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