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	ONLY YOUYoshikawa Koji		Songs by Koji Kikkawa that resonate with the heart from the 1990s
2	MARIAMiyamoto Eiji		A refreshing classic that brightened the summers of the ’90s
3	The Sun Made Me Do It ~Misty Lady~Gō Hiromi		A passionate adult summer love melody
4	SUN SUN SUN ’95Urufuruzu		Passion of summer, a hot rock 'n' roll song
5	An Uncompromising SummerTUBE		A refreshing summer love song, a classic by TUBE
6	Dance with MemoriesYoshikawa Koji		Kōji Kikkawa’s passionate memories of a summer romance
7	I love the you who never gives up.Kanno Miho		A song that supports people who don't give up on their dreams
8	Baby BabyYoshikawa Koji		Feel energized with Kōji Kikkawa's upbeat songs
9	Summertime BluesWatanabe Misato		A bittersweet summer classic, Misato Watanabe’s signature song
10	If I ever meet you somedayNakae Yuri		Melancholic melodies and bittersweet memories of love
11	I won’t forget that summerMorikawa Miho		Miho Morikawa’s classic that sings of the end of summer
12	Your freedomMurata Kazuhito		I feel freedom and strength in Kazuhito Murata’s refreshing songs.
13	EveOkui Masami		A heartfelt song that resonates at summer’s end
14	vacationNORMA JEAN		A Hawaiian song that portrays a bittersweet summer journey of love
15	Dear My FriendsNagayama Miho		A song whose warm message to a friend resonates in the heart
16	Heart-Pounding Summer DaysHikaru GENJI		Expressing summer love and the brilliance of youth
17	POSTMANYoshikawa Koji		Kōji Kikkawa’s passionate rock number that kindles hope
18	anemoneMOON CHILD		MOON, which refreshingly captures the youthful spirit of summer...
19	ENDLESS SUMMER NUDEMagokoro Burazāzu		The Magokoro Brothers vividly captured the summer of youth…
20	Only You ~Summer Heartbreak~Sazan Ōrusutāzu		A 1995 heartbreak ballad, a famous song by Keisuke Kuwata
21	SquallMatsumoto Eiko		Summer love, Eiko Matsumoto’s poignant classic
22	HOT LIMITT.M.Revolution		T.M.Revolution's signature summer song
23	Goodbye, Summer DaysYamashita Tatsuro		Tatsuro Yamashita’s youth ballad 'Niji' (Rainbow)
24	Summer NudeMagokoro Burazāzu		Magokoro Brothers’ refreshing summer hit song
25	GOING GOING HOMEH Jungle with T		Summer song of H Jungle with t
26	Island SongTHE BOOM		THE BOOM’s classic song “Shima Uta,” singing the soul of Okinawa
27	Summer Days of 1993class		A famous song known for the summer tune “Close Your Eyes.”
28	Summer DayMoritaka Chisato		Singing about a summer day of Chisato Moritaka, memories of love, and feelings
29	Midsummer MiracleTHE BOOM		A masterpiece that fuses Okinawan music and ska
30	OverDriveJUDY AND MARY		A classic JUDY AND MARY song that feels like a blue sky
31	blue carsupittsu		Spitz’s heartwarming love song, “To the Future”
32	Cold KissICE BOX		ICE BOX, a collaborative music unit for frozen desserts by Morinaga Confectionery
33	Midsummer FruitSazan Ōrusutāzu		Introduce Southern All Stars’ classic song “Manatsu no Kajitsu” (Summer Fruit)
34	HIGH PRESSURET.M.Revolution		Now also known as a stoic, muscular character...
35	Easy★RiderOkuda Tamio		A refreshing summer travel song by Tamio Okuda
36	summer festivalJITTERIN’JINN		Fleeting, bittersweet memories and music of the summer festival
37	Yes, SummerdaysGLAY		GLAY’s iconic summer anthem representing the 1990s
38	Eternal, unchanging loveOda Tetsurō		Pocari commercial song, a refreshing love song
39	I can’t wait for summerTUBE		Ask anyone about the artist who represents summer, and everyone will…
40	ForeverSorimachi Takashi with Ricchī Sanbora		Gackt Sorimachi’s classic that makes you feel the end of summer
41	Et cetera related to the seashorePUFFY		The 1990s female duo Puffy’s classic summer song
42	Sun’s Komachi AngelB’z		B’z’s blazing summer classic with a powerful impact!
43	Don’t avert your eyes.DEEN		DEEN's 'Hitomi Sorasanaide' is a classic song from the '90s.
44	White kiteMy Little Lover		The classic song “My Lover” that colors summer memories
45	SEASON of the SunAmuro Namie		Namie Amuro’s refreshing debut song
46	Summer has come!Watanabe Misato		Misato Watanabe’s summer song is passionate and refreshing.
47	Swaying feelingsZARD		The charm of “Makenaide” and Izumi Sakai’s singing voice
48	fireworksaiko		A bittersweet summer romance painted in a song of fireworks
49	Can’t Say Anything… SummerTHE JAYWALK		A moving masterpiece of 90s signature summer songs
50	Nagisasupittsu		Spitz’s summer song “Maboroshi no Natsu” is a masterpiece.
51	Body & SoulSPEED		A dance group that made a splash with their youth at the time of their debut
52	Barefoot GoddessB’z		B’z’s summer classic “Hadashi no Megami” (Barefoot Goddess)
53	Sunny Day SundaySENTIMENTAL:BUS		A pop anthem that colors sports and summer
54	Summer Colorsyuzu		Yuzu’s summer song, a classic that colors the Japanese summer
55	Summer is comingDaikoku Maki		Maki Daikoku’s passionate singing and empathy
56	Open your heartZARD		The hit of the summer classic song “Makenaide”
57	I love it!Hirosue Ryōko		Ryoko Hirosue’s popular songs are perfect as summer BGM.
58	July 7, sunnyDREAMS COME TRUE		A bittersweet love story that sings of Tanabata wishes
59	Jet Coaster RomanceKinKi Kids		A classic hit by KinKi Kids, a staple summer song.
60	Sweet EmotionAikawa Nanase		Nanase Aikawa’s “Sweet Emotion” is fire.
61	Shiny Daykawashima daria		Released in 1991, Daria Kawashima’s…
62	Those summer fireworksDREAMS COME TRUE		90s hit songs, classic tracks that color the memories of summer
63	Seesaw Game: A Brave Love SongMr.Children		Mr. Children 'The Summer You Were There,' a classic that colors the summer
64	Ah, summer vacation.TUBE		TUBE’s summer song “Ah, Summer Vacation”
65	Summer ResolutionŌe Senri		Summer Memories and Songs of Youth
66	Like when we first metEvery Little Thing		It evokes a cute singing voice with a rock flavor…
67	suddenlyFIELD OF VIEW		Classic summer hit songs from the Being label
68	Kujira No. 12JUDY AND MARY		Even after their breakup in 2001, people still hope for a reunion...
69	Midnight SunKubota Toshinobu		Summer song by Toshinobu Kubota: Track included on 'Neptune'
70	FlowerKinKi Kids		KinKi Kids’ summer classic “Flower”
71	Let’s dance in a circle (Wasshoi)V6		V6’s signature song “Let’s Form a Circle and Dance.”
72	Stay closest to me.Daikoku Maki		Maki Ohguro’s classic hit for summer memories
73	Swaying FeelingsZARD		“Don’t Give Up” is a classic of youth, resonating in the heart
74	The Summer When You Were ThereMr.Children		An early song by the million-selling band Mr.Children
75	A Midsummer Night’s DreamMatsutōya Yumi		Yuming’s passionate summer song “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”
76	survival dAnce 〜no no cry more〜TRF		Tetsuya Komuro and TRF represent 1990s J-pop.
77	For the momentEvery Little Thing		ELT’s popular single “For the moment”
78	Love in AugustMoritaka Chisato		Chisato Moritaka’s classic song that evokes a summer farewell
79	Mermaid of ReminiscenceTHE YELLOW MONKEY		A look that evokes influences from glam rock...
80	Embracing SummerTUBE		TUBE's iconic summer song, Love and Summer Memories
81	Like tonight’s moonElefanto Kashimashi		Elekashi’s classic song “Like Tonight’s Moon” resonates deeply in my heart.
82	Sparkling right in the middle, ChuPokemon Kizzu, Okido Hakase (+ Pikachu)		A nostalgic anime song that sings of summer memories
83	Midsummer SunbeamsMōningu Musume.		Summer love song, Morning Musume’s youth anthem
84	WingChinen Rina		Rina Chinen’s signature song “Wing” is refreshing.
85	I want to become the wind.THE BOOM		A samba song of love and hope that colors the summer
86	You’re my sunshineAmuro Namie		A dance track by Namie Amuro that colors summer love
87	countrysideTamaki Kōji		Koji Tamaki’s masterpiece “Den-en” resonates with the heart.
88	Summer Night TownMōningu Musume.		Morning Musume’s early signature song “Summer Night.”
89	love the islandSuzuki Ami		Early J-pop hit songs by Ami Suzuki
90	Summer Melancholy [time to say good-bye]L’Arc〜en〜Ciel		L’Arc〜en〜Ciel’s summer masterpiece, moving and emotional
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