Classic Japanese albums: must-listen recommendations
In Japan’s music scene, there are countless outstanding classic albums that continue to resonate in people’s hearts across generations.
These masterpieces possess a timeless appeal that transcends trends and never fades.
Perhaps you, too, have an unforgettable album that holds a special place in your heart.
While the value of music varies with each person’s memories and sensibilities, the Japanese albums widely celebrated by many listeners are packed with undeniable charm.
In this article, we’ll introduce carefully selected classic Japanese albums that have been loved across eras and generations.
Playlist
| Classic Japanese albums: must-listen recommendations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1east | sailing dayBUMP OF CHICKEN | play_arrow | A masterpiece album by BUMP OF CHICKEN |
| 2east | Nameless PoemMr.Children | play_arrow | Mr.Children 'Shinkai': A dark, weighty masterpiece album |
| 3east | YesterdayOfisharu Higedan Dism | play_arrow | Masterpiece album by Official HIGE DANDism |
| 4east | Linda LindaTHE BLUE HEARTS | play_arrow | The Blue Hearts’ classic early punk spirit |
| 5east | Kaiju no Hanabuta (Monster’s Flower Song)Vaundy | play_arrow | Vaundy’s debut album, a masterpiece shining with talent and sensibility |
| 6east | cherrysupittsu | play_arrow | Spitz’s classic 1996 album Indigo Chiheisen |
| 7east | One Last KissUtada Hikaru | play_arrow | Hikaru Utada’s eighth album “BAD Mode” |
| 8east | Tonight is Boogie BackOzawa Kenji | play_arrow | Kenji Ozawa's classic solo album |
| 9east | Perfect-Sense DreamerONE OK ROCK | play_arrow | A masterpiece album that marked ONE OK ROCK’s new beginning |
| 10east | Give it some guts!!Urufuruzu | play_arrow | Masterpiece album by Ulfuls |
| 11east | Marunouchi SadisticShiina Ringo | play_arrow | Shiina Ringo's debut album |
| 12east | festivalFuji Kaze | play_arrow | Fujii Kaze’s 2nd album brimming with evolved musicality |
| 13east | Teenager ForeverKing Gnu | play_arrow | The appeal of King Gnu’s classic album CEREMONY |
| 14east | Blue and SummerMrs. GREEN APPLE | play_arrow | Expressing the musical evolution of Mrs. GREEN APPLE’s new work |
| 15east | Lovely melodySUGAR BABE | play_arrow | A revolution in Japanese pop with SUGAR BABE’s debut |
| 16east | Don’t give upZARD | play_arrow | The Appeal and Characteristics of ZARD's “Yureru Omoi” |
| 17east | Ultramarine DaysToukyou Jihen | play_arrow | Tokyo Jihen's 1st album “Kyōiku (Education)” |
| 18east | LemonYonezu Kenshi | play_arrow | Kenshi Yonezu’s fifth album is original and highly acclaimed. |
| 19east | STORYWRITERSUPERCAR | play_arrow | Album introduction of SUPERCAR “HIGHVISION” |
| 20east | Heroineback number | play_arrow | back number 5th album: A Collection of Love Songs |
| 21east | fireworksaiko | play_arrow | Aiko’s signature work, “Under the Cherry Tree.” A masterpiece album depicting love. |
| 22east | Oh timeHoshino Gen | play_arrow | Gen Hoshino's life-force-brimming masterpiece album |
| 23east | It hurts.Kiyoshi Ryujin | play_arrow | A second album that expresses Ryujin Sei's inner conflict |
| 24east | I LOVE YOUOzaki Yutaka | play_arrow | Yutaka Ozaki's debut album, Seishun no Sakebi (Cry of Youth) |
| 25east | Can’t Say Anything… Summer | play_arrow | 90s Drama Theme Song Ballad Collection |
| 26east | To Your TownASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION | play_arrow | Asian Kung-Fu Generation masterpieces |
| 27east | Shut up.Ado | play_arrow | Ado’s debut major album tops the annual chart |
| 28east | B BLUEBOØWY | play_arrow | Introduction to BOØWY’s classic album, BEAT EMOTION |
| 29east | The strong and fleeting onesCocco | play_arrow | Cocco’s second album: a massively successful classic |
| 30east | FantasistaDragon Ash | play_arrow | Dragon Ash's multi-genre fusion album |
| 31east | no.13ELLEGARDEN | play_arrow | ELLEGARDEN 2nd album masterpiece |
| 32east | frecklesJUDY AND MARY | play_arrow | JUDY AND MARY’s revolutionary masterpiece album |
| 33east | ROSIERLUNA SEA | play_arrow | LUNA SEA’s representative work “MOTHER” |
| 34east | to youMONGOL800 | play_arrow | MONGOL800’s signature album |
| 35east | ParadiseTHE YELLOW MONKEY | play_arrow | THE YELLOW MONKEY’s masterpiece album SICKS |
| 36east | together; along with; bothWANIMA | play_arrow | WANIMA’s second album, released in 2018 |
| 37east | ENDLESS RAINX | play_arrow | X Japan's revolutionary album |
| 38east | Robinsonsupittsu | play_arrow | Spitz’s Honey is a masterpiece. |
| 39east | Black Ships (June 4, 1853, Kaei 6)Sadistic Mika Band | play_arrow | The classic album “Kurofune” by Sadistic Mika Band |
| 40east | firecrackerYellow Magic Orchestra | play_arrow | YMO’s debut work is innovative technopop |
| 41east | Fighting Fists, Angry SoulHi-STANDARD | play_arrow | Hi-STANDARD’s revolutionary punk album |
| 42east | Dragon NightSEKAI NO OWARI | play_arrow | SEKAI NO OWARI's third album |
| 43east | SenbonzakuraWagakki Band | play_arrow | An innovative debut album fusing traditional Japanese instruments and rock |

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