Iconic ballads of 90s J-pop: nostalgic mega-hits and fan favorites
The 1990s J-pop scene saw CDs sell in huge numbers and one million–selling hits being released one after another.
Songs from that era are still loved across generations, and many younger music fans likely listen to those tracks on streaming services.
In this article, we’ll spotlight recommended songs among the countless classics and hits of ’90s J-pop, focusing specifically on its most popular ballads.
From beautiful, stripped-down masterpieces centered on vocals and guitar to rock-tinged ballads, enjoy a selection of wonderful tunes whose choruses will have many people humming along.
Playlist
| Iconic ballads of 90s J-pop: nostalgic mega-hits and fan favorites | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1east | I don’t want to let go.T-BOLAN |  play_arrow | Released on December 18, 1991, T-BO… |
| 2east | HOWEVERGLAY |  play_arrow | One of Japan’s representative rock bands, GLA… |
| 3east | The Last RainYasushi Nakanishi |  play_arrow | In the midst of a sorrowful farewell with my lover, overflowing… |
| 4east | TRUE LOVEFujii Fumiya |  play_arrow | The drama “A…” in which this song was used as the theme song |
| 5east | single bedSha ran Q |  play_arrow | They say they listened to nothing but Sharam Q throughout their youth... |
| 6east | One more time,One more chanceYamazaki Masayoshi |  play_arrow | Masayoshi Yamazaki's 'One more t…' |
| 7east | First LoveUtada Hikaru |  play_arrow | During the period from April 15 to 17, 2022, Ame... |
| 8east | Time goes byEvery Little Thing |  play_arrow | One of the iconic J-POP classics representing the ’90s… |
| 9east | beetle (specifically, a rhinoceros beetle)aiko |  play_arrow | One of aiko’s signature songs, J-pop… |
| 10east | Let’s Count Your Kisses ~You Were Mine~Koyanagi Yuki |  play_arrow | A masterpiece that expresses the pain of heartbreak with overwhelming vocal prowess... |
| 11east | Ballad of a SingerSaitō Kazuyoshi |  play_arrow | Even today, it continues to be covered by numerous artists… |
| 12east | Broken RadioTokunaga Hideaki |  play_arrow | Hidetoshi Tokunaga’s release in 1990... |
| 13east | Summer Days of 1993class |  play_arrow | A ballad portraying the shift of feelings from friendship to romance |
| 14east | Robinsonsupittsu |  play_arrow | Spitz’s 1995 signature song, Love and Solitude |
| 15east | Midsummer FruitSazan Ōrusutāzu |  play_arrow | A heartbreak love ballad at summer’s end |
| 16east | LOVE LOVE LOVEDREAMS COME TRUE |  play_arrow | When it comes to love songs, “LOVE LOVE… |
| 17east | OH MY LITTLE GIRLOzaki Yutaka |  play_arrow | The name of Mr. Yutaka Ozaki, still passed down as a legend even today… |
| 18east | Like tonight’s moonElefanto Kashimashi |  play_arrow | A signature song that sublimates emotions wavering between nihilism and hope |
| 19east | LA LA LA Love SongKubota Toshinobu |  play_arrow | Toshinobu Kubota’s R&B signature ballad blockbuster hit |
| 20east | PIECE OF MY WISHImai Miki |  play_arrow | This song is the main theme of the drama “Ashita ga Aru Kara”… |
| 21east | Get Along Together -Because I Want to Give You My Love-Yamane Yasuhiro |  play_arrow | He said he wrote it in a week for a friend who was getting married... |
| 22east | I want to take only you away just like this.DEEN |  play_arrow | Centered on the 1990s, commercial jingles and anime theme songs… |
| 23east | Can’t Say Anything… SummerTHE JAYWALK |  play_arrow | The 1980s and 1990s, when they debuted in 1981,... |
| 24east | Endless JourneyMr.Children |  play_arrow | Released in October 1998, Mr…. |
| 25east | ALONEB’z |  play_arrow | A gem by B’z, released in 1991… |
| 26east | Tears of MagnoliaSutaadasuto Rebyuu |  play_arrow | The band formed in 1979, Stardust Revu... |
| 27east | Say AnythingX JAPAN |  play_arrow | The TV Asahi network television drama “Lullaby Detecti… |
| 28east | I won’t fall in love anymore.Makihara Noriyuki |  play_arrow | A ballad depicting the pain of heartbreak and the glimmer of hope |
| 29east | Like a white cloudsaruganseki |  play_arrow | A famous song that expresses a traveler’s anxiety and anticipation as they gaze at the clouds |
| 30east | SAY YESCHAGE and ASKA |  play_arrow | A ballad from the ’90s that brings me to tears when I listen to it… |
| 31east | DEPARTURESglobe |  play_arrow | “DEPA…,” which became globe’s biggest hit |
| 32east | Maplesupittsu |  play_arrow | The rock band formed in 1987, Spi… |
| 33east | There will be love there -A Place with Love-the brilliant green |  play_arrow | Tommy february6 and Tomm… |
| 34east | Nameless PoemMr.Children |  play_arrow | The big hi— that recorded a million sellers in about a week... |
| 35east | Sorrow like snowHamada Shogo |  play_arrow | The song “Hi…” that sparked a huge boom in the ’90s |
| 36east | GlassKawamura Ryuuichi |  play_arrow | “Glass” was released in April 1997… |
| 37east | Forever LoveX JAPAN |  play_arrow | The legendary rock band X, which left behind numerous masterpieces … |
| 38east | squallFukuyama Masaharu |  play_arrow | Starting with his activities in music and his work as an actor, he has been active in various... |
| 39east | Poem of SunlightLe Couple |  play_arrow | Known as Le Couple’s signature song… |
| 40east | Summer Days of 1993class |  play_arrow | In 1993, the male duo group class… |
| 41east | Tomorrow never knowsMr.Children |  play_arrow | It’s the kind of chorus that absolutely makes everyone want to shout the call-and-response. |
| 42east | Somewhere in a distant townNagayama Miho |  play_arrow | A heartwarming ballad themed around Miho Nakayama’s long-distance love |
| 43east | ifCHAGE and ASKA |  play_arrow | Although it's a soothing, emotionally rich ballad, it continued for a second consecutive week... |
| 44east | flower burialL’Arc〜en〜Ciel |  play_arrow | The rock band L’A…, which is still active today, |
| 45east | Swallowtail Butterfly ~Love Song~YEN TOWN BAND |  play_arrow | 『Swallowtail Butterf… |
| 46east | White LoveSPEED |  play_arrow | An average member age of just 13.5 years… |
| 47east | Blown by the windElefanto Kashimashi |  play_arrow | The impact of Hiroji Miyamoto, who handles the vocals… |
| 48east | Watarase BridgeMoritaka Chisato |  play_arrow | Moritaka Chisato’s lyrics often include real place names and sce… |
| 49east | To the futureKiroro |  play_arrow | In 2018, marking the 20th anniversary of their debut, they fully… |
| 50east | Don’t Leave MeB’z |  play_arrow | A robust sound reminiscent of Western rock and a male… |
| 51east | MelodyTamaki Kōji |  play_arrow | Koji Tamaki’s release in 1996… |
| 52east | As if gently enveloping…MISIA |  play_arrow | MISIA, released in February 1998… |
| 53east | I for youLUNA SEA |  play_arrow | Speaking of V-kei bands that represent the ’90s, LU… |
| 54east | Future Projection IIDREAMS COME TRUE |  play_arrow | Covered by numerous artists, … |
| 55east | eternityZARD |  play_arrow | This song, released in February 1999, ... |
| 56east | CAN YOU CELEBRATE?Amuro Namie |  | Namie Amuro, who released (it) in 1997... |
| 57east | threadNakajima Miyuki |  play_arrow | Why Miyuki Nakajima’s “Ito” Is Loved as a Masterpiece |
| 58east | Don’t forget.DREAMS COME TRUE |  play_arrow | A heartfelt DCT ballad that portrays the pain of parting |
| 59east | Hello, Again ~A Place That’s Been Around Since Long Ago~My Little Lover |  play_arrow | Their biggest hit song, released by Lily in 1995… |
| 60east | PRIDEImai Miki |  play_arrow | A smash hit that represents the 90s, on Fuji TV… |
| 61east | Primalorijinarurabu |  play_arrow | A love song that is one of ORIGINAL LOVE’s signature tracks |
| 62east | Another OrionFujii Fumiya |  play_arrow | He has remained active even after the Checkers disbanded... |
| 63east | The strong and fleeting onesCocco |  play_arrow | A journey to protect love: the struggles and hopes of life |
| 64east | KissORIGINAL LOVE |  play_arrow | A sensual love song that melts into an adult night |
| 65east | JAMTHE YELLOW MONKEY |  play_arrow | Commonly known as "THE YELLOW MONKEY"… |
| 66east | RESPECT the POWER OF LOVEAmuro Namie |  play_arrow | Namie Amuro’s powerful cheer song |
| 67east | loadTHE toraburyū |  play_arrow | It could be called the signature song of the rock band THE TORA VARYU... |
| 68east | Happy endingOhtaki Eiichi |  play_arrow | Eiichi Ohtaki’s first love song in 12 years. A major hit with 970,000 copies sold. |
| 69east | Beyond the Night SkySMAP |  play_arrow | Even after their 2016 breakup, voices hoping for a reunion have been... |
| 70east | Winter,againGLAY |  play_arrow | A winter ballad song from GLAY, for listeners... |
| 71east | LOVER SOULJUDY AND MARY |  play_arrow | As a byword for female-vocal rock bands… |
| 72east | I want to see you.sawada chikako |  play_arrow | Singer-songwriter Chikaco Sawada’s substitu… |
| 73east | YOU DON’T GIVE UPKahara Tomomi |  play_arrow | Tomomi Kahala’s encouraging cheer song and warm message |
| 74east | LOVE〜Destiny〜Hamasaki Ayumi |  play_arrow | Ayumi Hamasaki’s fateful, heartrending ballad |
| 75east | Love Story Comes SuddenlyOda Kazumasa |  play_arrow | A high-tone voice that evokes a sense of ephemerality, and f… |
| 76east | I’m proudKahara Tomomi |  play_arrow | Among the big hits of the ’90s, this one is especially memorable… |
| 77east | My Room, My Dress Shirt, and MeHiramatsu Eri |  play_arrow | Loved enduringly since its release in 1992… |
| 78east | I can’t say it.Gō Hiromi |  play_arrow | Hiromi Go's ballad trilogy is a classic of the 1990s. |
| 79east | Man & WomanMy Little Lover |  play_arrow | A massive hit with My Little Lover’s debut single |
| 80east | BELOVEDGLAY |  play_arrow | Even as we move into the 2020s, top-tier... |
| 81east | for a long timeKiroro |  play_arrow | The two-woman music duo Kir… from Okinawa Prefecture |
| 82east | The Day Love Was BornFujitani Miwako, Ouchi Yoshiaki |  play_arrow | The duet song by Miwako Fujitani and Yoshiaki Ouchi |
| 83east | Bye For NowT-BOLAN |  play_arrow | Indispensable when discussing 1990s J-pop… |
| 84east | Until the World EndsWANDS |  play_arrow | “Until the World Ends” was relea… in 1994. |
| 85east | I love youKawamura Ryuuichi |  play_arrow | The ballad of Ryuichi Kawamura’s solo debut single |
| 86east | STEADYSPEED |  play_arrow | SPEED 1997 annual singles No. 5 |
| 87east | sunflowerNagabuchi Tsuyoshi |  play_arrow | A song by Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi with themes of hope and rebirth |
| 88east | White ChristmasJUN SKY WALKER(S) |  play_arrow | A love song about a Christmas breakup |
| 89east | Unforgettable DaysMISIA |  play_arrow | National R&B singer MISIA has 1... |
| 90east | Come, spring.Matsutōya Yumi |  play_arrow | A classic song by Yumi Matsutoya that depicts anticipation for spring and nostalgia |
| 91east | I want to hug you.Mr.Children |  play_arrow | Just by hearing the tone of the piano in the intro, Jo… |
| 92east | I am here.Yamazaki Masayoshi |  play_arrow | A celebrated singer-songwriter Japan is proud of, and... |
| 93east | Drops of a thousand currentsKudō Shizuka |  play_arrow | It's a heartbreak song, but the lyrics are profoundly deep. |
| 94east | Island SongTHE BOOM |  play_arrow | A gemlike ballad depicting the Battle of Okinawa and peace |
| 95east | Surely more than anyone else in the worldNagayama Miho |  play_arrow | A smash-hit ballad by Miho Nakayama and WANDS |
| 96east | Silent EveKarashima Midori |  play_arrow | The T… that featured Atsuko Sendo, Eisaku Yoshida, and others |
| 97east | The Last LieMatsutōya Yumi |  play_arrow | That unforgettable singing voice that hasn’t changed since their debut... |
| 98east | For the momentEvery Little Thing |  play_arrow | Every Little Thing's signature ballad |
| 99east | Someday Merry ChristmasB’z |  play_arrow | The music box’s tone traces the melody of the chorus... |
| 100east | Don’t give upZARD |  play_arrow | Beie..., which enjoyed explosive popularity in the 1990s, |
| 101east | A Love Song I Couldn’t SingOda Yūji |  play_arrow | This work, known as an iconic song representing the 1990s... |
| 102east | La La LaDaikoku Maki |  play_arrow | A quintessential work that gently conveys the emotions of love and life |
| 103east | I’m glad I met you.Koizumi Kyoko |  play_arrow | A ballad that sings of gratitude born from the experience of parting |
| 104east | Gentle RainKoizumi Kyoko |  play_arrow | A smash hit song that portrays Kyoko Koizumi’s earnest feelings |
| 105east | Far, far awayMakihara Noriyuki |  play_arrow | A song that warmly portrays feelings for a friend who has left their hometown |
| 106east | LOVE IS ALL MUSICKahara Tomomi |  play_arrow | A gem-like ballad by Tomomi Kahala, produced by Tetsuya Komuro |
| 107east | Tearful KissSazan Ōrusutāzu |  play_arrow | A signature ballad by Southern that depicts the pain of heartbreak |
| 108east | AutomaticUtada Hikaru |  play_arrow | Utada Hikaru’s debut song expresses the complexities of love. |