[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	Nagisasupittsu		A poignant classic that colors the end of summer
2	Get fired upDaikoku Maki		Moved by the Olympic theme song
3	Flower -Memento Mori-Mr.Children		Mr.Children’s moving masterpiece—a song that cheers you on in life
4	gloriousGLAY		GLAY’s classic—an anthem of youthful memories and hope
5	BELOVEDGLAY		A masterpiece whose nostalgia-filled song resonates in the heart
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	I can’t stay a daydreaming girlAikawa Nanase		Nanase Aikawa’s signature song, loved around the world
24	Invisible Power ~invisible one~B’z		An encouraging song by B’z, an anime theme song
25	Nameless PoemMr.Children		The appeal of Mr. Children’s mega-hit song “EVERYTHING.”
26	Because I Want to See You ~Missing You~Matsuda Seiko		Seiko-chan’s classic song—yearning to meet you, so moving.
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	every little thing every precious thingLINDBERG		Cheering songs for sports and music
30	STEADYSPEED		With a sepia-toned palette, the seaside scene is striking…
31	You are not aloneDEEN		A soothing masterpiece from the GT ending theme
32	IN SILENCELUNA SEA		LUNA SEA’s summer hit before their hiatus
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	YELLOW YELLOW HAPPYPocket Biscuits		A full-throttle, heart-stirring cheer song
37	HEART OF SWORD ~Before Dawn~T.M.Revolution		Ending theme song of Rurouni Kenshin
38	LOVE NEVER DIESTHE ALFEE		ALFEE's moving love theme song
39	My heart is pounding.↑THE HIGH-LOWS↓		The High-Lows’ classic “A Boy’s Soul” — Conan opening theme
40	TAKE ME HIGHERV6		V6’s “Colors,” theme song for a tokusatsu drama
41	DAHLIAX JAPAN		X JAPAN's high-speed song DAHLIA
42	STEP BY STEPZIGGY		90s Conan ending theme is a relatable song
43	Strange Chameleonthe pillows		The Pillows’ signature song, Chameleon
44	Banzai ~ So glad I loved you ~Urufuruzu		A hit song overflowing with love, together with Tortoise Matsumoto’s marriage
45	cherrysupittsu		Spitz’s classic song colors the heart of spring.
46	I should be able to fly (in the sky).supittsu		Spitz’s classic 'Hakusen Nagashi' reflects its era
47	If I can see you in my dreamsRATS&STAR		A classic hit cover by Rats & Star
48	Easy★RiderOkuda Tamio		Okuda Tamio’s soothing classic “Tabi (Journey)”
49	You’re my sunshineAmuro Namie		Namie Amuro’s smash-hit dance track, the Sea Breeze commercial
50	celeryYamazaki Masayoshi		A heartwarming love song from the Yamazaki–SMAP collaboration
51	Chinese cuisineYamazaki Masayoshi		A love song with strikingly memorable lyrics
52	CIRCUSHotei Tomoyasu		A song that portrays the scenes of the circus and a way of life.
53	DEAR…againHirose Kōmi		Kohmi Hirose’s 8th single. An Alpen commercial song. A winter love song.
54	SQUALLHimuro Kyosuke		A solo song that showcases Kyosuke Himuro’s individuality
55	Like a white cloudsaruganseki		Akinco Tabi’s refreshing masterpiece
56	STYLISH WOMANkome kome CLUB		The last single before the breakup, an upbeat song.
57	Another OrionFujii Fumiya		Fumiya’s songs capture women’s hearts.
58	Midnight ShuffleKondō Masahiko		Masahiko Kondo’s Song of the Heart, Angel’s Smile
59	This is my way of life.PUFFY		PUFFY's second single, a carefree song
60	BODY&SOULSPEED		A precious, upbeat song from SPEED’s early days that’s hugely popular.
61	SPARKTHE YELLOW MONKEY		A signature song by THE YELLOW MONKEY, a song about love and possibility
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