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A Must-See for the Heisei Generation: Nostalgic Songs That Were Popular in the Heisei Era

It’s only been a few years since the Reiwa era began, but trends like “Heisei-era clichés” are already popular.

Among them, music is especially loved as nostalgic oldies.

So this time, we’re introducing “classic Heisei-era songs we recommend to people born in the Heisei era”!

The Heisei period was a time when many new music genres were born, with club music—especially UK garage and dubstep—undergoing major changes.

In addition to dance music and mainstream J-pop, we’ve also picked standout tracks from lesser-known genres like R&B and jazz rock.

If you were born in the Heisei era, be sure to check them out!

Playlist

A Must-See for the Heisei Generation: Nostalgic Songs That Were Popular in the Heisei Era
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1eastPassionUA
PassionUAplay_arrow
An iconic J-POP masterpiece of the Heisei era
2east366 daysHY
366 daysHYplay_arrow
A famous song by HY that portrays a heartrending love, resonating in the heart.
3eastEverythingMISIA
EverythingMISIAplay_arrow
MISIA's famous song resonates with people's hearts
4eastI should be able to fly (in the sky).supittsu
I should be able to fly (in the sky).supittsuplay_arrow
A classic that depicts Spitz’s youth, resonating in the heart
5easthuman power plantBUDDHA BRAND
human power plantBUDDHA BRANDplay_arrow
BUDDHA BRAND’s groundbreaking debut track
6eastB-BOYismRHYMESTER
B-BOYismRHYMESTERplay_arrow
RHYMESTER’s “B-BOY Izm” is legendary.
7eastSwallowtail Butterfly ~Love Song~YEN TOWN BAND
Swallowtail Butterfly ~Love Song~YEN TOWN BANDplay_arrow
A song of hope for those who chase their dreams, resonating in the heart
8eastcome againm-flo
come againm-floplay_arrow
The energetic classic by m-flo that colors the weekend
9eastWhateverOasis
WhateverOasisplay_arrow
A classic by Oasis, an anthem to freedom and individuality.
10eastRingo Sheenahonnō
Ringo Sheenahonnōplay_arrow
Ringo Sheena’s aggressive-sounding “Instinct,” a song about unleashing desire
11eastto youMONGOL800
to youMONGOL800play_arrow
A classic youth anthem by MONGOL800 that resonates with the heart
12eastBlack CherryAcid Black Cherry
Black CherryAcid Black Cherry
A passionate song by Acid Black Cherry
13eastTree of WadatsumiHajime Chitose
Tree of WadatsumiHajime Chitoseplay_arrow
Chitose Hajime scores a massive hit with her debut single
14eastShakeDOUBLE
ShakeDOUBLEplay_arrow
An iconic R&B classic by DOUBLE that represents the Heisei era
15eastFirst LoveUtada Hikaru
First LoveUtada Hikaruplay_arrow
A classic song that portrays Hikaru Utada’s first love
16eastTime goes byEvery Little Thing
Time goes byEvery Little Thingplay_arrow
A signature hit by Kaori Mochida that represents the Heisei era
17eastmoonlightOnitsuka Chihiro
moonlightOnitsuka Chihiroplay_arrow
Chihiro Onitsuka’s classic song stirs the soul.
18eastSakurazakaFukuyama Masaharu
SakurazakaFukuyama Masaharuplay_arrow
A bittersweet love song of spring, a masterpiece by Masaharu Fukuyama
19eastflower burialL’Arc〜en〜Ciel
flower burialL'Arc〜en〜Cielplay_arrow
A moving masterpiece by L’Arc~en~Ciel
20eastSOUL SCREAMhachi to chou
SOUL SCREAMhachi to chouplay_arrow
The classic song by SOUL SCREAM, “The Bee and the Butterfly”
21eastUser ManualNishino Kana
User ManualNishino Kanaplay_arrow
Kana Nishino’s theme song—a track inspired by an instruction manual.
22eastVINUSHKADIR EN GREY
VINUSHKADIR EN GREYplay_arrow
DIR EN GREY's long-length epic song 'VINUSHKA'
23eastLOVE LOVE LOVEDREAMS COME TRUE
LOVE LOVE LOVEDREAMS COME TRUEplay_arrow
A masterpiece that portrays the heart of love, a timeless classic across generations
24eastDearestHamasaki Ayumi
DearestHamasaki Ayumiplay_arrow
The appeal of Ayumi Hamasaki’s classic song “Seasons”
25eastLike tonight’s moonElefanto Kashimashi
Like tonight's moonElefanto Kashimashiplay_arrow
A classic youth anthem filled with lost feelings
26eastLovelyOzawa Kenji
LovelyOzawa Kenjiplay_arrow
‘LIFE,’ Ozawa Kenji’s signature song of love and joy
27eastButterflyKōda Kumi
ButterflyKōda Kumiplay_arrow
Kumi Koda’s classic that celebrates women’s beauty and freedom
28eastNo way to sayHamasaki Ayumi
No way to sayHamasaki Ayumiplay_arrow
Ayumi Hamasaki’s 31st single
29eastJoyfulikimonogakari
Joyfulikimonogakariplay_arrow
The memorable song from the Pocky commercial, with a bright, cheerful vocal
30eastChocolate DiscoPerfume
Chocolate DiscoPerfumeplay_arrow
A classic, pop-style love song for Valentine’s Day
31eastLove ForeverKatō Miriya × Shimizu Shōta
Love ForeverKatō Miriya × Shimizu Shōtaplay_arrow
A bittersweet love song by Miliyah Kato and Shota Shimizu
32eastGIFTNissy(Nishijima Takahiro)
GIFTNissy(Nishijima Takahiro)play_arrow
A poignant love song set in a winter town
33eastFlowerORANGE RANGE
FlowerORANGE RANGEplay_arrow
A moving song filled with the pain of parting and a wish for reunion
34eastHeavy rotationAKB48
Heavy rotationAKB48play_arrow
AKB48’s “Koi Suru Fortune Cookie” is a big hit.
35eastCHE.R.RYYUI
CHE.R.RYYUIplay_arrow
Flip-phone love mail, pure feelings
36eastcherry (sweet cherry; cherry fruit)Otsuka Ai
cherry (sweet cherry; cherry fruit)Otsuka Aiplay_arrow
Ai Otsuka’s 2nd single, a song depicting romantic love.
37eastPeach-Colored Unrequited LoveMatsuura Aya
Peach-Colored Unrequited LoveMatsuura Ayaplay_arrow
Aya Matsuura’s peach-colored love song
38eastApply false eyelasheskyarī pamyu pamyu
Apply false eyelasheskyarī pamyu pamyuplay_arrow
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu's debut single
39eastMay 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
40eastAll of the YouthFujifaburikku
All of the YouthFujifaburikkuplay_arrow
A classic coming-of-age song that depicts the end of summer
41eastdogwood (flowering dogwood)Hitoto Yo
dogwood (flowering dogwood)Hitoto Yoplay_arrow
Yo Hitoto’s “Hanamizuki,” a prayer song for peace and love
42eastcherry blossomMoriyama Naotaro
cherry blossomMoriyama Naotaroplay_arrow
Iconic songs of parting and new beginnings in the cherry blossom season
43eastLovin’ LifeFUNKY MONKEY BABYS
Lovin' LifeFUNKY MONKEY BABYSplay_arrow
A classic by FUNKY MONKEY BABYS, an ode to everyday happiness
44eastThe One and Only Flower in the WorldSMAP
The One and Only Flower in the WorldSMAPplay_arrow
SMAP’s classic songs, music that heals the heart
45eastcherry blossomKetsumeishi
cherry blossomKetsumeishiplay_arrow
A poignant masterpiece themed around cherry blossoms, depicting memory and a sense of loss
46eastbudKobukuro
budKobukuroplay_arrow
A moving ballad filled with feelings for my mother
47eastClose your eyesHirai Ken
Close your eyesHirai Kenplay_arrow
Ken Hirai's soul-stirring love song
48eastBecoming a Thousand WindsAkiyama Masashi
Becoming a Thousand WindsAkiyama Masashiplay_arrow
The classic singer Akikawa’s famous song
49eastYouthful AmigoShūji to Akira
Youthful AmigoShūji to Akiraplay_arrow
The passionate bond of youth songs by Shuji and Akira