[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 (41–50)
Nagisasupittsu
This is a song with a mysterious charm, tinged with the bittersweetness of summer’s end and a dreamlike atmosphere.
The sparkling intro feels like it’s guiding you to the boundary between reality and dreams.
The lyrics penned by Masamune Kusano seem to go beyond a simple love song, encompassing the flow of life and even a profound view of life and death.
It’s filled with poetic beauty that stirs the listener’s imagination.
Released as a Spitz single in September 1996 and included on the classic album “Indigo Chiheisen” (Indigo Horizon), the song also became widely known as the theme for Ezaki Glico’s “Pocky Love Story” commercials.
Why not surrender your heart to the timeless resonance of this masterpiece?
[Heisei Retro] Hit Japanese songs representing the 1990s: Recommended J‑Pop classics (51–60)
Get fired upDaikoku Maki
When it comes to NHK’s broadcast theme song for the Atlanta Olympics, this is probably the first track many people think of.
Released as a single in July 1996, it became a massive hit, reaching No.
1 on the Oricon charts.
The lyrics portray the frustration of not being able to be honest with oneself, along with the determination to move forward with passion anyway—paired with powerful high-note vocals that resonate deeply with listeners.
Also included on the album “POWER OF DREAMS,” this energetic anthem is perfect for psyching yourself up when it really counts or getting hyped while watching sports.
Don’t wanna cryAmuro Namie
Released in 1996 at the height of the nationwide “Amura” craze, this is a classic track.
Marking a sharp turn from the intense dance beats of her earlier work, it incorporates authentic elements of Black music and became a pivotal moment in Namie Amuro’s evolution as an artist, opening a new door of expression.
The optimistic lyrics, which urge you to step into the future on your own feet rather than just wait, gently yet powerfully push those who are feeling uncertain.
Included on the landmark album SWEET 19 BLUES, this number is guaranteed to give you courage when you’re not satisfied with the status quo and want to leap into a new world.
BREAK OUT!Aikawa Nanase
A hard, fast-paced rock number produced by Tetsuro Oda.
The guitar riff that rings out from the intro makes a powerful impact, and the lyrics—filled with a strong will to break through the status quo and charge toward the future—hit home.
Released as a single in June 1996, it became widely familiar through its use in commercials for the aesthetic salon Slim Beauty House.
It was later included on the album “Red,” which went on to sell over two million copies.
With its rapid tempo and infectious groove, it’s perfect for blowing off stress or boosting your mood.
I can also highly recommend it for karaoke when you want to get everyone pumped up.
romantic feelingsAikawa Nanase
Nanase Aikawa, who led the girls’ rock scene of the ’90s and still captivates with her powerful vocals.
This song of hers—produced by Tetsuro Oda—is an ultra-cool rock tune that fuses fierce guitars with a catchy melody.
She sings passionately about a wavering love: putting on a brave face and failing to be honest with the one you like, and it makes your heart skip a beat every time you listen.
Released as a single in October 1996, it’s also famous as the CM song for Ginza Jewelry Maki.
Sweet-and-sour yet intense, it’s a track loved across generations.
save your dreamKahara Tomomi
Tomomi Kahala, who helped define an era in the ’90s under the production of Tetsuya Komuro, is renowned for her clear, soaring high notes and earnest expressiveness.
Released in October 1996, this song became her first to top the Oricon Singles Chart—a true milestone.
It was also featured in a commercial for Lotte’s Sasa chocolate, and many people likely remember it alongside its stylish visuals.
The lyrics, which weave in English, convey a strong determination to protect one’s dreams.
It’s the perfect track for moments when you want to fire yourself up.
Give it a listen and relive the brilliance of those days.
Everything (it’s you)Mr.Children
This is the theme song for the NTV drama “Koi no Vacance,” released in March 1997.
It’s said that Mr.
Children’s Kazutoshi Sakurai wrote the song with an “athletic, go-for-it” mindset.
The powerful, hard rock-tinged sound and lyrics filled with feelings for a loved one are striking.
The guitar solo in the interlude is performed by Kenichi Tahara and Sakurai, with Yuko Tsubokura from BB Queens contributing chorus vocals.
Centered around the word “STAY,” the song expresses the importance of finding what truly matters in life.
It’s a moving track that gives you the courage to move forward despite worries and contradictions.