Unrequited Love Song Ranking in Japanese Music [2026]

CHE.R.RYYUI21rank/position

CHE.R.RY – YUI (Full)

This is a cute love song by YUI that portrays exchanges over a cell phone with someone you like.

A single message can make your heart race, and you find yourself resisting the urge to reply right away.

It’s the kind of bittersweet, unrequited feeling that makes you think, “I know exactly how that feels!” Released in March 2007 as her eighth single and featured in a KDDI “LISMO!” commercial, the song became a huge hit that captured many hearts.

When your chest is full of feelings of love, listening to it will surely lift your spirits.

It’s a heart-fluttering track that feels like it’s cheering on your romance.

Blue and SummerMrs. GREEN APPLE22rank/position

Mrs. GREEN APPLE – Blue and Summer

When it comes to refreshing songs that signal the start of summer, Aoi to Natsu is a standout.

Released in 2018 by the rock band Mrs.

GREEN APPLE, known for creating theme songs for numerous anime and films, it delivers an energetic band sound that evokes a breezy youthfulness.

The lyrics are cool, reminding us that everyone is the protagonist of their own life.

Set to a driving rhythm, blossoming feelings of love are sure to accelerate.

It’s a dynamic track that wraps up the anxieties and loneliness of unrequited love.

Give this upbeat tune a listen—it’ll make you excited for the summer ahead!

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A Little Love SongMONGOL80023rank/position

MONGOL800 / A Small Love Song

One of the signature songs by MONGOL800, an indie band from Okinawa.

It’s a major hit that expresses candid feelings for a loved one through a driving melody and powerful vocals.

The deeply message-driven lyrics gently remind us of the everyday realization that we often take the presence of someone we love for granted.

Included on the album MESSAGE, released in September 2001, it achieved an astonishing sales total of over 2.8 million copies despite being an indie release.

It’s the perfect song to cheer you on when you need a push to voice feelings you can’t quite bring yourself to say.

raspberryMarushii24rank/position

marcy – Raspberry (Official Music Video)

When you fall in love, emotions spill over that reason can’t hold back.

Marcy’s unrequited-love song vividly portrays feelings that only grow stronger for someone special.

Released in June 2023, the piece sets bittersweet, tender emotions for a loved one to a guitar rock-driven sound.

It delicately captures the heart of unrequited love—swaying between joy and despair at the other person’s ambiguity, yet still holding onto hope.

It will surely resonate with hearts that can’t confess their feelings, unable to keep them in.

Snow WhiteFlower25rank/position

Flower “Snow White” — 2nd album “Hanadokei (Flower Clock)” out 3/4

This is a poignant ballad, inspired by the world of fairy tales, that portrays forbidden love and uncontrollable emotions.

Flower’s fragile yet beautiful performance, combined with the lyrical world crafted by Masato Kotake, deeply resonates in the heart.

Released in December 2013 as their sixth single, it became the group’s first work to rank in the Top 3 on the Oricon Weekly Chart.

It was chosen as the theme song for the NOTTV drama “We’re All Dead♪,” and its worldview, which tied in with the story, became a hot topic.

The song was later included on the album “Flower.” If you’re hurting from an unrequited love or looking to quietly sort out your emotions at night, why not give it a listen? Immerse yourself in this work that depicts the struggle that sways between reason and instinct, and surely your tightly wound heart will be set free.

Love so sweetarashi26rank/position

ARASHI – Love so sweet [Official Music Video]

A classic hit by Arashi that sets a bittersweet love story to a catchy melody! Released in February 2007 as a TV drama tie-in, this song is sure to resonate with anyone who’s experienced long-distance love or a breakup.

The lyrics, which sing of two people connected under the same sky, are memorable and give you the courage to get through even the toughest nights.

The chorus is especially approachable and irresistibly singable.

It topped the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart and sold about 204,000 copies in its first week.

Highly recommended for those troubled by love or anyone who wants to feel the bond with someone special!

366 daysHY27rank/position

HY – 366 Days (Official Music Video)

There may be many people suffering from lingering feelings of love that won’t fade even after a breakup.

This is a poignant ballad by HY, a band from Okinawa, known for being written by Izumi Nakasone based on her own experiences.

It vividly portrays the depth of love so strong you remember your ex’s scent and gestures, and the turmoil of an unattainable love—piercing straight to the heart.

The track was included on the album “HeartY,” released in April 2008.

At the time, it was used as the theme song for the film and drama Akai Ito, and became a major talking point.

It continues to be cherished, even serving as the theme song for a drama starting in April 2024.

On nights when your heart aches from an unfulfilled love, or when you just need a good cry, please give it a listen.

I wish I were the one you liked.Te ga kuriimu pan28rank/position

I wish I were the one you love / Hands Like Cream Bread (Wishing I’m her / tegacreampan) [Official Music Video]

A heart-stirring ballad by Tegami Cream Pan, where earnest feelings and a bittersweet mood are woven together through a clear, transparent vocal.

It gently portrays a woman who carries deep feelings for someone important yet struggles to express them.

Featuring an evocative piano melody, the song was released in April 2023.

Showcasing her delicate expressive power to the fullest, this piece speaks on behalf of girls in love.

It’s a must-listen for those who keep their feelings for a crush to themselves or find it hard to be honest about their emotions toward someone dear.

Heroineback number29rank/position

back number – Heroine (full)

A signature ballad by back number that beautifully captures the crisp winter air and the bittersweet ache of unrequited love.

Even while knowing they can’t be the main character in the other person’s story, the narrator’s pure wish to stay by their side evokes a moving, heart-tightening feeling—even for those without similar experiences.

Produced by Takeshi Kobayashi, the song opens with a striking organ tone, followed by Iyori Shimizu’s warm yet heartrending vocals that gently seep into the soul.

Released in January 2015 as their 11th single, it also drew attention as the CM song for JR East’s “JR SKISKI” campaign featuring Suzu Hirose.

It’s the perfect track to revisit the bittersweet taste of an unattainable love or to listen to on a winter night while thinking of someone special.

One more time,One more chanceYamazaki Masayoshi30rank/position

Masayoshi Yamazaki – “One more time, One more chance” MUSIC VIDEO [4K Quality]

It’s a gem of a love song overflowing with bittersweet longing, about searching the city for the irreplaceable person you can no longer meet.

It’s one of singer-songwriter Masayoshi Yamazaki’s signature songs, released in January 1997 as his fourth single and a long-running hit.

It became a hit as the theme song for the film The Moon and a Cabbage, in which Yamazaki himself starred, and years later it was also chosen as the theme song for the animated film 5 Centimeters per Second.

The delicate tones of the acoustic guitar and Yamazaki’s emotionally rich vocals quietly sink in.

Even knowing the love won’t come true, you can’t help but hope for a miracle…

This song gently stays close to that wavering heart.

It’s one of those J-pop masterpieces that we want to be passed down forever—something we especially want people bearing the pain of unrequited love to hear.