[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 Songs of 1996] Spotlight on the iconic tracks and popular tunes that colored the Heisei era!
- Ranking of Popular Songs by Female Singer-Songwriters of the 1990s [2026]
- Iconic ballads of 90s J-pop: nostalgic mega-hits and fan favorites
- Anime songs that were hits in the 1990s. Recommended masterpieces and popular tracks.
- 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 Music Hits] A roundup of timeless songs still remembered today! (41–50)
Endless JourneyMr.Children
Boasting great popularity among fans, this song served as the theme for the Fuji TV drama “Naguru Onna.” With nine key changes—the most of any Mr.
Children song—and a runtime of 7 minutes and 8 seconds, it’s an epic piece.
There are lyrical connections to another track, “Hikari no Sasu Hou e,” and they are often performed back-to-back at live shows.
[1998 Japanese Hit Songs] Introducing at Once the Masterpieces That Still Remain in People’s Memories! (51–60)
A third of pure-hearted feelingsSIAM SHADE
SIAM SHADE’s sixth single, released in November 1997 and charting into 1998.
At the time of its release, it was selected as the ending theme for the anime Rurouni Kenshin and became the band’s biggest hit.
From the arpeggiated intro alone, a sense of aching melancholy and frustration overflows.
Not just an anime song—this is a masterpiece among masterpieces in the band world as well!
Gokigen Bird ~crawler is crazy~SOPHIA
This is a song by the band SOPHIA, which MITSURU Matsuoka—who now also works as an actor and in other fields—was a member of.
The subtitle, when translated literally, becomes “Flattery Is Just Wrong,” and the lyrics deliver a sharp, sarcastic critique of living that way.
It unfolds like a story in which the character’s room gradually grows larger.
Turn the roulette of fateZARD
ZARD’s 25th single, which ranked No.
1 weekly, No.
11 for September, No.
14 for October, and No.
96 for the year.
It was used as the opening theme for the Nippon TV anime Detective Conan and was also chosen as the theme song for the film Detective Conan: The Fourteenth Target.
Since then, it has been used multiple times as a theme for the anime, so people who watched the show back then may associate ZARD as “the Conan artist.”
ever freehide with Spread Beaver
This is a song by the band hide with Spread Beaver, which he formed the day after X JAPAN disbanded in 1997.
hide passed away suddenly on May 1, 1998, and the single—featuring this title track—was released shortly after, on May 27.
Given the timing, it almost feels as if hide himself truly attained eternal freedom.
The song itself carries no sadness or negativity; it’s a deeply forward-looking piece expressing the desire to grasp freedom.
Even now, it remains a timeless work by a Japanese legend—highly recommended, always.
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.