Songs from the Heisei retro era that will get any generation excited! Timeless tracks you’ll want to listen to now.
Heisei Retro is a term that refers to the culture of the early Heisei era, from the late 1980s to the early 2000s.
Items and culture from that time are drawing renewed attention among younger generations.
For those who spent their youth in that era, it likely stirs nostalgia and a warm feeling in the chest.
So this time, we’ve gathered a selection of Heisei Retro classics from J-POP.
Each song is a masterpiece that colored the era, and we hope listeners of all generations will check them out.
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- Cool songs of the Heisei era. Hit tracks that energized the times.
- Emotional songs from the Heisei era. Nostalgic tracks that really hit you.
- Just listening will lift your spirits! Energetic and cheer-up songs that defined the Heisei era.
- A collection of nostalgic hits from the Heisei era: Let’s look back at iconic songs from the 1990s and 2000s.
- Heisei-era masterpieces. Hit songs that represent the Heisei period.
- Old songs from the Showa to Heisei eras: a collection of timeless classics loved across generations
- Uplifting! Heisei-Era Cheer Songs: The Best Hits
- Heisei Song Collection: Iconic Hits That Colored the ’90s and 2000s
- Heisei-era graduation songs roundup: iconic youth anthems from the ’90s to the 2010s
Songs that get every generation pumped! Heisei retro classics you want to listen to now (21–30)
Youthful AmigoShūji to Akira
A signature 2000s youth anthem by the duo Shuuji to Akira.
The golden pairing of Kazuya Kamenashi and Tomohisa Yamashita, who co-starred in the drama “Nobuta wo Produce,” generated huge buzz.
The melancholic ensemble—created in collaboration with a Swedish songwriting team—leaves a strong impression.
The lyrics depict a passionate friendship and vows for the future between two guys undefeated in their hometown, sparked by a call from a best friend in a tight spot.
The track topped the 2005 annual singles chart, and many people likely fired it up as a karaoke duet.
It’s a song packed with the radiance and bittersweetness of youth—one that still makes your heart swell even as an adult.
WOW WAR TONIGHT ~ Sometimes Start a MovementH Jungle with T
It’s an iconic 90s hit born from the unexpected pairing of a comedian and a music producer.
Tetsuya Komuro’s polished dance beats blend with Masatoshi Hamada’s distinctive vocals to create a powerful track that urges people in today’s weary society to take action.
Released in February 1995, it topped the Oricon charts for seven consecutive weeks and achieved an astounding 2.13 million sales.
As H Jungle with T’s landmark debut single, it made a strong impact on the music scene of the time.
It’s the perfect song for when you’re feeling down or need a boost in motivation, and at karaoke it’s a staple crowd-pleaser that continues to be sung across generations.
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.
BelieveFolder5
A world woven by exhilarating rhythms and synthesizers, capturing the golden age of Eurobeat.
Folder5’s hit tracks brim with an undeniably urban, sophisticated vibe.
Serving as the second opening theme for the anime ONE PIECE, this song was released in November 2000 and became a signature piece for the group.
It showcases the five members’ energetic vocals and performances in perfect harmony, embodying the very essence of AVEX dance music.
As a bridge between the distinct cultures of music and anime, this classic track also shines in driving scenes.
Play it on the highway or during a night drive under rows of streetlights, and its appeal will stand out even more.
The rattlesnake is comingTonneruzu
With its cheerful, upbeat sound, this opening theme for the Fuji TV variety show “Tunnels’ Thanks to Everyone” captured the hearts of viewers.
Released by Tunnels in January 1992, the song brilliantly fuses Yasushi Akimoto’s clever wordplay with Tsugutoshi Goto’s lively melody.
At first glance it seems like a simple, fun story, but its lyrics are appealingly dual-layered, allowing for deeper, more adult interpretations.
Reaching No.
1 on the Oricon charts for the first time and selling 1.409 million copies, the song has been loved across borders, with covers in Hong Kong and Taiwan.
It’s the perfect track to liven up parties and gatherings, delivering a joyful moment that gets your body moving.
In conclusion
This time we introduced some iconic Heisei-retro songs—what did you think? They’re all hit tracks that people right in that generation will know by heart, and that folks of any age have probably heard at least once.
They’re great picks for karaoke too, so be sure to check them out!