2012 Hit Song Rankings! A roundup of nostalgic classics all at once
In this article, we’ll be showcasing a roundup of Japanese hit songs from 2012 (Heisei 24)! How old were you back then? Maybe you were enjoying your student life, just starting out as a working adult and learning the ropes, or perhaps you got married and welcomed a child.
These are all songs that will likely bring back memories the moment you hear them, so please read through to the end! It’s also a playlist you can use as a reference when choosing songs for karaoke!
- [2013 Japanese Hit Songs] Masterpieces that Colored the Ama-chan Boom, Group Popularity, and the Band Scene
- Hit songs that colored 2011! Timeless tracks that bring back those days
- Hit J-Pop songs of 2007: the appeal of hit tracks that exude a positive vibe
- A Must-See for the Heisei Generation: Nostalgic Songs That Were Popular in the Heisei Era
- Hit J-Pop songs of 2014: recommended classics and popular tracks
- Songs that were popular last year. A collection of iconic tracks that symbolize 2022.
- [Hit Songs of 2010] A Roundup of Nostalgic Japanese Tracks!
- Best Hit Songs That Were Popular in 2022 [Top Pick]
- AKB48’s classic and hit songs: Relive your youth! A comprehensive introduction to their popular tracks
- Hit J-Pop songs of 2015. Recommended masterpieces and popular tracks.
- [Recommended for your 20s] Songs that get the crowd going at karaoke | From the latest hits to timeless classics
- Recommended karaoke songs for women in their 20s — Heisei/Reiwa hits and the latest tracks
- [20s] Popular Japanese Music and J-POP Rankings [By Generation]
2012 Hit Song Rankings! A roundup of nostalgic classics (1–10)
To the Lightmiwa
Singer-songwriter miwa captivates many fans with her translucent vocals and down-to-earth lyrics.
Released in August 2012 as her ninth single, this song was selected as the theme for Fuji TV’s Monday 9 p.m.
drama “Rich Man, Poor Woman.” Stepping beyond her previous guitar-and-vocal style, it drew attention for incorporating a four-on-the-floor electronic sound.
The lyrics, themed around the distance between people in the internet age, are notable for expressing feelings that seem within reach yet remain out of grasp, using light as a metaphor.
It became one of miwa’s signature songs, peaking at No.
4 on the Oricon weekly chart—her highest to that point—and later earning a million certification.
Apply false eyelasheskyarī pamyu pamyu
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s memorable first CD single.
Released in January 2012, it reached No.
3 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100.
The lyrics charmingly liken the familiar item of false eyelashes to magic and a transformation belt, portraying the joy and confidence of changing yourself.
Its dazzling electropop sound and catchy phrases really stick in your head.
Perfect for when you want to reinvent yourself or simply enjoy getting stylish.
Come here, ShampooNogizaka 46
The title track of their second single, released in May 2012.
Its appeal lies in a breezy melody with a hint of French pop.
The hair swaying in slow motion the moment someone turns, and the scent of shampoo—these images vividly capture the sparkle of youth with a sense of clarity.
Combined with the bright, clear vocals, you’re left feeling refreshed by the end.
It’s the perfect song for when you want to relive the sweet-and-sour feelings of school days or get the energy up at karaoke.
Face Downarashi
This is their 38th single, released in May 2012 as the theme song for the Monday 9 p.m.
drama “Locked Room.” It features a dark, mysterious electro sound, drawing you in with tense synth bass and a four-on-the-floor beat.
The lyrics depict confronting the other self within—facing a false version of oneself—linking with the drama’s closed-room mystery setting.
It’s a cool, tension-filled track—definitely give it a listen!
cherry blossomHikawa Kiyoshi
This is Kiyoshi Hikawa’s 21st single, released in February 2012.
The lyrics were written by the renowned lyricist Rei Nakanishi.
It portrays a poignant yet beautiful world where moonlit cherry blossoms and thoughts of the departed intertwine.
It is a story of profound love, imbued with the wish to reunite someday—returning as blossoms in spring.
It remains one of the masterpieces deeply etched in the hearts of enka and kayōkyoku fans.