“SAY YES,” “Tomorrow never knows,” and “Nani mo Ienakute… Natsu”—
The youth songs of the ’90s hold treasured memories hidden in everyone’s heart.
The bittersweet love of CHAGE and ASKA, the hope for the future from Mr.Children, the summertime melancholy of THE JAYWALK.
It’s as if we’ve boarded a time machine, and those shining memories of back then come flooding back.
Shall we look back on that page of youth engraved in our hearts, together with those nostalgic songs?
Ah.
- Classic and hit J-pop songs from the nostalgic ’90s
- An anthem for your 30s. Beloved and popular songs that are both heart-pumping and heart-fluttering.
- Ranking of Popular Songs by Japanese Male Singers from the 1990s [2026]
- Tear-jerking J-pop from the ’90s. Hit songs and real tearjerkers.
- Classic and hit songs by nostalgic Japanese bands from the 1990s
- Coming-of-age songs for your 50s: heart-thumping × heartwarming classics and popular tracks [2026]
- [Heisei Retro] Hit Japanese songs that defined the 1990s. Recommended J-POP classics.
- Songs popular among men in their 40s. Timeless classics that bring back memories.
- Iconic ballads of 90s J-pop: nostalgic mega-hits and fan favorites
- [Hit Songs of the 1990s] The Best Uplifting J-Pop Hits!
- A youth song with great lyrics. A lovely message that stays with your heart.
- [J-Rock] Timeless masterpieces that colored the 1990s. Nostalgic hit songs.
- Relive those feelings from back in the day! Youth anthems recommended for the Yutori generation
Coming-of-age songs that were hits in the ’90s. Classic and popular J-pop tracks (1–10)
Tomorrow never knowsMr.Children
Theme song of the Fuji TV drama “Wakamono no Subete” (All About Young People).
During those anxious youth years when you don’t know how you’ll grow into an adult, I think this song served as a guidepost for many.
It’s a classic by Mr.Children that’s also frequently sung at karaoke.
Blown by the windElefanto Kashimashi
This is a coming-of-age song that portrays the premonition of parting and a turning point in life.
Hiroji Miyamoto of Elephant Kashimashi weaves his innermost feelings into lyrics that flow naturally.
Strikingly using the contrast between the sun and the moon to depict a journey of departure that stretches on forever, this work was released as a single in November 1997.
Selected from the album “Run Toward Tomorrow – Moonlit Songs,” it also became a memorable piece as the theme song for Glico Almond Chocolate’s commercial.
It’s a track you’ll want to listen to when you want to linger in the afterglow of a faint romance, when you’re about to take a new step forward, or when a touch of sentimentality finds its way into an ordinary day.
Don’t give upZARD
From children to adults, many people would say this is the song that gave them a push when it really mattered.
When they felt frustrated in club activities, when they had to buckle down and study—this song felt like it was right there beside them through those youthful days.
Until the world endsWANDS
It’s a classic from the ’90s brimming with longing and intensity.
Widely beloved as the ending theme for the anime SLAM DUNK, it holds a special place in fans’ memories.
It portrays a lonely protagonist in the big city reaffirming their bond with a loved one and wishing to stay together until the end of the world.
Its emotional atmosphere resonated deeply with the generation that was young at the time.
Listening to this song can bring back moments of youth and rekindle feelings you may have forgotten.
With a melody where passion and wistfulness intertwine, it remains a go-to choice for many at karaoke.
Looking back on the past and reflecting on your younger self isn’t a bad idea, either.
At all times.Makihara Noriyuki
I feel like youth is the time when we ask ourselves what it means to be true to who we are.
This song reminds me that it’s important to believe in yourself and keep moving forward anytime, anywhere.
I’m sure many people listened to this song in their youth and felt encouraged by it.
Summer Colorsyuzu
This is an ode to youth that vividly captures the image of young people speeding down a hill on their bicycles.
Released in 1998, this song brought a fresh breeze to the music scene as Yuzu’s major-label debut single.
Featuring the refreshing sound of acoustic guitars and the crisp harmonies of Yujin Kitagawa and Koji Iwasawa, it was included on the album “Yuzu Ikka” and later used in 2017 as the theme song for Lotte’s “Sou” commercial.
Its lyrics, filled with summer memories and the bittersweetness of first love, gently portray a moment of youth that everyone can relate to.
The song is still used as the approach melody at Keikyu Kami-Ōoka Station, and has become a seasonal fixture woven into the fabric of the city—a quintessential summer track.
It’s perfect for the time of year when the start of summer is in the air, or when you want to look back on memories with someone special.
Young PeopleSanīdēi Sābisu
A song whose gentle, sunlit vocals sink into the heart, paired with a beautiful, memorable melody.
It portrays the delicate emotions of adolescence—anxieties about growing up, inner conflict, and uncertainty about one’s true self—through small moments and everyday scenery.
The understated yet lingering vocals and the simple, deeply flavorful performance draw you into its world.
Released in April 1995 on Sunny Day Service’s major-label debut album “Wakamono-tachi” (Youths), it has long been cherished as one of the band’s signature works.
It’s especially recommended for quiet nights when you’re alone with your thoughts.
You may find that the unspoken feelings in your heart are gently embraced.