A classic Japanese song that sings of sorrow
In everyday life, we all go through sad experiences—like heartbreak or setbacks at work.
When you’re feeling down, some people listen to upbeat, energizing songs to lift their spirits, while others intentionally choose sad songs.
Which are you?
Sometimes, letting yourself sink into the ultimate sentimental mood with a sad song can actually make the sadness fade.
Here, we’ll introduce some classic Japanese songs that sing of sorrow!
- [For when you want to cry or feel sad] Tear-jerking masterpieces that make you cry when you listen
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- [Tearjerker] Songs that make your heart tremble with tears & moving tracks with lyrics that touch the soul
- [Yami Song] Fight darkness with darkness!? Deep tracks that stay close to your pain
- Songs that hit home when you're feeling blue: masterpieces of Japanese music
- Hidden gems of yami songs. Recommended popular tracks.
- [Melancholy] For when you want to sink all the way. Masterpieces that depict various kinds of gloom.
- Masterpieces with the theme of “tears.” A roundup of moving tracks that tug at the heartstrings.
- A masterpiece that sings of loneliness. Recommended popular songs.
- A poignant ballad song. A tear-jerking masterpiece of Japanese pop music.
- Masterpieces of bittersweet breakup songs. Recommended popular tracks.
- [Today's Tearjerker Song] Tear ducts destroyed! Timeless and trending tracks that will make you cry no matter what
- Classic and popular unrequited love breakup songs
Masterpieces of Japanese music that sing of sorrow (91–100)
Kanna Route 8Matsutōya Yumi
It’s a classic powerhouse song, also included on their best-of album.
Even as it’s struck by the sadness of a broken heart, it makes you feel a reckless surge of energy—like you want to take off running, like you just want to get away somewhere.
Tokyoichou BOYZ
Even though I should be sad, what I keep remembering are the good times.
It’s a song by the punk rock band Ginnan BOYZ, who led the rock scene of the 2000s.
It’s included on their 2005 album “Kimi to Boku no Daisanji Sekai Taisen-teki Ren’ai Kakumei” (A Third World War-esque Love Revolution Between You and Me).
The lyrics describe how, in the midst of the city, the image of the person you love suddenly pops into your head.
The wrung-out vocals and palpable emotion are irresistibly compelling—an achingly moving work.
Give it a listen when you really want to cry your heart out.
Sorrow like snowHamada Shogo
This is one of Shogo Hamada’s greatest masterpieces, which also served as the theme song for a coming-of-age drama starring Toshiaki Karasawa.
Since the drama’s youthful story had somewhat cruel elements, there are probably quite a few people who feel very sad when they hear this song.
The chorus is such a heartbreak anthem that you’ll want to sing it out loud together.
The Silence of Sunlight Through the TreesUryū Akiha
Depending on how you look at it, it might not be a heartbreak, but it’s a song about parting with someone important.
Within the gently enveloping singing voice, I feel there’s an intense, aching emotion—so strong it makes you want to cry out.
Hello, Sadnesssaitou yuki
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.
