Ranking of Tear-Jerking Japanese Songs [2026]

Gray and Blue (+Masaki Suda)Yonezu Kenshi8rank/position

Kenshi Yonezu – Gray and Blue (+Masaki Suda)

This is a track whose beautiful, fleeting sound and lyrics—portraying the aching feelings of two childhood companions who grow apart as they become adults—strike straight at the heart.

Included on singer-songwriter Kenshi Yonezu’s album BOOTLEG, released in October 2017, the song also drew major attention for featuring actor Masaki Suda as a guest vocalist.

It contrasts the past, when they laughed together without a care, with the present, as they each walk their own path.

Its message—suggesting a bond that remains deep inside no matter how much time passes—gently encourages men setting out for different places.

After graduation, when you feel anxious or lonely about a new life ahead, why not listen to it while reminiscing about an old friend?

balladKetsumeishi9rank/position

Ketsumeishi “Ballad”

A love ballad from Ketsumeishi that offers a different flavor from their usual cheerful image.

It’s a tear-jerker that gently yet poignantly sings of unfulfilled feelings for someone special, carried by a tender, aching melody.

With rap kept to a minimum and piano and strings that seep into the heart, this piece also surprised longtime fans as a bold departure.

Released in January 2011 as one half of a double A-side single and included on the classic album Ketsunopolis 7, it was also used as the theme song for Nippon TV’s information program Sukkiri!!.

If you sing it softly at karaoke—where upbeat tracks usually steal the show—its contrast will draw everyone in.

Why not showcase a new side of yourself with this hidden gem?

Eine KleineYonezu Kenshi10rank/position

Kenshi Yonezu – Eine Kleine

A J-pop number by Kenshi Yonezu that delicately portrays the subtleties of a heart that can’t be honest.

His vocals, filled with tenderness and longing for a precious presence right before you, blend with the clear resonance of an acoustic guitar to deeply touch the heart.

You want to express your feelings, yet can’t quite weave the right words.

Those fragile emotions meld with a beautiful melody infused with elements of alternative rock.

Chosen as the CM song for Tokyo Metro’s 2014 advertising campaign “Color your days.” and included on the album YANKEE, this piece closely resonates with anyone who struggles to speak their true feelings or wishes to express love for their family.

About meMrs. GREEN APPLE11rank/position

Mrs. GREEN APPLE – About Me

An epic ballad that sings of both the beauty and harshness of life, stirring the hearts of its listeners.

This work by Mrs.

GREEN APPLE is their eighth single, released in January 2019, and was created as the support song for the 97th All Japan High School Soccer Tournament.

The lyrics focus not only on the winners but also on those who lose, reflecting vocalist Motoki Omori’s wish that “life be one in which even your defeats can be affirmed.” In 2023, an orchestral version was featured in a Calorie Mate commercial, encouraging many students preparing for exams.

It’s a song you’ll want to hear especially when you’re struggling through difficult days and feel like stopping.

At the milestone of graduation, it may give you the chance to fully accept the person you’ve been up to now.

CorrectRADWIMPS12rank/position

RADWIMPS – The Answer [Official Music Video]

It’s RADWIMPS’s track that answers the wish to raise your voices together one last time with friends before graduation.

It drew attention for their collaboration with 1,000 eighteen-year-olds at NHK’s “18 Fes,” and is included on the album ANTI ANTI GENERATION.

In school, you’re expected to provide the right answers to given questions, but once you enter society, you have to carve out your own path.

This song gently pushes the backs of young people stepping into such an uncertain future.

The lyrics capture both the parting from irreplaceable friends and the resolve to embark on each person’s new life.

When you stand at a crossroads like higher education or getting a job, the faces of your dear friends are sure to come to mind.

It’s a friendship song recommended for those who want to reaffirm a bond that lets you believe your hearts remain connected even when you’re apart.

PrologueUru13rank/position

[Official] Uru “Prologue” YouTube ver. — Theme song for the TBS Tuesday drama “Chugakusei Nikki (Junior High School Diary)”

This song, known for its heartfelt vocals and delicate lyrics, was released in December 2018 as Uru’s seventh single.

Chosen as the theme song for TBS’s Tuesday drama “Chugakusei Nikki” (Junior High School Diary), it touched the hearts of many.

Centered on the diverse forms of love and complex emotions, Uru herself was involved in its production.

Aiming to create a piece that gently accompanies the story with a sense of longing and tenderness, this work is truly a moving, tear-jerking song.

It resonates when you reflect on your relationship with someone important or with yourself.

It’s a perfect track for those who want to create a touching, tear-jerking video on Instagram Reels.

Hello/How are you?nanou14rank/position

[Hatsune Miku Append SOFT] Hello/How Are You (Original) + mp3

This is a song that reaches out to those who can’t put the feelings deep in their hearts into words.

Created by Nanou, it was released in November 2010.

Within its slow tempo are woven the loneliness, anxiety, and quiet cries we feel in everyday life.

Miku’s clear, translucent voice gently wraps around the listener’s heart.

It might hit especially hard when you’re carrying worries you can’t share with anyone.