1990s J-Pop to listen to in summer: classic and hit summer songs

The 1990s were a time when million-selling hit songs kept coming one after another, and music clearly served as a common topic across generations.

Naturally, there were plenty of summer-themed hits as well.

In this article, we’ve picked out 90s summer songs that have continued to be loved across eras—not only by those who listened to them in real time back then, but also to the extent that people of all ages have probably heard them at least once.

Younger music fans might even discover, “So this song was sung by this artist?” Be sure to check them out!

Playlist

1990s J-Pop to listen to in summer: classic and hit summer songs
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	SUN SUN SUN ’95Urufuruzu		Passion of summer, a hot rock 'n' roll song
2	ONLY YOUYoshikawa Koji		Songs by Koji Kikkawa that resonate with the heart from the 1990s
3	Summertime BluesWatanabe Misato		A bittersweet summer classic, Misato Watanabe’s signature song
4	MARIAMiyamoto Eiji		A refreshing classic that brightened the summers of the ’90s
5	The Sun Made Me Do It ~Misty Lady~Gō Hiromi		A passionate adult summer love melody
6	I won’t forget that summerMorikawa Miho		Miho Morikawa’s classic that sings of the end of summer
7	EveOkui Masami		A heartfelt song that resonates at summer’s end
8	An Uncompromising SummerTUBE		A refreshing summer love song, a classic by TUBE
9	If I ever meet you somedayNakae Yuri		Melancholic melodies and bittersweet memories of love
10	Dance with MemoriesYoshikawa Koji		Kōji Kikkawa’s passionate memories of a summer romance
11	I love the you who never gives up.Kanno Miho		A song that supports people who don't give up on their dreams
12	Baby BabyYoshikawa Koji		Feel energized with Kōji Kikkawa's upbeat songs
13	Your freedomMurata Kazuhito		I feel freedom and strength in Kazuhito Murata’s refreshing songs.
14	anemoneMOON CHILD		MOON CHILD’s summer youth song
15	Dear My FriendsNagayama Miho		A song whose warm message to a friend resonates in the heart
16	vacationNORMA JEAN		A Hawaiian song that portrays a bittersweet summer journey of love
17	Heart-Pounding Summer DaysHikaru GENJI		Expressing summer love and the brilliance of youth
18	POSTMANYoshikawa Koji		Kōji Kikkawa’s passionate rock number that kindles hope
19	ENDLESS SUMMER NUDEMagokoro Burazāzu		Magokoro Brothers’ summer love song from 1997
20	SquallMatsumoto Eiko		Summer love, Eiko Matsumoto’s poignant classic
21	HOT LIMITT.M.Revolution		T.M.Revolution's signature summer song
22	Island SongTHE BOOM		THE BOOM’s classic song “Shima Uta,” singing the soul of Okinawa
23	Summer Days of 1993class		A famous song known for the summer tune “Close Your Eyes.”
24	Summer DayMoritaka Chisato		Singing about a summer day of Chisato Moritaka, memories of love, and feelings
25	GOING GOING HOMEH Jungle with T		Summer song of H Jungle with t
26	blue carsupittsu		Spitz’s heartwarming love song, “To the Future”
27	Midsummer FruitSazan Ōrusutāzu		Introduce Southern All Stars’ classic song “Manatsu no Kajitsu” (Summer Fruit)
28	Summer has come!Watanabe Misato		Misato Watanabe’s summer song is passionate and refreshing.
29	summer festivalJITTERIN’JINN		Fleeting, bittersweet memories and music of the summer festival
30	Midsummer MiracleTHE BOOM		A masterpiece that fuses Okinawan music and ska
31	OverDriveJUDY AND MARY		A classic JUDY AND MARY song that feels like a blue sky
32	Et cetera related to the seashorePUFFY		The 1990s female duo Puffy’s classic summer song
33	Summer NudeMagokoro Burazāzu		Magokoro Brothers’ refreshing summer hit song
34	Sun’s Komachi AngelB’z		B’z’s blazing summer classic with a powerful impact!
35	Cold KissICE BOX		ICE BOX, a collaborative music unit for frozen desserts by Morinaga Confectionery
36	Goodbye, Summer DaysYamashita Tatsuro		Tatsuro Yamashita’s youth ballad 'Niji' (Rainbow)
37	SEASON of the SunAmuro Namie		Namie Amuro’s refreshing debut song
38	Swaying feelingsZARD		The charm of “Makenaide” and Izumi Sakai’s singing voice
39	fireworksaiko		A bittersweet summer romance painted in a song of fireworks
40	HIGH PRESSURET.M.Revolution		Introduction to Highly Rated Summer Songs by T.M.Revolution
41	Nagisasupittsu		Spitz’s summer song “Maboroshi no Natsu” is a masterpiece.
42	Easy★RiderOkuda Tamio		A refreshing summer travel song by Tamio Okuda
43	Barefoot GoddessB’z		A summer-like rock number by B’z
44	Yes, SummerdaysGLAY		GLAY’s iconic summer anthem representing the 1990s
45	Eternal, unchanging loveOda Tetsurō		Pocari commercial song, a refreshing love song
46	I can’t wait for summerTUBE		TUBE’s summer love song
47	Summer Colorsyuzu		Yuzu’s summer song, a classic that colors the Japanese summer
48	ForeverSorimachi Takashi with Ricchī Sanbora		Gackt Sorimachi’s classic that makes you feel the end of summer
49	Summer is comingDaikoku Maki		Maki Daikoku’s passionate singing and empathy
50	Only You ~Summer Heartbreak~Sazan Ōrusutāzu		A 1995 heartbreak ballad, a famous song by Keisuke Kuwata
51	Don’t avert your eyes.DEEN		DEEN's 'Hitomi Sorasanaide' is a classic song from the '90s.
52	White kiteMy Little Lover		The classic song “My Lover” that colors summer memories
53	Open your heartZARD		The hit of the summer classic song “Makenaide”
54	A Midsummer Night’s DreamMatsutōya Yumi		Yuming’s passionate summer song “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”
55	I love it!Hirosue Ryōko		Ryoko Hirosue’s popular songs are perfect as summer BGM.
56	Can’t Say Anything… SummerTHE JAYWALK		A moving masterpiece of 90s signature summer songs
57	Those summer fireworksDREAMS COME TRUE		90s hit songs, classic tracks that color the memories of summer
58	Seesaw Game: A Brave Love SongMr.Children		Mr. Children 'The Summer You Were There,' a classic that colors the summer
59	Body & SoulSPEED		A dance group that made a splash with their youth at the time of their debut
60	Ah, summer vacation.TUBE		TUBE’s summer song “Ah, Summer Vacation”
61	Like when we first metEvery Little Thing		Every Little Thing's representative summer love theme song
62	suddenlyFIELD OF VIEW		Classic summer hit songs from the Being label
63	For the momentEvery Little Thing		ELT’s popular single “For the moment”
64	July 7, sunnyDREAMS COME TRUE		A bittersweet love song, the theme for a Tanabata romance movie
65	Jet Coaster RomanceKinKi Kids		A classic hit by KinKi Kids, a staple summer song.
66	FlowerKinKi Kids		KinKi Kids’ summer classic “Flower”
67	Sunny Day SundaySENTIMENTAL:BUS		A pop anthem that colors sports and summer
68	Let’s dance in a circle (Wasshoi)V6		V6’s signature song “Let’s Form a Circle and Dance.”
69	Sweet EmotionAikawa Nanase		Nanase Aikawa’s “Sweet Emotion” is fire.
70	The Summer When You Were ThereMr.Children		An early song by the million-selling band Mr.Children
71	Summer ResolutionŌe Senri		Summer Memories and Songs of Youth
72	WingChinen Rina		Rina Chinen’s signature song “Wing” is refreshing.
73	Kujira No. 12JUDY AND MARY		Many voices calling for JUDY AND MARY to reunite
74	Midnight SunKubota Toshinobu		Summer song by Toshinobu Kubota: Track included on 'Neptune'
75	Love in AugustMoritaka Chisato		Chisato Moritaka’s classic song that evokes a summer farewell
76	Embracing SummerTUBE		TUBE's iconic summer song, Love and Summer Memories
77	survival dAnce 〜no no cry more〜TRF		Tetsuya Komuro and TRF represent 1990s J-pop.
78	Like tonight’s moonElefanto Kashimashi		Elekashi’s classic song “Like Tonight’s Moon” resonates deeply in my heart.
79	Sparkling right in the middle, ChuPokemon Kizzu, Okido Hakase (+ Pikachu)		A nostalgic anime song that sings of summer memories
80	Midsummer SunbeamsMōningu Musume.		Summer love song, Morning Musume’s youth anthem
81	Stay closest to me.Daikoku Maki		Maki Ohguro’s classic hit for summer memories
82	You’re my sunshineAmuro Namie		A dance track by Namie Amuro that colors summer love
83	countrysideTamaki Kōji		Koji Tamaki’s masterpiece “Den-en” resonates with the heart.
84	Summer Night TownMōningu Musume.		Morning Musume’s early signature song “Summer Night.”
85	Mermaid of ReminiscenceTHE YELLOW MONKEY		THE YELLOW MONKEY Summer Love Rock
86	love the islandSuzuki Ami		Early J-pop hit songs by Ami Suzuki
87	Swaying FeelingsZARD		“Don’t Give Up” is a classic of youth, resonating in the heart
88	Shiny Daykawashima daria		Daria Kawashima’s re-debut single
89	I want to become the wind.THE BOOM		A samba song of love and hope that colors the summer
90	Summer Melancholy [time to say good-bye]L’Arc〜en〜Ciel		L'Arc's Summer of Depression is making headlines
91	Pure AsiaPUFFY		PUFFY's signature song, "Asia no Junshin," became a massive hit.
92	sunflowerNagabuchi Tsuyoshi		Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi’s life-affirming song that resonates with the heart