[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! (21–30)
SummerHisaishi Joe
Joe Hisaishi’s “Summer” was released in 1999 and composed as the main theme for the film “Kikujiro,” directed by Takeshi Kitano.
Centered on a light and gentle piano timbre, the orchestral colors softly layer in to create a tender atmosphere.
The structure—where phrases are repeated across various instrumental tones—is striking, and its playful spirit conveys a sense of joy.
As a commercial song, it has been used for Kirin Beverage’s functional drinks and corporate ads, with visuals expressing the desire to support everyone’s smiles.
everything; the whole lot; lock, stock, and barrelKREVA
A healing summer song by KREVA that blends the languid feel of a hot afternoon with a refreshing breeze.
You dream of a resort, yet end up relaxing at home after all.
It conjures up an unpretentious snapshot of summer.
And maybe being with someone special is enough to make you happy, even without anything extraordinary—that’s the kind of love-filled touch KREVA brings to this track.
Released in June 2005, it was also used as a TV show ending theme.
Its comfortable beat and smooth rap make it a perfect number for summer drives or moments of quiet reflection.
FlowerORANGE RANGE
This is one of ORANGE RANGE’s signature songs, celebrating the transience and beauty of life and the preciousness of love.
Released in December 2004, it was chosen as the theme song for the film “Be With You,” starring Yuko Takeuchi and Shido Nakamura.
The song conveys the importance of accepting fate and living like a flower that holds beauty in a single fleeting moment.
It portrays the miracle brought about by meeting a loved one, the resolve to face parting, and the determination to walk forward together.
It’s a perfect song when you want to look back on summer memories or feel the bond with someone dear.
Its heartfelt lyrics and warm melody will gently envelop your heart.
sunflowerFukuyama Masaharu
A richly emotive piece by Masaharu Fukuyama, where the sound of the piano gently resonates in the heart.
Like a large flower blooming toward the sun, it weaves memories of a beautiful summer with a lover who gave a dazzling smile, expressed in a melody that is both aching and warm.
The song was included on the triple A-side single “Niji / Himawari / Sore ga Subete sa,” released in August 2003, which held the No.
1 spot on the Oricon charts for five consecutive weeks.
Originally written for Kiyoshi Maekawa, the track was later performed by Fukuyama himself with a new arrangement.
When you find yourself longing for summers gone by, this song may quietly stay by your side.
Season in the SunTUBE
The third single overall by TUBE, the four-piece rock band still known today as a byword for summer.
Released in April 1986, it became a major turning point for the band.
Composer Tetsuro Oda is said to have infused it with his own longing for the sea, and the result is an exhilarating number.
Its lyrics, which depict the bittersweet feeling of lamenting the passing summer under the dazzling sun, and its uplifting melody can still set your heart ablaze even now.
It’s perfect not only for summer drives but also for those slightly sentimental moments at dusk.
For those who heard it in real time, it’s an immortal summer song you can’t help but hum along to.
Shanghai HoneyORANGE RANGE
ORANGE RANGE is a five-member rock band from Okinawa.
They made their major debut in 2003 with the single “Kiri Kiri Mai,” and that same year they released “Shanghai Honey,” an up-tempo rock number perfect for summer.
Its cheerful lyrics make you want to have fun on the beach and will definitely lift your spirits.
Singing it together with everyone will bring out even more of the original vibe and get the crowd going.
Of course, it’s also a perfect summer song to sing at karaoke.
A Long, Short FestivalShiina Ringo
It’s a cool dance tune suffused with the sultry heat of a summer night and a fleeting, ephemeral vibe.
The track is a duet featuring Ukigumo, the guitarist from the band Tokyo Jihen, on vocals.
The rhythm incorporates elements of Brazilian music, and the interplay of the two Auto-Tuned voices is irresistibly captivating.
The lyrics portray a man and woman’s cat-and-mouse game set during a festival night, along with a sense of urgency toward a season that slips away in an instant—evoking Shiina Ringo’s distinctly mature worldview to the fullest.
Released in August 2015 as part of a double A-side single, it was used in Coca-Cola’s summer campaign commercial, making it a familiar tune in many households.
It’s a number you’ll want to listen to on a slightly muggy summer night, soaking in a sentimental mood.