[J-Pop] A Collection of Soothing 90s J-POP Hits

The J-pop of the 1990s, an era that churned out million-selling hits one after another, also gave birth to many timeless classics that are still sung today in the 2020s.

Our site features many articles focused on ’90s Japanese music, and in this article we’ve curated hit songs from the ’90s around the theme of “healing”—perfect for when you’re tired or want to calm your mind.

Of course, what feels healing naturally varies from listener to listener, but this time we’ve selected songs—lyrics included—that make you breathe a sigh of relief and sometimes stir a sense of nostalgia.

Please enjoy these ’90s gems, perfect for a lazy, plan-free afternoon or as company on a quiet night alone!

Playlist

[J-Pop] A Collection of Soothing 90s J-POP Hits
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	First LoveUtada Hikaru		Hikaru Utada’s classic heartbreak ballad
2	BoyhoodInoue Yosui		An eternal ballad depicting nostalgic summer memories
3	PRIDEImai Miki		A healing masterpiece of the ’90s written and composed by Tomoyasu Hotei
4	Far, far awayMakihara Noriyuki		A signature song by Noriyuki Makihara, a song about thinking of friends back home
5	ifCHAGE and ASKA		CHAGE and ASKA’s iconic 1990s ballad
6	Winter Fantasykazan		Cousin’s classic winter song, Sapporo Beer commercial tune
7	Swallowtail Butterfly ~Song of Love~YEN TOWN BAND		A 90s classic: a title song that paints dreams by Chara
8	Hello, Again ~A Place That’s Been Around Since Long Ago~My Little Lover		A classic hit representing My Little Lover
9	Poem of SunlightLe Couple		Le Couple's moving hit song
10	Hello，my friendMatsutōya Yumi		Yumi Matsutoya’s classic song about farewell and friendship
11	Thanks.DREAMS COME TRUE		A signature song by Miwa Yoshida about heartbreak and gratitude
12	Come, spring.Matsutōya Yumi		Yumi Matsutoya’s classic song, a love song waiting for spring
13	cherrysupittsu		Introducing Spitz’s classic spring-like songs
14	I miss youBEGIN		A famous song from the 90s that represents BEGIN
15	rainMoritaka Chisato		A classic song by Chisato Moritaka depicting heartbreak and growth
16	Hold me tight, all of meKinKi Kids		KinKi Kids’ signature soothing J-pop song
17	for a long timeKiroro		Kiroro’s major-label debut single is a big hit.
18	Because I Want to See You ~Missing You~Matsuda Seiko		Seiko Matsuda’s first million-selling signature ballad
19	Like a white cloudsaruganseki		Saruganseki’s classic song is refreshing and comforting to the heart.
20	Beyond the Night SkySMAP		SMAP’s iconic song representing the 1990s
21	Surely more than anyone else in the worldNagayama Miho & WANDS		The legendary classic song by Miho Nakayama & WANDS
22	For the momentEvery Little Thing		Every Little Thing's signature ballad
23	LOVE IS ALL MUSICKahara Tomomi		A gem-like ballad by Tomomi Kahala, produced by Tetsuya Komuro