[Hit Songs of 1996] Spotlight on the iconic tracks and popular tunes that colored the Heisei era!

In 1996, as Japan was slowly recovering from the bursting of the bubble economy, the music scene saw diverse expansion and a wealth of million-selling hits.

The songs that were popular that year still shine with unfading brilliance along with the atmosphere of the time, moving listeners today.

In this article, we’ll showcase a wide range of classic Japanese hits from 1996.

Take this opportunity to revisit and savor these tracks that bring back memories of those nostalgic days.

Playlist

[Hit Songs of 1996] Spotlight on the iconic tracks and popular tunes that colored the Heisei era!
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Flower -Memento Mori-Mr.Children		Mr.Children’s moving masterpiece—a song that cheers you on in life
2	Nagisasupittsu		A poignant classic that colors the end of summer
3	Get fired upDaikoku Maki		Moved by the Olympic theme song
4	BELOVEDGLAY		A masterpiece whose nostalgia-filled song resonates in the heart
5	gloriousGLAY		GLAY’s classic—an anthem of youthful memories and hope
6	Blue LightningSMAP		SMAP’s first single as a five-member group, a big hit song
7	JAMTHE YELLOW MONKEY		A rock ballad that portrays loneliness and a thirst for life
8	Can’t Stop Fallin’in Loveglobe		A classic hit by globe that depicts a poignant winter romance
9	Kotodama of Love ~Spiritual Message~Sazan Ōrusutāzu		Southern’s classic song “Summer Night” becomes a big hit
10	excuseSha ran Q		A quintessential 90s breakup rock ballad
11	Don’t wanna cryAmuro Namie		A classic that marked a turning point in the Amura boom era
12	romantic feelingsAikawa Nanase		Singing Nanase Aikawa’s 90s classic “Koigokoro” with passion
13	save your dreamKahara Tomomi		In the 1990s, Tomomi Kahala had a huge hit under Komuro’s production.
14	frecklesJUDY AND MARY		Rurouni Kenshin theme song, JUDY AND MARY hit song
15	countrysideTamaki Kōji		A masterpiece by Anzen Chitai, a song that sings of the courage to live
16	DEPARTURESglobe		A famous song by Tetsuya Komuro’s globe
17	ALICEMy Little Lover		A song with provocative lyrics, popular in ICEBOX commercials
18	Pure AsiaPUFFY		PUFFY’s debut song became a huge hit—a masterpiece by a big-name producer.
19	LA LA LA Love SongKubota Toshinobu		Toshinobu Kubota’s classic song “COME” became a big hit along with the drama.
20	I’m proudKahara Tomomi		A classic hit by Tomomi Kahala produced by Tetsuya Komuro
21	Real Thing ShakesB’z		B’z’s smash hit: hard rock with English lyrics
22	BREAK OUT!Aikawa Nanase		A high-energy, fast-paced rock number by Tetsuro Oda
23	Invisible Power ~invisible one~B’z		An encouraging song by B’z, an anime theme song
24	Nameless PoemMr.Children		The appeal of Mr. Children’s mega-hit song “EVERYTHING.”
25	Because I Want to See You ~Missing You~Matsuda Seiko		Seiko-chan’s classic song—yearning to meet you, so moving.
26	I can’t stay a daydreaming girlAikawa Nanase		Nanase Aikawa’s signature song, loved around the world
27	SHAKESMAP		A popular SMAP theme song you can enjoy dancing to
28	The Talent for LoveKawamoto Makoto		Makoto Kawamoto’s debut single “Hatsukoi,” produced by Yasuyuki Okamura
29	My heart is pounding.↑THE HIGH-LOWS↓		The High-Lows’ classic “A Boy’s Soul” — Conan opening theme
30	SPARKTHE YELLOW MONKEY		A signature song by THE YELLOW MONKEY, a song about love and possibility
31	STEADYSPEED		SPEED 1997 annual singles No. 5
32	You are not aloneDEEN		A soothing masterpiece from the GT ending theme
33	July 7, sunnyDREAMS COME TRUE		A classic hit by Dreams Come True becomes a movie theme song.
34	Dan Dan Kokoro HikaretekuFIELD OF VIEW		A powerful GT opening theme song that captivates the heart
35	FRIENDSHIPH Jungle with T		H Jungle with T's final single
36	every little thing every precious thingLINDBERG		Cheering songs for sports and music
37	IN SILENCELUNA SEA		LUNA SEA’s summer hit before their hiatus
38	YELLOW YELLOW HAPPYPocket Biscuits		A full-throttle, heart-stirring cheer song
39	HEART OF SWORD ~Before Dawn~T.M.Revolution		Ending theme song of Rurouni Kenshin
40	LOVE NEVER DIESTHE ALFEE		ALFEE's moving love theme song
41	TAKE ME HIGHERV6		V6’s “Colors,” theme song for a tokusatsu drama
42	DAHLIAX JAPAN		X JAPAN's high-speed song DAHLIA
43	STEP BY STEPZIGGY		90s Conan ending theme is a relatable song
44	Strange Chameleonthe pillows		The Pillows’ signature song, Chameleon
45	Banzai ~ So glad I loved you ~Urufuruzu		A hit song overflowing with love, together with Tortoise Matsumoto’s marriage
46	cherrysupittsu		Spitz’s classic song colors the heart of spring.
47	I should be able to fly (in the sky).supittsu		Spitz’s classic 'Hakusen Nagashi' reflects its era
48	If I can see you in my dreamsRATS&STAR		A classic hit cover by Rats & Star
49	Easy★RiderOkuda Tamio		Okuda Tamio’s soothing classic “Tabi (Journey)”
50	You’re my sunshineAmuro Namie		Namie Amuro’s smash-hit dance track, the Sea Breeze commercial
51	celeryYamazaki Masayoshi		A heartwarming love song from the Yamazaki–SMAP collaboration
52	Chinese cuisineYamazaki Masayoshi		A love song with strikingly memorable lyrics
53	CIRCUSHotei Tomoyasu		A song that portrays the scenes of the circus and a way of life.
54	DEAR…againHirose Kōmi		Kohmi Hirose’s 8th single. An Alpen commercial song. A winter love song.
55	SQUALLHimuro Kyosuke		A solo song that showcases Kyosuke Himuro’s individuality
56	Like a white cloudsaruganseki		Akinco Tabi’s refreshing masterpiece
57	STYLISH WOMANkome kome CLUB		The last single before the breakup, an upbeat song.
58	Another OrionFujii Fumiya		Fumiya’s songs capture women’s hearts.
59	Midnight ShuffleKondō Masahiko		Masahiko Kondo’s Song of the Heart, Angel’s Smile
60	This is my way of life.PUFFY		PUFFY's second single, a carefree song
61	BODY&SOULSPEED		A precious, upbeat song from SPEED’s early days that’s hugely popular.
62	The End of the WorldTHEE MICHELLE GUN ELEPHANT		A high-octane track by a legendary band brimming with punk energy
63	Swallowtail Butterfly ~Song of Love~YEN TOWN BAND		The theme song of the movie Swallowtail
64	My friendZARD		The Slam Dunk theme song “Makenaide” is popular.
65	Winter Fantasykazan		A singer duo of cousins with beautiful harmonies
66	PRIDEImai Miki		A song produced by Tomoyasu Hotei that was supported by the office-lady generation