Recommended for the Yutori generation! Tear-jerking masterpieces from the J-pop scene
Have you ever unexpectedly found tears streaming down your face while listening to music?
Beyond songs that are bittersweet or sad, music can carry powerful messages or a warm sense of comfort that truly moves the heart.
This time, we’re introducing tear-jerking tracks especially recommended for the Yutori generation.
From universally known hit songs to hidden gems, we’ve compiled a wide selection—so be sure to find the tracks that resonate with your heart!
- Just listening makes my chest tighten... Breakup songs recommended for the Yutori generation
- Tear ducts guaranteed to burst! Heart-wrenching masterpiece songs I’d recommend to Gen Z
- Winter songs you'll want to listen to in the cold season! Recommended for the yutori generation
- It cleanses the soul… Great J-pop songs recommended for the yutori generation
- Bittersweet feelings come rushing back! Recommended love songs for the Yutori generation
- Tear-jerking J-pop from the ’90s. Hit songs and real tearjerkers.
- Tear-jerking songs recommended for women in their 30s: timeless Japanese hits that touch the heart
- Tear-jerking songs recommended for women in their 40s: classic and popular Japanese tracks
- Masterpieces with the theme of “tears.” A roundup of moving tracks that tug at the heartstrings.
- A lineup of classic hits! Karaoke songs recommended for the yutori generation
- Tear-jerking masterpieces sung by male artists that I’d recommend to Gen Z
- Tears for a heartrending story… Tear-jerking songs by women recommended for the Yutori generation
- Tear-jerking songs recommended for women in their 50s: classic and popular Japanese hits
Recommended for the Yutori Generation! Tear-Jerking J-POP Masterpieces (41–50)
KanadeSukima Suichi
A heartwarming ballad that begins with piano tones shining under a soft glow.
Sung with a clear, emotive voice, it portrays the radiance of a world transformed by partings and new encounters—one of Sukima Switch’s quintessential masterpieces.
Released in March 2004, the song became a long-running hit over 38 weeks.
It was featured as an insert song in the film “Rough” and served as the theme for Fuji TV’s drama “Sotsu Uta,” continuing to resonate with many listeners.
Included on the albums “Natsugumo Noise,” “Greatest Hits,” and “DOUBLES BEST,” its charm deepens with time.
Perfect for those moments when you want to gaze at the night view in a lounge and reminisce about memories with someone special.
Hide-and-seekYuuri
A poignant ballad that likens a breakup with a live-in lover to the children’s game of hide-and-seek.
Through images of a tumbler left behind and a messy room, it vividly portrays a man’s heart steeped in emptiness and loneliness.
Yuuri’s delicate vocals, paired with a simple, guitar-centered arrangement, superbly convey the pain of heartbreak.
Released in December 2019, the recording was supervised by Hiro of MY FIRST STORY.
The music video, directed by Elizabeth Miyaji and featuring actress Yuu Kinoyama, further deepens the work’s world.
It is a gem of a love song that closely resonates with those who have just experienced a breakup or who still harbor longing for someone dear.
180°yamazaru
A heart-wrenching love ballad by Yamasaru that tugs at the listener’s heartstrings.
Its words quietly resonate, asking what true kindness really is.
Released in February 2016, it stands out as a memorable piece in his musical career.
The song portrays the conflict of a love that must end and the delicate feelings of not wanting to hurt the other person, showcasing Yamasaru’s refined sensitivity and expressive power.
The warm tone of the acoustic guitar and his unique blend of rap and singing deepen the story’s impact.
It is a heartwarming ballad that offers comfort to those who have experienced heartbreak or a farewell to someone dear.
MetronomeYonezu Kenshi
A gemlike ballad that gently captures the subtleties of meetings and partings.
It likens the relationship of two lovers to a metronome, meticulously portraying how hearts that once beat in unison gradually fall out of sync.
Kenshi Yonezu’s delicate vocals and memorable melodic lines convey the ache of love with nothing left unsaid.
Included on the album Bremen, released in October 2015, the song also garnered attention for its distinctive music video composed of hand-drawn illustrations.
It is a track that will surely resonate deeply with anyone suffering the pain of heartbreak or struggling with growing distance from someone dear.
DarlingMrs. GREEN APPLE
This is a poignant song that delicately expresses feelings hidden deep in the heart.
Released in January 2025 as the theme song for NHK General’s special program “Mrs.
GREEN APPLE 18 Festival,” it centers on the importance of staying true to yourself.
While carrying loneliness and anxiety, it conveys gratitude toward those who accept you as you are, resulting in a track that deeply resonates with the emotions of younger generations who grapple with inner pain and conflict.
With an emotive melody that epitomizes Mrs.
GREEN APPLE and a powerful, heart-stirring message, this work is sure to support anyone who seeks to face themselves and move forward.
ElegyBONNIE PINK
A gem of a ballad where a quiet melody and deep prayer resonate.
With BONNIE PINK’s gentle vocals and a softly moving melody, this piece was newly written as the ending theme for the 2022 hibakusha documentary films “for you: Hito no Tame ni” and “Ikiru FROM NAGASAKI.” Featured on the album “Infinity,” it carries a powerful message that, while reflecting on life’s doubts and inner conflicts, weaves a thread of hope for the future.
Crafted by Ovall’s bassist-producer, its refined sound—where piano and guitar blend beautifully—is another highlight.
Perfect for calm twilight hours or quiet moments spent deepening thoughts of someone dear, this song will gently bring a tender light to your heart.
Cherry Blossom Rainabsorb
This is a widely beloved song that is often performed at graduation ceremonies.
Its lyrics vividly depict the scene of cherry blossoms fluttering in the air, leaving a strong impression and beautifully capturing the springtime atmosphere where farewells and new encounters intersect.
The band absorb first released it online in February 2008, and it was issued as their major-label debut single in November of the same year.
It was adapted into a novel in 2012, and into a film starring Maika Yamamoto in 2016, among other cross-media developments.
It’s a recommended track for those about to take a new step forward or those who want to look back on cherished memories with close friends.