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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Poignant ballad songs: Tear-jerking masterpieces of Japanese music (11–20)
crescent moonayaka
One of Ayaka’s signature songs, “Mikazuki” is a ballad about a bittersweet love, addressed to someone dear who lives far away.
It especially resonates with those in long-distance relationships.
Released in 2006 as Ayaka’s fourth single, it’s a track that many artists have covered.
When your heart is tired or you’re feeling weak, you might find yourself shedding tears without realizing it as you listen.
Yet when the song ends, it leaves you with a gentle, comforting feeling.
I’m home.Teshima Aoi
The singer Aoi Teshima, known for her one-of-a-kind voice, released her seventh single, “Tadaima,” in 2021.
It was selected as the theme song for TBS’s Sunday drama “Heaven and Hell: Psycho Two People,” starring Haruka Ayase and Issey Takahashi.
Following the beautiful piano intro, Teshima’s whispery vocals—almost as if murmured right by your ear—are truly captivating.
The warm sounds of the wood bass and acoustic guitar also resonate deeply as you listen.
Give me a gentle kiss.DREAMS COME TRUE
DREAMS COME TRUE has many classic ballads and love songs.
Their song “Yasashii Kiss o Shite” is a heartbreaking ballad that portrays a woman who, even knowing her love won’t come true and her feelings won’t be rewarded, stays by his side and devotes herself to him.
Released in 2004 as DREAMS COME TRUE’s 31st single, it also served as a TV drama theme song.
Its very real emotions resonate deeply in the chest, a song so painful that how it’s heard may differ from listener to listener.
Wherever you areONE OK ROCK
A gem of a love song packed with heartfelt feelings for one special person.
Taka’s sweet, wistful vocals resonate deep within the heart.
True to a rock band that’s active on the international stage, the song is filled with straightforward expressions of love.
Japanese ways of expressing affection can be cool or overly indirect, which may leave some partners anxious, wondering if their significant other truly loves them.
If you’re not good at putting love into words, it might be nice to convey your feelings subtly by listening to the song together.
me me sheRADWIMPS
It’s a ballad that gently stays by your side in that hollowed-out feeling of loss, as if there’s a hole in your heart.
The song is included on RADWIMPS’ album “RADWIMPS 4: Okazu no Gohan,” released in December 2006.
Although it wasn’t released as a single, it can be called a hidden masterpiece that has been loved by many listeners for years.
In a way that overlaps with how the title “Memeshii” is read, it portrays with raw honesty the lingering feelings for a former lover mingled with one’s own ego.
The warm tone of the guitar and the conversational vocals really hit home, and each listen may bring a tightening ache to your chest.
On nights when there’s someone you simply can’t forget, or when you want to cry your heart out and look forward, why not give it a listen?
TRUE LOVEFujii Fumiya
Fumiya Fujii’s “TRUE LOVE” is also known as the theme song for the drama Asunaro Hakusho, which was a massive hit at the time of its release.
It became the biggest hit of Fujii’s solo career after the breakup of The Checkers.
It was incredibly popular—a wistful ballad that you still often hear today.
A poignant ballad song. Tear-jerking masterpieces of Japanese music (21–30)
attachmentMy Hair is Bad
It’s a signature My Hair is Bad ballad that layers memories of past love over the love of the present.
It was first sold as a venue-limited edition at their Saitama Super Arena show in January 2025, then released digitally in April as the single “Aichaku” (Attachment).
The song portrays someone choosing not to erase the habits and memories formed with a former lover, instead trying to build new time with their current partner.
With Seiji Kameda as producer, the sound is gentle yet carefully conveys emotional fluctuations, making it deeply moving.
When you find yourself blaming yourself for clinging to the past, this track will be there to comfort you.
It’s perfect for a night when you want to immerse yourself in the lyrics’ world.