[1998 Japanese Hit Songs] A roundup of timeless classics that still live on in people’s memories!
GLAY, T.M.Revolution, L’Arc~en~Ciel, MISIA, Morning Musume…
1998 was a year when a stream of timeless hits were born from artists who still enjoy enduring popularity today.
In this article, we introduce standout classics from the 1998 J-POP hit charts—songs that earned overwhelming support from listeners and fans, and continue to do so even now.
Enjoy this nostalgic playlist that still shines in vibrant color.
- [1998 Japanese Hit Songs] A roundup of timeless classics that still live on in people’s memories!
- [Hit Songs of 1999] A roundup of timeless tracks that dominated the charts!
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- Hit J-Pop songs of 2008: recommended masterpieces and popular tracks
- Classic and hit J-pop songs from the nostalgic ’90s
- Japanese Music of the 2000s: Revival Included! A J-POP Hit Song Special
- [Heisei Retro] Hit Japanese songs that defined the 1990s. Recommended J-POP classics.
[1998 Japanese Hit Songs] Introducing at Once the Masterpieces That Still Remain in People’s Memories! (51–60)
Summer Colorsyuzu
Yuzu’s well-known song “Natsuiro.” Listening to this track makes you long for summer! It’s a staple at their live shows and a karaoke classic, too.
It’s the best song to play when you’re racing down a hill or the like.
Definitely give it a try!
POWERPoketto Bisuketsu
The fifth single by Pocket Biscuits, which hit No.
1 weekly and No.
21 for the year.
As a band that started from a TV show project, they continued to post surprisingly strong sales and were frequently mentioned on the Oricon charts in the late ’90s.
Even today, many aspects of the song’s structure still feel fresh.
AHHHHH!Kubota Toshinobu
Toshinobu Kubota’s 20th single.
It reached the Top 10 on the Oricon singles chart in 1998 and was also used as a cheer song for a feature segment on Nippon TV’s “Susunu! Denpa Shonen.” His R&B-based tracks—he’s often called a pioneer of Black music in Japan—seem to have an addictive quality that people who get into them can’t get enough of.
PoetKitajima Saburō
It’s the opening theme of the anime ‘Ojarumaru.’ People in their early twenties will probably feel especially nostalgic.
It brings back memories of being glued to the TV in the evening.
Back then I listened without thinking about it, so I had no idea such a big-name artist was the one singing it.
wandererOkuda Tamio
It was used as the theme song for the drama “Days.” It’s a folk-rock piece typical of Tamio Okuda, but its slightly unconventional structure makes it addictive.
The laid-back vibe nicely captures the feel of a leisurely journey.
I think it’s perfect for times when you just want to zone out.