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!
- Ballad songs that were hits in the 2000s
- Breakup songs that were hits in the 2000s
- [Heisei Love Songs] A carefully selected collection of gem-like love songs that continue to be cherished even in the Reiwa era!
- 2000s: A Collection of Hit Karaoke Classics
- Top Female Singer-Songwriters and Popular Songs of the 2000s [2026]
- 2000s Japanese Hits | Unforgettable Once You Hear Them! Exquisite Masterpieces
- Heart-wrenching Japanese hit songs from the 2000s. Songs that make you cry.
- All big hits! A roundup of classic J‑Pop songs that were popular in 2000
- Heisei-era masterpieces. Hit songs that represent the Heisei period.
- [Japanese Music] Masterpieces of 2000s Pop: A roundup of hit songs from 00s J-POP
- Songs to give to your lover or someone you like. Love songs devoted wholeheartedly to your boyfriend or girlfriend.
- A roundup of hit love songs from the ’90s
- A melancholic “yami” song that was a hit in the 2000s. A bittersweet track.
Love songs that were hits in the 2000s. Classic and popular J‑Pop songs (11–20)
Love so sweetarashi
Hearing the chorus makes you want to sing along, doesn’t it? This song by the nationally beloved idol group Arashi was released in 2007 as their 18th single.
It was the theme song for the drama Hana Yori Dango 2 (Returns), starring group member Jun Matsumoto.
The lyrics—about never forgetting the feelings of love you hold in this very moment—are totally heart-fluttering.
The refreshing melody and bright, clear vocals are irresistible.
It also made waves in 2011 when the rock band GLAY covered it.
MiracleGReeeeN
A song that became the theme for the drama “ROOKIES” and drew a lot of attention.
Many people probably related to the lyrics, which feel like writing a letter to someone you love.
Things we can’t usually say out loud can be conveyed when we put them into words.
It feels like a love song filled with everyone’s feelings.
Just… I want to see youEXILE
It’s a love song that expresses the heartache of not being able to meet someone anymore, yet being unable to suppress the desire to see them.
It’s a track by the popular dance-vocal group EXILE, released in 2005 as their 19th single.
A very slow ballad, it features ATSUSHI’s beautiful vocals that resonate deeply.
The words of regret—‘Back then, I didn’t understand anything’—really hit home.
Even now, long after its release, it still ranks high on karaoke charts.
summer festivalWhiteberry
Many of you might find that this song brings back memories of summer vacation.
It’s a track by the girl band Whiteberry, released as their third single in 2000.
Chosen as the theme song for the drama “Fushigi na Hanashi,” it became a major hit, and the group earned a spot in the 51st NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen with this song.
It’s a nostalgic piece that recalls a short summer spent with someone special, and listening to it can make you feel like you’re the protagonist of the story.
By the way, it’s a cover of a song by the band JITTERIN’JINN.
AitaiKato Miria
A bittersweet, sorrowful love number dedicated to someone you love who’s thinking about someone else.
It’s a song by Miliyah Kato, a singer-songwriter from Aichi Prefecture, included on her fourth album, “Ring,” released in 2009.
It was such a hit that the ringtone version alone was downloaded 700,000 times.
“I want to see you, no matter what… no matter what…”—the feelings overflowing from the lyrics tighten our chests as well.
Only happy moments don’t define ‘romance,’ do they…?
boyfriendaiko
Aiko’s cute love song “Boyfriend” is overflowing with love for her partner.
Released in 2000, it remains one of her signature tracks, cherished not only by fans but by many listeners.
The ad-libbed vocal “fakes” woven between the lines—especially around the chorus—highlight the charm of the lyrics and the cuteness of a girl in love.
And of course, the lyrics of the chorus and the final big chorus are especially striking! Those catchy lines that stick in your head are surely part of why the song has been loved for so long.
It’s a poppy, adorable number brimming with love that you can’t help but hum along to.
Love songs that were hits in the 2000s. Classic and popular Japanese songs (21–30)
Song of LoveEvery Little Thing
This work is marked by a gently soul-soothing melody and a sweeping string arrangement.
It’s a gem of a ballad that symbolizes the period when Every Little Thing became a duo and their music gained deeper richness.
Written as the theme song for the 2002 theatrical film Inuyasha: Affections Touching Across Time, it was placed near the end of the album Many Pieces.
Kaori Mochida’s crystal-clear vocals deliver a universal message of peace and love with direct sincerity.
The lyrics, which feel like a prayer for a world without conflict, resonate deeply with the film’s story and light a warm flame of hope in the listener’s heart.
It’s the perfect song for moments of anxiety or quiet nights when you want to calm your mind.
A timeless classic that continues to be loved across generations.