[Minna no Uta] Tear-jerking masterpiece. A moving song you want to hear again.
NHK’s Minna no Uta, which began broadcasting in 1961, features countless timeless songs.
I’m sure many of you have a tune you’ll never forget.
In this article, we’ve picked out some of the most moving songs from among those classics.
We’ve gathered many tracks—songs that warm the heart, songs you’ll relate to through your own experiences, farewell songs, and more.
These beloved classics span the Showa, Heisei, and Reiwa eras, transcending generations.
We hope you’ll find one that resonates with you.
Listening again as an adult, you may discover worlds you never noticed as a child.
Immerse yourself in these masterpieces and let the tears flow.
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Minna no Uta: Tear-Jerking Masterpieces. Moving Songs You Want to Hear Again (1–10)
A small nutŌba Teruko
Evoking an autumn meadow, this piece gently portrays a boy who dearly holds memories of his late father.
The small nut in the boy’s hand symbolizes the bond he shared with his father.
First broadcast on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” in 1971, it has continued to be cherished across generations.
It’s a masterpiece where a lyrical melody based on Bizet’s opera blends beautifully with Japanese lyrics.
Recommended for those who have experienced parting from a loved one or who feel drawn to autumn landscapes.
Surrender yourself to its unhurried tones and enjoy a heartwarming moment.
presentSEKAI NO OWARI
Born as a featured song for NHK’s “Minna no Uta,” this piece carries a warm message that resonates with experiences from junior high school days.
Set to gentle piano and guitar melodies, the lyrics tenderly accompany lonely hearts and seep deep into the soul.
Released in September 2015 and later chosen as an end-credit song for a Pixar film in 2024, it’s a track beloved across generations.
It’s recommended for those trying to overcome painful experiences or anyone who wants to encourage someone else.
A heartwarming song that gives you courage every time you listen.
Friend ~Time of Departure~yuzu
This is Yuzu’s song Tomo ~Tabidachi no Toki~ (Friend ~Time of Departure~), well-known as a graduation song.
It was also chosen as the required piece for the junior high division of the 80th NHK All-Japan School Choir Competition (N-Con), and the choral version is very popular.
I think many people are moved to tears when they sing or listen to this song at graduation ceremonies.
The message to the friends you’ve spent time with really hits you in the heart.
Partings are lonely, but this is a song I definitely want you to listen to with your close friends.
The Bento Box Song ~A Letter to You~Hanzaki Yoshiko
Despite its upbeat melody, this song brings tears to your eyes and lets you feel a mother’s love.
Written by singer-songwriter Yoshiko Hanzaki, it was aired on “Minna no Uta” in 2017.
If you ate your mom’s homemade bento every day as a student, I don’t think you can listen to it without crying.
Bentos can include foods you don’t like or leftovers, but just like the lyrics say, mothers make them with love, thinking about their children’s health.
The message from the child at the end of the song is also deeply moving.
Because we are living beingsRyokushokushakai
The song by Ryokuoushoku Shakai is a warm ballad written as the required piece for NHK’s All-Japan School Music Competition.
Its lyrics, which empathize with the anxieties and inner conflicts of adolescence while affirming our place as part of life, strike a deep chord.
The gentle yet powerful vocals, the band’s performance, and the chorus all express vitality, conveying the importance of accepting natural growth and change as a living being.
Released in September 2024, the song’s music video also attracted attention.
It’s recommended for those who want to feel the bonds formed with friends in school life, as well as for those who feel anxious about their own growth.
Along with its heartwarming melody, it may inspire you to take a fresh look at yourself.