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. Masterpieces of tear-jerking Japanese pop (141–150)
I stillmilet
A gem-like love ballad by milet, known for a voice where aching tenderness and strength intertwine, beautifully capturing the emotions of the character she portrays in the film.
Its richly emotive melody weaves together a yearning for eternal love and the anxieties that come with it, while lyrics that speak of unwavering, straightforward affection resonate deeply.
Written as the theme song for the film “The Girlfriend I Don’t Know,” slated for release in February 2025, the track will debut on streaming platforms in January 2025, followed by a CD single release in February.
It’s a heartwarming song you’ll want to listen to on your morning commute, on your way home at night, or while thinking of someone special.
calm (of the sea), lull; Nagi (a Japanese given name)Marushii
A tear-jerking love ballad, “Nagi.” It’s a track by the three-piece rock band Marcy, included on their album Candle.
The song’s protagonist is a man who has just gone through a breakup, and it depicts him looking back on the days he spent with his ex.
The story mainly unfolds through past events, and when the perspective returns to the present at the end, we see the protagonist has grown a little—such a lovely structure.
Also, don’t miss the music video, in which actress Hoshi Matsukawa plays the ex-girlfriend.
remainingYoshizawa Kayoko
A song overflowing with Kayoko Yoshizawa’s unique charm, produced by Tomohiko Gondo, who has also worked on tracks for AAA and Kyoko Koizumi.
The lyrics, which say, “Even after the breakup, it feels like you’re everywhere, and every day I keep thinking of you,” will strike a painfully deep chord with anyone nursing a broken heart.
Listening when you want a good cry might just clear your mind.
Since its 2017 release, it has surpassed 5 million views on video sites and continues to steadily rack up more.
The music video—capturing the rough-and-tumble cityscape with a certain beauty—is a must-see.
Even if you’re short on time, don’t miss it!
Winter and Springback number
back number continues to create emotionally rich songs that never lose their luster, even as time passes after release.
In January 2024, they dropped a standout track that showcases their musical brilliance.
This work is a ballad that traces the feelings of a woman who has gone through a breakup.
What deserves special attention is the lyrical worldview that mirrors her complex emotions with snow that piles up in winter and melts in spring.
The must-see music video, directed by Iyori Shimizu and featuring a stellar performance by Anna Ishii, is unmissable.
back number’s songs, which express sadness with beauty, speak directly to the heart.
It’s a track that gives you the courage to overcome heartbreak, and one I especially recommend to anyone who has experienced it.
A bouquet for the you of yesterdayforte minor
Forte minor is a four-piece band fronted by singer-songwriter Fumino Ishiguro.
While each member is active in their own bands or as solo artists, this band performs Ishiguro’s solo songs in a band setting.
“A Bouquet for the You of Yesterday” was originally a solo piece she performed with just vocals and guitar, but the band arrangement has turned it into an even more moving ballad.
The song depicts a couple’s quarrel and reconciliation, and conveys the feeling that “we’ll probably keep repeating this and still spend our lives together from here on out.”
If I can laughUrufuruzu
Ulfuls’ “Waraereba” is a bittersweet ballad, but it’s also a motivational song that makes you feel positive—ready to smile and keep going even when things are tough—after you listen to it.
It’s a simple song, and that simplicity lets its quality quietly shine through.
In conclusion
I introduced some poignant Japanese ballads.
Did you find the one song you were looking for? When you want to listen to sad ballads, it’s often because you’re feeling down.
I hope that among the songs I shared, there’s one that stays close to your feelings and helps you carry the pain.
When things are tough, you don’t have to hold it in—it’s okay to cry…