2000s Japanese Hits | Unforgettable Once You Hear Them! Exquisite Masterpieces
What kind of music were you listening to back then? The 2000s can be called a turning point for J-POP.
Theme songs from TV shows and dramas, the background music of school life, the songs we sang at karaoke—many people only need to hear them and a page of youth, etched together with the music, comes vividly back.
In this article, we present hit songs that defined the 2000s.
Shall we look back once more at the music of that special era, where nostalgia and novelty intertwined?
2000s Japanese Hit Songs | Unforgettable Once You Hear Them! A Collection of Exquisite Masterpieces (1–10)
Over and OverNEW!Every Little Thing
From the heart-piercing intro, you’re instantly drawn into the song’s world.
It’s the ultimate ballad that encapsulates Every Little Thing’s charm, where melancholy and warmth coexist.
The beautiful synthesizer tones crafted by Mitsuru Igarashi intertwine with Kaori Mochida’s delicate, soaring vocals, filling your heart as you listen.
Released in January 1999, this work was used as the ending theme for the drama “Border: Criminal Psychology Investigation File,” becoming a memorable classic for many.
It’s also included on the album “Every Best Single +3” and continues to be loved today.
With its warm message that feels like a wish for love to last forever, it’s the kind of masterpiece you’ll want to savor on a quiet night while thinking of someone dear.
fragileNEW!Every Little Thing
Widely beloved as the theme song for the romance observation show “Ainori,” this renowned ballad remains deeply etched in many people’s memories.
The lyrics woven by Kaori Mochida delicately portray the fragility of human relationships—not limited to romance—and the clumsy hearts that struggle to be honest.
Those earnest feelings resonate in the heart, carried by a gentle yet powerful melody.
Released in January 2001, this work is also a landmark piece as Every Little Thing’s first Oricon No.
1 after becoming a duo.
Included on the classic album “4 FORCE,” it has been cherished for many years.
It’s a number that offers a warm, quiet companionship on nights when you’re troubled by a relationship with someone important or when you want to face your own vulnerabilities.
sureNEW!Every Little Thing
A hidden gem by Every Little Thing, with a melody that blends poignancy and warmth and resonates in the heart.
Released in February 2000, this track was used as the theme song for the NTV drama “Virtual Girl,” so many may remember it.
It was the last single from the period when Mitsuru Igarashi was in the band, and it’s also known as an important work for which Kaori Mochida wrote the lyrics.
The words, which strive to believe in something certain amid confusion, can give you courage when you’re feeling anxious.
An orchestral version is included on the album “eternity,” allowing you to enjoy the song’s world through a different arrangement.
It’s a recommended number when you’re facing an important decision or want to reaffirm your feelings.
See you tomorrow.NEW!Every Little Thing
A gentle acoustic guitar sets a comfortable mood in this 25th single.
Evolving from their early, sparkling sound toward an acoustic resonance, it’s a gem of a ballad that fully showcases Kaori Mochida’s warm vocals.
Centered on everyday greetings, it softly portrays the sense of security shared with someone dear.
Released in November 2003, the song became widely loved as the theme for the drama “Pure Love III” and in commercials for Hachimitsu Kinkan throat lozenges.
It was also performed at that year’s NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen, leaving a lasting impression on many.
Listen at the end of the day, and you’ll likely feel your taut nerves unwind into calm.
It’s a number that stays by your side when you need a quiet breath amid busy days.
love letterNEW!Every Little Thing
A sublime ballad you’ll find yourself wanting to hear when winter’s chill sinks into your bones.
It opens with a tranquil piano tone, gradually layered with strings, as if pent-up feelings were beginning to overflow.
Kaori Mochida’s delicate breath work gently conveys the subtle shades of emotions that words can’t capture.
Released by Every Little Thing in December 2004, the song became widely beloved as the theme for the film “A Love Letter from Heaven” and as a cough drop commercial tune.
It topped the Oricon weekly chart and was performed on that year’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen, capturing the hearts of many.
Perfect for times when you want to reaffirm how much someone means to you, or when you’re in the mood for a heartwarming moment.
Song of LoveNEW!Every Little Thing
This work is marked by a gently soul-soothing melody and a sweeping string arrangement.
It’s a gem of a ballad that symbolizes the period when Every Little Thing became a duo and their music gained deeper richness.
Written as the theme song for the 2002 theatrical film Inuyasha: Affections Touching Across Time, it was placed near the end of the album Many Pieces.
Kaori Mochida’s crystal-clear vocals deliver a universal message of peace and love with direct sincerity.
The lyrics, which feel like a prayer for a world without conflict, resonate deeply with the film’s story and light a warm flame of hope in the listener’s heart.
It’s the perfect song for moments of anxiety or quiet nights when you want to calm your mind.
A timeless classic that continues to be loved across generations.
GibbsShiina Ringo
A love song by Sheena Ringo in which possessiveness toward a lover and the fear of losing them pierce the heart painfully.
Released in January 2000, this work was a lead single from the acclaimed album Shōso Strip.
It debuted at No.
4 on the Oricon Weekly Chart and received the Excellence Award at the 42nd Japan Record Awards, among other high honors.
Though the protagonist wants to believe in eternity, their sensitivity leads them to see a future lie in the word “forever.” Many listeners may find themselves relating to the depth of love that equates their relationship with that of a legendary couple.