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Lovely hit song

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_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1LOVE MachineMōningu Musume.
LOVE MachineMōningu Musume.play_arrow
Morning Musume’s “Love Machine” is a big hit.
2Heavy rotationAKB48
Heavy rotationAKB48play_arrow
AKB48 dominates Heisei-era idol music
3LOVE LOVE LOVEDREAMS COME TRUE
LOVE LOVE LOVEDREAMS COME TRUEplay_arrow
A masterpiece that portrays the heart of love, a timeless classic across generations
4to youMONGOL800
to youMONGOL800play_arrow
A classic youth anthem by MONGOL800 that resonates with the heart
5Lion HeartSMAP
Lion HeartSMAPplay_arrow
SMAP’s “LION,” a classic that sings of the resolve to protect love.
6PRIDEImai Miki
PRIDEImai Mikiplay_arrow
Miki Imai’s ballad of love and independence
7SaraiKayama Yūzō & Tanimura Shinji
SaraiKayama Yūzō & Tanimura Shinjiplay_arrow
24-Hour TV theme song, so moving
8Silent EveKarashima Midori
Silent EveKarashima Midoriplay_arrow
Midori Karashima’s “Silent Eve” is a classic winter song.
9Roco LotionORANGE RANGE
Roco LotionORANGE RANGEplay_arrow
Pioneer of Japanese dance music
10Don’t give upZARD
Don't give upZARDplay_arrow
“Makenaide” is the cheer song of the Heisei era.
11Just by you being herekome kome CLUB
Just by you being herekome kome CLUBplay_arrow
Kome Kome Club’s funk spirit is alive and well.
12Marigoldaimyon
Marigoldaimyonplay_arrow
The songstress of the late Heisei era, delivering dreams and hope.
13AutomaticUtada Hikaru
AutomaticUtada Hikaruplay_arrow
Hikaru Utada, a revolutionary figure in Heisei-era music
14My Past Life, Many Lifetimes AgoRADWIMPS
My Past Life, Many Lifetimes AgoRADWIMPSplay_arrow
RADWIMPS 'Zenzenzense' smash hit song
15MHamasaki Ayumi
MHamasaki Ayumiplay_arrow
Ayumi Hamasaki is an iconic figure of Heisei-era music.
16The One and Only Flower in the WorldSMAP
The One and Only Flower in the WorldSMAPplay_arrow
A signature Heisei-era masterpiece: 'The One and Only Flower in the World'
17Love SongGReeeeN
Love SongGReeeeNplay_arrow
The appeal of GReeeeN, who compete using only their music
18AdventurersDo As Infinity
AdventurersDo As Infinityplay_arrow
Facing forward, the courage to step into the unknown world
19Et cetera related to the seashorePUFFY
Et cetera related to the seashorePUFFYplay_arrow
PUFFY, created by Yosui Inoue and Tamio Okuda
20TOMORROWMayo Okamoto
TOMORROW Mayuo Okamotoplay_arrow
A cheer song that inspires hope and strength for tomorrow
21LemonYonezu Kenshi
LemonYonezu Kenshiplay_arrow
Kenshi Yonezu: From a Heisei-era Vocaloid creator to a genius of the music world
22youthful daysMr.Children
youthful daysMr.Childrenplay_arrow
The appeal and emotion of a masterpiece brimming with a sense of speed
23Get fired upDaikoku Maki
Get fired upDaikoku Makiplay_arrow
Moved by the Olympic theme song
24Feeling great!!mihimaru GT
Feeling great!!mihimaru GTplay_arrow
A must-listen hype song for Heisei-era gals
25ButterflyKōda Kumi
ButterflyKōda Kumiplay_arrow
Kumi Koda’s classic that celebrates women’s beauty and freedom
26No way to sayHamasaki Ayumi
No way to sayHamasaki Ayumiplay_arrow
Ayumi Hamasaki’s 31st single
27Point of No ReturnCHEMISTRY
Point of No ReturnCHEMISTRYplay_arrow
A striking debut after three months, a classic by CHEMISTRY
28You Go Your WayCHEMISTRY
You Go Your WayCHEMISTRYplay_arrow
A moving ballad of chemistry (CHEMISTRY)
29deep forestDo As Infinity
deep forestDo As Infinityplay_arrow
Do As Infinity’s classic song “Fukai Mori”
30Flower -Memento Mori-Mr.Children
Flower -Memento Mori-Mr.Childrenplay_arrow
Mr.Children’s moving masterpiece—a song that cheers you on in life
31Can’t Stop Fallin’in Loveglobe
Can't Stop Fallin'in Loveglobeplay_arrow
A classic hit by globe that depicts a poignant winter romance
32Paradoxw-inds.
Paradoxw-inds.play_arrow
A signature youthful dance song by w-inds.
33Nagisasupittsu
Nagisasupittsuplay_arrow
A poignant classic that colors the end of summer
34STARSNakajima Mika
STARSNakajima Mikaplay_arrow
Mika Nakashima’s shocking debut single
35FINAL DISTANCEUtada Hikaru
FINAL DISTANCEUtada Hikaruplay_arrow
Utada: a requiem prayer and a bittersweet longing
36Papillon ~papillon~Shimatani Hitomi
Papillon ~papillon~Shimatani Hitomiplay_arrow
Hitomi Shimatani's hit single, Soar to the World
37A Lonely ToothbrushSakuraba Yuuichirou
A Lonely ToothbrushSakuraba Yuuichirouplay_arrow
Tomoya Nagase’s poignant heartbreak song: feelings imbued in a toothbrush
38DearestHamasaki Ayumi
DearestHamasaki Ayumiplay_arrow
The appeal of Ayumi Hamasaki’s classic song “Seasons”
39I’m here saying nothingYaita Hitomi
I'm here saying nothingYaita Hitomiplay_arrow
Yaiko’s classic: a fusion of acoustic guitar and trad
40save your dreamKahara Tomomi
save your dreamKahara Tomomiplay_arrow
In the 1990s, Tomomi Kahala had a huge hit under Komuro’s production.
41Body And SoulSPEED
Body And SoulSPEEDplay_arrow
Heisei-era youth captivated by the charm of SPEED
42beetle (specifically, a rhinoceros beetle)aiko
beetle (specifically, a rhinoceros beetle)aikoplay_arrow
Moved by aiko’s achievements—she’s a singer who represents both the Heisei and Reiwa eras.
43loveHoshino Gen
loveHoshino Genplay_arrow
Gen Hoshino is a multi-talented creator, making great strides in music.
44YAH YAH YAHCHAGE and ASKA
YAH YAH YAHCHAGE and ASKAplay_arrow
Chage and Aska’s classic hit remains popular.
45CAN YOU CELEBRATE?Amuro Namie
CAN YOU CELEBRATE?Amuro Namie
The appeal of Namie Amuro, an icon of the Heisei era
46U.S.A.DA PUMP
U.S.A.DA PUMPplay_arrow
DA PUMP's smash hit song “U.S.A.”
47cherry (sweet cherry; cherry fruit)Otsuka Ai
cherry (sweet cherry; cherry fruit)Otsuka Aiplay_arrow
Ai Otsuka’s 2nd single, a song depicting romantic love.
48User ManualNishino Kana
User ManualNishino Kanaplay_arrow
Kana Nishino’s theme song—a track inspired by an instruction manual.
49stepsGReeeeN
stepsGReeeeNplay_arrow
An inspiring song that supports the courage to pursue your dreams
50May it be filled with kindnessJUJU
May it be filled with kindnessJUJUplay_arrow
A classic song that sings of gratitude and love for a cherished person
51rainbowyuzu
rainbowyuzuplay_arrow
An inspiring masterpiece that delivers hope and courage
52rainbowKobukuro
rainbowKobukuroplay_arrow
Bridge of hope: an air journey that connects people
53Golden Time LoverSukima Suichi
Golden Time LoverSukima Suichiplay_arrow
Anime theme songs by Sukima Switch
54Love ForeverKatō Miriya × Shimizu Shōta
Love ForeverKatō Miriya × Shimizu Shōtaplay_arrow
A bittersweet love song by Miliyah Kato and Shota Shimizu
55Everythingarashi
Everythingarashiplay_arrow
A classic summer hit by Arashi, a song that paints a picture of hope
56My Girlarashi
My Girlarashiplay_arrow
The heartwarming theme song of My Girl's Arashi
57First LoveFukuyama Masaharu
First LoveFukuyama Masaharuplay_arrow
Masaharu Fukuyama’s 25th single “Hatsukoi” (“First Love”)
58If I sing to the sky175R
If I sing to the sky175Rplay_arrow
A moving youth anthem by 175R that resonates nationwide
59HEROMr.Children
HEROMr.Childrenplay_arrow
Mr.Children's moving cheer song
60MelissaPorunogurafiti
MelissaPorunogurafitiplay_arrow
Pornograffitti's signature song 'Again'
61Precious thingsroodo obu mejyaa
Precious thingsroodo obu mejyaaplay_arrow
A punk song that depicts the bonds with friends and youthful days
62sympathetic tearsHitoto Yo
sympathetic tearsHitoto Yoplay_arrow
Hitoto Yo’s debut song, a masterpiece that portrays emotion
63Snow BlossomNakajima Mika
Snow BlossomNakajima Mikaplay_arrow
Mika Nakashima’s winter classic “Yuki no Hana”
64ETERNAL WIND ~A Smile in the Shining Wind~Moriguchi Hiroko
ETERNAL WIND ~A Smile in the Shining Wind~Moriguchi Hirokoplay_arrow
Hiroko Moriguchi’s Gundam theme song wishing for peace
65Legendary GirlMizuki Arisa
Legendary GirlMizuki Arisaplay_arrow
Ami Ozaki’s debut song is a big hit.
66366 daysHY
366 daysHYplay_arrow
Theme song of HY’s film “Red Thread”
67A Little Love SongMONGOL800
A Little Love SongMONGOL800play_arrow
A moving song about feelings for someone special
68TSUNAMISazan Ōrusutāzu
TSUNAMISazan Ōrusutāzuplay_arrow
A timeless, heart-touching masterpiece by Southern All Stars
69dogwood (flowering dogwood)Hitoto Yo
dogwood (flowering dogwood)Hitoto Yoplay_arrow
Yo Hitoto’s “Hanamizuki,” a prayer song for peace and love
70cherry blossomMoriyama Naotaro
cherry blossomMoriyama Naotaroplay_arrow
Iconic songs of parting and new beginnings in the cherry blossom season
71SakurazakaFukuyama Masaharu
SakurazakaFukuyama Masaharuplay_arrow
The pain of heartbreak and the bittersweet feelings of cherry blossom season
72One Lovearashi
One Lovearashiplay_arrow
A moving song filled with a stormy vow of love
73One million “I love you”sRake
One million “I love you”sRakeplay_arrow
An inspiring classic that sings of great love
74VenusTakkī & Tsubasa
VenusTakkī & Tsubasaplay_arrow
A signature dance track by Tackey & Tsubasa
75HappinessAI
HappinessAIplay_arrow
A heart-touching song from an AI that delivers happiness
76Everyday, KachushaAKB48
Everyday, KachushaAKB48play_arrow
An AKB48 song that accompanies summer memories
77Labyrinth Love Songarashi
Labyrinth Love Songarashiplay_arrow
Arashi’s theme song: the intersection of mystery-solving and love
78Osaka LoverDREAMS COME TRUE
Osaka LoverDREAMS COME TRUEplay_arrow
The exhilaration of a long-distance relationship and the anticipation of reunion
79road; way; path; street; route; Tao (in philosophy)EXILE
road; way; path; street; route; Tao (in philosophy)EXILEplay_arrow
A moving ballad that accompanies the graduation season.
80Flavor Of LifeUtada Hikaru
Flavor Of LifeUtada Hikaruplay_arrow
A masterpiece whose words of gratitude heighten the sense of poignancy
81Baby Don’t CryAmuro Namie
Baby Don't CryAmuro Namieplay_arrow
A song by Namie Amuro that encourages me
82Happinessarashi
Happinessarashiplay_arrow
A powerful message song by Arashi—its uplifting vocals give your heart a push forward.
83water lily blossomShonan no Kaze
water lily blossomShonan no Kazeplay_arrow
Shonan no Kaze’s passionate summer music, singing of hope
84StoryAI
StoryAIplay_arrow
AI's masterpiece: a voice that resonates with the heart
85MiracleGReeeeN
MiracleGReeeeNplay_arrow
A youth anthem that traces miracles and footsteps
86WOW WAR TONIGHT ~Sometimes You Gotta Make a MovementH Jungle with T
WOW WAR TONIGHT ~Sometimes You Gotta Make a MovementH Jungle with Tplay_arrow
Hamada and Komuro’s hit song throws a stone into everyday life
87FlowerORANGE RANGE
FlowerORANGE RANGEplay_arrow
A heart-touching ballad by ORANGE RANGE
88cherry blossomKetsumeishi
cherry blossomKetsumeishiplay_arrow
A poignant masterpiece themed around cherry blossoms, depicting memory and a sense of loss
89budKobukuro
budKobukuroplay_arrow
A moving ballad filled with feelings for my mother
90powder snowRemioromen
powder snowRemioromenplay_arrow
Love in the snow, a timeless masterpiece filled with aching feelings
91Youthful AmigoShūji to Akira
Youthful AmigoShūji to Akiraplay_arrow
The passionate bond of youth songs by Shuji and Akira
92Tree of WadatsumiHajime Chitose
Tree of WadatsumiHajime Chitoseplay_arrow
Chitose Hajime’s groundbreaking Amami folk debut song
93Can You Keep A Secret?Utada Hikaru
Can You Keep A Secret?Utada Hikaruplay_arrow
Utada Hikaru’s classic song “First Love”
94Close your eyesHirai Ken
Close your eyesHirai Kenplay_arrow
Ken Hirai's soul-stirring love song
95Pure Love SongShonan no Kaze
Pure Love SongShonan no Kazeplay_arrow
A Clumsy Love Story by Shonan no Kaze
96Becoming a Thousand WindsAkiyama Masashi
Becoming a Thousand WindsAkiyama Masashiplay_arrow
The classic singer Akikawa’s famous song
97crescent moonayaka
crescent moonayakaplay_arrow
A masterpiece that sings of the poignant feelings of a long-distance romance
98I’ll be by your side.Aoyama Teruma ft. SoulJa
I'll be by your side.Aoyama Teruma ft. SoulJaplay_arrow
A classic by Thelma Aoyama that captures the loneliness of a long-distance relationship.
99Love so sweetarashi
Love so sweetarashiplay_arrow
Arashi’s “Love so sweet,” a classic anthem of youth
100HOTEL PACIFICSazan Ōrusutāzu
HOTEL PACIFICSazan Ōrusutāzuplay_arrow
Southern's iconic summer song echoes on the beach