi, and Salyu join on chorus, adding a vibrant flourish to the track.
Created for the ap bank fes ’25 performance, proceeds from this work are dedicated to supporting recovery from the Noto Peninsula earthquake, making it a meaningful contribution to society through music.
It is a jewel-like ballad that sinks deeply into the heart when your emotions are stirred, when you want to look within, and when you wish to connect with someone.
DestinyAee! group
A gem of a love song that delicately portrays a straightforward devotion, even while harboring clumsy feelings of love.
The Aぇ! group’s intricately woven vocals and deeply emotive melody brilliantly color a bittersweet love story.
Set for inclusion on the album “Chameleon,” slated for release in June 2025, this track has been selected as the theme song for the TV Asahi drama “Musashino Rondo,” starring group member Yoshinori Masakado.
The music video’s world, in which the message of love is conveyed with strength even under the pouring rain, superbly captures a heart buffeted by fate.
It’s a song that stands by everyone troubled by love and gives them courage.
An unfinished love song I’ve been working on foreverHata Motohiro
In harmony with the world of the film “The Love Letter at Year 35,” Motohiro Hata delicately captures warm, nuanced emotions.
Weaving together the enduring love of a long-married couple and the feelings that deepen day by day with a gentle yet powerful melody, this work beautifully portrays a form of love that grows more colorful with time.
Set for digital release and physical sale between February and March 2025, the limited production edition includes a jacket card featuring visuals from the film, a handwritten lyrics card, and a Blu-ray containing live performance footage.
It is a deeply resonant ballad for those who hold feelings for someone dear or carry emotions too difficult to put into words.
Heartbreaker (I fell in love with a cowgirl)Hirai Dai
A gem of a love song by Dai Hirai that paints uncontrollable infatuation and aching longing with a sound that skillfully weaves in elements of country music.
It sings of a man’s pure feelings for a free-spirited, cowgirl-like woman, set to a refreshing beach sound.
Released in April 2025, the piece conveys the bittersweetness of love through a gentle narrative tone and a pleasant melodic line.
Created as the first installment of a series leading up to “HIRAIDAI presents THE BEACH TRIP 2025,” which kicks off in May, it’s a perfect fit for open-air moments like seaside drives or BBQs under clear blue skies.
A soul-stirring ballad that deeply resonates with those nursing heartbreak or struggling with single-minded love.