Heisei Song Collection: Iconic Hits That Colored the ’90s and 2000s
During the Heisei era, which lasted from 1989 to 2019, many CDs achieved million-selling hits.
In addition to songs that became such huge hits they could be called social phenomena at the time, there are also many tracks that remain perennial favorites to this day.
In this article, we’ll introduce carefully selected Heisei songs, focusing mainly on J-pop from the 1990s to the 2000s.
These are timeless masterpieces, so please take your time and listen to each one.
We hope this brings back fond memories for adults, and that younger readers will use this as a gateway to discover other classic hits from the Heisei era.
- Heisei-era masterpieces. Hit songs that represent the Heisei period.
- Emotional songs from the Heisei era. Nostalgic tracks that really hit you.
- 2000s: A Collection of Hit Karaoke Classics
- All big hits! A roundup of classic J‑Pop songs that were popular in 2000
- A collection of nostalgic hits from the Heisei era: Let’s look back at iconic songs from the 1990s and 2000s.
- Heisei-era masterpieces: Easy to sing! Carefully selected songs recommended for karaoke choices!
- Resonates across generations! Hit songs that colored the Heisei era, perfect as BGM
- Cool songs of the Heisei era. Hit tracks that energized the times.
- Love songs that were hits in the 2000s. Classic and popular Japanese songs.
- Nothing but iconic hits that defined an era! 2000s classics popular on TikTok
- Songs from the Heisei retro era that will get any generation excited! Timeless tracks you’ll want to listen to now.
- Healing songs from the Heisei era that soothe daily fatigue and stress
- A Must-See for the Heisei Generation: Nostalgic Songs That Were Popular in the Heisei Era
Heisei Song Collection: Classic Hits That Colored the ’90s and 2000s (11–20)
No way to sayHamasaki Ayumi
Ayu Hamasaki’s 31st single, by an artist who epitomized the Heisei-era music scene and garnered immense support as a fashion icon.
Released in November 2003, the song was featured as the theme for the TBS variety show “Koisuru Hanikami!” and is also known for helping her achieve an unprecedented third consecutive win at the 45th Japan Record Awards.
The lyrics, which portray the frustration of being unable to honestly express your feelings to someone important, intertwine with the winter chill to evoke a heart-wrenching sense of poignancy.
This grand ballad, resounding with beautiful strings, is sure to bring back memories from that time.
Summer Colorsyuzu
This song features a refreshing guitar sound that evokes the arrival of summer.
Its exhilarating progression and summer-themed lyrics bring back memories of youth.
Released in July 1998, this track became Yuzu’s first hit single.
In 2023, a special 25th-anniversary music video was also produced.
It’s a perfect song for summer outdoor activities like driving or barbecues.
It’s also very popular at karaoke and is a great pick when you want to have fun with friends.
AutomaticUtada Hikaru
Beginning with the resonance of the piano, this song is full of charm that instantly grips the listener’s heart.
The lyrics portray both the naturalness and the instability of being in love, expressing emotional fluctuations as if under a spell.
Released in December 1998, the song made a sensational impact on the music scene as Hikaru Utada’s debut single.
It became an unforgettable classic for many, topping the Oricon Karaoke Chart for 13 consecutive weeks.
Seamlessly blending a Western-style groove with Japanese pop sensibilities, this track is a must-listen for anyone wrestling with love or looking to feel a fresh breeze in music.
You Go Your WayCHEMISTRY
A ballad that can be considered the concluding chapter of the early trilogy by CHEMISTRY, the male duo who burst onto the scene from the audition program ASAYAN and quickly rose to stardom.
Released as a single in October 2001, it was used in a commercial for Suntory’s canned coffee BOSS.
In their debut year, it became known as the work that proved their talent to the world by achieving an unprecedented record: three consecutive Oricon number-one singles.
The lyrics—about the resolve to deliberately take separate paths out of respect for each other’s future, and the indelible memories that intersect—carry a heartrending poignancy that tightens the listener’s chest.
frecklesJUDY AND MARY
A song packed with the charm of JUDY AND MARY, a rock band emblematic of the ’90s.
YUKI’s distinctive vocals and the catchy melody leave a strong impression, while the lyrics—depicting the pain of heartbreak and the courage to move forward—truly resonate.
Released in February 1996, the track is also known as the theme song for the anime Rurouni Kenshin and has been loved by many.
It’s included on the album THE POWER SOURCE.
Nostalgic yet timelessly appealing, this piece is perfect when you want to relive your youth or lift your spirits.
cherry (sweet cherry; cherry fruit)Otsuka Ai
Ai Otsuka’s music made an explosive impact on the J-pop scene! Her appeal lies in lyrics that capture the sweet-and-sour feelings of love and in her catchy melodies.
Released in December 2003, this song became a major hit as her second single.
It’s also included on the albums LOVE PUNCH and Ai am BEST, and it’s loved by listeners across generations.
With its bright, energetic vibe, it’s even used as a cheer song for high school baseball.
It’s a perfect track not only for those troubled by love but also for anyone who wants a boost of energy.
Just listening to it makes your heart leap—such a wonderful song.
Heisei Song Collection: Masterpieces that colored the ’90s and 2000s (21–30)
Osaka LoverDREAMS COME TRUE
This is a heartfelt song that captures the bittersweetness of a long-distance romance in Osaka dialect.
You can really feel the longing for a loved one—it’s almost like a story unfolds just by listening, don’t you think? Written as a tie-in with an attraction, it was released in March 2007.
The lyrics, so characteristic of DREAMS COME TRUE, are deeply relatable, and regional versions were even performed live.
It’s the perfect track for reminiscing about precious memories with someone special or for thinking of a lover far away.