[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.

Playlist

[1998 Japanese Hit Songs] A roundup of timeless classics that still live on in people’s memories!
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	HONEYL’Arc〜en〜Ciel		L’Arc~en~Ciel’s smash hit song “Driver”
2	TemptationGLAY		GLAY’s “Temptation” was a massive hit, ranked number one of the year, and is still popular today.
3	To the futureKiroro		An inspiring, hope-filled masterpiece—To the Future
4	Roller Coaster RomanceKinKi Kids		A classic song that likens youthful love to a roller coaster.
5	for a long timeKiroro		A moving masterpiece by Kiroro from Okinawa
6	ALL MY TRUE LOVESPEED		SPEED’s passionate love song, the World Championship theme song
7	my graduationSPEED		A classic ballad that evokes graduation, and the courage to move forward
8	Her and My CircumstancesAikawa Nanase		Nanase Aikawa’s exhilarating song about the bonds between female friends
9	Beyond the Night SkySMAP		SMAP’s classic song “Yozora no Mukō” resonates with the heart.
10	HOT LIMITT.M.Revolution		T.M.R’s “HOT LIMIT” is a masterpiece! The music video is famous too.
11	The Blue AgeKinKi Kids		A classic ballad that depicts the youth of KinKi Kids
12	precious; important; valuableSMAP		A song about being supported by the presence of the person next to you
13	ALIVESPEED		A moving song that portrays eternal love and loss
14	THUNDERBIRDT.M.Revolution		A moving ballad from T.M.Revolution arrives
15	I can’t even breatheZARD		A classic ZARD song that captures the thrill of love
16	LOVE AFFAIR ~ Secret DateSazan Ōrusutāzu		A powerful longing and anguish for a forbidden love
17	HeartFukuyama Masaharu		The warm song “Kokoro” (Heart), Masaharu Fukuyama’s comeback single
18	DRIVE TO BLUEL’Arc〜en〜Ciel		Dash freely into the blue world!
19	DESTINYMy Little Lover		MLL’s signature song “DESTINY,” the theme song for a drama
20	MARIAkuroyume		Kuroyume’s punkish, captivating single
21	In the distant skyDEEN		A masterpiece that sings of the poignant feelings of a long-distance romance
22	AutomaticUtada Hikaru		Hikaru Utada: A musical revolution in R&B
23	SHINELUNA SEA		LUNA SEA's exhilarating music lifts the spirit.
24	Just one wishKomatsu Miho		The iconic Detective Conan anime ending theme that sold 300,000 copies.
25	alone in my roomSuzuki Ami		Ami Suzuki and Tetsuya Komuro’s classic songs are popular.
26	DestinyMy Little Lover		The transparent charm of My Little Lover remains unchanged.
27	BAD LUCK ON LOVE 〜BLUES ON LIFE〜Tōko		An unconventional musical style akin to the Komuro Family, Daisuke Hinata
28	wanna Be A Dreammakerglobe		The first release in globe’s four consecutive singles, themed around nightmares.
29	Time goes byEvery Little Thing		A classic by ELT, with a beautiful melody that resonates with the heart.
30	Hold me all the wayKinKi Kids		Takuro Yoshida’s masterpiece wasn’t appreciated from the beginning.
31	Future CourseLa’cryma Christi		The refreshing world of Lacrima Christi
32	To the west, to the eastMr.Children		Mr. Children’s 1998 song “Endless Journey”
33	RomancePENICILLIN		Opening song of a visual kei band
34	Sign of LovePUFFY		Hit song by PUFFY, provided by Spitz’s Kusano
35	White LoveSPEED		SPEED’s classic winter hit has arrived!
36	Aim to be a Pokémon MasterMatsumoto Rika		The Pokémon song is a hit and extremely popular among children.
37	SOUL LOVEGLAY		A hit song released simultaneously with GLAY's 'Temptation'
38	promenadeJUDY AND MARY		Hit song by JUDY AND MARY, refreshing music for a walk
39	Winter fallL’Arc〜en〜Ciel		L'Arc's million-selling hit from 1998, one of their signature songs.
40	Hold me tight!Mōningu Musume.		Morning Musume's captivating third single
41	There will be love there -A Place with Love-the brilliant green		Theme song for “Love Again” earns its first No. 1
42	Cold Flowerthe brilliant green		The charm and clarity of brilliant green’s classic songs
43	Timing ~Timing~Black Biscuits		UriNari's hit song is popular in Taiwan as well.
44	BE WITH YOUGLAY		Songs that left an impression on NHK specials and drama theme songs
45	I can hear tomorrowJ-Friends		A moving song by the Disaster Relief Unit
46	snow dropL’Arc〜en〜Ciel		L'Arc: numerous masterpieces composed by tetsuya
47	flower burialL’Arc〜en〜Ciel		Yukihiro joins L'Arc-en-Ciel
48	I for YouLUNA SEA		LUNA SEA’s single, a drama theme song, led to their appearance on Kōhaku.
49	As if gently enveloping…MISIA		MISIA's debut song gains popularity for its vocal prowess and musicality.
50	Endless JourneyMr.Children		Theme song of 'The Woman Who Hits,' an epic with nine key changes
51	A third of pure-hearted feelingsSIAM SHADE		“ENDLESS RAIN” anime theme song, smash hit
52	Gokigen Bird ~crawler is crazy~SOPHIA		A SOPHIA song that sings about the ironies of life
53	Turn the roulette of fateZARD		Theme song of Detective Conan, popular song by ZARD
54	ever freehide with Spread Beaver		The yearning for freedom that carries on hide's will
55	Summer Colorsyuzu		The famous Yuzu song that feels like summer, 'Natsuiro'.
56	POWERPoketto Bisuketsu		Pocket Biscuits, high on the Oricon charts
57	AHHHHH!Kubota Toshinobu		Toshinobu Kubota’s popular singles and the allure of R&B
58	PoetKitajima Saburō		The nostalgic Ojarumaru theme song
59	wandererOkuda Tamio		Okuda Tamio’s theme song, with an idiosyncratic melody
60	Screamyazaru		A staff music unit originating from a TV program
61	Ride on timeMAX		MAX's hit song, Latin Dance
62	HOMEB’z		B’z’s popular single, with an impressive piano
63	Wandering Blue BulletB’z		A blue song, a B’z track notable for its sitar sound
64	The strong and fleeting onesCocco		The debut song is striking, and their slender figure is distinctive.
65	Pink Spiderhide with Spread Beaver		A signature song by hide, a million-selling classic
66	Catch You Catch Megumi		Anime song(s) from Cardcaptor Sakura
67	POISONSorimachi Takashi		A youthful song filled with rebellion against society