[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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Summer Songs of the Heisei Era: A curated selection of timeless summer tunes loved across generations! (51–60)
Sound of SummerGReeeeN
GReeeeN’s “Natsu no Oto” paints a delicate yet heartrending story set against the backdrop of a summer festival.
Written as the campaign song for Kirin’s “Namacha,” it was released as a digital-only lead single ahead of its inclusion on the 2015 album “C, D desu to!?”.
From the intro, a sense of melancholy already seeps in, and as you listen, it feels like your chest is being tightly squeezed.
“Natsu no Oto” likely refers to the sound of fireworks, with the fleeting fireworks mirroring the singer’s own love.
FlowerKinKi Kids
KinKi Kids is an idol duo whose members each have a strong individual presence, not only as a group but also in music, on stage, and in TV dramas.
Their 7th single, “Flower,” which was chosen as the campaign song for ANA’s ’99 Paradise Okinawa, became a massive hit, marking their fourth million-selling release.
Its positive message and upbeat, off-beat rhythm with a hint of reggae bring a refreshing breeze to the heat of summer.
With fresh, lingering vocals, it’s a pop tune that makes you want to sway along.
King of SummerKinKi Kids
One of KinKi Kids’ signature songs that has been drawing renewed attention thanks to Ikuta Kawai continually taking on the challenge of performing it on the variety music show “Chidori no Oni Ren-Chan.” Fans also know that the song was self-produced by KinKi Kids and released as their first maxi single.
The lyrics—along the lines of “There’s no point in dwelling on failure; summer will come again, so everything will be OK”—capture a refreshingly pure image of youth that’s very KinKi Kids.
The chorus, which kicks off with a shout, feels especially exhilarating—an ideal track for everyone to sing together on a drive.
The Summer When You Were ThereMr.Children
Mr.Children is a four-piece rock band whose name everyone in the J-pop scene knows, having earned numerous million-selling singles and albums.
Their debut single, “Kimi ga Ita Natsu” (“The Summer You Were There”), was released as a single cut from their debut album, EVERYTHING.
The slide-guitar-driven sound, paired with its heartrending lyrics, evokes images of the summer seaside.
It’s a track that showcases the band’s exceptional sensibility—one you’ll want to listen to in the summertime.
[Heisei Summer Songs] A curated selection of timeless summer tunes loved across generations! (61–70)
Squid SUMMERORANGE RANGE
ORANGE RANGE is a five-member rock band that made their major debut with the single “KIRIKIRIMAI.” In the 2000s, a genre called mixture rock—rock blended with rap—became popular, and they were one of its representative bands.
Packed with the appeal of mixture rock is their 2007 release “Ika SUMMER.” True to its title, which plays on the phrase “Ikasu, SUMMER” (meaning “cool, summer”), it’s an irresistibly summer-y track with energetic, hype-worthy rap that lets you fully cut loose!
CampioneORANGE RANGE
ORANGE RANGE is a five-member rock band whose songs, performed by a three-MC lineup each with different vocal ranges, captivate fans with their wide expressive power.
Their 13th single, “Champione,” used as the broadcast theme song for NHK’s coverage of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, was created with the image of the “Agony of Doha,” an unforgettable moment for soccer fans.
Its memorable choral work and pop-rock ensemble deliver a refreshing feel that pairs perfectly with the summer atmosphere.
It’s a catchy, upbeat tune that makes you want to hum along whenever it plays as background music.
Pure AsiaPUFFY
PUFFY is a vocal duo that has gained popularity both in Japan and abroad, performing at SXSW in 2000, embarking on North American tours, and even starring as models for an animated series broadcast worldwide.
Their debut single “Asia no Junshin,” used in a Kirin Beverage “Tennen Sodachi” commercial, became a million-selling hit thanks to its lyrics—crafted with an emphasis on rhythm over meaning—and its catchy melody.
The ensemble features a beat that makes you want to head out somewhere, making it perfect for a summer vacation.
It’s an impactful pop tune that’s easy to sing at karaoke and highly recommended.