The Heisei era, which lasted from the late 1980s to the late 2010s, saw a vast number of songs released into the world.
Heisei could be called the golden age of J-POP, producing countless masterpieces, many of which remain popular today.
In this article, we’ll introduce a selection of nostalgic Heisei hits all at once.
We’ve focused mainly on tracks from the 1990s and 2000s, so you can either take your time revisiting them or liven things up by singing them at karaoke.
Now, let’s dive right in and look back at the iconic songs of the time.
- Heisei Song Collection: Iconic Hits That Colored the ’90s and 2000s
- Emotional songs from the Heisei era. Nostalgic tracks that really hit you.
- Songs from the Heisei retro era that will get any generation excited! Timeless tracks you’ll want to listen to now.
- A Must-See for the Heisei Generation: Nostalgic Songs That Were Popular in the Heisei Era
- Iconic ballads of 90s J-pop: nostalgic mega-hits and fan favorites
- [J-Rock] Timeless masterpieces that colored the 1990s. Nostalgic hit songs.
- Old songs from the Showa to Heisei eras: a collection of timeless classics loved across generations
- Popular Nostalgic Songs: J-Pop Ranking [1990s Japanese Music Ranking]
- Unrequited love songs of the Heisei era. Those nostalgic classic tunes.
- A roundup of hit love songs from the ’90s
- Just listening will surely move your heart! A moving song that represents the Heisei era.
- A beautiful melody soothes the heart… Heisei-era ballad hit songs
- Nothing but iconic hits that defined an era! 2000s classics popular on TikTok
Compilation of Heisei-era nostalgic hits: Let’s look back at classic songs from the 1990s to the 2000s (1–10)
LOVE MachineMōningu Musume.
At the time of its release, many people across the nation were singing and dancing to Morning Musume’s 1999 hit “LOVE Machine.” It held the No.
1 spot on karaoke charts for 17 consecutive weeks and became a million-selling single.
The song has been featured widely in commercials and variety shows, and it continues to be cherished and performed not only by current members but also by former members.
Above all, its catchy melody—easy for everyone to sing regardless of gender or age—leaves a strong impression.
The uniquely playful lyrics that make you want to say them out loud are another reason for its popularity.
No matter how tough things get, singing this song will instantly lift your spirits!
I want to take only you away just like this.DEEN
DEEN’s debut single “Konomama Kimi Dake o Ubaisaritai,” released in 1993, is a song about lingering feelings for an ex-lover that you still can’t forget.
Composed by Tetsuro Oda, it became a major hit and has been covered by many artists, including WANDS and DAIGO.
The song tells of spotting a former lover by chance in the city, and how the unresolved feelings that remained in one’s heart overflow, leading to an impossible wish to start over.
That enduring love tightens your chest with a painful squeeze.
Give it a listen while thinking of the lover you can’t forget.
if…DA PUMP
DA PUMP, who made a comeback with the so-called “tacky-cool” hit ‘U.S.A.,’ released ‘if…’ in 2000.
Even though the lineup has changed since its release, it remains a popular song often performed in the media.
Alongside a straightforward yearning for the person they’ve fallen for, the title ‘if…’ frames lyrics that capture the emotional turbulence of love—the constant ‘what if it weren’t like this, what if it were like that.’ It’s a track that conveys the mental whirlwind caused by love, delivered over a cool, stylish melody.
Just by you being herekome kome CLUB
Kome Kome Club’s “Kimi ga Iru Dake de” is a song that celebrates the happiness of having someone special by your side.
Released in 1992 as a double A-side single together with “Aishiteru,” the track was used as the theme song for the drama “Sugao no Mama de.” It became a massive hit and, even years after its release, has been featured in numerous commercials and more.
The lyrics—about realizing, through stumbling, who truly matters to you, and how that person saves your heart no matter the circumstances—are heartwarming.
Its catchy melody also makes it a song you’ll want to sing together at karaoke.
Summer Days of 1993class
Class’s “A Summer Day in 1993” portrays the moment you suddenly fall in love with someone you’d never really noticed before.
Released in 1993, the song was used as the opening theme for the drama “Kimi to Itsu Made mo” (“Forever With You”).
You go to the beach or a pool with a female friend, and the sight of how wonderful she looks there steals your heart away.
Precisely because you hadn’t thought anything of her until then, the flutter in your chest at that moment is immeasurable.
That thrill of a love that arrives out of the blue—if you’ve had a similar experience, you might find yourself thinking, “I know exactly how that feels!” as you relate to these lyrics.
The Maiden with Flaxen HairShimatani Hitomi
Hitomi Shimatani’s number “Amairo no Kami no Otome,” which gained popularity after being featured in a commercial for the hair-care brand Essential, was released in 2002.
The song is originally a track by the Group Sounds band The Village Singers, first released in 1968.
The lyrics vividly and refreshingly depict a beautiful-haired woman in love.
Sung with a much poppier melody than the original, it became catchier and left a strong impression on many people.
It has also been performed in various versions, including ukulele and a cappella.
Surely more than anyone else in the worldNagayama Miho & WANDS
This song was released by Miho Nakayama in 1992 and is a collaboration with the rock band WANDS.
The rock beat of WANDS pairs well with Nakayama’s voice, creating a seamless match.
Miho Nakayama also worked on the lyrics together with WANDS’s Sho Uesugi, making it a track they put a lot of effort into.
The backing vocals are by singer-songwriters Keiko Utoku and Maki Ohguro, and their distinctive voices—going beyond typical backing vocals—are another highlight.
