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!

Playlist

A classic Japanese song that sings of sorrow
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	dizzinessDREAMS COME TRUE		A heartbreak ballad by DREAMS COME TRUE
2	The song that comes afterback number		A hidden gem by back number that portrays the pain of heartbreak
3	Good ByeHY		A soothing song that sings of gratitude and a positive heart
4	Why do I feel so sad?yoshida takurou		Timeless songs that soothe the loneliness of night: the music of Takuro Yoshida
5	Until the day I can no longer rememberback number		A heartrending ballad that sings of the pain and sense of loss of a broken heart.
6	No way I’m going to forget it.SHISHAMO		Emo rock that hurls the emotions of heartbreak
7	MetronomeYonezu Kenshi		The metronome’s misalignment reflects the relationship.
8	Blue amberback number		Back Number’s masterpiece: a deep story of sorrow and love
9	rendezvousshaitoopu		Sheitoupe, popular on social media, depicts the pain of heartbreak.
10	tear(s)Marushii		A heart-touching song that portrays the bittersweet pain of heartbreak
11	Where does our sorrow go?Harukamirai		A message song imbued with Harukamirai’s hope and strong will
12	KanadeSukima Suichi		A farewell song that resonates with the heart, thoughts of growth
13	I wanted to kiss you again.B’z		Bittersweet feelings for a love that is slipping away
14	Love of 108 YenCreepHyp		CreepHyp’s heartrending love song
15	I’ll wait.amin		Amin’s classic song “Matsu wa” is a masterpiece.
16	One More Time, One More ChanceYamazaki Masayoshi		A heartrending masterpiece by Masayoshi Yamazaki, with superb dynamics and pacing.
17	hydrangeaShibasaki Kou		Ko Shibasaki’s song that layers love and farewell onto hydrangeas
18	Revolveryonige		A youthful song that portrays the heartache of a broken heart and a forward-looking spirit
19	You’re no longer here.FUNKY MONKEY BABYS		A ballad about the pain of heartbreak
20	From our joined handsback number		A poignant ballad that realizes the importance of a lost love
21	ElegyHirai Ken		A masterpiece that expresses a woman's romantic feelings through Ken Hirai's singing voice
22	In loveHY		A gem of a ballad that portrays the feelings of overcoming heartbreak and moving forward
23	ElegyBONNIE PINK		BONNIE PINK’s ballad of hope and prayer
24	Maplesupittsu		A gem-like ballad by Spitz that poignantly sings of lost feelings
25	Sorrow Rides the Busmakaroni enpitsu		An inspiring song by Macaroni Empitsu
26	In that casemakaroni enpitsu		Macaroni Enpitsu’s heartbreak song
27	ELEGYShunsuke Kiyokiba		A ballad that beautifully sings of the pain of heartbreak
28	footprint(s)Kobukuro		A song about parting with a beloved dog and a heart full of gratitude
29	Your LoveFurui Riho		A ballad that heals the pain of heartbreak, giving courage and hope
30	MPRINCESS PRINCESS		Princess Princess's classic song 'M' resonates with my heart.
31	loadTHE toraburyū		The classic song “Road,” which sings about a love lost in an accident.
32	painVaundy		A song that raises questions as it confronts the absurdity of life
33	To the most important personTonneruzu		Lyrics of a timeless song by Tunnels that resonate with the heart
34	Goodbyeofukōsu		Kazumasa Oda’s classic “Sayonara”: an unchanging, timeless voice
35	budKobukuro		A masterpiece whose buds resonate with the heart
36	single bedSha ran Q		A smash hit song about the sorrow of a broken heart
37	Tears of MagnoliaSutādasuto☆Rebyū		Tears of the magnolia, a heartrending longing for a loved one
38	Asakusa KidBīto Takeshi		Asakusa Kid is a classic song of youth and nostalgia.
39	MissingKubota Toshinobu		Toshinobu Kubota’s classic song “Missing” brings you to tears.
40	younger sisterMinami Kōsetsu		A moving song filled with deep love for my younger sister
41	biting my lipyoshida takurou		A song of hope shining within sorrow
42	Even though it’s springKashiwabara Yoshie		Yoshie Kashiwabara’s sad heartbreak song
43	Sake, Tears, Men, and WomenKawashima Eigo		A bittersweet love song for adults, a timeless masterpiece that resonates with the heart.
44	chicken riceHamada Masatoshi / Makihara Noriyuki		Nostalgic Memories and the Chicken Rice Song
45	Under the big onionbakufū suranpu		A poignant ballad that follows the course of a coming-of-age story
46	Give Up on SummerNaoko Ken		Naoko Ken covers Keisuke Kuwata’s classic song.
47	I’ll be by your side.Aoyama Teruma ft. SoulJa		A classic song that sings of the heartache of a long-distance relationship
48	ZOOECHOES		The classic song by Jinsei Tsuji’s rock band ECHOES
49	Imperial Regent Declarationsadamasashi		A classic song that sings of love and hope for marriage
50	applausechiaki naomi		Legendary singer, captivated by a beautiful song
51	Our FailureMorita Doji		A masterpiece that sings of the loneliness and sorrow of youth
52	LOVEDMISIA		A broken heart is sad, but I’m glad I was able to fall for that person...
53	Never Grow Upchanmina		A Chanmina song that portrays the pain and growth of heartbreak
54	Say goodbye to the love I clung to.matsuri		A song that portrays the emotions of a woman moving forward after heartbreak
55	I can’t put it into wordsofukōsu		Off Course’s heartrending classic, the pain of parting
56	Effeminate; overly sentimental; being clingy/whiny (context-dependent)Gōruden Bonbā		A heartbreak song by Golden Bomber
57	I won’t fall in love anymore.Makihara Noriyuki		Noriyuki Makihara’s poignant love classic that sings of longing
58	Pain		Sorrow and heartache for a loved one
59	Loyal Dog Boku-kō35.7		A heartbreak ballad about waiting for an ex-lover
60	If I Hadn’t Met You ~Summer Snow Winter Flower~Aimer		The hope that people grow through heartbreak
61	Just… I miss youEXILE		A signature heartbreak song, popular at karaoke
62	NAOHY		HY’s heartbreak song “NAO” resonates with the heart.
63	youHY		It’s a heartbreak song. I couldn’t be honest and now I regret it, but…
64	May it be filled with kindnessJUJU		A gentle breakup song that puts you in a positive mood
65	tear(s)KANA-BOON		An unshakable love and a heartrending longing
66	together; along with; bothWANIMA		An anthem to help you get over heartbreak—let’s move forward.
67	petalback number		A heartbreak song layered over cherry blossom petals
68	remainingYoshizawa Kayoko		A song by Kayoko Yoshizawa that sings about the pain of heartbreak
69	I still believe ~sigh~Shizukusa Yumi		Yumi Shizukusa's heart-wrenching breakup song
70	Sad SakeMisora Hibari		Hibari Misora’s famous song that entrusted the pain of heartbreak to alcohol
71	OverMr.Children		A song with a mysterious atmosphere after a heartbreak
72	tragic heroineMy Hair is Bad		A bittersweet coming-of-age song about heartbreak that resonates with the heart
73	To You Who Don’t Know LoveNEWS		Theme song of NEWS's “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time”
74	HappinessSHE’S		A poignant SHE’S classic that sings of the pain of heartbreak: “Happiness.”
75	BYE BYESHISHAMO		A hopeful song about getting over a broken heart
76	I×USilent Siren		A bittersweet love song that lingers in winter memories
77	Love letterTHE BLUE HEARTS		A love song that wishes for the other person’s happiness even after a heartbreak
78	Moon Song[Alexandros]		A poignant song by [Alexandros] that sings about the pain of heartbreak.
79	Happy Endingback number		An emotional breakup song by back number
80	I like you, but it seems you don’t really like me.back number		A refreshing song that sings of the pain of heartbreak and the hope that follows.
81	Happinessback number		The heartache and torment of a love that cannot be reciprocated
82	spring breezeflumpool		A poignant masterpiece by flumpool that sings of the importance of everyday life
83	Regretsumika		A song that refreshingly portrays the pain of heartbreak
84	wishsumika		A song of poignant unrequited love and hope
85	mutual feelingsthe shes gone		A song of heartbreak, regret, and healing—melodies that resonate with the heart
86	I didn’t want to know, if it meant losing it.atarayo		A rock band’s song that portrays the turmoil of a heartrending love
87	Love songSambomasutā		A heartrending love song that sings of the pain of a broken heart
88	Sad Colors, huh? ~ OSAKA BAY BLUESUeda Masaki		A masterpiece where you can fully feel the charm of good old songs…
89	I can’t stop this sadnessAnri		I don’t think that’s their intention at all, but…
90	Kanna Route 8Matsutōya Yumi		Included in their own best-of album, ...
91	Tokyoichou BOYZ		A bittersweet song of memories by Ging Nang BOYZ
92	It’s a sad color, isn’t it?Ueda Masaki		The bluesy feel is really cool and adds even more sadness...
93	Sorrow like snowHamada Shogo		It was also the theme song for a youth drama starring Toshiaki Karasawa…
94	The Silence of Sunlight Through the TreesUryū Akiha		Depending on how you look at it, it might not be heartbreak…
95	Hello, Sadnesssaitou yuki		AAA is a dance & bo... that is highly popular, especially among young people.
96	SolaninASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION		A film adaptation of a band song that portrays the bittersweetness of youth.
97	Spirit Boat (Shoro Nagashi)sadamasashi		Spirit Boat Floating, Masashi Sada's classic, heart-stirring
98	Love is overŌyō Fifi		Fei-fei Ouyang’s heartbreak song “Love Is Over”
99	Shadows of Youthchūrippu		Light and shadow of youth, joy and sorrow
100	Listening to OliviaAnri		Anri’s classic song “Listening to Olivia”