A classic of poignant, heartwarming songs. Recommended popular tracks.

TRUE LOVEFujii Fumiya

TRUE LOVE / Fumiya Fujii

These days there are young people who don’t know the former Checkers, but TRUE LOVE is sung at karaoke and is a song everyone knows, and it was also the single released after their breakup.

I used to think this was a heartbreak song, so it feels strange that it’s somehow played at weddings.

DON’T FORGET MY NAMEShimizu Shota

Shota Shimizu 'DON’T FORGET MY NAME' Music Video

A deeply resonant ballad by Shota Shimizu.

Released in May 2025, it serves as the lead track on the album “Pulsatilla cernua.” The song conveys an earnest desire for listeners not to forget their bonds with loved ones, even while walking a solitary path.

The music video’s beautiful visuals set in the city of Osaka are also striking.

It’s a song that offers comfort to those facing a turning point in life or thinking of someone dear who lives far away.

Hello, Sadnesssaitou yuki

Yuki Saito / Hello, Sadness ♪

AAA is a dance and vocal group that enjoys strong popularity, especially among young people.

Among their songs, ‘Koion to Amazora’ is probably familiar even to older listeners, as it has been used in Ito-Yokado commercials and on NHK’s Red and White Song Contest.

It’s a poignant ballad I’d recommend to people of all ages.

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Ryo

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Crescent Moon SunsetSakanakushon

Sakanaction / Crescent Moon Sunset -Music Video-

I felt that it’s a song with very heartrending lyrics and a melody that sounds terribly heartrending, one that conveys nothing but pure sorrow.

I want to see you.yuzu

Aitai

In April 2009, Yuzu released a gem of a ballad imbued with a stirring melody and deep feelings for a loved one.

Created by Kitagawa as an expression of gratitude and love for his late father, the song touched many hearts as the theme for the NHK drama “Ghost Friends.” Carried by a warm piano tone and a beautiful string arrangement, it gives voice to a heartfelt wish for a beloved person who has been lost.

Their moving performance on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen remains fresh in memory, and the song was also included on the album “Yuzu Iroha 1997–2017,” where it continues to be cherished.

It is a piece that gently stays close to the hearts of those who have experienced the parting of a dear one or who carry feelings they cannot fully express.

Close your eyesHirai Ken

Hitomi wo Tojite – Ken Hirai (Full)

A gem of a ballad suffused with the lingering ache of deep, bittersweet love.

Ken Hirai’s delicate, soul-stirring vocals beautifully convey the profound longing and sense of loss for a departed lover.

Sung with the purest feeling of closing one’s eyes and picturing the one you love, this work was released as a single in April 2004.

Chosen as the theme song for the film “Crying Out Love in the Center of the World,” it topped the Oricon year-end chart.

Its heart-piercing vocals and beautiful melody line make it a refined track for adults—perfect for a night drive or a quiet moment alone.

to cry innocently; to weep with a childlike airAKASAKI

[AKASAKI] Adokenaku / Innocently Crying (Lyric Video)

This is a heartwarming song that delicately portrays the desire to protect someone precious.

The lyrics weave a world where love and longing for the other person intersect, resulting in a track that quietly seeps into the heart.

Crafted with AKASAKI’s naturally gentle vocals, the song has drawn significant attention, including being selected as Kiss FM KOBE’s recommended Japanese track for January 2025.

It marks the seventh single for AKASAKI, an 18-year-old singer-songwriter currently in high school.

This piece is one you’ll want to listen to when thinking of someone important who is far away, or someone who is no longer by your side.

Why not immerse yourself in its warm sonic world—like a tender whisper in your ear—while letting your feelings for a loved one grow deeper?