A classic of poignant, heartwarming songs. Recommended popular tracks.
When your heart is weary or wounded, you may find yourself wanting to listen to moving songs and sink into a pensive mood.
Here, I’ve compiled a list of poignant and touching Japanese songs that are perfect for just such moments.
- [Tearjerker] Songs that make your heart tremble with tears & moving tracks with lyrics that touch the soul
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- A nostalgic song—a timeless classic that somehow feels familiar and touches the heart.
Masterpieces of bittersweet, moving songs. Recommended popular tracks (11–20)
spin; weave; compose (e.g., a story)tota

An overwhelming sense of loss for a cherished person you can no longer meet.
Gently accompanying that aching heart are the works of Totasan, an artist drawing attention as a bedroom creator.
Released in February 2023 and included on the first album “oidaki,” this piece sparked a major reaction, even reaching No.
1 on the USEN HIT SNS rankings.
Its poetic worldview—overlaying delicate, shifting emotions onto natural scenes like the sky and wind—leaves a strong impression.
While wishing for the other person’s happiness, the fierce longing to meet them once more creates a painful inner conflict that tightens your chest just by listening.
Even amid sorrow, the resolve to weave hope for tomorrow is sure to move your heart.
A world without goodbyesŌhashi Torio

A medium-tempo ballad woven from a gently soul-soothing voice and richly expressive strings.
The melody spun by Ohashi Trio seems to tell us that, while parting from someone dear is unavoidable, there is a world without “goodbyes” that spreads within our hearts, where memories continue to shine forever.
Listening to this song, some of you may have quietly pictured someone you can no longer meet.
Released in September 2022, this work colored the story as the theme song for the drama “Sayonara no Mukougawa.” Rather than overcoming the sorrow of farewell, it tenderly stays close to those who wish to embrace their goodbyes as warm memories and keep living with them.
i love youchanmina

Released in October 2025 as the theme song for the TBS drama “Fake Mommy,” this piece is a love song that Chanmina crafted while confronting herself.
The deliberately lowercase title reflects a desire to express vulnerability and wavering without hiding them.
It carefully portrays the urge to affirm oneself through another’s gaze, as well as the conflicted resolve to stay despite the pain because of deep affection.
Give it a listen when you’re at a turning point in life.
In this noisy, beloved worldMakihara Noriyuki

I can’t help but be moved by Noriyuki Makihara’s voice, where wistfulness and hope intersect.
While confronting loneliness, the longing to reunite with a loved one is woven through delicate turns of phrase.
Released digitally in May 2024 as the ending theme for the film “Manga Artist, Mamoru Hori,” this piece is further elevated by Yoshiyuki Sahashi’s guitar, which enhances the song’s atmosphere.
When you find yourself at a crossroads in life, listening to this track will surely give you the courage to take a new step forward.
I love youback number

Written as the theme song for the NHK morning drama series “Soar High! (Maiagare!),” this track by back number was released digitally in October 2022.
Through everyday, modest scenes, the lyrics gently prompt us to reflect on our feelings for someone precious.
The pure, self-questioning desire—how can I bring more smiles to someone important?—is something almost anyone can relate to.
It’s a perfect number for those thinking of someone far away or wanting to reaffirm what truly matters amid the busyness of daily life.
HeavenMrs. GREEN APPLE

A soul-stirring song performed by Mrs.
GREEN APPLE.
Released in May 2025 as their 17th single, it also serves as the theme song for the film “I Will Tell You the Truth,” starring Motoki Omori.
This piece lays bare both the purity inherent in humanity and the shadows that lie behind it, posing profound questions to the listener’s heart.
It begins with a hush reminiscent of a cathedral, unfolds dramatically like a story, and fades away as if vanishing into thin air—an arc that seems to mirror our very lives.
Its unpredictable turns are sure to capture anyone’s heart and move them to tears.
It’s a song that gently gives you a push when you want to face your own emotions.
Masterpieces of bittersweet emotional songs. Recommended popular tracks (21–30)
leap day personRADWIMPS

This is an emotionally moving ballad by RADWIMPS, written specifically as the theme song for the film “The Last 10 Years.” It is included on the album “The Last 10 Years ~Original Soundtrack~,” released in March 2022.
The anecdote that they read the script nearly a hundred times shows their deep affection for the project.
The lyrics are told from the perspective of the one watching over a loved one with only a short time left to live, conveying heartfelt gratitude for the miracle of meeting and the piercing sorrow of the time that remains.
Like a special day that comes only once every four years, the song expresses the tenderness of cherishing an irreplaceable presence, unfolding from a quiet piano to a grand orchestral arrangement that is sure to move you to tears.
It’s a touching piece that makes you treasure the “now” with someone important even more.


