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!
Playlist
| Heisei-era masterpieces. Hit songs that represent the Heisei period. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1 | LOVE MachineMōningu Musume. | play_arrow | Morning Musume’s “Love Machine” is a big hit. |
| 2 | Heavy rotationAKB48 | play_arrow | AKB48 dominates Heisei-era idol music |
| 3 | LOVE LOVE LOVEDREAMS COME TRUE | play_arrow | A masterpiece that portrays the heart of love, a timeless classic across generations |
| 4 | to youMONGOL800 | play_arrow | A classic youth anthem by MONGOL800 that resonates with the heart |
| 5 | Lion HeartSMAP | play_arrow | SMAP’s “LION,” a classic that sings of the resolve to protect love. |
| 6 | PRIDEImai Miki | play_arrow | Miki Imai’s ballad of love and independence |
| 7 | SaraiKayama Yūzō & Tanimura Shinji | play_arrow | 24-Hour TV theme song, so moving |
| 8 | Silent EveKarashima Midori | play_arrow | Midori Karashima’s “Silent Eve” is a classic winter song. |
| 9 | Roco LotionORANGE RANGE | play_arrow | Pioneer of Japanese dance music |
| 10 | Don’t give upZARD | play_arrow | “Makenaide” is the cheer song of the Heisei era. |
| 11 | Just by you being herekome kome CLUB | play_arrow | Kome Kome Club’s funk spirit is alive and well. |
| 12 | Marigoldaimyon | play_arrow | The songstress of the late Heisei era, delivering dreams and hope. |
| 13 | AutomaticUtada Hikaru | play_arrow | Hikaru Utada, a revolutionary figure in Heisei-era music |
| 14 | My Past Life, Many Lifetimes AgoRADWIMPS | play_arrow | RADWIMPS 'Zenzenzense' smash hit song |
| 15 | MHamasaki Ayumi | play_arrow | Ayumi Hamasaki is an iconic figure of Heisei-era music. |
| 16 | The One and Only Flower in the WorldSMAP | play_arrow | A signature Heisei-era masterpiece: 'The One and Only Flower in the World' |
| 17 | Love SongGReeeeN | play_arrow | The appeal of GReeeeN, who compete using only their music |
| 18 | AdventurersDo As Infinity | play_arrow | Facing forward, the courage to step into the unknown world |
| 19 | Et cetera related to the seashorePUFFY | play_arrow | PUFFY, created by Yosui Inoue and Tamio Okuda |
| 20 | TOMORROWMayo Okamoto | play_arrow | A cheer song that inspires hope and strength for tomorrow |
| 21 | LemonYonezu Kenshi | play_arrow | Kenshi Yonezu: From a Heisei-era Vocaloid creator to a genius of the music world |
| 22 | youthful daysMr.Children | play_arrow | The appeal and emotion of a masterpiece brimming with a sense of speed |
| 23 | Get fired upDaikoku Maki | play_arrow | Moved by the Olympic theme song |
| 24 | Feeling great!!mihimaru GT | play_arrow | A must-listen hype song for Heisei-era gals |
| 25 | ButterflyKōda Kumi | play_arrow | Kumi Koda’s classic that celebrates women’s beauty and freedom |
| 26 | No way to sayHamasaki Ayumi | play_arrow | Ayumi Hamasaki’s 31st single |
| 27 | Point of No ReturnCHEMISTRY | play_arrow | A striking debut after three months, a classic by CHEMISTRY |
| 28 | You Go Your WayCHEMISTRY | play_arrow | A moving ballad of chemistry (CHEMISTRY) |
| 29 | deep forestDo As Infinity | play_arrow | Do As Infinity’s classic song “Fukai Mori” |
| 30 | Flower -Memento Mori-Mr.Children | play_arrow | Mr.Children’s moving masterpiece—a song that cheers you on in life |
| 31 | Can’t Stop Fallin’in Loveglobe | play_arrow | A classic hit by globe that depicts a poignant winter romance |
| 32 | Paradoxw-inds. | play_arrow | A signature youthful dance song by w-inds. |
| 33 | Nagisasupittsu | play_arrow | A poignant classic that colors the end of summer |
| 34 | STARSNakajima Mika | play_arrow | Mika Nakashima’s shocking debut single |
| 35 | FINAL DISTANCEUtada Hikaru | play_arrow | Utada: a requiem prayer and a bittersweet longing |
| 36 | Papillon ~papillon~Shimatani Hitomi | play_arrow | Hitomi Shimatani's hit single, Soar to the World |
| 37 | A Lonely ToothbrushSakuraba Yuuichirou | play_arrow | Tomoya Nagase’s poignant heartbreak song: feelings imbued in a toothbrush |
| 38 | DearestHamasaki Ayumi | play_arrow | The appeal of Ayumi Hamasaki’s classic song “Seasons” |
| 39 | I’m here saying nothingYaita Hitomi | play_arrow | Yaiko’s classic: a fusion of acoustic guitar and trad |
| 40 | save your dreamKahara Tomomi | play_arrow | In the 1990s, Tomomi Kahala had a huge hit under Komuro’s production. |
| 41 | Body And SoulSPEED | play_arrow | Heisei-era youth captivated by the charm of SPEED |
| 42 | beetle (specifically, a rhinoceros beetle)aiko | play_arrow | Moved by aiko’s achievements—she’s a singer who represents both the Heisei and Reiwa eras. |
| 43 | loveHoshino Gen | play_arrow | Gen Hoshino is a multi-talented creator, making great strides in music. |
| 44 | YAH YAH YAHCHAGE and ASKA | play_arrow | Chage and Aska’s classic hit remains popular. |
| 45 | CAN YOU CELEBRATE?Amuro Namie | ![]() | The appeal of Namie Amuro, an icon of the Heisei era |
| 46 | U.S.A.DA PUMP | play_arrow | DA PUMP's smash hit song “U.S.A.” |
| 47 | cherry (sweet cherry; cherry fruit)Otsuka Ai | play_arrow | Ai Otsuka’s 2nd single, a song depicting romantic love. |
| 48 | User ManualNishino Kana | play_arrow | Kana Nishino’s theme song—a track inspired by an instruction manual. |
| 49 | stepsGReeeeN | play_arrow | An inspiring song that supports the courage to pursue your dreams |
| 50 | May it be filled with kindnessJUJU | play_arrow | A classic song that sings of gratitude and love for a cherished person |
| 51 | rainbowyuzu | play_arrow | An inspiring masterpiece that delivers hope and courage |
| 52 | rainbowKobukuro | play_arrow | Bridge of hope: an air journey that connects people |
| 53 | Golden Time LoverSukima Suichi | play_arrow | Anime theme songs by Sukima Switch |
| 54 | Love ForeverKatō Miriya × Shimizu Shōta | play_arrow | A bittersweet love song by Miliyah Kato and Shota Shimizu |
| 55 | Everythingarashi | play_arrow | A classic summer hit by Arashi, a song that paints a picture of hope |
| 56 | My Girlarashi | play_arrow | The heartwarming theme song of My Girl's Arashi |
| 57 | First LoveFukuyama Masaharu | play_arrow | Masaharu Fukuyama’s 25th single “Hatsukoi” (“First Love”) |
| 58 | If I sing to the sky175R | play_arrow | A moving youth anthem by 175R that resonates nationwide |
| 59 | HEROMr.Children | play_arrow | Mr.Children's moving cheer song |
| 60 | MelissaPorunogurafiti | play_arrow | Pornograffitti's signature song 'Again' |
| 61 | Precious thingsroodo obu mejyaa | play_arrow | A punk song that depicts the bonds with friends and youthful days |
| 62 | sympathetic tearsHitoto Yo | play_arrow | Hitoto Yo’s debut song, a masterpiece that portrays emotion |
| 63 | Snow BlossomNakajima Mika | play_arrow | Mika Nakashima’s winter classic “Yuki no Hana” |
| 64 | ETERNAL WIND ~A Smile in the Shining Wind~Moriguchi Hiroko | play_arrow | Hiroko Moriguchi’s Gundam theme song wishing for peace |
| 65 | Legendary GirlMizuki Arisa | play_arrow | Ami Ozaki’s debut song is a big hit. |
| 66 | 366 daysHY | play_arrow | Theme song of HY’s film “Red Thread” |
| 67 | A Little Love SongMONGOL800 | play_arrow | A moving song about feelings for someone special |
| 68 | TSUNAMISazan Ōrusutāzu | play_arrow | A timeless, heart-touching masterpiece by Southern All Stars |
| 69 | dogwood (flowering dogwood)Hitoto Yo | play_arrow | Yo Hitoto’s “Hanamizuki,” a prayer song for peace and love |
| 70 | cherry blossomMoriyama Naotaro | play_arrow | Iconic songs of parting and new beginnings in the cherry blossom season |
| 71 | SakurazakaFukuyama Masaharu | play_arrow | The pain of heartbreak and the bittersweet feelings of cherry blossom season |
| 72 | One Lovearashi | play_arrow | A moving song filled with a stormy vow of love |
| 73 | One million “I love you”sRake | play_arrow | An inspiring classic that sings of great love |
| 74 | VenusTakkī & Tsubasa | play_arrow | A signature dance track by Tackey & Tsubasa |
| 75 | HappinessAI | play_arrow | A heart-touching song from an AI that delivers happiness |
| 76 | Everyday, KachushaAKB48 | play_arrow | An AKB48 song that accompanies summer memories |
| 77 | Labyrinth Love Songarashi | play_arrow | Arashi’s theme song: the intersection of mystery-solving and love |
| 78 | Osaka LoverDREAMS COME TRUE | play_arrow | The exhilaration of a long-distance relationship and the anticipation of reunion |
| 79 | road; way; path; street; route; Tao (in philosophy)EXILE | play_arrow | A moving ballad that accompanies the graduation season. |
| 80 | Flavor Of LifeUtada Hikaru | play_arrow | A masterpiece whose words of gratitude heighten the sense of poignancy |
| 81 | Baby Don’t CryAmuro Namie | play_arrow | A song by Namie Amuro that encourages me |
| 82 | Happinessarashi | play_arrow | A powerful message song by Arashi—its uplifting vocals give your heart a push forward. |
| 83 | water lily blossomShonan no Kaze | play_arrow | Shonan no Kaze’s passionate summer music, singing of hope |
| 84 | StoryAI | play_arrow | AI's masterpiece: a voice that resonates with the heart |
| 85 | MiracleGReeeeN | play_arrow | A youth anthem that traces miracles and footsteps |
| 86 | WOW WAR TONIGHT ~Sometimes You Gotta Make a MovementH Jungle with T | play_arrow | Hamada and Komuro’s hit song throws a stone into everyday life |
| 87 | FlowerORANGE RANGE | play_arrow | A heart-touching ballad by ORANGE RANGE |
| 88 | cherry blossomKetsumeishi | play_arrow | A poignant masterpiece themed around cherry blossoms, depicting memory and a sense of loss |
| 89 | budKobukuro | play_arrow | A moving ballad filled with feelings for my mother |
| 90 | powder snowRemioromen | play_arrow | Love in the snow, a timeless masterpiece filled with aching feelings |
| 91 | Youthful AmigoShūji to Akira | play_arrow | The passionate bond of youth songs by Shuji and Akira |
| 92 | Tree of WadatsumiHajime Chitose | play_arrow | Chitose Hajime’s groundbreaking Amami folk debut song |
| 93 | Can You Keep A Secret?Utada Hikaru | play_arrow | Utada Hikaru’s classic song “First Love” |
| 94 | Close your eyesHirai Ken | play_arrow | Ken Hirai's soul-stirring love song |
| 95 | Pure Love SongShonan no Kaze | play_arrow | A Clumsy Love Story by Shonan no Kaze |
| 96 | Becoming a Thousand WindsAkiyama Masashi | play_arrow | The classic singer Akikawa’s famous song |
| 97 | crescent moonayaka | play_arrow | A masterpiece that sings of the poignant feelings of a long-distance romance |
| 98 | I’ll be by your side.Aoyama Teruma ft. SoulJa | play_arrow | A classic by Thelma Aoyama that captures the loneliness of a long-distance relationship. |
| 99 | Love so sweetarashi | play_arrow | Arashi’s “Love so sweet,” a classic anthem of youth |
| 100 | HOTEL PACIFICSazan Ōrusutāzu | play_arrow | Southern's iconic summer song echoes on the beach |


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