A tear-jerking love song. A love song that stays close to a hurting heart.

youHayashi Kazuki

Kazuki Hayashi “you” Official Music Video

This is a track included on the album “to,” which was entirely self-produced by Kazuki Hayashi, who also performs as a vocalist for DOBERMAN INFINITY.

Released in December 2025, the work is marked by a mellow sound rooted in R&B that’s uniquely his, and lyrics that vividly capture the emotions at the moment of parting.

The atmosphere of the morning when the key is returned, the room still bearing traces of the two of them—these depictions of lingering attachment mixed with gratitude toward a love that has ended are sure to stir listeners’ memories.

The true feelings hidden behind the lie “I didn’t love you” cut painfully deep, making this a track that’s impossible to hear without tears.

It’s a beautiful ballad best enjoyed alone on a night when you want to soothe the wounds of a broken heart, as his sweet, aching vocals seep gently into your soul.

hundreds of millions of light-yearsOmoinotake

Omoinotake | Hundreds of Millions of Light-Years [Official Music Video]

This song was written as the theme for the drama “Eye Love You” starring Fumi Nikaido, and it’s performed by the piano rock band Omoinotake.

Its theme is steadfast love that never fades, no matter how far apart you are—even transcending time.

While the bright, exhilarating sound makes your heart dance, the lyrics portray a poignant longing for someone you may never meet again, and that contrast really hits home.

After its release in February 2024, the song captured so many hearts that it surpassed 100 million streams at the sixth-fastest pace in history.

When you can’t easily see someone important to you, this song is sure to gently stay by your side.

366 daysHY

HY – 366 Days (Official Music Video)

This is a ballad that delicately portrays the bittersweet feeling of a love once deeply cherished that never fades from the heart, even as time passes.

The protagonist, unable to stop thinking about the person they parted with all day long, is gently and vividly depicted through Izumi Nakasone’s powerful yet tender vocals.

Included on the 2008 album “HeartY,” it was also used as the theme song for the film “Thread of Red (Akai Ito).” There’s also a well-known anecdote that the songwriter temporarily broke up with their partner at the time in order to write the lyrics.

It’s a song that quietly sits beside those whose heartbreak hasn’t healed, or on nights when you find yourself reminiscing about a past love.

not enoughwacci

wacci 'Tarina i' Music Video

This is a heartbreak song overflowing with poignancy, capturing the emotional turmoil of trying to sever lingering feelings for an ex.

Featured on wacci’s 2019 album Empathy, the track stands out for its lyrics written from a woman’s perspective.

Though she still has feelings, the protagonist’s struggle to choose a clean break in order to move forward is deeply affecting.

Positioned as a side story to “Betsu no Hito no Kanojo ni Natta yo,” a one-take recording was also released in 2020.

It’s a must-listen for anyone who’s gone from mutual love to one-sided, or who wants to move on but can’t quite bring themselves to do it.

Maplesupittsu

Spitz / Kaede

A ballad that sings of the resolve to live on with the pain of parting.

Those warm days when even casual exchanges with a loved one—and the ache in your heart—were all wrapped in their smile.

Yet even as the protagonist accepts a daily life that will never return, the way they move forward as if embracing a voice is deeply moving.

After being included on the album “Fake Fur,” it was released in July 1998 as a double A-side single with “Spica.” It has been used in numerous dramas, including as an insert song for Fuji TV’s “Over Time” and in NTV’s “Zambi.” It’s a song that gently stays by the side of anyone who can’t stop dwelling on a lost love or who can’t forget someone dear.

Masamune Kusano’s clear, translucent vocals deliver a ray of hope within the sorrow.

Romance and LoveSandaime Jē Sōru Burazāzu fromu Eguzairu Toraibu

Sandaime J Soul Brothers from Exile Tribe / Koi to Ai

A gem of a ballad by Sandaime J SOUL Brothers from EXILE TRIBE, told from a male perspective about the resolve to part ways.

Included on the album “FUTURE,” released in June 2018, the song was also used as the theme for Nippon TV’s “Sukkiri” and in commercials for the job site Baitoru NEXT.

It portrays the adult, heartrending choice of parting ways because of the difficulty in moving from infatuation to true love, and the feeling that one cannot make the other person happy.

Even though his feelings haven’t faded—in fact, precisely because he cares—he chooses to leave, and his emotions resonate deeply.

A beautiful piano- and strings-driven melody is layered with the heartfelt vocals of Ryuji Imaichi and Hiroomi Tosaka, moving listeners to tears.

It’s a piece that offers comfort to anyone who has experienced parting from someone dear.

Stop this nightJUJU

JUJU “Stop This Night for Me”

This work delicately depicts that bittersweet moment when, on a night heavy with the sense of an impending breakup, the other person’s words of love only deepen the sorrow.

JUJU’s translucent vocals and the piano-centered arrangement gently draw out the unspoken tremors of the heart.

Released in November 2010, it gained attention as the theme song for the TV drama “Guilty: The Woman Who Made a Pact with the Devil.” It peaked at No.

10 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart and was selected for the Excellence Award at the 53rd Japan Record Awards.

Many listeners will relate to the heart that can’t accept the end and the wish for time to stop.

It’s a song that quietly stays by your side when you’re carrying the pain of heartbreak.