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.

Playlist

Heisei Song Collection: Iconic Hits That Colored the ’90s and 2000s
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	cherrysupittsu		A signature song by Spitz that sings of nostalgia and hope for the future
2	SaudadePorunogurafiti		Porno Graffitti’s breakup song is trending thanks to a commercial
3	Tomorrow never knowsMr.Children		A classic autumn-sky masterpiece among Mr.Children's signature songs
4	fragileEvery Little Thing		Romantic songs that are signature hits by Every Little Thing
5	MiracleGReeeeN		GReeeeN’s signature songs, romantic ballads
6	Osaka LoverDREAMS COME TRUE		A song that expresses the heartache of a long-distance relationship in Osaka dialect
7	Chase the ChanceAmuro Namie		Namie Amuro’s first million-selling song
8	dogwood (flowering dogwood)Hitoto Yo		Hitoto Yo’s signature songs are masterpieces of the Heisei era.
9	Far, far awayMakihara Noriyuki		Gain courage from Noriyuki Makihara's graduation song
10	frecklesJUDY AND MARY		JUDY AND MARY’s song of heartbreak and courage
11	cherry (sweet cherry; cherry fruit)Otsuka Ai		Ai Otsuka’s love songs are catchy and beloved by a wide range of generations
12	Summer Colorsyuzu		Yuzu’s summer-themed debut single is a big hit
13	AutomaticUtada Hikaru		Utada Hikaru’s debut song. It expresses the feelings of love in a magical way.
14	BLUE BIRDHamasaki Ayumi		Ayumi Hamasaki’s hopeful summer song
15	Time goes byEvery Little Thing		A signature hit by Kaori Mochida that represents the Heisei era
16	Like tonight’s moonElefanto Kashimashi		A masterpiece that portrays everyday hope and emptiness
17	Seesaw Game ~A Brave Love Song~Mr.Children		A cheer song that likens the push-and-pull of love to a seesaw
18	PRIDEImai Miki		Miki Imai’s ballad of love and independence
19	SaraiKayama Yūzō & Tanimura Shinji		24-Hour TV theme song, so moving
20	I’m glad I met you.Koizumi Kyoko		Kyoko’s Heartwarming Song to Her Father
21	FlowerORANGE RANGE		Signature songs by ORANGE RANGE, heart-touching love songs
22	SakurazakaFukuyama Masaharu		Masaharu Fukuyama’s classic spring ballad
23	A Little Love SongMONGOL800		A moving song about feelings for someone special
24	sympathetic tearsHitoto Yo		Hitoto Yo’s debut song, a masterpiece that portrays emotion
25	All of the YouthFujifaburikku		A classic coming-of-age song that depicts the end of summer
26	cherry blossomMoriyama Naotaro		Iconic songs of parting and new beginnings in the cherry blossom season
27	【es】～Theme of es～Mr.Children		Singing of human frailty and the resolve to live
28	Feeling great!!mihimaru GT		A must-listen hype song for Heisei-era gals
29	ButterflyKōda Kumi		Kumi Koda’s classic that celebrates women’s beauty and freedom
30	No way to sayHamasaki Ayumi		Ayumi Hamasaki’s 31st single
31	You Go Your WayCHEMISTRY		A moving ballad of chemistry (CHEMISTRY)
32	What I can do for youGACKT		GACKT’s heartwarming classic ballad
33	Paradoxw-inds.		A signature youthful dance song by w-inds.
34	Mini Moni. Janken Pyon!Minimoni.		Mini Moni's debut single is a big hit.
35	FINAL DISTANCEUtada Hikaru		Utada: a requiem prayer and a bittersweet longing
36	DearestHamasaki Ayumi		The appeal of Ayumi Hamasaki’s classic song “Seasons”
37	I’m here saying nothingYaita Hitomi		Yaiko’s classic: a fusion of acoustic guitar and trad
38	save your dreamKahara Tomomi		In the 1990s, Tomomi Kahala had a huge hit under Komuro’s production.
39	StoryAI		AI's masterpiece: a voice that resonates with the heart
40	The One and Only Flower in the WorldSMAP		SMAP’s classic songs, music that heals the heart
41	cherry blossomKetsumeishi		A poignant masterpiece themed around cherry blossoms, depicting memory and a sense of loss
42	Youthful AmigoShūji to Akira		The passionate bond of youth songs by Shuji and Akira
43	Close your eyesHirai Ken		Ken Hirai's soul-stirring love song
44	Becoming a Thousand WindsAkiyama Masashi		The classic singer Akikawa’s famous song
45	crescent moonayaka		A masterpiece that sings of the poignant feelings of a long-distance romance
46	Chocolate DiscoPerfume		A classic, pop-style love song for Valentine’s Day
47	Peach-Colored Unrequited LoveMatsuura Aya		Aya Matsuura’s peach-colored love song
48	Odoru Pompoko RinB.B. Kuīnzu		The nationwide hit song “Koi Suru Fortune Cookie”
49	Until the World Ends…WANDS		The moving ending of the anime 'SLAM DUNK'
50	Surely more than anyone else in the worldNagayama Miho & WANDS		The legendary classic song by Miho Nakayama & WANDS
51	TSUNAMISazan Ōrusutāzu		A timeless, heart-touching masterpiece by Southern All Stars
52	YOU DON’T GIVE UPKahara Tomomi		Tomomi Kahala’s encouraging cheer song and warm message
53	If you are with meKahara Tomomi		Tomomi Kahala’s moving ballad: the presence of someone precious
54	LOVE〜Destiny〜Hamasaki Ayumi		Ayumi Hamasaki’s fateful, heartrending ballad
55	Flavor Of LifeUtada Hikaru		A masterpiece whose words of gratitude heighten the sense of poignancy
56	WOW WAR TONIGHT ~Sometimes You Gotta Make a MovementH Jungle with T		Hamada and Komuro’s hit song throws a stone into everyday life
57	budKobukuro		A moving ballad filled with feelings for my mother
58	Tree of WadatsumiHajime Chitose		Chitose Hajime’s groundbreaking Amami folk debut song
59	Pure Love SongShonan no Kaze		A Clumsy Love Story by Shonan no Kaze
60	ALL MY TRUE LOVESPEED		SPEED’s passionate love song, the World Championship theme song
61	POWER OF LOVEJUDY AND MARY		JUDY AND MARY's debut song
62	As I love you selfishly, I won’t hurt anyone but you.B’z		The classic song “Ai no mama ni, wagamama ni” by B’z
63	suddenlyFIELD OF VIEW		ZARD “Totsuzen,” a moving anthem of youth
64	Swaying FeelingsZARD		“Don’t Give Up” is a classic of youth, resonating in the heart
65	Eternal, unchanging loveOda Tetsurō		Pocari commercial song, a masterpiece by Tetsuro Oda
66	The Future Projection IIDREAMS COME TRUE		Heisei-era masterpiece: deep affection cherished across generations
67	Broken RadioTokunaga Hideaki		Timeless anthems that color our youth, music that resonates with the heart
68	Liar! Liar!B’z		B’z’s guitar rock brimming with a sense of speed
69	FACEglobe		A signature song by globe, a dance-pop track released in 1997
70	Soulmatesupittsu		A gem of a song by Spitz that questions love and life
71	Island SongTHE BOOM		A gemlike ballad depicting the Battle of Okinawa and peace