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 Collection of Gem-like Masterpieces (41–50)
Close your eyesHirai Ken
Singer-songwriter Ken Hirai captivates listeners with his deep, resonant voice.
This work poignantly yet purely sings of love—bearing the sense of loss after losing a loved one, yet being able to meet them in your heart whenever you close your eyes.
The lingering traces of absence in everyday life intersect with warm memories of the past, evoking a tightness in the chest.
Released in April 2004 as his 20th single, the song was written as the theme for the film “Crying Out Love, in the Center of the World” and became a million-selling smash hit.
It is a gem of a ballad that stirs the heart—perfect for nights when you want to immerse yourself in memories of someone precious or quietly let the tears fall.
2000s Japanese Hit Songs | Unforgettable After One Listen! A Collection of Gem-Like Masterpieces (51–60)
crescent moonayaka
Ayaka’s fourth single, released in September 2006.
A love ballad that captures the heartache of a long-distance relationship, it remains a beloved classic for many.
Even when apart, looking up at the same sky connects their hearts, and the resolve to keep moving forward despite loneliness deeply resonates with listeners.
It’s said the song reflects Ayaka’s own feelings when she moved to Tokyo, and that genuine emotion adds depth to her vocals.
It was featured in an au “LISMO” commercial and as a theme song for an NHK program, and it earned her the Best New Artist award at the 48th Japan Record Awards.
It’s a sentimental number you’ll want to listen to alone on nights when you can’t see someone dear to you.
I’ll be by your side.Aoyama Teruma ft. SoulJa
A single by Thelma Aoyama feat.
SoulJa, created as an answer song to hip-hop musician SoulJa’s single “Koko ni Iru yo feat.
Thelma Aoyama.” Released in January 2008, the song beautifully portrays the delicate emotions of a woman in a long-distance relationship—her loneliness from not being able to meet and the urge to run from her anxieties.
The arrangement layers Thelma Aoyama’s soulful vocals with SoulJa’s cool rap, making it a track you’ll want to sing with friends at karaoke.
It’s also known for being certified by Guinness World Records as the best-selling “Chaku-Uta Full” song in Japan at the time.
An emotional number that lets you fully relish Thelma Aoyama’s voice, now also a familiar presence on variety shows.
Two Red Starskinmokusei
Kinnmokusei’s biggest hit ran a razor-thin line with an exquisite mix-and-balance of Black soul and Japanese kayō pop.
It’s no exaggeration to say the song is structured with a perfectly crafted kishōtenketsu worthy of going down in history.
If it had tied up with Sapporo Lager Beer, it might have become an even bigger hit.
Pure Love SongShonan no Kaze
Released in 2006, this song is a straightforward love ballad.
Although Shonan no Kaze had a strong image as a reggae group, it spent 25 consecutive weeks at No.
1 on the Oricon karaoke rankings, was hugely popular on the radio, and was a big hit with the public.
SaudadePorunogurafiti
This is Porno Graffitti’s fourth single, released in 2000.
With this song, Porno Graffitti topped the Oricon chart at number one upon debut for the first time.
It also surpassed a million copies in sales and remains one of their signature songs, enjoying unwavering popularity at karaoke.
Roco LotionORANGE RANGE
Released in 2004, this song is ORANGE RANGE’s sixth single.
In the Oricon annual sales rankings, it placed seventh that year.
It enjoyed overwhelming popularity among young people, especially junior high and high school students, and its slightly provocative lyrics were part of its appeal.