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.

Playlist

A poignant ballad song. A tear-jerking masterpiece of Japanese pop music.
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	SoranjiMrs. GREEN APPLE		Keep affirming yourself and continue living with hope, even in difficult times.
2	HitotsuboshiKOH+		A song that expresses the wish for a loved one’s happiness
3	Suzume feat. ToakaRADWIMPS		A clear, transparent singing voice that became a hot topic as a movie theme song
4	Promise of SunflowersHata Motohiro		A moving ballad from a Doraemon movie theme song
5	LemonYonezu Kenshi		Kenshi Yonezu’s “Lemon” became a huge hit as a TV drama theme song.
6	366 daysHY		Introduction to HY's heartbreak song '366 Days'
7	KanadeSukima Suichi		Sukima Switch’s signature song “Kanade”
8	Moon DropsRUI		The insert song “Tsuki no Shizuku” from the film “Yomigaeri”
9	Dried flowersYuuri		Yuri’s “Dry Flower” is a breakup song.
10	budKobukuro		Kobukuro's moving ballad song
11	I long to see you now.MISIA		The charm of MISIA’s “Aitakute Ima”
12	One more time,One more chanceYamazaki Masayoshi		Masayoshi Yamazaki's bittersweet love song
13	A Naked Heartaimyon		AIMYON’s love songs
14	crescent moonayaka		Explain Ayaka’s signature song “Mikazuki.”
15	Close your eyesHirai Ken		Ken Hirai's moving farewell classic
16	I’m home.Teshima Aoi		Introduction to Aoi Teshima’s single “Tadaima”
17	Wherever you areONE OK ROCK		A love song filled with passionate feelings for a beloved person
18	Give me a gentle kiss.DREAMS COME TRUE		A heartrending ballad song by DREAMS COME TRUE
19	Snow, Moon, and Flowersyangusukinii		A ballad that depicts a love rekindled by a scent
20	Lovers AgainEXILE		EXILE “Lovers Again” winter heartbreak ballad
21	TRUE LOVEFujii Fumiya		Fumiya Fujii's signature ballad
22	attachmentMy Hair is Bad		Overlaying a past love onto a new one
23	PrologueUru		Uru’s clear, translucent singing voice touches the heart
24	me me sheRADWIMPS		A masterpiece by RADWIMPS, a timeless song that gently embraces the pain of the heart.
25	Happy Endingback number		A poignant ballad that questions the meaning of a happy ending
26	HeavenMrs. GREEN APPLE		A theme song by Mrs. GREEN APPLE that resonates with the heart
27	Another SaturdayHamada Shogo		Another Saturday by Shogo Hamada
28	Love’s Melody and Rainy SkiesAAA		AAA's 'Koioto to Amazora' is a ballad popular with people of all ages and genders.
29	My Room, My Dress Shirt, and MeHiramatsu Eri		Eri Hiramatsu’s moving proposal song
30	I want to take only you away just like this.DEEN		A representative early DEEN love ballad
31	The thing I wanted mostMakihara Noriyuki		It is an inspiring masterpiece by Noriyuki Makihara.
32	SubtitleOfisharu Higedan Dism		The theme song of “silent,” a famous track by Official HIGE DANDism.
33	LeoYuuri		A dog’s-eye portrayal of the bond and moving moments with its owner
34	The Last ExcuseTokunaga Hideaki		Moved by Hideaki Tokunaga’s heartrending song
35	Deep RiverUtada Hikaru		A deeply moving ballad by Hikaru Utada
36	Ferris wheelMy Hair is Bad		The poignancy of love and the passage of time as seen from a Ferris wheel
37	You’re no longer here.FUNKY MONKEY BABYS		Signature songs of FUNKY MONKEY BABYS
38	Pale BlueYonezu Kenshi		Kenshi Yonezu’s love ballad song
39	Until the day I can no longer rememberback number		A breakup song by back number
40	Wonderful DaysUNICORN		Representative ballad songs by Unicorn
41	beetle (specifically, a rhinoceros beetle)aiko		aiko’s signature song “Kabutomushi”
42	Pointillism Song (feat. Sonoko Inoue)Mrs. GREEN APPLE		A bittersweet love story at the end of summer
43	Close your eyes and come here.BARBEE BOYS		BARBEE BOYS, a twin-vocal band formed in 1982
44	kissORIGINAL LOVE		A classic song introduction: ORIGINAL LOVE “Kiss”
45	Because you are hereUru		Expressing love for a precious person through Uru’s soul-stirring singing voice
46	Eris with Azure Eyesanzenchitai		A poignant ballad by Anzen Chitai
47	Stop this nightJUJU		A heartrending song that portrays the pain of a broken heart
48	My beloved, good night…B’z		B’z’s first ballad single
49	rainbowSuda Masaki		Masaki Suda's movie theme song ballad
50	horizonback number		A poignant song for rebirth that resonates with the heart
51	JulianPRINCESS PRINCESS		A ballad song for a plump cat
52	I got a boyfriend/girlfriend.My Hair is Bad		Between lingering feelings for a past lover and the start of a new romance
53	NautilusYorushika		It sinks into my heart in Yorushika’s songs
54	Under the big onionbakufū suranpu		Ballad, a representative song by Bakufu Slump
55	moonlightOnitsuka Chihiro		Chihiro Onitsuka’s signature song, “Gekkou” (Moonlight), is a heart-touching ballad.
56	GraduationMy Hair is Bad		A coming-of-age song depicting changes in relationships and farewells
57	Love is litrokudenashi		A ballad whose piano melody heals the heart
58	trace (of someone/something), semblance, vestige; a lingering image or memory of how someone/something used to beNovelbright		Novelbright’s heartbreak ballad song
59	Letter to TomorrowTeshima Aoi		Aoi Teshima’s bittersweet love-support song
60	homeKiyama Yusaku		A warm song that sings of love for family and a touch of heartache
61	dragonflyNagabuchi Tsuyoshi		Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi’s signature song “Tonbo”
62	evening primroseNovelbright		A moving song that portrays the pain of heartbreak and bittersweet feelings
63	I miss youRADWIMPS		A ballad singing the feelings of the 10th anniversary of the earthquake, capturing the sorrow of not being able to meet
64	leap day personRADWIMPS		A moving song that celebrates the sanctity of life and the miracle of love
65	Can’t Say Anything… SummerTHE JAYWALK		J-Walk's popular summer standard songs
66	I love youback number		A heartfelt song that expresses feelings for a cherished person
67	Blue amberback number		Back Number’s masterpiece: a deep story of sorrow and love
68	All of the Youthsuis from Yorushika		suis sings of summer memories and bittersweet emotions
69	rendezvousshaitoopu		Sheitoupe, popular on social media, depicts the pain of heartbreak.
70	I just wanted to be loved.shizuku		A piano ballad that comforts a lonely heart
71	I want to be loved.Mioyamazaki		Mio Yamazaki’s heartrending vocals that soothe loneliness
72	Bloom like a rose, fall like a cherry blossom.Matsuda Seiko		A mature-sounding ballad by Seiko Matsuda
73	I want to forget.wacci		The bittersweet inner struggle of being unable to forget a past love
74	roomshaitoopu		A soul-stirring rock ballad that sings of the pain of heartbreak
75	Night journeyYorushika		A song that nestles close to memories on a quiet night
76	First LoveUtada Hikaru		The bittersweet memory of an unforgettable first love
77	for a whilerikon densetsu		A poignant heart song that sings of lost love
78	Everyday lifeOfisharu Higedan Dism		A song depicting everyday despair and small salvations
79	Maplesupittsu		Spitz's poignant, heart-touching ballad
80	DarlingMrs. GREEN APPLE		A poignant song that expresses the importance of staying true to oneself
81	spin; weave; compose (e.g., a story)tota		Tota-san’s “Tsumugu” is a masterpiece that depicts bonds and nature.
82	Be happy, okay?matsumura kanau		Looking back on memories with a heartbreak song
83	I can’t put it into wordsofukōsu		Off Course's ballad about the end of love
84	fireflySazan Ōrusutāzu		A peace-aspiring ballad by Southern All Stars
85	the depths of the heartrokudenashi		A heartbreaking love ballad by a good-for-nothing
86	Love letterTHE BLUE HEARTS		Blue Hearts love letter simple
87	Things that have formShibasaki Kou		Memories shine forever in the heart.
88	Song of the Eternal NightKami wa saikoro o furanai		A gem of a rock ballad that's trending on social media
89	tear(s)Marushii		A heart-touching song that portrays the bittersweet pain of heartbreak
90	ENDLESS RAINX JAPAN		X JAPAN’s moving heartfelt ballad
91	AitaiKato Miria		Depicting the bittersweet emotions of unrequited love
92	Last LoveKato Miria		A masterpiece that expresses the pain of heartbreak with a transparent voice
93	Liar MoonYorushika		A ballad of loneliness and wistfulness resounding on an autumn night
94	moon bathingYorushika		A mesmerizing song that evokes the end of summer
95	MissingKubota Toshinobu		Toshinobu Kubota’s heartrending ballad that sings of deep love.
96	Unchanging ThingsOku Hanako		A wistful piano ballad that mourns the end of summer
97	SAY YESCHAGE and ASKA		The classic song SAY YES by CHAGE and ASKA
98	flameLiSA		The moving theme song of the Demon Slayer movie
99	tobacco / cigarette(s)Koresawa		The regret of parting as I search for the warmth that was lost
100	NEW YEAR’S EVEHamada Shogo		A gentle parting of two people who have been together for many years
101	Love Won’t StopWink		WINK's “Ai ga Tomaranai” is a mega-hit
102	Then, why?Abe Mao		The pain of love tossed around by a teasing attitude
103	CROSS ROADMr.Children		Mr.Children’s signature song, CROSS ROAD
104	EverydayJITTERIN’JINN		JITTERIN’JINN’s wistful ballad
105	Blue SnowBEGIN		The lonely heart of a bittersweet Christmas song
106	Until we meet againHirai Dai		Depicting the bittersweet sorrow and forward-looking hope of parting
107	rootKing Gnu		A piece that portrays the hope to live through a quiet melody
108	To new loversback number		back number's heartrending song
109	Only a single voicerokudenashi		A poignant song that comforts heartbreak and loneliness
110	Wet BalladDa-iCE		Da-iCE’s moving ballad
111	In loveHY		A ballad that portrays a heart accepting heartbreak and growing
112	reverse dreamKing Gnu		An emotional ballad as the theme song for the Jujutsu Kaisen movie
113	monologueOmoinotake		A new song that expresses parting and a sense of loss with an oriental sound
114	Just being alive is admirable.ReoNa		ReoNa's emotional ballad song
115	Song of the Actor DogSARD UNDERGROUND		A song based on the true story of a dog who went from a stray to an actor
116	Unrequited loveSUPER BEAVER		SUPER BEAVER's unrequited-love-themed rock
117	passing by each otherSoala		A song that expresses the bittersweet feelings of heartbreak in an R&B style
118	ContrastTOMOO		Expressing youthful romance with care through TOMOO’s piano piece
119	Hitorikarin		Karin sings of a love that cannot be fulfilled “alone.”
120	Shall we break up?Miyuhan		A song that portrays the feelings of deciding to part ways
121	So it wasn’t me, huh.riria.		Lilia’s Heartbreak Ballad
122	Changing seasonsren		Express the pain of heartbreak in lyrics that people can empathize with
123	Tearful KissSazan Ōrusutāzu		A signature ballad by Southern that depicts the pain of heartbreak
124	single bedSha ran Q		A ballad that portrays the feelings of recovering from heartbreak and moving forward
125	Tears of MagnoliaSutādasuto☆Rebyū		A love ballad that sings of the sense of loss from losing a loved one
126	That’s all there is to it.Marushii		A bittersweet mid-tempo ballad by Marcy
127	Your SongYasuda Rei		Rei Yasuda's 'Kimi no Uta' is a song about a deceased lover.
128	AnswerIkuta Rira		An encouraging song that gives you the courage to keep walking toward the future, even while you're unsure
129	White LoversKuwata Keisuke		Keisuke Kuwata's winter ballad song
130	New WorldMoriyama Naotaro		A ballad that expresses feelings for one’s parents
131	I won’t fall in love anymore.Makihara Noriyuki		A ballad depicting the pain of heartbreak and the glimmer of hope
132	Versailles – Versailles –ayaka		Ayaka’s theme song expresses feelings of love and freedom
133	filamentUru		A translucent singing voice and deep emotion move the heart
134	The final goodbye.riria.		A heart-piercing, bittersweet breakup song
135	indigoSukima Suichi		A bittersweet love ballad by Sukima Switch
136	Sakura RabbitKawasaki Takaya		A song that expresses the bittersweet feelings of cherry blossoms and graduation
137	DecemberMoriyama Naotaro		A winter ballad thinking of a former lover
138	to echo; to reverberateSuda Masaki		Expressing aching feelings of love through Masaki Suda’s transparent, delicate singing voice
139	waxing; filling up; becoming full; growing (e.g., the moon growing fuller)Fuji Kaze		Fujii Kaze’s movie theme song. A ballad depicting love and farewell.
140	I stillmilet		milet’s love ballad that serves as a movie theme song
141	Tears of the MagnoliaSutaadasuto Rebyuu		Mulan’s Tears is a song of memories
142	calm (of the sea), lull; Nagi (a Japanese given name)Marushii		Marcy’s heartbreak love ballad
143	remainingYoshizawa Kayoko		A song by Kayoko Yoshizawa that sings about the pain of heartbreak
144	Winter and Springback number		back number's classic heartbreak ballad
145	to UBank Band with Salyu		A heartwarming ballad by BANK BAND
146	A bouquet for the you of yesterdayforte minor		Expressing a singer-songwriter’s solo song as a band
147	If I can laughUrufuruzu		A bittersweet ballad cheer song by Ulfuls