[2026 Hit Songs] Iconic Heisei-Era Classics and Nostalgic Japanese Music
In 2009, a year when historic events unfolded one after another for Japan—like a change of government and victory in the WBC—the music scene was just as electrifying, producing numerous hits that defined the era.
These gems are filled with the heartache, passion, and pure joy of that time.
In this article, we’ll introduce timeless masterpieces that dominated the charts back then and still haven’t lost their luster.
Your heart will surely dance as you reunite with the songs you once loved.
Why not relive that excitement once more, along with your fond memories?
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[2026 Hit Songs] Masterpieces That Colored the Heisei Era: Nostalgic Japanese Music (21–30)
WILDAmuro Namie
It’s an incredibly cool song by Namie Amuro.
The lyrics are great, and the track itself is a dance number with a Western pop vibe, so it’s the kind of song you’d want to play while driving.
It feels more like something you’d listen to while doing something else rather than sing along to.
Excessive WealthShiina Ringo
I want you to pay attention to the lyrics that are so characteristic of Shiina Ringo.
While Shiina Ringo’s songs and voice have unique qualities, the biggest appeal is definitely the lyrics.
Among her songs, these lyrics are very easy to understand and straightforward.
It’s a song that encourages you when you’re feeling down.
[2026 Hit Songs] Iconic Tracks That Colored the Heisei Era: Nostalgic J-Pop (31–40)
avatar; incarnation; embodimentFukuyama Masaharu
If anything, it’s a cool, up-tempo song that’s very typical of Masaharu Fukuyama.
The tune brings out his sensual side.
The jacket was shot by a female photographer, and it looks great too—definitely a CD you’d want to buy for the cover alone.
Believearashi
It was the best-selling song of 2009.
It has an upbeat, characteristically Arashi-style sound.
It’s catchy, but it’s pretty hard to sing at karaoke because it’s fast.
There’s also a rap part, so unless you’re confident, it’s not easy to take on.
RESCUEKAT-TUN
It’s a very cool song that’s so KAT-TUN.
With KAT-TUN, not just the music but the lyrics are cool, too.
One of the charms of KAT-TUN’s songs is that they don’t feel typically J-pop.
It’s more of a track you listen to rather than sing along with.
The vocals are cool as well.
Love ABONEWS
Among NEWS’s songs, this is one that really gets the crowd going.
There are harmonized parts, and if you can sing those coolly, it will hype things up even more.
Since it’s about blood types, the lyrics are very amusing.
It’s also fun to sing it with choreography.
SpiritV6
It’s a bright, upbeat song that feels very V6.
Since it’s a dance number, it has a light, breezy tone.
It’s the kind of song you want to listen to in the morning when you want to wake up.
When you’re feeling down, it helps you feel like you can at least start moving forward little by little.
It’s also recommended to listen to before playing sports.