[Heisei Retro] Hit Japanese songs that defined the 1990s. Recommended J-POP classics.
When you think of the Japanese music scene of the ’90s, what kind of sounds come to mind? It was an era when million-selling hits kept emerging and CD sales marked a golden age for the music industry.
Hit songs poured from TV and radio into the streets, and everyone was humming the same tunes.
From guitar rock to dance music, from the Shibuya-kei movement to the Being-kei style, a wide variety of genres coexisted, each shining with its own unique brilliance in the ’90s.
In this article, we’ll introduce a selection of hit songs that colored that rich musical scene.
For those who lived through the era, they’ll feel nostalgic; for first-time listeners, they’ll sound fresh.
Please take your time and enjoy.
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[Heisei Retro] Hit Japanese songs representing the 1990s. Recommended J-POP classics (121–130)
Surely more than anyone else in the worldNagayama Miho & WANDS
This is a song etched in memory as one of the defining classics of the ’90s.
A miraculous collaboration between Miho Nakayama and WANDS, it captured the hearts of many listeners with lyrics expressing a powerful love and a wish to be by someone’s side.
Released in October 1992, it became a massive hit, surpassing one million copies sold in just 20 days.
It was also used as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Dareka ga Kanojo o Aishiteru” (“Someone Loves Her”), remaining in many people’s memories alongside the show.
With lyrics that seem to speak on behalf of those in love and a melody that resonates deeply, it’s perfect for conveying your feelings to someone special—a song that will give your romantic heart a gentle push.
threadNakajima Miyuki
A signature song by Miyuki Nakajima that captured many hearts with its relaxed melody and deeply resonant lyrics.
After being included on the 1992 album “EAST ASIA,” it gradually gained popularity and drew widespread attention when it was used as the theme song for the 1998 drama “Seija no Koushin” (March of the Saints).
The masterful lyrics, which liken encounters and bonds between people to threads, have struck a chord with many, making it a frequent choice at life’s milestones such as weddings and graduation ceremonies.
In 2020, it was adapted into a film starring Masaki Suda and Nana Komatsu, and it continues to be loved across generations.
It’s a song you’ll want to listen to when you want to feel the bonds with someone important.
1/2Kawamoto Makoto
It was the opening theme for the anime Rurouni Kenshin.
At a time when bands, groups, and idols dominated the scene, this style was rare, and I think she became a pioneer of the female singer-songwriter who performs with just a guitar.
It sold nearly 800,000 copies and is her biggest hit single.
Even now, it hasn’t lost its shine.
I can’t stay a daydreaming girlAikawa Nanase
Ms.
Aikawa is a female rock singer who represents the 1990s.
These days, it’s said that more and more young band girls are covering her songs.
If that’s the case, she might gradually come to occupy a position among the youth similar to that of Princess Princess.
[Heisei Retro] Hit Japanese Songs That Defined the ’90s: Recommended J-POP Classics (131–140)
I’m proudKahara Tomomi
This is Tomo-chan, Tomomi Kahara’s third single and her biggest hit.
She has self-covered it several times, so there are a few different versions.
Back then, Tomo-chan’s high, clear voice left a very strong impression!
Silent EveKarashima Midori
This song, known as one of Midori Karashima’s signature works, is a heartfelt ballad that brightens long winter nights.
It gently stays close to the listener while captivating them with a wistful melody.
Released in 1990, it portrays the feelings of women spending their time quietly amid the glitz of the bubble era.
Karashima’s emotionally rich vocals tenderly yet powerfully convey the complex emotions of a man and a woman, giving the piece a timeless, universal appeal.
Perfect for the winter season, it brings a gentle warmth to many hearts and shows why it has been loved for so long.
It’s a standard for adults—one to play during a quiet night.
I can’t say it.Gō Hiromi
A quintessential 1990s ballad by Hiromi Go that gives voice to aching love.
The protagonist’s struggle to confess their feelings to someone they love is conveyed through a tender yet poignant vocal performance.
Released in May 1994, the song was used as the theme for the TBS drama “Omiai no Tatsujin” and became a long-running hit.
It sold over 350,000 copies and stayed on the Oricon charts for 39 weeks.
Its unspoken emotions—something anyone with experience in love has felt at least once—pierce the heart.
It’s a must-listen for those whose romantic feelings have grown from friendship, or for anyone who can’t quite take the step to confess.