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.

Playlist

A collection of nostalgic Japanese hit songs from the 1980s that still linger in our ears
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	foreignerKUBOTA Saki		A song arranged in a Silk Road style
2	DiamondsPRINCESS PRINCESS		Puri Puri’s signature song, Diamond
3	Sailor Suit and Machine GunYakushimaru Hiroko		Hiromi Yakushimaru debut song movie theme song
4	DESIRE -Passion-Nakamori Akina		Akina Nakamori’s 1986 Japan Record Award-winning song
5	Lullaby of the Holy MothersIwasaki Hiromi		The ending theme of Tuesday Suspense Theater
6	TANGO NOIRNakamori Akina		A tango song that brings out Akina Nakamori’s low-register allure
7	Wine Red Heartanzenchitai		A masterpiece that cemented Anzen Chitai’s status
8	DJ in My LifeShibugakitai		Shibugakitai’s nostalgic summer love song
9	KILLShibugakitai		Shibugakitai’s urbane breakup song
10	LADYShonentai		Shonentai singles, anime theme songs
11	Startled and GoodTahara Toshihiko		Toshihiko Tahara’s 1980s hit songs
12	Boogie Boogie I Love YouTahara Toshihiko		Toshihiko Tahara’s upbeat dance number
13	CROSS TO YOUotoko		A high-velocity rock number by Otokogumi
14	Blue Jeans MemoryKondō Masahiko		A blockbuster youth kayō song by Masahiko Kondo
15	Yokohama teakKondō Masahiko		A love song by Masahiko Kondo set in Yokohama
16	Love = Do!Tahara Toshihiko		Toshihiko Tahara’s 1981 hit song “Cha-Cha”
17	Dancing All Nightmonta & burazāzu		A major hit with their 1980 major-label debut single
18	Snow CountryYoshi Ikuzo		The success of Ikuzo Yoshi’s enka classic “Yukiguni”
19	The Camellia Sasanqua InnŌkawa Eisaku		A famous song depicting Eisaka Okawa’s adulterous love
20	A Tearful RequestChekkāzu		The Checkers’ second single in 1984
21	Life won’t give (it) to me / Unyielding lifeSegawa Eiko		Segawa Eiko's biggest hit song
22	Sneaker BluesKondō Masahiko		It's nostalgic, a big hit song by Masahiko Kondo.
23	MasqueradeShonentai		Shonentai’s debut single was a big hit
24	Rock’n RougeMatsuda Seiko		Seiko Matsuda’s spring love song, a smash-hit pop tune
25	Distance of the Starry SkyTHE ALFEE		A classic Showa-era song about heartbreak released in 1984
26	CHA-CHA-CHAIshii Akemi		Akemi Ishii's debut single was a big hit
27	Okuhida BojoRyū Tetsuya		The debut song and biggest hit of Tetsuya Ryu, a blind enka singer.
28	Night of 15Ozaki Yutaka		Yutaka Ozaki was supported as a spokesperson for young people.
29	Ruby RingTerao Akira		Atsushi Terao’s singing career and his signature song, Ruby no Yubiwa (Ruby Ring)
30	Tears aren’t just for show.Nakamori Akina		Akina Nakamori’s classic song composed by Yosui Inoue
31	Roppongi HeartbreakAn Ruisu		Ann Lewis's hard rock-style single
32	Can’t Stop the RomanticC-C-B		Became a big hit with a theme song by C-C-B
33	Goodbyeofukōsu		Off Course’s “Sayonara” is one of their signature songs.
34	Mi AmoreNakamori Akina		Akina Nakamori ranked No. 2 in ’85, surpassing 630,000 copies
35	Medaka Siblingswarabe		Warabee’s 1982 signature song. A fusion of a children’s song and a pop hit.
36	CheersNagabuchi Tsuyoshi		Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi’s classic song “Kanpai” is an anthem sung to cheer people on at life’s milestones.
37	I’ll wait.amin		Matsu wa, Amin's smash hit
38	Yagiri no Watashi (Yagiri Ferry)Hosokawa Takashi		A song of poignant feelings between a man and a woman reluctant to part
39	Girl ANakamori Akina		Akina Nakamori’s second delinquent taste
40	My RevolutionWatanabe Misato		Misato Watanabe’s hit songs are the origin of the Komuro sound.
41	Chance has comeBARBEE BOYS		A rare male-and-female vocal single released in 1985
42	MarionetteBOØWY		The lead single from the album BOØWY made before they broke up
43	atonementTeresa Ten		Teresa Teng’s heartrending love song
44	metropoliskurisutaru kingu		A classic released in 1979 that became a long-running hit in the ’80s
45	The hottest summer in the worldPRINCESS PRINCESS		A female band song that ranked 2nd on the 1989 singles chart
46	FriendsREBECCA		Rebecca's signature song, Friends
47	Dancing HeroOginome Yōko		Make a comeback with the “bubble dance”
48	I won’t lose!BARBEE BOYS		A band with powerful twin vocals
49	TOKIOsawada kenji		Introduction to famous energetic songs from the 80s
50	GLORIAZIGGY		ZIGGY single surpasses 300,000 copies sold
51	A long nightMatsuyama Chiharu		Chiharu Matsuyama’s big hit song from 1981
52	The Never-Ending SongTHE BLUE HEARTS		The Blue Hearts’ captivating rock sound
53	Words of FarewellKaientai		Kaientai's smash-hit graduation song
54	Marilyn in 1986Honda Minako		Marilyn, Minako Honda’s signature song
55	Full of memoriesH₂O		H2O's smash hit song, widely loved
56	Daydream BelieverZa Taimāzu		Covering a Monkees song in Japanese
57	I can’t stop this sadnessAnri		Anri’s signature standard song
58	In the Name of LoveHamada Shogo		A quintessential early ballad by Shogo Hamada
59	TRAIN-TRAINTHE BLUE HEARTS		A moving masterpiece by The Blue Hearts
60	Blue Coral ReefMatsuda Seiko		Seiko Matsuda wins a newcomer award for “Aoi Sangoshō” (Blue Coral Reef)
61	Virgin BlueSALLY		SALLY's major-label debut song is a big hit
62	TouchIwasaki Yoshimi		The opening theme from Touch used as a high school baseball cheer song
63	GET WILDTM NETWORK		City Hunter theme song a big hit
64	ff (fortissimo)HOUND DOG		HOUND DOG’s powerful signature song
65	Season in the SunTUBE		TUBE remains popular as a staple summer song
66	Under the big onionbakufū suranpu		Explanation of Bakufu Slump’s signature songs
67	WALKCHAGE and ASKA		Chage and Aska’s classic hit, a big success thanks to the VIVIO commercial
68	Teenage in GlassHikaru GENJI		Hikaru Genji’s classic hit “Glass Adolescence”
69	The Girl Who Leapt Through TimeHarada Tomoyo		Theme song of The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
70	DEAR FRIENDSPERSONZ		PERSONZ, representative song with a husky voice
71	Star Love LetterTHE BOOM		THE BOOM 1989 single release
72	crimsonX JAPAN		X JAPAN’s signature song “Kurenai” is a cheer song.
73	Crescent Moon MelancholyBARBEE BOYS		I have fond memories of a commercial song released in 1989.
74	Vixen on the RunBARBEE BOYS		A nostalgic song released in 1987
75	The seasons change only you.BOØWY		BOØWY's final single
76	Fall in LoveKobayashi Akiko		Debut song in 1985 became a big hit and won an award
77	huge nuisanceUNICORN		Unicorn debut single
78	I can’t put it into words.ofukōsu		Oda Kazumasa’s 1982 single, a commercial jingle
79	Heartbroken over JuliaChekkāzu		The Checkers’ 1985 Oricon number-one song
80	North TavernHosokawa Takashi		The enka boom of the 1980s and the blockbuster hit 'Kita Sakaba'
81	I want you to kiss me.THE BLUE HEARTS		Used as Atsushi Fujii’s walk-up song
82	A Member of the Fire BrigadeRATS&STAR		Rats & Star’s debut song
83	Subtly flashy (bling-bling, but nonchalant)Kondō Masahiko		Kondo Masahiko's classic pop song from 1981
84	TRUTHT-SQUARE		T-SQUARE’s classic song “TRUTH” is popular across generations.
85	Beautiful night skyJUN SKY WALKER(S)		JUN SKY WALKER(S)'s first single
86	BODY TO BODYSOFT BALLET		A band formed in 1986 that ceased activities in 1995
87	Lonely Tropical FishWink		Wink’s single, commercial jingle, and grand prize winner
88	I love youOkamura Yasuyuki		Yasuyuki Okamura handles the song for a Honda commercial
89	I want to protect youMatsutōya Yumi		A long-beloved theme song from a 1981 film
90	YES-NOofukōsu		Oda Kazumasa’s classic summer song from 1980
91	In the night sky after the rainRC Succession		Iconic Japanese rock song released in 1981
92	Payapayarepisshu		LÄ-PPISCH's debut song Payapa-ya
93	Diamond HurricaneHikaru GENJI		Hikaru GENJI’s fourth single
94	Runnerbakufū suranpu		Baseball cheer song by Bakufu Slump
95	SubaruTanimura Shinji		A message choosing spiritual richness
96	Two people on a muddy roadBO GUMBOS		BO GUMBOS is a multi-genre fusion
97	Deep down, thank you.Thetōnanseihoku		The 1986 single by The Tōnan-Seihoku
98	Purple Town ~You Oughta Know By Now~Yagami Junko		Junko Yagami’s signature song tied up with a JAL advertisement
99	MissingKubota Toshinobu		A quintessentially bittersweet love song from 1986
100	RASPBERRY DREAMREBECCA		REBECCA's 1986 single
101	VirginityREBECCA		In their early days, Rebecca had a strong rock style.
102	Limit LoversSHOW-YA		SHOW-YA's eighth single
103	Love is overŌyō Fifi		Ouyang Feifei’s “Love Is Over” became a big hit
104	Shake Hip!kome kome CLUB		Kome Kome Club’s signature song released in 1986
105	Roses and WineRED WARRIORS		It’s a signature song by RED WARRIORS.
106	FugitiveYazawa Eikichi		A famous song by Eikichi Yazawa that cries out for a thirst for freedom
107	Let’s walkJUN SKY WALKER(S)		The second single released in ’89, a commercial (CM) song
108	Vanity AngelREBECCA		The last track on the analog single
109	Blue Jean PierrotInagaki Junichi		Japan's number one most seductive male vocalist
110	Plan for the Indianization of JapanKinniku Shoujo Tai		Muscle Girl Band’s song makes a comeback on a kids’ TV show
111	dragonflyNagabuchi Tsuyoshi		Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi's 'Tonbo' becomes a big hit
112	MonicaYoshikawa Koji		Kōji Kikkawa’s debut single and signature song
113	Portrait in Prussian Blueanzenchitai		Theme song of Koji Tamaki’s first-appearance film
114	If I Could Play the PianoNishida Toshiyuki		Toshiyuki Nishida’s popular song “If I Could Play the Piano”
115	The Door to SummerMatsuda Seiko		Seiko Matsuda’s classic summer love song
116	Heavenly KissMatsuda Seiko		A spark of love, a heart-thrilling tune
117	B BLUEBOØWY		Lead single from BEATEMOTION
118	JUST ONE MORE KISSBUCK-TICK		BUCK-TICK is a flashy yet cool band
119	Be kind to othersTHE BLUE HEARTS		The Blue Hearts’ song was reappraised through a TV drama.
120	Buy me the video.kasutera		A rock band that debuted in 1989 called Castella
121	Don’t take off my sailor uniformKunikyo Sayuri		Onyanko Club's debut single
122	To each their own.Ōe Senri		UHA Mikakuto commercial jingle, arranged by Tetsuya Komuro
123	KISS IN THE MOONLIGHTUP-BEAT		UP-BEAT 4th single
124	SOMEDAYSano Motoharu		Motoharu Sano’s classic songs, timelessly moving
125	SEVEN DAYS WARTM NETWORK		TM NETWORK Seven Days War Theme Song
126	You were mineKubota Toshinobu		Toshinobu Kubota’s heartbreak love song
127	Minna no UtaSazan Ōrusutāzu		An upbeat song marking Southern All Stars’ comeback
128	Flashy!!!Nagayama Miho		Miho Nakayama’s classic brimming with synth vibes
129	All the coins I haveTHE STREET SLIDERS		A music band of love and kindness, active for 17 years
130	Twilight AvenueStardust Revue		Stardust Revue’s mature, bittersweet romantic love song
131	UFOpinku redii		Pink Lady's hit song “UFO”
132	Surf Paradise, Ski ParadiseMatsutōya Yumi		Yuming’s classic winter song, heartwarming music
133	Even though (I/you/they) became stupidThe Pīzu		Introduction to The Pees' 1st single track
134	MUGO… so sexyKudō Shizuka		Kanebo autumn promotional song
135	I CAN BEkome kome CLUB		A large twin-vocal band
136	Take a chance of tearskazami shingo		Shingo Kazami 1984 single big hit
137	Pink sighTakahashi Mariko		Mari Takahashi’s commercial jingle smash hit
138	The Makioka SistersItsuki Hiroshi		A story of a betrayed woman's love and farewell
139	SHOW MEMorikawa Yukari		Drama theme song becomes a big hit
140	EverydayJITTERIN’JINN		Everyday is JITTERIN’JINN’s debut single.
141	Endless Sun SetYoshikawa Koji		1987 single and KDD advertisement song
142	Harusaki KobeniYano Akiko		A 1981 release that reached No. 5 with lyrics by Shigesato Itoi
143	I’M GETTIN’ BLUEZIGGY		ZIGGY's first and sixth singles
144	Rainy NishiazabuTonneruzu		The Tunnels had a huge hit as singers.
145	If tomorrow were to…warabe		Warabi-za's hit song evokes nostalgia
146	RunawayShaneruzu		The debut single and big hit by The Chanels
147	Lullaby of a Serrated HeartChekkāzu		The Checkers’ classic songs represent the 1980s.
148	Don’t Stop LoveCOMPLEX		The Appeal and Timelessness of Iconic 80s Rock Songs
149	Sad and JealousyChekkāzu		Simultaneously entered the TOP 10 with three songs
150	Rizo Ravabakufū suranpu		14th single released in 1989
151	Future Projection IIDREAMS COME TRUE		Popular hit songs by Dreams Come True
152	Paradise GalaxyHikaru GENJI		Hikaru GENJI’s third single