Tear-jerking love songs: classic and popular hits from Japanese music

ArikaMarcy

Marcy – Arika (Official Music Video)

This is a song by Marcy that portrays the painful ache of a heartbreaking breakup.

Looking back on days gone by, the protagonist reaches out for a time that will never return—something anyone can relate to.

Memories of an amusement park and a lover’s sleeping face, those moments of happiness, are scattered throughout the lyrics.

But now, they will never meet again.

The anguish of confronting that harsh reality seeps through.

The powerful line, “If it’s not you, I don’t want anything,” is sure to resonate deeply with anyone who’s experienced heartbreak.

Released digitally in January 2023, the music video was filmed in Hokkaido and features actress Nagi Hasegawa’s poignant expressions.

It’s a song you’ll want to listen to on nights when you want to immerse yourself in memories of a lover.

That girl's aikohomeless and unemployed

Homeless and unemployed: “That Girl’s aiko”

Amid Address Unknown Jobless’s many pop and upbeat songs, this standout is a remarkable ballad.

On this track, Yoko, who plays guitar and bass, takes the lead vocals.

Though you can’t really call her a good singer, her awkward singing gently seeps into your heart.

remainingKayoko Yoshizawa

Kayoko Yoshizawa 'Left Behind' MUSIC VIDEO

A song by Kayoko Yoshizawa that delicately portrays the poignancy of love.

It expresses the protagonist’s feelings as they linger in the afterglow of a past romance, depicted alongside the scene of returning home at dawn.

Released in November 2018, it was recorded in response to strong demand from fans.

Yoshizawa reflects her own experiences and emotions in the piece, approaching production with the youthful stance of “only doing what I love.” The music video features actress Serena Motola, who plays a girl coming home in the morning.

It’s a track that comforts those who’ve experienced heartbreak or are trying to move on from a loved one.

Recommended for moments when you want to quietly revisit the feelings that remain in a corner of your heart.

Close your eyesKen Hirai

Hitomi wo Tojite – Ken Hirai (Full)

It’s the theme song of the film “Crying Out Love, in the Center of the World.” Ken Hirai has written many love songs, but even though more than 10 years have passed since its release, “Hitomi wo Tojite” remains a classic love song that many people can still sing.

User ManualKana Nishino

Kana Nishino 'Torisetsu' MV (Short Ver.)

When it comes to love songs, Kana Nishino comes to mind, and among her tracks, “Torisetsu”—often talked about because many men say they can’t relate to the lyrics—was the theme song for the film “No Longer Heroine,” starring Mirei Kiritani.

It’s a comedic love song that straightforwardly sings about feelings that even women find hard to put into words.

End creditsTransfer student

Transfer Student – “End Roll” Music Video

This is a signature song by Natsue Mizumoto’s solo project, Tenko-sei, which went on hiatus in 2013.

Natsue Mizumoto’s vocals have a captivating transparency—so delicate they seem as if they might vanish.

I think many people are drawn to the fragile, almost breakable instability that defines Tenko-sei.

Be happy.Matsumura Kanau

Be Happy. – Kanau Matsumura [Official Music Video]

Reflecting on memories while gazing at the sea alone—“Be Happy, Okay” is the perfect song for that kind of scene.

It’s a work released by the new-generation artist Kanau Matsumura.

This heart-wrenching breakup song portrays, from a male perspective, the moment he initiates the split for the other person’s sake, and how he later looks back on their memories.

While the word “sea” doesn’t appear directly, there are descriptions that evoke it.

Listen closely and see for yourself.