Heisei-era masterpieces. Hit songs that represent the Heisei period.
The Heisei era, which lasted 31 years from 1989 to 2019.
From the 1990s—the golden age of J-POP that began at the end of the Showa era—through the 2010s, when listening habits changed and new artists emerged one after another, countless hit songs were born!
In this article, we’ll introduce the classics that have been loved for many years as well as memorable hits from the later Heisei years—songs that colored the Heisei era.
It’s a wonderful playlist full of nostalgic tracks that will bring back memories just by listening.
Be sure to check out these masterpieces that should be passed down in the Reiwa era and beyond!
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- Emotional songs from the Heisei era. Nostalgic tracks that really hit you.
- Cool songs of the Heisei era. Hit tracks that energized the times.
- Songs from the Heisei retro era that will get any generation excited! Timeless tracks you’ll want to listen to now.
- [Heisei Love Songs] A carefully selected collection of gem-like love songs that continue to be cherished even in the Reiwa era!
- A Must-See for the Heisei Generation: Nostalgic Songs That Were Popular in the Heisei Era
- [Japanese Music] Masterpieces of 2000s Pop: A roundup of hit songs from 00s J-POP
- Old songs from the Showa to Heisei eras: a collection of timeless classics loved across generations
- [Heisei Songs] Classic hits from the Heisei era that are popular on Instagram Reels
- A revival hit driven by social media! Heisei-era masterpieces that are resonating with Gen Z today
- Heisei-era graduation songs roundup: iconic youth anthems from the ’90s to the 2010s
- Love songs that were hits in the 2000s. Classic and popular Japanese songs.
Masterpieces of the Heisei era. Hit songs representing the Heisei period (91–100)
Tree of WadatsumiHajime Chitose
This is the debut single by singer Chitose Hajime, who is also known as a uta-sha—a bearer of the traditional music of the Amami Islands.
With lyrics that tell the story of “a woman who, in loving someone so deeply, becomes a flower,” and an arrangement that strongly reflects the atmosphere of folk music, the song sent shockwaves through the J-pop scene at the time.
Released in February 2002, it reached No.
1 on the Oricon charts about two months after its debut.
The distinctive melodic inflections characteristic of Amami folk music and her mystical voice evoke the timeless melodies passed down in Japan since ancient times.
It is a truly one-of-a-kind masterpiece, perfect for immersing yourself in the grandeur of nature and the world of myth.
Can You Keep A Secret?Utada Hikaru
Should I keep hiding these feelings of “love” as they are, or what should I do? This song by Hikaru Utada skillfully portrays a thrilling emotional state reminiscent of the push-and-pull of romance.
Released in February 2001, it was used as the theme song for the smash-hit drama “HERO” starring Takuya Kimura.
The single became the first million-seller of the 21st century and was later included on the acclaimed album “Distance.” Set to an R&B-inflected groove, the lyrics depict a precarious sense of distance with someone sharing a secret, hinting at the depth of her talent even as a teenager at the time.
It resonates when you want to feel the fluttering excitement of new love or the bittersweet frustration of a slightly more grown-up romance.
Close your eyesHirai Ken
Singer-songwriter Ken Hirai captivates listeners with his deep, resonant voice.
This work poignantly yet purely sings of love—bearing the sense of loss after losing a loved one, yet being able to meet them in your heart whenever you close your eyes.
The lingering traces of absence in everyday life intersect with warm memories of the past, evoking a tightness in the chest.
Released in April 2004 as his 20th single, the song was written as the theme for the film “Crying Out Love, in the Center of the World” and became a million-selling smash hit.
It is a gem of a ballad that stirs the heart—perfect for nights when you want to immerse yourself in memories of someone precious or quietly let the tears fall.
Pure Love SongShonan no Kaze
This is one of Shonan no Kaze’s signature love songs, a heartfelt tale of a clumsy man’s unwavering devotion that really hits home.
Many people may have discovered them through this track.
From the everyday happiness of being moved by a lover’s home-cooked meal, to the small misunderstandings that create distance, and finally to the raw realization of one’s own immaturity and the renewed appreciation of the person who matters—this straightforward story resonates deeply.
Released in March 2006 as their fifth single, it achieved an astonishing 25 consecutive weeks at No.
1 on the Oricon karaoke chart.
Blending reggae’s fiery energy with a catchy pop melody, the song is perfect both as a dedication to someone special at a wedding and for belting out with friends at karaoke.
Becoming a Thousand WindsAkiyama Masashi
Masafumi Akikawa is a tenor who, while grounded in the classics, performs across genre boundaries.
This work is a number released as a single in May 2006.
Its universal message—that a loved one has not died, but has become part of the great natural world and is always nearby watching over us—resonates deeply through Akikawa’s majestic voice.
Originally included on the September 2005 album “Pomp and Circumstance,” the song gained widespread attention after his performance at the 2006 NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen, leading him to become the first classical singer in history to top the Oricon annual chart the following year.
The profound love carried by this piece gently envelops the sorrow of parting.
A one-of-a-kind, timeless masterpiece that defined the 2000s.
crescent moonayaka
Ayaka’s fourth single, released in September 2006.
A love ballad that captures the heartache of a long-distance relationship, it remains a beloved classic for many.
Even when apart, looking up at the same sky connects their hearts, and the resolve to keep moving forward despite loneliness deeply resonates with listeners.
It’s said the song reflects Ayaka’s own feelings when she moved to Tokyo, and that genuine emotion adds depth to her vocals.
It was featured in an au “LISMO” commercial and as a theme song for an NHK program, and it earned her the Best New Artist award at the 48th Japan Record Awards.
It’s a sentimental number you’ll want to listen to alone on nights when you can’t see someone dear to you.
I’ll be by your side.Aoyama Teruma ft. SoulJa
A single by Thelma Aoyama feat.
SoulJa, created as an answer song to hip-hop musician SoulJa’s single “Koko ni Iru yo feat.
Thelma Aoyama.” Released in January 2008, the song beautifully portrays the delicate emotions of a woman in a long-distance relationship—her loneliness from not being able to meet and the urge to run from her anxieties.
The arrangement layers Thelma Aoyama’s soulful vocals with SoulJa’s cool rap, making it a track you’ll want to sing with friends at karaoke.
It’s also known for being certified by Guinness World Records as the best-selling “Chaku-Uta Full” song in Japan at the time.
An emotional number that lets you fully relish Thelma Aoyama’s voice, now also a familiar presence on variety shows.