[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.
- I want to sing it at the senior class recital! A choral piece that 5-year-olds can sing with all their heart
- Songs we want to sing at the graduation ceremony! A special feature on moving, heart-touching preschool graduation songs
- [Songs with Great Lyrics] Masterpieces you’ll want to listen to while savoring the words that resonate with your heart
- I Want to Sing at the Kindergarten Seniors’ Recital! A Collection of Moving Song Ideas That 6-Year-Olds Can Sing with All Their Heart
- [Tearjerker] Songs that make your heart tremble with tears & moving tracks with lyrics that touch the soul
- Get pumped with popular songs from “Okaasan to Issho”! A collection of timeless tunes everyone will want to sing together
- [Minna no Uta] Beloved Across Generations: Nostalgic Classics and Popular Songs
- Choral songs that captivate 4-year-olds! A collection of heartfelt song ideas for junior kindergarten recitals
- [Songs of Bereavement] Songs about losing a loved one. Tracks to listen to while thinking of someone dear
- Get pumped with kids’ favorite songs! A memorable collection of classics that will make you want to sing along
- [A moving friendship song] For dear friends and best friends. Songs of friendship that make you feel the bond.
- [Gratitude, Encouragement, Memories] Tear-Jerking Graduation Songs You Can’t Listen to Without Crying [2026]
- [Graduation Ceremony] Tear-Jerking! A Collection of Farewell Words and Message Ideas
Minna no Uta: Tear-Jerking Masterpieces. Moving Songs You Want to Hear Again (1–10)
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.
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.
teddy bearYoshioka Yusuke (Tokyo Hoso Jido Gekidan)
A tear-jerking masterpiece told from a stuffed animal’s point of view: “The Teddy Bear.” Perhaps you, too, carried the same plush toy with you everywhere as a child.
When you hugged it close, when you dragged it along the floor, when you were in a bad mood and tossed it aside.
The time you spent with that stuffed animal was the time you spent growing up.
In this song, the plush bear gently recounts those moments with warmth and affection.
It’s a moving classic that will bring tears to your eyes as you remember your favorite stuffed toy.
Minna no Uta: Tear-Jerking Masterpieces. Moving Songs You Want to Hear Again (11–20)
Mom’s MarriageSakata Osamu
This song is about a child who grew up in a single-mother household, always protected by their mother, and who, upon becoming an adult, begins to wish for their mother’s happiness.
In the lyrics, the mother apologizes out of guilt for raising the child alone, but the child responds, “You’ve done enough.” Just that alone is enough to bring me to tears.
For those who grew up in similar circumstances, it may be a song you can’t listen to without crying.
I hope mothers and fathers who are raising children on their own right now will listen to it too—it’s a heartwarming parent–child song.
Grandfather’s ClockHirai Ken
Originally an American song, it was broadcast on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” in 1962 and became established in Japan as a children’s song.
The Japanese lyrics were written by Yasugo Hotomi.
Ken Hirai’s 2002 cover is also well-known and was also aired on “Minna no Uta.” This song, which sings about a clock that stayed by someone’s side from birth until death, is likely a memorable piece across generations.
Everyone surely has something precious that has accompanied them through life.
Parting with that something is, after all, heartbreaking, isn’t it?
Wish ~Hope~Fujita Maiko
The song “wish ~Kibou~,” written specifically for Minna no Uta.
Fujita Maiko’s sincere voice resonates over a beautifully delicate piano accompaniment.
The lyrics, about struggles and conflicts you can’t tell anyone, and the desperate effort to keep moving forward even when you feel on the verge of losing hope, will move many listeners to tears.
It also conveys a comforting kindness that seems to embrace you, whispering, “We’re all in this together,” “It’s okay to take it slow.” For anyone who finds life painful, this tear-jerking masterpiece is one you should listen to at least once.
YELLikimonogakari
An encouraging song that stays close to graduations and new beginnings will seep into everyone’s hearts.
The melodies and lyrics woven by Ikimonogakari beautifully capture both hope for the future and the bittersweetness of parting.
Released in September 2009, this piece was selected as the required song for the junior high school division of NHK’s National School Music Competition and has been loved by many.
Listen to it at graduations, farewell gatherings, and other moments when you’re taking a new step forward—it’s sure to give you courage.
Why not listen to this song at the milestones in your life?