[Heisei-Era Summer Songs] A curated selection of timeless summer tunes loved across generations!
A summer when you hung out with friends and made tons of memories, a summer of passionate love, a summer when you poured your sweat into club activities and studying.
What kind of memories do you have of summer?
In this article, we’ll introduce summer songs released during the Heisei era.
We’ve gathered a variety of Heisei summer tracks, including songs by artists strongly associated with summer and timeless summer classics loved across generations.
You might even find a song that colored your own Heisei summers!
If you spent the Heisei years with the songs we introduce, take a trip down memory lane.
And if you’re discovering them for the first time, find your favorites and be sure to give them a listen this summer!
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[Heisei Summer Songs] A curated selection of timeless summer tunes loved across generations! (81–90)
planetariumOtsuka Ai
A song performed by singer-songwriter Ai Otsuka that seems to express the movements of the heart tied to summer scenery.
It drew attention for being used as an insert song in the drama Boys Over Flowers and is one of Otsuka’s signature tracks, alongside Sakuranbo.
Centered on the sound of the piano while incorporating Japanese elements, it resonates with a calm, layered depth.
Looking back on summer memories, it overflows with a sense of poignancy—a piece that conveys someone cherishing their memories even as they carry their sadness.
Barefoot GoddessB’z
B’z is a solitary rock unit that has had an enormous impact on Japan’s rock scene, setting countless milestones.
Their 13th single, “Hadashi no Megami” (“Barefoot Goddess”), used in a Toyota Corolla Levin commercial, is a track that, despite not appearing on an original studio album, is frequently performed live.
The contrast between its transparent synth tones and edgy guitar sound aligns perfectly with the hot, refreshing vibe of summer.
It’s a crisp rock tune whose powerful vocals will lift your spirits.
SUMMER TIME LOVEEXILE
EXILE made their debut in 2001 with the single “Your eyes only ~Aimai na boku no rinka ku~.” Released in 2007, “SUMMER TIME LOVE” is a dance-pop track highlighted by EXILE TAKAHIRO’s cool vocals—he had just joined the group in 2006.
Its irresistibly sing-along, catchy melody pairs perfectly with the crystal-clear synthesizer arrangements characteristic of early EXILE, making it a great fit for summer drives and more!
For the momentEvery Little Thing
Every Little Thing is a two-member music unit with numerous cross-generational hit songs like “Time goes by” and “fragile.” Their fourth single, “For the moment,” which became their first single to top the Oricon chart, was used in a Morinaga Seika ICE BOX commercial and as the ending theme for the music program COUNT DOWN TV.
Its lyrics, which straightforwardly depict the feelings of love, especially evoke vivid summer scenes.
It’s a gem of a pop tune, marked by the striking contrast between hard-edged guitar sounds and crystal-clear synths.
cotton candyback number
Back number is a three-piece band that has produced many hit songs, such as Hanataba released in 2011 and Takaneno Hanako-san released in 2013.
Their 2012 track Watagashi is an exquisite summer song that perfectly suits the atmosphere of a summer festival.
Using a minor-key chord progression, the piece has a touch of kayōkyoku (old-style Japanese pop), which makes it all the more intriguing.
The more you listen, the more depth it reveals—surely a hidden gem among their catalog.