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 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.
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.
May it be filled with kindnessJUJU
This is a rock ballad by JUJU released in 2009.
As the theme song for Nissan’s Cube commercial, it touched the hearts of many.
The lyrics express deep gratitude to the person who taught the singer the meaning of life at times when, amid unchanging days, she felt she might lose sight of what truly matters.
JUJU’s powerful yet delicate vocals convey a straightforward resolve to keep loving, even when apart.
It’s a timeless song that gently stays by your side when you want to renew your feelings for someone important or when you need a little warmth in your heart.
Things that have formShibasaki Kou
What this song brings to mind is the TV drama version of “Crying Out Love, in the Center of the World.” It seems to be singing about things with form, but the perspective shifts to the formless—as if watching over from afar.
It makes you realize that love doesn’t have just one shape, and that watching over someone from a distance and praying for them is important too.
Fuyu LoveJuliet
A heartwarming gem of a love ballad from Juliet for the chilly season.
It vividly portrays the anxiety that comes from loving someone so much, as well as those small, happiness-filled moments.
Packed with the down-to-earth views on love of the gals of that era—like flipping open a flip phone to reread messages—it’s a song that’s sure to make many hearts skip a beat with every listen.
Released in October 2009, it made waves by topping the RecoChoku weekly Chaku-Uta chart, following their debut.
Perfect for the walk home after a winter date or for filling the loneliness when you can’t meet.
Think of someone special and let yourself sink into the song.
Let’s count your kissesKoyanagi Yuki
A grand love song that envelops listeners with Yuki Koyanagi’s powerful, soul-filled vocals, radiating a mature allure.
The impactful title expresses the feeling of cherishing each and every kiss—so much that you count them one by one.
spoiled childOtsuka Ai
A masterpiece that portrays the bittersweet heart of a girl who can’t be honest in front of the one she likes.
Released in March 2004 as Ai Otsuka’s third single, this song is also well known for its use in Sato Pharmaceutical’s “Stonarhini S” commercial.
The lyrics capture the feelings of a clumsy girl who puts on a brave face even though she really wants to be affectionate—resonating deeply with the gals who blazed through the Heisei era.
The gentle piano tones and Ai Otsuka’s emotional vocals vividly express the wavering feelings of love.
It’s perfect for when you want to confess your feelings to someone you adore, or when you want to show a touch of endearing charm at karaoke.