RAG MusicBallad
Lovely ballad

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.

A poignant ballad song. Masterpieces of tear-jerking Japanese music (131–140)

I won’t fall in love anymore.Makihara Noriyuki

[Official] Noriyuki Makihara “I Won’t Fall in Love Again” (Music Video) [5th Single] (1992) Noriyuki Makihara / Mou Koi Nante Shinai
I won't fall in love anymore.Makihara Noriyuki

A gem-like ballad that delicately portrays the pain of heartbreak and the hope of taking a new step forward.

Noriyuki Makihara’s gentle vocals tenderly envelop the protagonist’s complex feelings as they struggle to accept a breakup with their lover.

While carefully depicting the loneliness and confusion felt in everyday life, it also resonates with the positive resolve hidden behind the words “I won’t fall in love anymore.” Released in May 1992, the song was used as the theme for the drama “After the Children Are Asleep,” reaching No.

2 on the weekly Oricon chart and No.

7 for the year.

It’s a song that stands as emotional support, accompanying you through the healing process of a broken heart.

Versailles – Versailles –ayaka

Ayaka / Versailles – Versailles – Animation Lyric Video
Versailles - Versailles - ayaka

The theme song of the theatrical anime The Rose of Versailles captivates with its sweeping, moving melody and heartfelt lyrics.

Ayaka’s powerful yet delicate vocals elegantly express the emotions of characters who confront fate in pursuit of love and freedom.

Written specifically as the theme for The Rose of Versailles, released in January 2025, the song masterfully captures the film’s world through music.

The dazzling orchestral arrangement and crystalline vocals weave a harmony that further elevates the movie’s majestic atmosphere.

It’s a perfect choice for singing with thoughts of someone dear, or when you want to perform with heartfelt emotion in a calm, intimate mood.

The final goodbye.riria.

Riria. / The Last Bye-Bye [Music Video]
The final goodbye.riria.

It’s a heartrending break-up song that really tugs at the heart.

Riria’s clear, translucent voice gently wraps around a love grown cold over LINE.

Released in December 2023, the track frankly sings of the exhaustion that comes from waiting.

The lyrics resonate deeply with anyone struggling in a one-sided relationship.

This piece fully showcases the talent of Riria, who also voiced the heroine in the film Bubble.

It’s a must-listen not only for those troubled by love, but also for anyone who has experienced parting with someone important.

indigoSukima Suichi

Sukima Switch “Indigo” Live at Asylum Chapel (South London) / SUKIMASWITCH Ai Live at Asylum Chapel (South London)
indigoSukima Suichi

A delicate ballad by Sukima Switch that intricately portrays the ache of unrequited love.

Released in November 2006, this song is said to have been completed after as many as ten rewrites.

It expresses the complexities of romance through a wordplay between “ai” (love) and “ai” (indigo), resonating deeply with listeners.

Also included on the anniversary best album “SUKIMASWITCH 20th Anniversary BEST ‘POPMAN’S WORLD -Second-’,” the track is highly regarded by fans.

It’s a song you’ll want to hear on nights after a breakup or when parting from someone important.

Sukima Switch’s delicate vocals are sure to stay close to your heart.

Sakura RabbitKawasaki Takaya

Takanori Kawasaki - Sakura Usagi [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]
Sakura RabbitKawasaki Takaya

This song by Takaya Kawasaki portrays the farewell of graduation.

Released in January 2021, it expresses the bittersweet feelings of a graduation ceremony by likening them to cherry blossom petals and a rabbit.

The emotions of the protagonist, who cannot convey their feelings to the one they love, are depicted alongside scenes of a quiet classroom and falling cherry blossoms, tightening the listener’s chest.

Also included on the album “Calendar,” this piece resonates even more deeply during graduation season.

Kawasaki’s gentle voice and beautiful melody softly wrap your own memories of graduation.

DecemberMoriyama Naotaro

A poignant winter ballad by Naotaro Moriyama that lets December’s cold air seep into your heart.

On a late night as the snow begins to fall and the windowpane turns milky white with fog, you can picture the protagonist recalling a former lover.

The song conveys the aching feeling of holding on to an unwavering love for someone who has likely forgotten their promise.

Originally released digitally in 2005, it was later included on the 2016 best-of album “Daikessakusén,” marking its first appearance on CD.

Moriyama’s gentle vocals tenderly envelop the listener’s heart.

It’s a recommended track for those wishing to soothe the pain of heartbreak or to immerse themselves in memories of someone special.

to echo; to reverberateSuda Masaki

A song that delicately depicts a bittersweet love.

Masaki Suda’s clear, transparent voice beautifully expresses the sorrow for lost time and the hope for the future.

Released digitally in January 2024, this track was written as the theme song for the film “Kimi to Sekai ga Owaru Hi ni: FINAL” (The Last Chapter).

Produced by Suda himself, it masterfully captures the film’s worldview through music.

It’s a song you’ll want to listen to alone on a quiet night.

Especially recommended for those who have lost someone important, or who now stand at a crossroads in life.

It offers a gentle warmth that stays close to your heart and the courage to look ahead.