Unrequited love songs recommended for teenage girls: classic and popular Japanese hits

Specter feat. HACHIMIMiNARI

Spectrum feat. HACHI / MIMiNARI: Music Video

A tender crush that changes the color of your world is wrapped in a voice full of transparency.

Part of MIMiNARI’s “turning memories into music” project, the track features singer HACHI on vocals.

It’s the lead song from their first full-length album, “freq.,” released in March 2025.

With stylish, Chinese-inspired arrangements, the sound stands out.

The lyrics capture the frustrating feelings of a girl who hasn’t quite grown up.

Give it a listen when you’re unsure where your love is headed.

Unrequited love for lifeGarakuta

Garakuta – Unrequited Love for a Lifetime (Official Music Video)

This is a song by Garakuta, a four-piece band based in Nagoya, that portrays unrequited feelings of love in a down-to-earth, relatable way.

If confessing would risk ruining what we have now, I’d rather keep my feelings to myself.

Many listeners will likely feel their hearts tighten at the blend of bravado and honest emotion in the lyrics.

Featured as the first track on their EP released in March 2024, “May it be my song that fills the gaps in your heart,” this piece is perfect for anyone stuck in a love they can’t quite step forward into, despite how strongly they feel.

Voice of the SeaKiritani Kenta

"The Voice of the Sea" Full ver. / Urashima Taro (Kenta Kiritani) [Official]

It’s a digital single released in 2015, an original song created for the au Santaro series, where Kenta Kiritani, playing Urashima Taro, sings it in the commercial “au Feature Phone ‘Voice of the Sea’ Edition.” The sound of the sanshin matches perfectly with Kiritani’s husky voice!

Unrequited lovemiwa

miwa 'Unrequited Love'

Released in 2012 as their eighth single, this song has become one of their signature tracks, earning them a second appearance on Music Station.

It expresses the honest, straightforward feelings of unrequited love and delicately captures the nuances of a tender heart in love.

Ms. Hanako on a high pedestalback number

Back Number – Hanako-san on a High Pedestal

Released in 2013 as their eighth single, it’s quite a lavish production, with Koichi Tsutaya participating in the production and string arrangements.

The lyrics are highly relatable, making it a song that truly resonates with the heart.

I like you.Little Glee Monster

Little Glee Monster 'I Love You.' -Short Ver.-

Released in 2014 as their fourth single, it was tied in as the theme song for the TBS Friday drama “Omotesando Koukou Gasshoubu!” Its straightforward lyrics and lively rhythm feel great, making it a song that lifts your spirits and keeps you feeling positive.

NAOHY

SOLIDEMO / NAO（HY cover）

It was included on HY’s fourth album, “Confidence,” released in 2006.

The song was created by vocalist Izumi Nakasone based on a heartbreak story she heard from a friend, which makes the lyrics feel very real.