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?
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2000s Japanese Hit Songs | Unforgettable Once You Hear Them! A Treasury of Masterpieces (101–110)
cherry blossomKetsumeishi
It’s Ketsumeishi’s biggest hit, released in 2005.
It proudly took the number one spot in the Oricon rankings for the first half of 2005.
There are many songs themed around cherry blossoms, but perhaps because of its good tempo and versatility, we often hear Ketsumeishi’s “Sakura.” Emi Suzuki, who appears in the music video, is very beautiful.
FriendKetsumeishi
Released in February 2002, this song celebrates the greatness of friendship.
Ketsumeishi’s distinctive sound—rooted in hip-hop and reggae—pairs perfectly with lyrics that truly resonate.
It was also used as the ending theme for TV Tokyo’s “JAPAN COUNTDOWN,” rapidly boosting Ketsumeishi’s popularity.
Singing about changing cityscapes and friends drifting apart, this track is a classic you’ll want to hear during graduation season or at life’s turning points.
It holds a special place in Ketsumeishi’s live shows as well, with full-length footage released thanks to its strong fan support.
Give it a listen when you feel like reflecting on memories with your friends.
Song of LoveSutoroberī Furawā
A song that became a major hit in the early 2000s as the commercial theme for Nintendo’s game Pikmin.
Sung by Strawberry Flower, this heartwarming message song portrays the cycle of life and unconditional love.
It shipped 200,000 copies initially and sold a total of 900,000, peaking at No.
2 on the Oricon Weekly Chart.
It also garnered attention overseas, including a cover version in France.
The lyrics, which strongly reflect the world of the game, pair perfectly with a slightly wistful melody.
Celebrating the joy of living while embracing life’s hardships, this is a track we especially recommend to anyone feeling uncertain about their path in life.
powder snowRemioromen
This signature song by Remioromen was released in 2005.
It was used as an insert song in the drama “1 Litre of Tears,” starring Erika Sawajiri, and became an explosive hit.
Since it was released at the end of the year, it ranked second on Oricon’s annual sales chart for 2006.
Youthful AmigoShūji to Akira
This is a unit song by two members from Johnny’s: Kazuya Kamenashi and Tomohisa Yamashita.
It became a hit as the theme song for a TV drama, and the artist name uses the characters’ names from the show.
As the title suggests, it’s a track that portrays friendship with an amigo.
2000s Japanese Hit Songs | Unforgettable Once You Hear Them! A Collection of Timeless Gems (111–120)
Tree of WadatsumiHajime Chitose
Released in 2002, this song is Chitose Hajime’s debut single.
It achieved remarkable sales for a newcomer, ranking an impressive third on Oricon’s 2002 annual sales chart.
It is one of Chitose Hajime’s signature songs, captivating listeners with her distinctive yet somewhat mystical voice.
GarnetOku Hanako
I am a singer-songwriter from Funabashi City, Chiba Prefecture.
I graduated from the Faculty of Music, Department of Music at Toho College of Music, and have been deeply involved in music since my student days.
I also have experience as a radio personality, and in live performances and composition I mainly use keyboard-based techniques.