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	HitotsuboshiKOH+		The pain of leaving this world while leaving behind the person I love...
2	SoranjiMrs. GREEN APPLE		When I go through painful or difficult times, my own exis…
3	Suzume feat. ToakaRADWIMPS		They have been active mainly on TikTok and have been gaining popularity…
4	Promise of SunflowersHata Motohiro		Hata Motohiro’s 2014 release, “1…”
5	KanadeSukima Suichi		When it comes to ballad songs, this track is a must…
6	LemonYonezu Kenshi		Kenshi Yonezu’s ... released in 2018
7	366 daysHY		One of HY’s signature songs, “366 Days”…
8	Dried flowersYuuri		It gained traction on TikTok, especially among the younger generation…
9	Moon DropsRUI		The film Yomigaeri, released in 2003…
10	Close your eyesHirai Ken		The blockbuster film starring Masami Nagasawa and Mirai Moriyama...
11	budKobukuro		When it comes to ballad songs, this track “Tsubomi” immediately comes to mind...
12	One more time,One more chanceYamazaki Masayoshi		When it comes to ballads and heart-wrenching love songs...
13	I long to see you now.MISIA		Ms. MISIA, who released in 2009...
14	A Naked Heartaimyon		Being honest with your own feelings, and how important that is…
15	crescent moonayaka		This song, which is also one of Ayaka’s signature tracks, “San…
16	I’m home.Teshima Aoi		Aoi Teshima, a singer with a one-of-a-kind voice, will 2…
17	Give me a gentle kiss.DREAMS COME TRUE		Many of D’s greatest hits are ballads and love songs…
18	Wherever you areONE OK ROCK		Packed with a burning passion for the one and only beloved person...
19	me me sheRADWIMPS		A masterpiece by RADWIMPS, a timeless song that gently embraces the pain of the heart.
20	TRUE LOVEFujii Fumiya		Fumiya Fujii's 'TRUE LOVE' is…
21	attachmentMy Hair is Bad		Overlaying a past love onto a new one
22	Lovers AgainEXILE		A winter love song, also popular as a classic standard...
23	Happy Endingback number		What on earth does the title “Happy End” even mean…
24	Ferris wheelMy Hair is Bad		The poignancy of love and the passage of time as seen from a Ferris wheel
25	SubtitleOfisharu Higedan Dism		The theme song of “silent,” a famous track by Official HIGE DANDism.
26	PrologueUru		My heart trembles at the fleeting worldview. “You...
27	Love’s Melody and Rainy SkiesAAA		AAA is a dance & bo... that is highly popular, especially among young people.
28	LeoYuuri		A dog’s-eye portrayal of the bond and moving moments with its owner
29	HeavenMrs. GREEN APPLE		A theme song by Mrs. GREEN APPLE that resonates with the heart
30	horizonback number		A poignant song for rebirth that resonates with the heart
31	GraduationMy Hair is Bad		A coming-of-age song depicting changes in relationships and farewells
32	Love is litrokudenashi		A ballad whose piano melody heals the heart
33	Deep RiverUtada Hikaru		Many of Hikaru Utada’s ballads...
34	The thing I wanted mostMakihara Noriyuki		Noriyuki Makihara’s, released in 2004…
35	I got a boyfriend/girlfriend.My Hair is Bad		Between lingering feelings for a past lover and the start of a new romance
36	Until the day I can no longer rememberback number		A breakup song by back number
37	Pale BlueYonezu Kenshi		Written as the theme song for the drama “Rikokatsu”…
38	Stop this nightJUJU		A heartrending song that portrays the pain of a broken heart
39	The Last ExcuseTokunaga Hideaki		Every one of Hideaki Tokunaga’s songs is so heartrending and moving...
40	Pointillism Song (feat. Sonoko Inoue)Mrs. GREEN APPLE		A bittersweet love story at the end of summer
41	My Room, My Dress Shirt, and MeHiramatsu Eri		Eri Hiramatsu’s … released in 1992
42	I miss youRADWIMPS		A ballad singing the feelings of the 10th anniversary of the earthquake, capturing the sorrow of not being able to meet
43	leap day personRADWIMPS		A moving song that celebrates the sanctity of life and the miracle of love
44	kissORIGINAL LOVE		'Kiss' sung by ORIGINAL LOVE...
45	I want to take only you away just like this.DEEN		DEEN’s debut released in 1993…
46	beetle (specifically, a rhinoceros beetle)aiko		Since her debut, always on girls’ side, with empathy…
47	evening primroseNovelbright		A moving song that portrays the pain of heartbreak and bittersweet feelings
48	Another SaturdayHamada Shogo		Speaking of Shogo Hamada, especially for men, at least once…
49	I love youback number		A heartfelt song that expresses feelings for a cherished person
50	I want to forget.wacci		The bittersweet inner struggle of being unable to forget a past love
51	You’re no longer here.FUNKY MONKEY BABYS		They left behind many songs that are still listened to today, and 2…
52	JulianPRINCESS PRINCESS		Just imagining wanting to see you but not being able to…
53	moonlightOnitsuka Chihiro		Speaking of Chihiro Onitsuka, her signature song “Tsuki (Moon)…”
54	I want to be loved.Mioyamazaki		Mio Yamazaki’s heartrending vocals that soothe loneliness
55	All of the Youthsuis from Yorushika		suis sings of summer memories and bittersweet emotions
56	rendezvousshaitoopu		Sheitoupe, popular on social media, depicts the pain of heartbreak.
57	Things that have formShibasaki Kou		Memories shine forever in the heart.
58	homeKiyama Yusaku		Yusaku Kiyama’s “HOME” is just so heartrending…
59	NautilusYorushika		When I listen to it, I feel like I've just finished watching a movie...
60	I just wanted to be loved.shizuku		A piano ballad that comforts a lonely heart
61	trace (of someone/something), semblance, vestige; a lingering image or memory of how someone/something used to beNovelbright		Novelbright’s heartbreak ballad song
62	rainbowSuda Masaki		This song that makes me cry from the very first lyrics, Suga…
63	roomshaitoopu		A soul-stirring rock ballad that sings of the pain of heartbreak
64	Night journeyYorushika		A song that nestles close to memories on a quiet night
65	for a whilerikon densetsu		A poignant heart song that sings of lost love
66	Close your eyes and come here.BARBEE BOYS		It is composed of male and female twin vocals and...
67	Because you are hereUru		A heart so human that just from the singing voice my tear ducts feel like they’re about to loosen.
68	Eris with Azure Eyesanzenchitai		Speaking of Anzen Chitai, from the ’80s to the ’90s...
69	Song of the Eternal NightKami wa saikoro o furanai		A gem of a rock ballad that's trending on social media
70	tear(s)Marushii		A heart-touching song that portrays the bittersweet pain of heartbreak
71	Letter to TomorrowTeshima Aoi		So gentle that it seems to seep deep into my heart…
72	Liar MoonYorushika		A ballad of loneliness and wistfulness resounding on an autumn night
73	moon bathingYorushika		A mesmerizing song that evokes the end of summer
74	MissingKubota Toshinobu		Toshinobu Kubota’s heartrending ballad that sings of deep love.
75	Unchanging ThingsOku Hanako		A wistful piano ballad that mourns the end of summer
76	Wonderful DaysUNICORN		Among the many songs by the legendary rock band Unicorn...
77	Blue amberback number		Back Number’s masterpiece: a deep story of sorrow and love
78	tobacco / cigarette(s)Koresawa		The regret of parting as I search for the warmth that was lost
79	Under the big onionbakufū suranpu		Bakufu Slump’s, released in 1985…
80	Then, why?Abe Mao		The pain of love tossed around by a teasing attitude
81	My beloved, good night…B’z		From songs with intense rock sounds to lyrical ba…
82	First LoveUtada Hikaru		The bittersweet memory of an unforgettable first love
83	Everyday lifeOfisharu Higedan Dism		A song depicting everyday despair and small salvations
84	Maplesupittsu		Spitz's poignant, heart-touching ballad
85	Be happy, okay?matsumura kanau		Looking back on memories with a heartbreak song
86	the depths of the heartrokudenashi		A heartbreaking love ballad by a good-for-nothing
87	dragonflyNagabuchi Tsuyoshi		Manly, and there are many passionate fans as well...
88	ENDLESS RAINX JAPAN		X JAPAN’s moving heartfelt ballad
89	AitaiKato Miria		Depicting the bittersweet emotions of unrequited love
90	Last LoveKato Miria		A masterpiece that expresses the pain of heartbreak with a transparent voice
91	Can’t Say Anything… SummerTHE JAYWALK		Speaking of J-Walk’s signature song, it would have to be “Nani mo Iena…”
92	DarlingMrs. GREEN APPLE		A poignant song that expresses the importance of staying true to oneself
93	CROSS ROADMr.Children		A classic from Mr.Children’s early days...
94	NEW YEAR’S EVEHamada Shogo		A gentle parting of two people who have been together for many years
95	I can’t put it into wordsofukōsu		Off Course's ballad about the end of love
96	Bloom like a rose, fall like a cherry blossom.Matsuda Seiko		Speaking of Seiko Matsuda, during her idol days she had countless...
97	Blue SnowBEGIN		The lonely heart of a bittersweet Christmas song
98	spin; weave; compose (e.g., a story)tota		Tota-san’s “Tsumugu” is a masterpiece that depicts bonds and nature.
99	fireflySazan Ōrusutāzu		A peace-aspiring ballad by Southern All Stars
100	Love letterTHE BLUE HEARTS		Needless to say, THE BLUE HEARTS…
101	SAY YESCHAGE and ASKA		CHAGE and ASKA's 'SAY …
102	flameLiSA		Demon Slayer, which became a major movement. An...
103	Love Won’t StopWink		WINK’s “Ai ga Tomaranai (I Can’t Stop My Love)” is a mega hit…
104	EverydayJITTERIN’JINN		The band JITTE, which enjoyed charismatic popularity…
105	Until we meet againHirai Dai		Precisely because I care about you, I’ll walk a different path…
106	rootKing Gnu		A piece that portrays the hope to live through a quiet melody
107	To new loversback number		back number's heartrending song
108	Only a single voicerokudenashi		A poignant song that comforts heartbreak and loneliness
109	monologueOmoinotake		A new song that expresses parting and a sense of loss with an oriental sound
110	Unrequited loveSUPER BEAVER		SUPER BEAVER's unrequited-love-themed rock
111	ContrastTOMOO		Expressing youthful romance with care through TOMOO’s piano piece
112	filamentUru		A translucent singing voice and deep emotion move the heart
113	New WorldMoriyama Naotaro		A ballad that expresses feelings for one’s parents
114	Tears of the MagnoliaSutaadasuto Rebyuu		Mulan’s Tears is a song of memories
115	single bedSha ran Q		A ballad that portrays the feelings of recovering from heartbreak and moving forward
116	White LoversKuwata Keisuke		Keisuke Kuwata's winter ballad song
117	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.
118	to UBank Band with Salyu		Mr. Children’s Kazutoshi Sakurai and the sound…
119	Song of the Actor DogSARD UNDERGROUND		A ballad song that weaves a noble and sorrowful tale. S…
120	AnswerIkuta Rira		An encouraging song that gives you the courage to keep walking toward the future, even while you're unsure
121	Wet BalladDa-iCE		Twin vocals spanning four octaves and a stylis…
122	In loveHY		A ballad that portrays a heart accepting heartbreak and growing
123	reverse dreamKing Gnu		An emotional ballad as the theme song for the Jujutsu Kaisen movie
124	Just being alive is admirable.ReoNa		ReoNa's emotional ballad song
125	passing by each otherSoala		A song that expresses the bittersweet feelings of heartbreak in an R&B style
126	Hitorikarin		Karin sings of a love that cannot be fulfilled “alone.”
127	Shall we break up?Miyuhan		A song that portrays the feelings of deciding to part ways
128	So it wasn’t me, huh.riria.		Lilia’s Heartbreak Ballad
129	Changing seasonsren		Express the pain of heartbreak in lyrics that people can empathize with
130	Tearful KissSazan Ōrusutāzu		A signature ballad by Southern that depicts the pain of heartbreak
131	Tears of MagnoliaSutādasuto☆Rebyū		A love ballad that sings of the sense of loss from losing a loved one
132	That’s all there is to it.Marushii		A bittersweet mid-tempo ballad by Marcy
133	Your SongYasuda Rei		Rei Yasuda's 'Kimi no Uta' is a song about a deceased lover.
134	I won’t fall in love anymore.Makihara Noriyuki		A ballad depicting the pain of heartbreak and the glimmer of hope
135	Versailles – Versailles –ayaka		Ayaka’s theme song expresses feelings of love and freedom
136	The final goodbye.riria.		It’s a heart-wrenching, poignant breakup song. Riria.…
137	indigoSukima Suichi		Sukima Switch’s delicate portrayal of a heartrending love...
138	Sakura RabbitKawasaki Takaya		A portrayal of the parting moment of graduation by Takaya Kawasaki...
139	DecemberMoriyama Naotaro		Moriyama Nao... whose music seeps into the heart like the cold air of December
140	to echo; to reverberateSuda Masaki		A song that delicately portrays a heartrending love. Suda Sho…
141	I stillmilet		milet’s love ballad that serves as a movie theme song
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		Even long after its release, it never loses its luster…
145	A bouquet for the you of yesterdayforte minor		forte minor is a singer-songwr…
146	If I can laughUrufuruzu		Ulfuls’ “Waraereba” is a bittersweet balla…