Top Japanese Sad Movies That Will Make You Cry – Update 2023

aezid.com – Here are top saddest Japanese movies recommendations that are probably make you cry!

Did you just break up with your partner? Did you feel blue after your crush ignoring you? There are no need to be sad, because you need to know that you are not alone. There are so many people that happened to be like you right now. So… keep calm and do the things that lift your spirits, like watching Japanese sad movies.

“Im sad right now and you just told me to watch sad movies? Really?”

Hey, remove your doubts. You know what, Japanese sad movies are different (?) from your literally average sad movies. Japanese sad movies doesn’t just make you sad, but also gives a new perspective on what you have experienced so you can try to move on. Well, though that’s just my opinion (hehe~).

Alright, without further ado, here are the recommendations of top Japanese sad movies that will make you cry!

Top Japanese Sad Movies That Will Make You Cry (Update 2023)

Oh right, below I also insert my personal rating and notes in each movies. You can consider this note as a non-spoiler review, even though the real meaning is my personal view after watching the movies (because I myself am not very good at reviewing other people’s work, hehe~).

Love Like the Falling Petals

• Japanese: Sakura no Yona Boku no Koibito
• Release date: March 24, 2022
• Genres: Drama, romance
• Personal rating: B – Good to watch when bored!
• Watch on: Netflix

Synopsis

Haruto Asakura fell in love with a hairdresser named Misaki Ariake. He worked up the courage to ask her out. Seeing Misaki working hard to realize what she wanted, made Haruto, who had almost given up on becoming a photographer, try again, until one day Misaki was diagnosed with an aging disease 10x faster….

Notes

A story about a man who wants to become a photographer and a woman who wants to become a professional barber. They met not without reason. The man can go back to trying because of the woman, and the woman can feel happiness because of the man… even if only temporarily.

As additional information, this movie was made based on a novel with the same title written by Keisuke Uyama.

The Last 10 Years

• Japanese: Yomei 10 Nen
• Release date: March 4, 2022
• Genres: Drama, romance
• Personal rating: B – Good to watch when bored!
• Watch on: –

Synopsis

Upon reaching the age of 24, Matsuri Takabayashi is shocked by the fact that she has an incurable disease. Doctors diagnosed that she could only live up to 10 years at most. That’s why Matsuri decides not to think too much about her life and try not to have a romantic relationship … until one day she meets Kazuto Manabe at a school reunion.

Notes

The Last 10 Years tells of two unemployed people who are sick. One has a physical illness that keeps her from living for 10 years, while the other has a mental illness that makes him want to kill himself end his life. The similarities between the two make the flowers of love bloom and… you probably can guess what happened after that.

We Made a Beautiful Bouquet

• Japanese: Hanataba Mitaina Koi o Shita
• Release date: January 29, 2021
• Genres: Romance
• Personal rating: S – Highly recommended!
• Watch on: –

Synopsis

A love story spanning 5 years between a man and a woman who are both 22 years old. Because they missed the last train, the two of them were forced to stay at the station. The conversation took place, and they began to realize that there was a match between the two.

Notes

Well, this movie is actually not too sad. It’s just that~ … the plot, you could say it’s very realistic! Tells of a pair of lovers who broke up even though there was nothing wrong. As the saying goes, being chased anywhere, if it’s not a mate, it’s okay. It’s suitable for those of you who are currently single, closer, when they are in love, or even just broke up!

Threads: Our Tapestry of Love

• Japanese: Ito
• Release date: August 21, 2020
• Genres: Romance
• Personal rating: S – Highly recommended!
• Watch on: –

Synopsis

Ren Takahashi and Aoi Sonoda were born in 1989. They met at the age of 13 and became friends, fell in love, then separated. At the age of 21, they meet again. However, the past cannot be repeated. And now, they are 31 years old….

Notes

Ito (Japanese) means thread. The thread here is a red thread, which is believed to be a bond that will never be separated. In other words, the red thread is another word for mate. Even though you and her are very close, even though you often meet, even though your struggle for her is huge, if it’s not a match, then just accept fate, man!

Yayoi, March: 30 Years That I Loved You

• Japanese: Yayoi, Sangatsu: Kimi o Ai Shita 30nen
• Release date: March 20, 2020
• Genres: Romance
• Personal rating: S – Highly recommended!
• Watch on: –

Synopsis

As high school students, Yayoi Yuki and Taro Yamada find it difficult to move on from the death of their friend, Sakura Watanabe. Yayoi and Taro have the same feelings, but both of them do not express these feelings and live different lives. They live their own lives and experience various events such as getting married, having children, getting divorced, and losing their families due to natural disasters. Despite everything, Yayoi and Taro are always there for each other.

Notes

Tells the story of two friends who harbored feelings for one another, but never realized. After graduating from high school, the two separated and went their separate ways. That’s how, in the end they rarely met, lost contact, until they had their own partner.

But as the saying goes, if you have a match, you won’t go anywhere. Even though they refused and tried to run away, they were finally reunited. Its the power of love guys!!!

Oh right, this movie also inserts events after the earthquake and tsunami in Japan on March 11, 2011, which made me interested in watching the documentary further.

From this movie I can conclude two things. First, there is no such thing as a bestfriend of the opposite sex. You should be wary if your partner says she has a bestfriend of the opposite sex, because relationships in bestfriendship are very vulnerable. It can increase beyond the limit, or decrease to just friends.

The second conclusion is, a bestfriend is someone who is always by your side, ups and downs. Make your partner as your best friend, then your life will be fine. It’s hard to be happy, ups and downs, you can definitely go through it, as long as your best friend is always by your side.

I Give My First Love to You

• Japanese: Boku no Hatsukoi wo Kimi ni Sasagu
• Release date: October 24, 2019
• Genres: Romance
• Personal rating: A – Must be on watchlist!
• Watch on: –

Synopsis

When Takuma Kakinouchi was 8 years old, he spent time in the hospital. He befriends Mayu Taneda who is the same age as him. One day they went to the park and played. There, Takuma and Mayu promise to marry when they grow up. They are sure that in the future they will be together.

Seven years later, Takuma enters a prestigious high school at the age of 15. At the opening ceremony, a new student representative girl came to the front. Takuma was surprised to see the girl who turned out to be Mayu. Just to be with him, Mayu studied hard to enter that prestigious school. Takuma tries to avoid Mayu, even though he has feelings for her. The reason was because since childhood he had been told how long he would live….

Notes

It’s not without reason that many people recommend this movie. The stories presented can make your tears fall uncontrollably. Therefore, please provide tissues and a large bucket in case your roof leaks due to rain.

As additional information, this movie was made based on the manga with the same title by Kotomi Aoki. The manga was also adapted into drama form in 2019, under the title Secret Unrequited Love.

You Shine in the Moonlight

• Japanese: Kimi wa Tsukiyo ni Hikarikagayaku
• Release date: March 15, 2019
• Genres: Romance
• Personal rating: B – Good to watch when bored!
• Watch on: –

Synopsis

One day, the teacher asked Takuya Okada to visit his classmate named Mamizu Watarase at the hospital. Mamizu suffers from a mysterious disease called “luminescence”. People suffering from this disease show a faint glow in the moonlight and that glow gets brighter as their death approaches. Mamizu was not allowed to leave the hospital and she felt she would not live long enough to grow up. Takuya offered to help her fulfill all her wishes before she died.

Notes

A movie with an anti-mainstream premise where the disease that fmc (female character) suffers from makes it shine like the moon at night.

Snow Flower

• Japanese: Yuki no Hana
• Release date: February 1, 2019
• Genres: Romance
• Personal rating: B – Good to watch when bored!
• Watch on: –

Synopsis

Miyuki Hirai has a weak body since childhood so she has to receive regular medication. Her father tells him that the aurora can bring good luck in life. That way Miyuki aspires to see the red aurora in Finland.

Until the time came when she received bad news from the doctor. Miyuki was diagnosed with having very little time left to live. On the way home while losing hope, she exacerbated by someone who stole her bag while walking. But out of desperation, she didn’t scream or say anything at all.

Luckily, someone named Yusuke Watabiki saw the robbery and managed to get Miyuki’s bag back. Yusuke is irritated by Miyuki who looks resigned despite being robbed, and tells her to raise her voice….

Notes

I don’t think there’s anything that needs to be written anymore, besides everything is clearly stated in the synopsis (xixixi). Well, the point is this movie is about a girl who is sick and has only a short life to live. Only one thing she wanted, namely to see the aurora. But unfortunately, aurora did not appear even though she had fought tooth and nail to go to Finland.

In her despair, a boy comes who makes him excited again. The rest, friends, please watch for yourself (hehe~).

As additional information, this movie is based on the song Yuki no Hana sung by Mika Nakashima.

Aiuta: My Promise To Nakuhito

• Japanese: Aiuta: Yakusoku no Nakuhito
• Release date: January 25, 2019
• Genres: Romance, drama
• Personal rating: B – Good to watch when bored!
• Watch on: –

Synopsis

Toru has a serious illness and only a few months to live. Therefore he becomes desperate, let alone have the courage to make love. One day he accidentally meets an old friend named Tatsuya and finds a book of poetry that changes his life. Because of these two things, Toru was able to work up the courage to have an affair. He meets Nagi who is part of his destiny, but it turns out that Nagi has a secret…

Notes

If you were diagnosed with a terminal illness and you only had a few months to live, what would you do?

“Ah, of course I will do everything I can, so I can leave without leaving regrets!” maybe that’s what most people think. But Toru is different. After being told that he had only months to live, Toru became desperate and wanted to leave this world as soon as possible.

When you want to end your own life, eh instead you meet an old friend at school first. When you have a crush, Your thoughts and his are not in line. When you have a partner, uh, it’s even blablabla… Anyway, I really feel sorry for this Toru guy. Already hopeless, the way of his life also doesn’t always run smoothly anymore (hehe~).

Talking like that to a sick person is not good to know!

Well, it’s just a movie. Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. Think of the writing above as the voice of a neighbor who is renovating a house on Sunday. The point is, our MC’s life this time can make those of us who watch it teary eyed.

As additional information, this movie is an adaptation of GreeeeN’s song Ai no Uta.

50 First Kisses

• Japanese: 50 Kaime no Fasuto Kisu
• Release date: June 1, 2018
• Genres: Romance, comedy
• Personal rating: A – Must be on watchlist!
• Watch on: –

Synopsis

Yuge Daisuke works as a tour guide studying astronomy during his free time. He is also a playboy who is in a relationship with no strings attached. In early summer, Daisuke meet Fujishima Rui and fell in love at first sight. He tries hard to get in touch with her, until he learns that Rui has amnesia where his memory resets every night. Even so Daisuke still struggles to seduce her every day even though Rui keeps forgetting about him.

Notes

The punishment of a playboy, when he really falls in love, the girl has amnesia. Where every day her memory disappears again (sad …).

As additional information, this movie is a remake of a western movie entitled 50 First Dates (2004).

One Week Friends

• Japanese: Isshukan Furenzu
• Release date: February 18, 2018
• Genres: Romance
• Personal rating: A – Must be on watchlist!
• Watch on: –

Synopsis

Yuki Hase wants to be friends with a girl in his class who is always alone, Kaori Fujimiya. Kaori refuses, because she has an illness where her memory resets every Monday. Even so, Yuki still wants to be close to Kaori.

Notes

Before the manga was adapted into a movie, Ishuukan furenzu had been adapted into an anime of 12 episodes. For those of you who have watched the anime, maybe you are a bit disappointed with the different ending in this movie. Even so, in my own opinion, the One Week Friends movie is a live action (LA) which is quite successful.

Colors of Wind

• Japanese: Kaze no Iro
• Release date: January 26, 2018
• Genres: Drama, romance
• Personal rating: A – Must be on watchlist!
• Watch on: –

Synopsis

Before she died, she told Ryo, her boyfriend, that there was a woman who looked very much like her in Hokkaido. Because of the deep sadness he was experiencing, Ryo was looking for that woman.

Notes

Colors of Wind is a movie with a unique story premise and eye-catching visuals.

The 8-Year Engagement

• Japanese: Hachinengoshi no Hanayome
• Release date: December 16, 2017
• Genres: Drama, romance
• Personal rating: S – Highly recommended!
• Watch on: –

Synopsis

Hisashi and Mai decided to get married in the next 3 months. But suddenly Mai fell ill and fell into a coma. Years passed and Mai still hasn’t woken up. Even so, Hisashi did not give up on his fiancé and always prayed for her recovery. Finally Mai woke up, but she has memory loss….

Notes

In this movie we will see the struggle of a man who really falls in love. All right, that’s all.

As additional information, this movie is based on an autobiographical novel entitled 8 Nen Goshi no Hanayome Kimi no Me ga Sametanara written by Hisashi Nakahara and Mai Nakahara. Yups, an autobiographical novel means that the story that is told is based on true events. Besides that, the ending song was sung by Back Number entitled Mabataki.

Let Me Eat Your Pancreas

• Japanese: Kimi no Suizou wo Tabetai
• Release date: July 28, 2017
• Genres: Drama, romance
• Personal rating: S – Highly recommended!
• Watch on: –

Synopsis

I am a high school student. I found the diary of my classmate, Sakura Yamauchi who turned out to have pancreatic cancer. I spent time with Sakura before she died. 12 Years later, I became a teacher at my old school because of the words Sakura said.

Notes

Our protagonist this time is the standard for most sad movies protagonist. He is quiet, has no friends, and is lonely. Surprisingly, he can win the heart of a popular girl who is cheerful and cute, which is only a dream for you single people (hehe, just kidding~).

Even though the name is a bit horror, this movie doesn’t have any scary elements in it. There is an element of deep sadness that makes it difficult for you to move on. Remember, the heroine dies, but this isn’t a spoiler! Prepare tissue before watching.

As additional information, this movie was made based on a novel with the same title written by Yoru Sumino and was re-adapted into anime form a year after the movie was released.

ReLIFE

• Japanese: Rilaifu
• Release date: April 15, 2017
• Genres: Drama, sci-fi
• Personal rating: A – Must be on watchlist!
• Watch on: –

Synopsis

Tells the story of Kaizaki Arata, a 27-year-old unemployed man who always fails to apply for a job because he quit the company where he worked before even though he had only worked for 3 months. His fate then changed after he met Yoake Ryou from a company called ReLIFE Research Institute, who offered him a drug that could make him return to his 17 year old age. Then Kaizaki becomes the subject of an experiment for a year, where he has to go back to his high school student days.

Notes

There is one sentence that is always a piece of advice and we often hear, namely don’t waste time. Time is a precious thing, because you can’t buy it or repeat it. This is what causes regret to exist in the world.

From the ReLIFE movie, there are many elements of life related to time in it. We can see the protagonist efforts to regain what he wasted, and try to live a better life.

As additional information, the ReLIFE movie is based on a manga with the same title by So Yayoi. This movie has also been adapted into previous anime forms, with a total of 1 season 13 episodes and 4 special episodes.

My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday

• Japanese: Boku wa Ashita, Kinou no Kimi to Date Suru
• Release date: December 17, 2016
• Genres: Romance
• Personal rating: S – Highly recommended!
• Watch on: –

Synopsis

Takatoshi Minamiya is an art student at a certain Kyoto University. When he left for college by train, Takatoshi fell in love at first sight with Emi Fukuju. Takatoshi then worked up the courage to express his feelings. They also made it and felt happy, until finally Emi’s secret was revealed….

Notes

When you start watching, you might feel that this movie is just a normal dating movie. But actually a lot of strange things are shown from the start, which start to be answered from the middle of the movie. Yups, you need to be highly focused in order to truly understand the love story of the two main characters in this movie.

As additional information, Back Number’s ending song for this movie is entitled Happy End. There’s nothing wrong with the title of the song, because this movie has a happy ending. But I suggest that you prepare a tissue before watching.

Related: Happy End, a Song that Explained My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday Movie!

Forget Me Not

• Japanese: Wasurenai to Chikatta Boku ga Ita
• Release date: March 28, 2015
• Genres: Romance, fantasy
• Personal rating: A – Must be on watchlist!
• Watch on: –

Synopsis

Takashi Hayama is a final year high school student. He fell in love with Azusa Oribe at first sight and they became friends. Sometime later, Azusa tells Takashi that “people who meet me will forget me a few hours later”. Takashi doesn’t believe it, but due to some chance he realizes he has completely forgotten everything about Azusa. Hence, he started writing memos for himself and Azusa.

Notes

After seeing this ending, I want to sing “Entah siapa yang salah, ku tak tahu~ “(I don’t know who’s wrong, I don’t know, Thomas Arya song). Yups, the ending of this movie is packaged well so I’m quite confused about its meaning. So, who’s sick here?

As additional information, this movie was made based on a novel with the same title written by Mizuho Hirayama.

We Were There

• Japanese: Bokura ga Ita
• Release date: March 17, 2012
• Genres: Romance
• Personal rating: A – Must be on watchlist!
• Watch on: –

Synopsis

“We Were There” tells the 10-year love affair between Motoharu Yano and Nanami Takahashi. When he was still at school, Motoharu was a popular student, but he had a hard time moving on from the death of his girlfriend who died in a traffic accident. Nanami falls in love with Motoharu and must help him deal with his inability to let go of the past.

Notes

We Were There (known as Bokura ga Ita in Japanese) is a two-part Japanese romantic drama movie released in 2012. It is based on the manga series of the same name by Yuki Obata. The story follows the high school romance between Yano and Nanami, as they navigate the ups and downs of young love.

The movie is praised for its performances, particularly those of the lead actors Yuya Tegoshi and Riko Narumi. The direction of the movie was also well-received, as it effectively captured the emotional journey of the characters. The movie was praised for its ability to capture the mood and feelings of the original manga and adapting it in a good way.

Overall, We Were There is a well-made and emotionally impactful movie that is likely to resonate with audiences who have ever been in a young relationship.

Hanamizuki -May your love bloom a hundred years-

• Japanese: Hanamizuki
• Release date: August 21, 2010
• Genres: Drama, romance
• Personal rating: S – Highly recommended!
• Watch on: –

Synopsis

Sae is a high school student studying hard for the entrance exams for a famous college. She only lives with his mother, Ryoko, in Hokkaido because she lost her father at a young age. Her father, Kemimichi, once planted a Cornus (Dogwood Tree) flower in the yard after learning that he had a dangerous disease and might not be able to see Sae grow up.

Sae then meets Kouhei, a vocational high school student majoring in fisheries. Kouhei hopes to follow in his father and grandfather’s footsteps as a fisherman. The two of them then entered into a long-distance relationship (LDR). Even though their feelings of love were strong, their relationship could not last long.

10 Years later, the two of them accidentally meet again…

Notes

Those of you who are in LDR must watch this!

As additional information, this movie is based on the pop song Hanamizuki sung by You Hitoto.

My Rainy Days

• Japanese: Tenshi no Koi
• Release date: 7 November 2009
• Genres: Drama, romance
• Personal rating: S – Highly recommended!
• Watch on: –

Synopsis

Because of her beauty, Rio Ozawa, a 17 year old high school student, is always the center of attention. But because of the trauma she experienced in the past, Rio has never cared about anyone but himself. Friends and boyfriends are only used by her, all she cares about is money.

Until one day, Rio meets a 35-year-old lecturer called Professor Kouki. Rio fell in love at first sight with him. Rio was confused about her feelings and her sincere expression of love. Even though Kouki’s feelings were the same, there was a reason why he couldn’t form a relationship….

Notes

Love, friends and family. The three important ties in life are well discussed in this movie. Maybe you realize what Rio is like just by reading the synopsis. Yes, she is a miscommunicated young girl who begins to change because of love. She wants her life to be better, but because of her past actions it has become difficult.

*Urgent! Please provide tissue before watching!

Sky of Love

• Japanese: Koizora
• Release date: November 30, 2007
• Genres: Romance
• Personal rating: S – Highly recommended!
• Watch on: –

Synopsis

The love story of Hiro and Mika which is full of stumbling blocks. The happiness they feel goes so fast with the departure of that happiness to heaven. For that reason, Hiro slowly left Mika to cover up the real pain he was feeling, hoping that his decision was right to make Mika live life happily without him. As time went on, the facts were revealed and Mika returned to him. Then, what should be done if now the sky is trying to separate them?

Notes

Well, do you know why there is this movie in almost all the sad Japanese movie recommendation articles? Find out the answer by watching it, EXCITED!

*Urgent! I recommend avoiding spoilers before watching.

Heavenly Forest

• Japanese: Tada, kimi wo aishiteru
• Release date: October 28, 2006
• Genres: Romance
• Personal rating: A – Must be on watchlist!
• Watch on: –

Synopsis

Heavenly Forest tells of a photographer named Makoto who visits New York for Christmas to meet his best friend, Shizuru. The two met for the first time during the opening ceremony of the lecture. Makoto has a lack of self-confidence so he stays away from people, but Shizuru manages to make him open up. Because of their friendship, Shizuru also got interested in photography and they both started taking pictures in the forest.

Shizuru only considers Makoto as her best friend, so when Makoto likes another woman named Miyuki, Shizuru tries to befriend her. One day, Makoto asks what gift Shizuru wants for her birthday. Shizuru, who wants to enter a photography contest, has an idea to take a picture of the two of them kissing in a forest. Makoto agrees and they kiss for the first time. Since that day, somehow, Shizuru disappeared from Makoto’s life.

Notes

When you wait for the right time, it could be too late.

*Urgent! Prepare tissue before watching.

As additional information, Heavenly Forest is a spin off movie from a movie called College of Our Lives. Both of these movies were made based on a novel titled Ren’ai Shashin: Mo Hitotsu no Monogatari written by Takuji Ichikawa.