Love songs that were hits in the 2000s. Classic and popular Japanese songs.
We’ve put together a collection of love songs that were hits in the 2000s.
When you think of hit songs from the 2000s, what tracks come to mind?
For those who spent their youth in that era, you might recall so many classics that it’s hard to choose just one.
This isn’t a list of every song that charted between 2000 and 2009, but we’re highlighting beloved love songs that almost everyone has heard at least once—timeless favorites that are still cherished as staples of romance today.
If you’re feeling nostalgic for those days, be sure to give them a listen!
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Love songs that were hits in the 2000s. Classic and popular Japanese songs (1–10)
Two Red Starskinmokusei
This is the song that brought Kinmokusei into the spotlight and made their name widely known in the city pop scene.
Drawn in by the sentimental vocals, you can vividly picture the scene of not wanting to let a loved one go, slipping through the city at dawn, and the two of them running away together.
Lion HeartSMAP
Many people swooned over SMAP’s “Lion Heart,” a song that portrays a grand love from a male perspective.
Released in 2000, it was used as the theme song for the drama “Food Fight,” starring SMAP member Tsuyoshi Kusanagi.
The lyrics were written by Shinji Nojima, the prolific screenwriter behind numerous hits such as “101st Proposal” and “High School Teacher.” He is said to have written them with the image of a male lion risking his life to protect a lioness.
The more you read the lyrics, the more you’ll find yourself wishing to be loved like this—no doubt about it!
planetariumOtsuka Ai
Planeterium by Ai Otsuka is a song that expresses the earnest feeling of longing to see a lover from whom one has been separated.
Released in 2005, it was used as the image song for the drama Hana Yori Dango starring Mao Inoue.
The song features instruments and lyrics that evoke a sense of traditional Japan, conjuring images of a poignant Japanese summer night.
The desperate wish to meet—one that likely won’t be fulfilled, yet might somehow still come true—deepens the sense of sorrow.
Listening to the song, you can feel your heart tightly gripped by its lyrics.
Love songs that were hits in the 2000s. Classic and popular J‑Pop songs (11–20)
366 daysHY
As a heartbreak song, HY’s “366 Days” has caught the tears of many listeners.
Included on the 2008 album “HeartY,” the track was chosen as the theme song for both the film and TV drama adaptations of the cell phone novel “Red Threads.” Izumi Nakasone, the keyboardist and vocalist who wrote the lyrics and music, reportedly went through a breakup herself while writing it.
Brimming with the passion of a song written even at the cost of changing her own life, it resonated deeply with the emotions of countless people experiencing broken hearts, setting their chests aflame.
Nakasone’s soulful vocals, too, bring listeners to tears.
A bouquet of flowers with loveSuperfly
A bouquet of flowers given with various feelings—love, gratitude, and more—for someone special.
This representative song by Superfly captures the sentiment of giving such a wonderful gift.
Released in 2008, it was chosen as the theme song for the drama “Edison no Haha” starring Misaki Ito.
Achieving a million downloads as a full-length ringtone, the song has also become a popular wedding staple.
Its warm melody and Ochi’s vocals leave a gentle impression just by listening.
It makes you want to give your own bouquet to someone you love or someone you want to thank.
Moon DropsRUI
This is a signature song by RUI, the singer name used by actress Kou Shibasaki.
Released in 2003 as her second single, it became a major hit after being chosen as the theme song for the film “Yomigaeri” (Resurrection).
The track is characterized by a somewhat oriental, dreamlike quality, and RUI’s clear, transparent vocals truly shine.
The lyrics speak of a love that never fades, no matter how much time passes—a poignant ballad overflowing with the feeling of “I want to see you.”
SakurazakaFukuyama Masaharu
A quintessential spring love song.
Masaharu Fukuyama’s sweet vocals and the wistful melody intertwine beautifully with the straightforward lyrics that wish happiness for the one you love.
I think it’s a sure bet at karaoke—a true gem.
Don’t you think many women would love for the man they’re interested in to sing it to them?