[J-Pop] A Collection of Unrequited Love Songs That Stay Close to Your Heart

Silent EveKarashima Midori

Midori Karashima / Silent Eve (Piano): Midori Karashima – Silent Eve (Piano)

It’s a ballad so sorrowful that the word “heart-wrenching” suits it.

Midori Karashima’s voice is clear and tinged with melancholy, and it truly resonates with the heart.

Because it’s a breakup song, some people in unrequited love might avoid listening, but if you’re deeply troubled about your own love life and want to sink into sadness, I think it’s good to listen.

Even though it’s so sad, her voice is incredibly soothing, so I feel like it might actually help you feel refreshed.

I recommend it when you want to deliberately cry and let it all out, or when you want to be healed by her voice.

It might also help you take an objective view and think, “Love really involves all kinds of things.”

5 seconds before I fall seriously in loveHirosue Ryōko

[Official] Ryoko Hirosue “Five Seconds Before I Fall Seriously in Love” (MV) Ryoko Hirosue / Maji de Koi Suru 5 Byou Mae MK5 [1st Single]

This Motown-flavored song was written and composed by Mariya Takeuchi.

It’s a charming track that captures the feeling of finally finding a chance to get close to the boy you’ve had your eye on, and then hopping onto the roller coaster of love as everything starts to roll.

I’ve always liked you.Saitō Kazuyoshi

Kazuyoshi Saito – I’ve Always Loved You [Music Video]

Haven’t you ever felt your heart skip a beat when, as an adult, you ran into the person you liked back in your school days at a reunion or something? You couldn’t confess your feelings back then, but the fact that those strong feelings still remain as a beautiful memory now is really wonderful, isn’t it? As a woman, I’d love to hear something like that said to me.

First lovematsumura kanau

First Love – Kanau Matsumura [Official Music Video]

This is a song by Kanau Matsumura that’s packed with the sweet-and-sour feelings and frustrations of thinking about someone you like—the full spectrum of first love.

Released in June 2025, it’s a track that could be called the essence of his artistry.

The growing feelings for someone you can only meet in your dreams, the bittersweet longing that makes you take the long way home—listeners may find these emotions overlap with their own experiences.

When you like someone but can’t see them, even small things can make you anxious.

This gentle voice might softly stay by the side of that wavering heart.

Embraced by the wintry windKoizumi Kyoko

Aya Hirano in Springs (unit name undecided) “Embraced by the Wintry Wind” [PV] (2003-02-26)

It’s a classic ballad by Kyoko Koizumi.

The song has some minor-key elements and a really cool vibe.

Koizumi is the kind of singer who articulates the lyrics clearly, so they really sink in.

The theme of unrequited love that goes unnoticed by the other person appears in the song, and it feels truly heartbreaking.

It conveys the painful, aching feeling so intensely that you almost wish you could forget ever falling in love if that wish could be granted.

Since Takamizawa from THE ALFEE wrote both the lyrics and music, it also has a rock flavor, making it a truly wonderful song.

One thing I want to ask youSHISHAMO

SHISHAMO "One Thing I Want to Ask You"

It’s an adorable unrequited-love song that captures feelings for someone whose name you don’t even know.

Released by SHISHAMO in June 2025, it stands out not only for the music but also because vocalist Asako Miyazaki plays the heroine in the music video.

The lyrics distill a pure desire to know everything about the other person, and together with the warm musical tone, it’s sure to make your heart flutter.

If you’re in the midst of a crush right now, you might find it incredibly relatable.

You look like an idiot.Saucy Dog

Saucy Dog “Like a Fool.” Music Video (Theme song for ABEMA’s “You Can’t Fool Me, Mr. Wolf”)

It carefully portrays the delicate feelings of a woman who can’t express herself well: while harboring the desire to know the other person more and to have them all to herself, and feeling love for them, she’s already fed up, believing there’s nothing more she can do.

Chosen as the theme song for ABEMA’s dating reality show “Don’t Be Fooled by Me and Mr.

Wolf,” the track was released digitally in August 2024, and is memorable for its emotional band sound and Shinya Ishihara’s vocals.

It’s a perfect song for those who can’t grasp how the person they like truly feels and are struggling with inner conflict.

Recommended for anyone who can relate to the sorrow of loving someone yet being unable to move forward.