Classic and hit Japanese pop songs from the nostalgic 80s
A special feature on Japanese hit songs that colored the 1980s! These include hits by artists who went on to have a major impact on later eras and by idols who enjoyed charismatic popularity—songs so beloved that many people can still sing along today.
Many timeless classics remain popular, especially revival hits and Showa-era kayōkyoku that have gained traction among younger generations even in the Reiwa era and beyond.
That said, when you think, “I want to listen to Japanese music from the ’80s,” it can be hard to decide where to start.
We’ve put together a selection focused on massively successful hits that we recommend you listen to first in those moments.
Use this as a companion to reminisce about memories from back then or to discover new music!
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Classic and hit Japanese pop songs from the nostalgic 1980s (21–30)
Dancing HeroOginome Yōko
Dancing Hero, which became one of Yoko Oginome’s signature songs, is a cover of Angie Gold’s Eat You Up.
Its disco sound and Oginome’s easy-to-learn dance moves became popular.
In some areas of Gifu Prefecture, the song is used for Bon Odori and seems to be a big hit.
TRAIN-TRAINTHE BLUE HEARTS
The Blue Hearts’ “TRAIN-TRAIN” was released in November 1988, reached No.
5 on the weekly Oricon chart, and placed No.
29 on the year-end Oricon chart.
It peaked at No.
3 on The Best Ten and ranked No.
11 on The Best Ten’s mid-year chart.
huge nuisanceUNICORN
Normally, it’s standard to release a single when making a debut, but in UNICORN’s case, they took an unusual approach: instead of a single, they first released two albums, and then made their single debut with “Dai Meiwaku.” Although they weren’t singles, music videos were made for “Maybe Blue” and “Peke Peke,” which had been included on the albums prior to “Dai Meiwaku.”
Cherry blossomMatsuda Seiko
That hugely popular Seiko Matsuda brings you “Cherry Blossom.” Released in January 1981, it proudly took the No.
1 spot on The Best Ten.
It also topped the weekly Oricon chart and ranked No.
9 on the year-end chart, making it a major hit.
Blue StasieonKawai Sonoko
Sonoko Kawai’s “Aoi Stasion” (Blue Station) was released in March 1986 under Yasushi Akimoto.
It topped the Oricon weekly chart for two consecutive weeks and reached 10th place on the Oricon year-end rankings.
The song became familiar to many through its appearance in the well-known Morinaga Hi-Soft commercial.
Kiss me with your eyesZa Vīnasu
“Kiss wa Me ni Shite” is a single by The Venus released in 1981.
It won the All Japan Cable Broadcasting Awards’ Excellent Star Award.
The song is an arrangement of Beethoven’s “Für Elise” and was also used as a campaign song for Kanebo Cosmetics.
stationTakeuchi Mariya
This song evokes a scene straight out of a film: unexpectedly running into an old lover at the station at twilight.
The protagonist notices him in the familiar raincoat, yet the bitter memories that resurface keep her from speaking.
Many listeners may feel their hearts tighten at the poignancy of fate, as two years have changed them both and sent them down diverging paths.
The song was self-covered on the acclaimed 1987 album “REQUEST,” and released as a single that November.
It also served as the theme for the Shochiku-distributed film “Goodbye Mama.” Another major appeal of this work lies in how its lyrics can be interpreted differently depending on the listener.
Put it on during a night when you want to reminisce about a past love and indulge in a touch of melancholy.