Medley of Nostalgic Japanese Pop Hits from the 1990s
We’ve put together a wide-ranging collection of iconic hits from the 1990s!
I’m sure these songs—many you once had on heavy rotation—will bring back memories.
Music has a way of conjuring up scenes from the time you first heard it.
Take a moment to look back on those memories.
And if you were born in the 1990s, why not try finding the hits from your birth year?
- Iconic ballads of 90s J-pop: nostalgic mega-hits and fan favorites
- [J-Rock] Timeless masterpieces that colored the 1990s. Nostalgic hit songs.
- Karaoke songs that were hits in the ’90s. Classic and popular tracks from Japanese music.
- Classic and hit J-pop songs from the nostalgic ’90s
- Showa-era classic songs that brightened the 1990s
- Popular Nostalgic Songs: J-Pop Ranking [1990s Japanese Music Ranking]
- Tear-jerking J-pop from the ’90s. Hit songs and real tearjerkers.
- A roundup of hit love songs from the ’90s
- A collection of nostalgic hits from the Heisei era: Let’s look back at iconic songs from the 1990s and 2000s.
- Hits that resonate across generations! Popular 1990s songs on TikTok
- [J-Pop] A Collection of Soothing 90s J-POP Hits
- [2026 Edition] A Collection of Japanese Songs We Want Men in Their 50s to Sing
- Nostalgic Yet Everlasting: Classic Hits by 1990s Idol Singers
1990s Nostalgic Japanese Pop Hits Medley (11–20)
HOWEVERGLAY
It was a single released on August 6, 1997, and after its release it was chosen as the ending theme for the TBS drama “Ryakudatsukai: Abunai Onna” (Stolen Love: Dangerous Woman).
At the demo tape stage it was said to be dark, and it just barely made it to being released as a single.
Kiss me right nowLINDBERG
A quintessential LINDBERG song that captures the heartbeat of falling in love.
Chosen as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “The One I Love Most in the World!” and released in February 1990, it became a huge hit, ranking third in Oricon’s annual single sales that year.
The memorable “Woo” in the chorus stands out, giving it an instantly familiar feel that makes you want to sing along.
The lyrics, which express the earnest feelings of someone in love and the complex emotions about the distance between two people, have resonated with many and have been covered by numerous artists.
It’s a perfect song for reminiscing about your first love or reaffirming your feelings for someone special.
innocent worldMr.Children
Mr.
Children’s fifth single, released in June 1994, became one of the band’s signature songs.
It surpassed one million copies in just two months after release and topped the Oricon year-end singles chart that year.
It was also used in a Japan Coca-Cola “Aquarius” commercial, generating significant buzz.
The song portrays the innocence and pure conviction of a protagonist who keeps chasing their dreams, making it a track you’ll want to hear when you feel like you’re losing yourself in society.
It’s a piece with the power to remind you of the reckless, innocent version of yourself from the past.
All the more reason to give it a careful listen when you’re worn out and overwhelmed by daily life.
Beyond the Night SkySMAP
It’s one of the hit songs by the former national idol group SMAP.
It’s also famous for having lyrics written by Shikao Suga, and since it’s featured in textbooks as one of SMAP’s major hits, many people have probably heard it.
It’s also popular as a classic song to listen to in the fall.
town/citySOPHIA
Mitsuhiro Matsuoka, a member of SOPHIA who made their major debut in 1995, is actually from Osaka.
He often appears in dramas and the like, but as an artist he handles most of his own music, making him a very talented individual.
White LoveSPEED
This is a single by SPEED released in October 1997.
It reached No.
1 on the Oricon chart three times and became a hit, selling a total of 2 million copies.
It was also used as a Shiseido commercial song featuring SPEED.
Nostalgic 1990s Japanese Pop Hit Medley (21–30)
Swaying feelingsZARD
This song has a warm resonance that gently embraces wavering feelings and sinks into the heart.
Included on ZARD’s fourth album, “Yureru Omoi,” it was released in July 1993.
Izumi Sakai’s clear, transparent vocals blend beautifully with the moving melody, resonating with many listeners.
The lyrics delicately capture the fluctuations of being in love and feelings that seem to last forever, as if they’re by the listener’s side.
You’ll be drawn into its poetic world, woven with changing seasons and dreamlike scenes.
It’s a highly recommended track for times when you’re struggling with a relationship with someone important or when you want to spend time in a calm, peaceful mood.