Classic and hit songs by nostalgic Japanese bands from the 1990s
The 1990s were an era when countless bands across a variety of genres were thriving.
Starting with the Being-kei bands, many visual-kei bands also emerged, and it was around the mid-90s that the melodic hardcore scene really took off in Japan.
Among them, quite a few bands are still active on the front lines today.
In this article, we’ll introduce classic songs by 90s bands that anyone who lived through that era will likely find “so nostalgic!!”
Of course, there are plenty of songs that feel nostalgic, but many of them are still beloved as timeless staples even now.
Please enjoy these tracks packed with the unique charm of that era.
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Classic and Hit Songs by Nostalgic Japanese Bands from the 1990s (31–40)
As I love you selfishly, I won’t hurt anyone but you.B’z
Released as B’z’s 12th single, it was used as the theme song for the Nippon TV 40th anniversary drama “Saiyuki.” It became a major hit, topping the Oricon singles chart for four consecutive weeks.
Among B’z’s songs, it has the longest title.
Kafu TsumuGUNIW TOOLS
GUNIW TOOLS, who debuted in 1990 with a unique musical style and visuals that were like rock, like industrial, and like visual kei, made a strong impression.
This track is included on their third album, and its calmly flowing, steady progression is striking.
The music video’s quality was high for its time and became a hot topic.
Youth Frenzysanīdī sābisu
Sunny Day Service is a band formed around vocalist and guitarist Keiichi Sokabe.
They were popular for their somewhat nostalgic sound, and the band reunited in 2008.
This song is their second single, released in 1995.
It has a warm atmosphere.
innocent worldMr.Children
Released as Mr.Children’s fifth single, it was used as the commercial song for Japan Coca-Cola’s “Aquarius Neo/Aquarius Iosis.” It became their first number-one on the Oricon chart and also ranked number one on the 1994 Oricon annual singles chart.
HoneyL’Arc〜en〜Ciel
In 2020, L’Arc, aka L’Arc-en-Ciel, delighted fans by launching their first concert tour in about eight years, ARENA TOUR MMXX—a recent memory for many.
Since their major debut in 1994, they’ve carved out a unique place with an unparalleled sense of style and musicality, maintaining their status as a nationally beloved band that continues to churn out massive hits.
Here, we introduce HONEY, one of the three singles they simultaneously released in 1998 that drew widespread attention.
It became the band’s first million-selling record and remains one of their most widely known signature songs.
Although the arrangement is unusually simple for a L’Arc single, it still unmistakably embodies their sound—proof of their finesse.
Many listeners no doubt found themselves captivated by the music video, where hyde launches into the song, strumming his guitar with raw intensity.
Classic and Hit Songs by Nostalgic Japanese Bands from the 1990s (41–50)
Kiss me right nowLINDBERG
Released as LINDBERG’s second single, it was chosen as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Sekai de Ichiban Kimi ga Suki!” It reached number one on the Oricon Singles Chart and ranked third on the 1990 year-end singles chart.
Seesaw Game: A Song of Brave LoveMr.Children
It’s Mr.
Children’s 9th single, a hit song released in August 1995.
Sakurai apparently said the reason he used a picture of a monkey on the jacket was, “The film (‘[es] Mr.Children in FILM’) has wrapped up, and we’re restarting with a fresh mindset—restarting with the spirit of a monkey.”