Ranking of Tear-Jerking Japanese Songs [2026]

The Last Confession of the EarthKEMU VOXX64rank/position

[HD] The Last Confession on Earth [GUMI] - KEMU VOXX

“A fulfilling boyhood”—someone I met during that time.

I didn’t think much of it back then, but only after losing them did I realize I was in love.

This song evokes the bittersweet flavor of youth.

“I want to properly express the feelings I’ve just realized”—even if it’s already too late.

A classic Vocaloid song about such a heartrending love.

somedaySaucy Dog65rank/position

Saucy Dog "Someday" MUSIC VIDEO

A straightforward, honest love song that brings the ache and poignancy of heartbreak right to your chest.

Through real-life scenes—like the deserted park at Tawarayama and the sloping road where you can see the starry sky—the memories woven together vividly portray feelings for a precious person you can never meet again.

Released in May 2017 as a track on the album “Country Road,” this piece gently embraces an unforgettable love with warm lyrics that blend in the local Shimane dialect.

Its softly resonant melody offers quiet comfort to those who want to hold their one-sided love close, and to those who can’t quite put an end to a past romance.

wedgeOku Hanako66rank/position

Kusabi (Wedge) by Hanako Oku

A signature ballad by Hanako Oku that depicts undying feelings for someone you can’t forget.

The delicate piano tones express the unfillable hollow and sense of loss after parting from a lover.

Hanako Oku’s crystal-clear voice gently sinks into the heart, doesn’t it? Sung since her indie days, this piece was released as a 10th-anniversary single in July 2015 and is also included on the album Prism.

Despite having no tie-ins, it resonated online and became a hidden gem, amassing a total of 15 million video views.

It’s a heartbreak song, but perfect for creating a moving, mellow atmosphere.

With few key changes and easy emotional delivery, why not choose it as a song to touch the heart of someone you care about?

Calc.Jimii Samu P67rank/position

Calc.

This is a Vocaloid song that gently stays by your side through the sorrow of heartbreak.

It’s a track by JimmyThumb-P, a Vocaloid producer known for many hits like “from Y to Y,” released in September 2010.

The unforgettable parting is sung over a heartrending sound, and before you know it, you empathize with the protagonist and find yourself in tears.

If you listen to it when you want to sort out your feelings about losing someone important, you’ll probably cry—and feel refreshed afterward.

To the futureKiroro68rank/position

Kiroro “To the Future” Official Music Video

This song is a staple among graduation tunes.

It’s a track by Kiroro, a female duo from Okinawa, released as their second single in June 1998.

Originally, the songwriter composed it in middle school to express gratitude to her mother, but its warm lyrics also resonate with the feelings we have for those who supported us at graduation.

Its simple, heartfelt melody has been featured as an insert song in the anime “Tsuki ga Kirei” and in commercials.

Singing of hope for the new paths ahead, this moving piece gives courage in times of parting and new beginnings.

It’s sure to be a song that gently nudges someone forward.

Ayano’s Theory of Happinessjin69rank/position

Jin / Ayano's Theory of Happiness (IA) [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

A moving song that poignantly portrays the delicate emotions of a girl named Ayano.

Composed by Jin, also known as Shizen no Teki-P, and released in April 2013, it was created as part of the Kagerou Project series.

The lyrics, themed around love for family and self-sacrifice, blend with IA’s gentle vocals to create a deeply affecting piece.

The beautiful timbre of the strings also stirs the heart, making this a gem of a ballad.

Knowing the story will deepen the impact even more, so be sure to check out the related works of the Kagerou Project as well.

MetronomeYonezu Kenshi70rank/position

Kenshi Yonezu – Metronome

A song that overlays the gradual misalignment of two people’s relationship with an instrument keeping a steady rhythm, conveying a poignant sense of missed connections that tugs at the heart.

Included on the 2015 album “Bremen,” this track powerfully conveys the helplessness of starting in the same tempo only to drift apart over time, as well as the lingering attachment that makes you keep searching for the other person even after you’ve parted.

The animated music video—hand-drawn by Kenshi Yonezu himself with about 200 illustrations—visually deepens the song’s world and leaves a strong impression.

For anyone with an unforgettable love or who has experienced growing apart from someone dear, this is a sorrowful yet beautiful ballad that resonates deeply.