[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!
- Summer Songs That Hit in the 2000s | A Look Back at Nostalgic Summer Tunes!
- 1990s J-Pop to listen to in summer: classic and hit summer songs
- Heisei Song Collection: Iconic Hits That Colored the ’90s and 2000s
- Summer songs with great lyrics. Tracks that make your summer memories even more wonderful.
- Reiwa-era summer songs: A roundup of new staple tracks that color the hot summer
- [Summer Classics] When it comes to summer, it’s got to be this song! A roundup from timeless staples to the latest hit tracks.
- A collection of summer-like songs: tracks that go perfectly with summer, like the sea and the sky.
- Songs to Enjoy in Summer! Classic Hits Special (Showa & Heisei)
- A song by a rock band bursting with exhilarating energy and a sense of speed that you want to listen to in the summer.
- [Summer Songs Recommended for Your 30s] A Selection of Nostalgic Hit Tunes!
- Classic “summer songs” you’ll want to listen to in summer. Timeless J-pop summertime anthems perfect for summer guys and summer girls.
- Songs of Summer from the Showa Era: A comprehensive introduction, from nostalgic Japanese hits to timeless favorites still popular today
- [Classics] Timeless Summer Hits Recommended for All Ages [Summer Songs]
[Heisei-Era Summer Songs] A curated selection of timeless summer tunes loved across generations! (41–50)
You’re my sunshineAmuro Namie
Namie Amuro, a singer so immensely popular she became a social phenomenon as the diva of the Heisei era.
Her 6th single, “You’re my sunshine,” used as the CM song for Bristol-Myers Squibb’s SEA BREEZE ’96, is a full-throttle showcase of TK sound that dominated the J-POP scene of the 1990s and instantly lifts your spirits.
Its driving, fast-paced melody pairs perfectly with the breeziness of a summer drive, heightening the excitement for a vacation.
It’s an evergreen uptempo tune that I want not only her generation but also younger listeners to hear—one that never fades with time.
Summer Songs of the Heisei Era: A curated selection of timeless summer tunes loved across generations! (51–60)
Haneuma RiderPorunogurafiti
This is a song by Porno Graffitti released in June 2006, packed with the exhilaration of summer and a spirit of adventure.
Centered on the theme of “a new departure,” its lyrics strikingly portray young people moving forward with their heads held high.
It gained attention as the song for Otsuka Pharmaceutical’s Pocari Sweat commercial.
The track reached No.
2 on the Oricon weekly chart and No.
44 on the year-end chart, and it was even performed at the 57th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen, earning a huge response.
It’s the perfect summer tune that makes you want to go for a drive with the breeze in your hair.
An energetic number that’s especially worth hearing for anyone ready to take their first step forward.
Ah, summer vacation.TUBE
Among TUBE’s songs—the band that symbolizes summer—this track in particular conveys the exhilaration of the season and can be called one of their signature numbers.
Its bright, blue-sky sound and vocals that radiate smiles evoke the liveliness of summer.
Throughout the lyrics, a buoyant, summer-tinged mood is depicted, leaving an impression that heightens anticipation for the season.
It’s a song that seems to say: surrender to the heat, charge headlong into summer, and trust that good times are waiting.
rainbowFukuyama Masaharu
This is a refreshing pop-rock number by Masaharu Fukuyama that brightens the listener’s mood.
For the first time, he handled the arrangement himself and was meticulous about the performance, channeling the passions of youth and grand dreams for the future into the music.
Feelings he wanted to express but couldn’t put into words, and a strong will to overcome hardships and grasp hope, come through clearly in his soaring vocals and the lively sound.
The song was included on a single released in August 2003 and was loved by many as the theme song for the drama “WATER BOYS.” It’s truly one of the signature masterpieces that symbolize that summer.
HIGH PRESSURET.M.Revolution
A song with a sparkling sound and an uplifting message.
Its powerful yet soaring vocals blend beautifully with electronic elements.
Recorded in July 1997, this track was featured in a Lotte “Sweetie Ice” commercial and reached No.
4 on the Oricon weekly singles chart.
It was also used as the opening theme for the Taiwan/China versions of the TBS anime B’T-X.
A perfect summer tune for those who want to enjoy the hot season to the fullest or are looking for a spark to start a new romance.
Slow & EasyHirai Dai
This track features a tropical vibe, evoking a pleasant sea breeze and warm sunlight.
The warm tone of the acoustic guitar blends beautifully with Dai Hirai’s gentle vocals.
The lyrics advocate the importance of living slowly in today’s society, soothing the hearts of those who lead busy lives.
Released in May 2015 as the title track of the album “Slow & Easy,” it was also used in the Sumitomo Forestry commercial for the “Sakimachi Arai-Minami Sustaina Town.” It’s a perfect song for summer drives, trips to and from the beach, or for unwinding when you want to step away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Like when we first metEvery Little Thing
Every Little Thing is a duo that has gained popularity with pop tunes featuring a cute vocal style and a hint of rock.
Their 5th single, “Deatta Koro no You ni,” used as the theme for Morinaga’s ICE BOX commercial, starts with a crystalline chorus that instantly lifts your spirits.
The lyrics, which depict a romance blossoming in the heat of the season, are something many people can relate to in any era.
It’s one of Every Little Thing’s signature songs, with a refreshing ensemble that perfectly matches summer scenery.