Tear-jerking songs recommended for men in their 20s: classic and popular Japanese tracks

When it comes to songs that make you cry, there are many that rely on sweeping, grand music to stir your emotions, but there are also plenty of works that move you from a more literary perspective.

Pay close attention to every word and phrase—the unique points of view and the precise choice of words that express feelings so accurately are truly striking!

Playlist

Tear-jerking songs recommended for men in their 20s: classic and popular Japanese tracks
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Mikan HeartC&K		C&K's heartrending love ballad
2	umbrellaKing Gnu		A melancholic ballad by King Gnu depicting heartbreak
3	me me sheRADWIMPS		A poignant ballad about continuing to think of an ex-lover
4	The song that comes afterback number		A hidden gem by back number that portrays the pain of heartbreak
5	Happinessback number		A hidden gem by back number
6	Close your eyesHirai Ken		Ken Hirai's moving romantic ballad
7	Promise of SunflowersHata Motohiro		Motohiro Hata’s moving ballad gently portrays a farewell.
8	Cry BabySEAMO		The appeal of songs that encourage and give courage in difficult times
9	As a personSUPER BEAVER		A soul-stirring song that sings of the essence of humanity.
10	indigoSukima Suichi		A bittersweet love song by Sukima Switch
11	SubtitleOfisharu Higedan Dism		The frustration of words that try to convey love
12	leap day personRADWIMPS		A moving song that celebrates the sanctity of life and the miracle of love
13	Let’s become a familyFukuyama Masaharu		A heartwarming masterpiece depicting Masaharu Fukuyama’s marriage
14	THE OVERUVERworld		An inspiring rock ballad by UVERworld
15	1.15 Million Kilometers of FilmOfisharu Higedan Dism		Keep filming love, as if life were a movie.
16	KanadeSukima Suichi		Sukima Switch’s poignant signature ballad
17	cherrysupittsu		A classic by Spitz, a love song that resonates with the heart
18	Windy DayELLEGARDEN		ELLEGARDEN’s restart: the inspiring classic “Kaze no Hi” (Windy Day)
19	Midnight ExpresswayFlower Companyz		Youth is fleeting, a melancholy of time that passes quickly.
20	OH MY LITTLE GIRLOzaki Yutaka		Yutaka Ozaki’s soul-stirring masterpiece
21	One more time, One more chanceYamazaki Masayoshi		Masayoshi Yamazaki’s masterpiece “Tsuki to Kyabetsu” – a moving song
22	scale (as of a fish or reptile)Hata Motohiro		Hata Motohiro’s emotion-filled love song
23	pure soulGLAY		A heartwarming GLAY classic that encourages people in their twenties who feel lost
24	Close your eyesHirai Ken		Ken Hirai's soul-stirring classic ballads
25	LemonYonezu Kenshi		Kenshi Yonezu’s “Lemon,” a song about the pain of parting
26	MARCHAme no Parēdo		A youthful song portraying springtime emotions and farewell
27	I wonder if I’d still say it’s too late.Saucy Dog		A masterpiece that sings of the pain of heartbreak and the hope that follows
28	Eine KleineYonezu Kenshi		Kenshi Yonezu’s “Eine Kleine” is moving.
29	Lovers AgainEXILE		A moving love ballad that sings of a man's heartrending feelings.
30	together; along with; bothWANIMA		WANIMA’s “Tomoni” is an inspiring cheer song.
31	TearsX JAPAN		X JAPAN’s classic ballad “Tears” is moving.
32	March 9Remioromen		A moving classic song sung at graduation ceremonies
33	Ballad of a SingerSaitō Kazuyoshi		A pure love song of a clumsy person
34	homeKiyama Yusaku		A salaried worker–singer’s musical activities that sing of family love
35	SquallFukuyama Masaharu		Masaharu Fukuyama’s love songs from a woman’s perspective
36	Alone World10-FEET		The theme song of a standout supporting-actor drama that stays by your side in times of uncertainty.
37	If I turn around…Janne Da Arc		A heartfelt ballad for graduation season
38	You’re no longer here.FUNKY MONKEY BABYS		A bittersweet breakup song by FUNKY MONKEY BABYS
39	365 daysMr.Children		The popular, moving song from the NTT commercial
40	I want to hug you.Mr.Children		A heartwarming classic beloved at weddings
41	Thank youSUPER BEAVER		A heartfelt 'thank you' resonates with the heart.
42	Marigoldaimyon		Nostalgic love and music heal the heart.
43	Be happy, okay?matsumura kanau		A breakup song sung by Kanau Matsumura
44	Maplesupittsu		Spitz’s classic song “Kaede” resonates with the heart.
45	even ifHirai Ken		A song that sings of a heartbroken man's earnest feelings
46	weak insectBaba Toshihide		A song of resolve and hope to overcome life's hardships
47	All of the YouthFujifaburikku		A classic song that poignantly sings of the end of summer
48	In the midst of the trivialHoshino Gen		Gen Hoshino’s first solo song depicts everyday love.
49	Memories of Tomorrowarashi		A beautiful, melancholic ballad by Arashi
50	In the Morning of DeterminationAqua Timez		A song with gentle, heart-touching lyrics that cheers you on in life
51	DestinyAee! group		Aぇ! group’s bittersweet love song
52	more than anyoneBE:FIRST		A ballad depicting the struggles of a man tormented at heart by BE:FIRST
53	Unrequited loveSUPER BEAVER		A bittersweet love ballad by SUPER BEAVER
54	Heart Rainindigo la End		A ballad that quietly sings about a romantic breakup
55	Rainy Amusement ParkSasuke		A ballad depicting memories of an amusement park date and a breakup
56	Hide-and-seekYuuri		A ballad that likens a breakup with a live-in partner to a game of hide-and-seek
57	180°yamazaru		A love ballad of a mountain monkey. Depicting the struggles of romance.
58	MetronomeYonezu Kenshi		Kenshi Yonezu’s love ballad, feelings passing each other by
59	A million years of happiness!!Kuwata Keisuke		A refreshing song that makes you think deeply about happiness
60	Thank youFUNKY MONKEY BABYS		A heartwarming classic that conveys gratitude
61	I want to see you.yuzu		Yuzu releases a ballad dedicated to expressing gratitude to his father
62	Broken RadioTokunaga Hideaki		A classic song that captures the wavering emotions of youth, offering comfort to the heart.
63	Sorrow Rides the Busmakaroni enpitsu		An inspiring song by Macaroni Empitsu
64	I won’t fall in love anymore.Makihara Noriyuki		Makihara Noriyuki’s signature breakup song
65	forever; for good; indefinitelyGReeeeN		A ballad depicting memories and love with a lover
66	SymphonyHirai Dai		Dai Hirai sings powerfully about his feelings for someone special
67	Someday Merry ChristmasB’z		Walking on a cold night, a heart-touching B’z ballad
68	BELOVEDGLAY		GLAY’s classic song that portrays life’s crossroads and love
69	far; distant; by farGReeeeN		A song that sings of gratitude to family and the path of life
70	sasanqua (Camellia sasanqua)SEKAI NO OWARI		Pyeongchang Olympics theme song, an anthem cheering on hard work
71	Heartbreak—Are you happy now?Sonar Pocket		A youth song that sings of the pain of heartbreak and regret
72	bouquetback number		A song for special memories made with my lover
73	Wonderful worldindigo la End		A song that brings the first chapter of indigo la End to a close
74	It’s not contagious.never young beach		The appeal of city pop, never young beach
75	RIVERtofubeats		The allure of tear-jerking piano ballads
76	Night of Osmanthuskinoko teikoku		The gentle, soothing music of Kinoko Teikoku
77	Songlinekururi		The soothing music of Quruli gently relaxes the heart.
78	TokyoKetsumeishi		An anthem cheering on those who pursue their dreams from the countryside
79	Friends’ SongZūkaraderu		Zookaraderu stays true to classic Japanese rock
80	Grim ReaperOmori Seiko		For those seeking salvation in music, Seiko Omori
81	Our Summer DreamYamashita Tatsuro		A nostalgic theme song that evokes summers of the Showa era
82	Sleeping BeautyAcid Black Cherry		A moving rock ballad, feelings for a loved one
83	Evening of the full moonBRAHMAN		A classic song that sings of recovery and hope after the earthquake disaster
84	MissingKubota Toshinobu		Toshinobu Kubota’s signature song, a heartrending love ballad
85	Becoming a Thousand WindsAkiyama Masashi		Masafumi Akikawa moved audiences with “Sen no Kaze ni Natte” (A Thousand Winds).
86	What you gave meHOME MADE kazoku		A song that sings of the sorrow of parting and feelings of gratitude
87	Until the day I can no longer see youMs. OOJA		Let’s enjoy moving music with karaoke
88	The Last RainYasushi Nakanishi		A heartbreak ballad depicting a farewell in the rain
89	Your SongYasuda Rei		An inspiring song that lifts your spirits and resonates with the heart.
90	Love DrizzleShonan no Kaze		A heart-touching song that heals the pain of a broken heart
91	Rainy BlueTokunaga Hideaki		Hideaki Tokunaga’s famous song expresses a heartrending feeling.
92	FORK IN THE ROADTAKUI		Takui Nakajima, popular for his overwhelming vocal ability. 90…
93	I wonder what kind of face that girl would make if I sank a long shot.Okamura Yasuyuki		The eccentric genius, Yasuyuki Okamura, in 1990 released his 13th si...
94	Bridge of Gloryyuzu		It's an inspiring, moving masterpiece that gives you courage.
95	Together foreverKobukuro		An inspirational wedding love song
96	Love songSambomasutā		A timeless ballad that resonates with heartbroken men and pierces the soul
97	At all times.Makihara Noriyuki		A popular song by Noriyuki Makihara, a masterpiece used as a movie theme song
98	Stay by my side.Ketsumeishi		A moving song that sings of feelings for a precious person
99	tear(s)GENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE		A piano solo piece with a sense of anticipation
100	somedaySaucy Dog		A bittersweet love song that touches the heart: a masterpiece by Saucy Dog