A collection of nostalgic Japanese hit songs from the 1980s that still linger in our ears
Speaking of the 1980s, it was a time when countless timeless hits emerged that remain popular even today!
It was also an era filled with artists who influenced many of today’s musicians, and in many ways can be seen as the dawn of J-POP leading up to the explosive million-selling boom of the 1990s.
In this article, we’ll introduce a generous selection of especially recommended songs from the hit-packed 80s.
Please enjoy these nostalgic chart-toppers that are sure to bring back memories of the time.
- Classic and hit Japanese pop songs from the nostalgic 80s
- Masterpieces and hit songs of 80s Japanese pop (kayōkyoku)
- [Nostalgic Classics] Hit Japanese Love Songs from the 1980s
- A special feature on classic and hit songs by bands that were active in the 1980s
- Cool songs from the Showa era. Masterpieces from Showa that shine with sensuality, passion, and rugged charm.
- 80s commercial songs. A roundup of Japanese songs from the 80s that have been used in commercials.
- Classic and hit J-pop songs from the nostalgic ’90s
- Classic and hit songs by nostalgic Japanese pop idols of the 80s
- Popular Nostalgic Hits and Classics Ranking [1980s Japanese Music Ranking]
- Evokes the charm of the good old days. Showa-era inspirational songs that are still loved today.
- Top Male Singer-Songwriter Hits of the 1980s: Ranking [2026]
- A heartbreak song that was a hit in the 1980s. A classic and popular track in Japanese music.
- So nostalgic it feels new? Showa retro classics that colored Japan’s period of rapid economic growth
Japanese pop hits of the 1980s: a nostalgic collection of memorable classics (51–60)
Star Love LetterTHE BOOM
It was released in 1989 as THE BOOM’s second single.
The song was cut as a single from their first original album, “A PEACETIME BOOM,” and was also used as the theme song for a Red Feather Community Chest commercial featuring THE BOOM.
It’s a classic that has been covered by other artists as well.
Season in the SunTUBE
This is a signature song by TUBE, the legendary summer band.
Its exhilarating rhythm and liberating melody capture the essence of summer, and even after many years it has maintained its status as a classic summer anthem.
Payapayarepisshu
Lä-ppisch is a rock-ska band that debuted in 1987.
Despite being their debut song, Payapaya was used in a Toyota commercial.
It’s a bright and lively track, yet it’s filled with the band’s unique atmosphere.
The phrase “payapaya” is addictive and tends to stick in your head.
It’s a story from the world of dreams, just before waking.
The more you listen, the more you’ll find yourself wandering into a mysterious world.
I can’t put it into words.ofukōsu
It’s the 23rd single, released in 1982, notable for its clear, resonant vocals.
It was used in a Meiji Life Insurance commercial, and Kazumasa Oda himself recorded a self-cover.
At Torihama, Namiki-chuo, and Hakkeijima stations on the Kanazawa Seaside Line, it is played as the station melody.
Hit Japanese Songs from the 1980s: A Nostalgic Collection of Unforgettable Classics (61–70)
Under the big onionbakufū suranpu
A signature song by Bakufu Slump.
Released in 1989, it was later covered by artists such as Masayoshi Yamazaki and Masayuki Tanaka.
It was used in a commercial for Cosmo Oil and as the main theme for Battle Heater.
The “big onion” isn’t a vegetable, but a decorative feature at a certain concert venue.
The song tells of a tender romance between a man and a woman who exchange letters.
They promise to meet in real life, but the woman never shows up—an achingly bittersweet ending.
WALKCHAGE and ASKA
Their 23rd single, released in 1989.
Although it peaked at No.
20 on the Oricon chart, it was used in a commercial as the tie-in song for SUBARU’s VIVIO, becoming a smash hit that foreshadowed CHAGE and ASKA’s golden era in the 1990s.
It was re-released in 1992, reaching No.
3 on Oricon at that time.
A timeless CHAGE and ASKA classic with enduring popularity among fans.
Teenage in GlassHikaru GENJI
Many of you might already know this, but a lot of Hikaru GENJI’s songs were by CHAGE and ASKA, and “Glass no Jūdai” was written and composed by Ryo Asuka.
It may feel a bit Showa-era, but I think it still absolutely holds up in the Reiwa era.
I can still remember the shock of them coming out on roller skates.
They’re no longer active, but the song remains a timeless classic you can keep listening to forever.
