[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.
- Classic and hit songs by nostalgic Japanese bands from the 1990s
- Iconic ballads of 90s J-pop: nostalgic mega-hits and fan favorites
- Hits that resonate across generations! Popular 1990s songs on TikTok
- Classic and hit J-pop songs from the nostalgic ’90s
- Ranking of Popular Songs by Japanese Male Singers from the 1990s [2026]
- [Hit Songs of 1999] A roundup of timeless tracks that dominated the charts!
- A collection of nostalgic hits from the Heisei era: Let’s look back at iconic songs from the 1990s and 2000s.
- 1990s J-Pop to listen to in summer: classic and hit summer songs
- Anime songs that were hits in the 1990s. Recommended masterpieces and popular tracks.
- Tear-jerking J-pop from the ’90s. Hit songs and real tearjerkers.
- [Hit Songs of 1996] Spotlight on the iconic tracks and popular tunes that colored the Heisei era!
- Hit Japanese songs that represent 1997. Recommended masterpieces.
- [90s Music] Shibuya-kei Classics: Recommended Popular Songs
[Heisei Retro] Hit Japanese songs representing the ’90s: Recommended J-Pop classics (181–190)
Erotica SevenSazan Ōrusutāzu
Lastly, as a personally meaningful pick, it’s Southern All Stars’ “Erotica Seven,” a hit from 1993 that ranked 4th on the year-end chart.
I remember the lyrics being pretty risqué, and it’s impressive that despite that, it sold over 1.7 million copies.
LOVE MachineMōningu Musume.
This song marked the beginning of Morning Musume’s major surge, and from this point on they racked up a string of big hits, transforming into idols who defined an era.
It was the first single after Maki Goto joined, and her contemporary look—distinct from the previously pure and innocent image of the members—also became a hot topic.
I love it!Hirosue Ryōko
This is an iconic 1990s J-pop classic that evokes the refreshing breeze of summer.
It was also used in Asahi Soft Drinks’ Mitsuya White Cider commercial and became a major hit.
Written and composed by Mayo Okamoto, the song was released in June 1997 and reached No.
1 on the Oricon charts.
Its lyrics, depicting pure feelings of love and happy moments with someone special, resonated with many listeners.
The clear, translucent vocals and upbeat melody are sure to bring back the sweet, bittersweet memories of youth.
It’s also a popular karaoke staple, perfect for making memories with friends.
ETERNAL WIND ~A Smile in the Shining Wind~Moriguchi Hiroko
One of the most iconic anime songs of the 1990s, this masterpiece is distinguished by Hiroko Moriguchi’s memorable vocals.
It was used as the theme song for the 1991 film Mobile Suit Gundam F91.
The lyrics, centered on the sorrow of war and a prayer for peace, resonate deeply.
The phrase “Pray don’t break a peace forever” is especially striking, conveying a heartfelt wish for eternal peace.
In 2019, it was selected for the Heisei Anisong Grand Prize’s Best Film Theme Song, and it continues to be beloved across generations.
It’s a must-listen not only for Gundam fans but also for anyone seeking moving lyrics and a beautiful melody.
Kiss me here.Shiina Ringo
Even if you can’t tell how to read the chorus at first glance, it makes sense once you hear it.
Although Ms.
Shiina is known for her enigmatic lyrics and compositions, this song carries a relatively simple and straightforward message.
Many people probably looked up who Sid Vicious is.
squallFukuyama Masaharu
A signature song by Masaharu Fukuyama that vividly portrays a bittersweet love.
It beautifully captures the transience of a romance that passes like a sudden shower and the delicate emotions of a woman falling in love.
Released in 2010, this track is Fukuyama’s self-cover of a song originally written for Eiko Matsumoto, and it won first place in a popularity poll thanks to passionate support from fans.
It resonates deeply not only with those newly in love but also with anyone who has experienced heartbreak, making it one of the iconic masterpieces of the ’90s.
It’s great for karaoke, but also perfect for quietly listening alone.
White ChristmasJUN SKY WALKER(S)
A poignant love song that represents the winter season.
Known as one of JUN SKY WALKER(S)’s signature tracks, it was released in November 1989.
Chosen for a Matsushita (Panasonic) CD radio-cassette commercial, it reached No.
1 on the Oricon chart.
The song conveys the feelings of thinking about someone far away under a cold, sunny sky, and a longing for promises that never end.
Vivid Christmas scenes are painted—the red and gold decorations adorning the city, a fir tree that looks heavy—while the lyrics leave a strong impression with their sense of human connection and the passage of time.
It’s sure to resonate with anyone who has spent a lonely Christmas without their lover.