Top 10 Japanese Movies That Make You Cry | 10 Best Sad Emotional Japanese Films

Sad Japanese movies are great to have on hand if you need to show your sensitive side. A lot of the really sad Japanese films can easily be considered depressing by new Western viewers, but they also provide a bit of insight into Japanese culture, psychology and spirit. The following list of ten best sad Japanese movies may prove useful.

Midnight Sun

While working at a seaside inn with his high school buddies, Fujishiro Koji meets Kaoru Amane, a street musician. Kaoru is suffering from an incurable disease called X P (xeroderma pigmentosum), and can’t be exposed to the sun. Under the sun, the two would never have met. Still, destiny brings the two together. Since the day he suddenly lost his job, Koji has lost sight of his dreams. But when he meets Kaoru, who is making positive efforts to become a singer, Koji regains his long-forgotten passion for music.

Only You Can Hear Me

Shy, quiet, and unsure of herself, Ryo Aihara (Riko Narumi) doesn't quite fit in anywhere. Though she wants to make friends, she has trouble speaking up and holding a normal conversation like everyone else. It seems that whenever she talks, the words just don't come out correctly. Gradually, Ryo has gotten used to living life in silence as a lonely and introverted student. With no one to talk to, Ryo also has no need for a cell phone. Longing for friends to talk to, she creates a cell phone in her mind for imaginary phone conversations, and much to her surprise, one day Shinya (Keisuke Koide) picks up on the other side. For the first time in her life, Ryo has found someone she can talk to.

My Rainy Days

17 year old high school student Rio is always the center of attention due to her beauty. Yet, Rio has never cared about anyone but herself due to her traumatic past. Her friends and boyfriends exist only so she can use them for her gains. Rio is only interested in money. Then one day she meets 35 year college professor Kouki and falls in love for the first time. Rio feels confused by her emotional change and expresses her love to Kouki honestly. Although Kouki becomes interested in Rio there is a reason he can't pursue the relationship. ~~ Based on the popular cell phone novel of the same name.

Crying Out Love, In the Center of the World

Matsumoto Sakutaro, or “Saku”, is a normal, engaged man living in modern-day Japan. While moving, his fiancée finds a tape dating from 1986. This tape is none other than the last entry in the diary of Hirose Aki, Saku’s first love who died of leukemia shortly after meeting him. As Saku runs back to his childhood home, he discovers Aki and his audio diaries, and embarks on a long, solitary sojourn back to the happiest and saddest days of his life.

Nobody Knows

Nobody Knows is an gripping portrait of the world of abandoned children. The movie is beautiful in its simplicity which changes from sweet to warm and sometimes heartbreaking. The movie is about four children surviving on their own after their mother leaves them in search of her own happiness. The film does lacks into action and excitation moments but the acting of the children was adorable who were all real and natural. The abandoned children of the film have an apartment to live and food to eat, what does not happen in Third World countries, where famine children live on the streets in a sadder and unacceptable reality.This one is not for the ones who do not like slow-paced movie without action. Anyways, its an great film that will make you feel depressing and won't let your eyes dry.

I Gave My First Love To You

Takuma and Mayu had been friends since childhood. Takuma had been the patient of Mayu’s dad who is a doctor. Takuma was born with a hole in his heart and doctors had declared that he would not live past age 20, if he does not get a heart transplant before that. Takuma (Okada Masaki) and Mayu (Inou Mao) grow up together and naturally develops romantic feelings for each other and naturally becomes a couple. However, when they step in to High School, Takuma decides to break up with Mayu, because he thinks being with him is just making her sad because of his condition.

Koizora

This movie is excellent, very sweet and true. It is a touching love story between Tahara Mika and Sakurai Hiro which spans high school years through to early college years. Mika is in her first year of high school when she encounters Hiro, a boy in the year above hers. When Mika loses her phone, she finds it in the school library. She starts receiving mysterious phone calls from a boy who won't reveal his identity, but they start getting to know each other. Finally, they arrange to meet a day after Mika's birthday. The boy is none other than Hiro, and he stands in front of Mika holding a bunch of baby breath flowers, wishing her a happy birthday. From there, their romance unfurls.

Be With You

In a picture book, Yuji's mother (Mimura) writes a story to her son, in which she explains her death as a journey to the Akaibo Star. In this story, she promises that she will return to him during the rainy season, and stay only until the rain lasts. As a love story, as a story between family and mother and son, and as a story of growth and strength, Ima Ai ni Yukimasu is a drama that explores life's mircales. What would you do when given a second chance with the one you love?

Hachiko Monogatari

A puppy was born in Akita Prefecture and sent as a gift to Professor Ueno of Tokyo University. Although professor's wife does not want keep the dog. Professor Ueno loves the puppy so much and names it Hachi. Professor goes to work by railways everyday. Hachi walks to Shibuya Station with Professor each morning and greets him in the evening, no matter what the weather is. One day, Professor Ueno has a stroke and passed away. His family sold the house and moved to another city, but Hachi keeps visiting the house and waiting at the Shibuya station, believing his master. Based on a true story of Hidesaburo Ueno and his Akita breed dog "Hachiko."

1 Litre Of Tears

After the tears are shed, a new day begins... Adapted from the same-titled novel, 1 Litre of Tears is based on the true story about a girl's long fight with an incurable disease. A collection of her diary entries, chronicling her experiences and passion and perseverance for life, were published in 1986, and the book immediately became a bestseller. Her inspiring story was adapted into both a hit TV series starring Sawajiri Erika and a moving film directed by Okamura Riki.  15-year-old Ikeuchi Aya is an ordinary girl, the daughter of a family who works at a tofu shop, and a soon-to-be high schooler. However, odd things have been happening to Aya lately. She has been falling down often and walks strange. Her mother, Shioka, takes Aya to see the doctor, and he informs Shioka that Aya has spinocerebellar degeneration - a terrible disease where the cerebellum of the brain gradually deteriorates to the point where the victim cannot walk, speak, write, or eat. This is a sad but emotionally rewarding story and is definitely worth the tears.

(Source: MyDramaList, Wikipedia)