A poignant ballad song. A tear-jerking masterpiece of Japanese pop music.
Let me introduce some heartrending ballads that tighten your chest the moment you listen.
When you part ways with someone important, when a romance fails and leaves you down, or when a sudden memory takes you back to a past you can’t return to…
In the course of life, there are moments when a quiet, melancholy mood washes over you.
In this article, I’ve gathered recommended ballad songs for those very times.
From beloved classics to recent hits, I’ve selected tracks so you can find a song that resonates with your feelings and helps you detox your heart.
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A poignant ballad song. Tear-jerking masterpieces of Japanese music (81–90)
the depths of the heartrokudenashi
A bittersweet love ballad by Rokudenashi that resonates deeply.
It weaves delicate words about the loneliness that comes at dusk and the urgent feelings hidden behind a smile.
While yearning to be loved, the wavering heart that hesitates to face its true feelings seeps in along with gentle piano melodies.
Released in February 2025 as the lead track from the album “Sigh,” this song reaches out to those who, even while carrying wounded, unsettled hearts, try to look ahead with cherished memories held close.
Love letterTHE BLUE HEARTS
THE BLUE HEARTS are, needless to say, a charismatic punk band.
Their song “Love Letter” is a very simple ballad stripped of anything unnecessary, and precisely because of that it pierces deeply into the listener’s heart.
It’s especially great when heard as a guitar-and-vocal performance.
Things that have formShibasaki Kou
It seems to tell us that even if tangible things fade away, memories continue to shine forever in our hearts.
This is the sixth single by Kou Shibasaki, who is active both as an actress and a singer, and it was chosen as the theme song for the drama “Crying Out Love, in the Center of the World,” which aired in 2004 and became a social phenomenon.
The song portrays the strength and poignancy of thinking of someone you can no longer meet, transforming even sorrow into love.
Her voice, combining clarity and power, melds with the sweeping strings, and together with the drama’s worldview, it really tugs at the heartstrings.
When you are grieving the loss of someone dear, it gently stays by your side and kindles a warm light in your heart.
Song of the Eternal NightKami wa saikoro o furanai
A gem of a rock ballad by Kami wa Saikoro wo Furanai that became a hit after gaining buzz on social media.
Its melody, vocals, and lyrics each carry a sensational power that speaks straight to the heart.
The song was included on the mini-album “An Opinion on Lambda,” released in May 2019.
It expresses an overwhelming longing for someone precious you can never meet again, and many listeners find themselves moved to tears even without having gone through a breakup.
Vocalist and lyricist Shusaku Yanagita reportedly cried many times during production.
Listen to it on a night when you can’t forget someone, and your tear ducts will surely be stirred.
tear(s)Marushii
A heartbreaking breakup ballad by Marcy, beloved for their relatable, down-to-earth music.
The structure tells all the radiant memories of a seaside park in the past tense, conveying the bittersweet ache of heartbreak—the way you can’t help but remember, even knowing you can’t go back.
You might recognize that feeling, as if your body still carries the warmth of the other person.
It’s a song that gently stays by the side of anyone who can’t forget a summer romance that has come to an end.
ENDLESS RAINX JAPAN
In contrast to their intense metal sound, X JAPAN’s grand ballads are a huge part of their appeal.
This song, which begins with YOSHIKI’s classically influenced, beautiful piano melody, is one that truly symbolizes the band.
Like unending rain falling on the heart, it seems to portray the feelings of carrying never-ending sorrow and unhealed wounds while still searching for the light.
HIDE’s wistful guitar solo further accentuates the poignancy.
Released as a single from the classic album BLUE BLOOD in December 1989, it also served as the theme song for the film Zipang.
The sight of fans breaking into a massive singalong at live shows is moving, and this is a ballad that keeps you company on nights when you want to quietly sink into your thoughts alone.
A poignant ballad song. Timeless Japanese tearjerker classics (91–100)
AitaiKato Miria
It’s a heartrending love song about longing for someone who’s looking at somebody else.
Included on the acclaimed 2009 album “Ring,” this fan favorite became a hit with over 700,000 downloads despite not being released as a single.
It also adds deep resonance to the film “Villain” as an in-film track.
Even if I’m not your number one, even if I know I’ll get hurt, it has to be you… That desperate cry from the heart tightens the listener’s chest.
When you fall for someone, reason can’t do a thing about it.
If you’re suffering from an unrequited love, this is a song that will surely stay close to your heart.