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)
single bedSha ran Q
This is a gem of a ballad that strikingly portrays the poignant feelings of a heartbroken man.
Sharam Q released the song in October 1994. It was used as the ending theme for the Nippon TV anime “D·N·A²: A Girl Who Arrived?” and went on to become a million-selling hit.
It is included on the album “Rettōkan” (Inferiority Complex) and was later featured as an insert song in the 2017 film “Memoirs of a Murderer.” Furniture steeped in memories of a former lover is depicted as a symbol that highlights the protagonist’s loneliness, powerfully expressing a shift in values toward love.
This moving masterpiece is perfect for a calm night drive or for quiet moments when you think of someone dear.
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.
Happy endingOhtaki Eiichi
As the theme song for a Fuji TV Monday 9 p.m.
drama, this is a gem of a love song that Eiichi Ohtaki released for the first time in 12 years.
Its gentle, heartwarming melody and lyrics that carefully weave the feelings of a woman in love blend beautifully, leading to a massive hit of 970,000 copies sold since its release in November 1997.
Used in Love Generation, the song also marked Ohtaki’s first-ever Top 10 entry as a solo artist, showcasing his rich musicality to the fullest.
Portraying a sweet yet bittersweet love story, this track is highly recommended for those harboring feelings for someone special or wishing for a happy future with a loved one.