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!
- A collection of nostalgic Japanese hit songs from the 1980s that still linger in our ears
- Best City Pop Classics: Recommended Popular Songs [Timeless & Modern]
- Masterpieces and hit songs of 80s Japanese pop (kayōkyoku)
- 80s commercial songs. A roundup of Japanese songs from the 80s that have been used in commercials.
- A special feature on classic and hit songs by bands that were active in the 1980s
- Top Male Singer-Songwriter Hits of the 1980s: Ranking [2026]
- Classic and hit songs by nostalgic Japanese pop idols of the 80s
- Top 1980s Female Singer-Songwriters: Popular Songs Ranking [2026]
- A collection of nostalgic hit songs and classics from the 70s
- Popular Showa-era pop. Timeless hit songs.
- [Nostalgic Classics] Hit Japanese Love Songs from the 1980s
- [1980s Western Music] Nostalgic 80's Best Hit Songs
- Evokes the charm of the good old days. Showa-era inspirational songs that are still loved today.
Masterpieces and Hit Songs of Nostalgic Japanese Pop from the ’80s (31–40)
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.
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.
Mary AnnTHE ALFEE
Originally, they were more of a folk-centered band, but later they changed into something like the rock band they are now.
(Sakazaki still has strong folk elements, though.) They have been in charge of the theme song for the Osaka International Women’s Marathon since 1987, and it has continued for 29 years.
MasqueradeShonentai
I didn’t know the group Shonentai at all, but on the music show The Best Ten that was on at the time, they suddenly jumped from outside the rankings to number one, and from there their name and image spread throughout the country.
They sparkled, all of them were great dancers, they were cool, and they instantly became popular.
ANGELHimuro Kyosuke
Kyosuke Himuro’s “Angel” was released in July 1988, reached No.
1 on the weekly Oricon chart, and placed eighth on the Oricon year-end chart.
It was a song strong enough to rank 11th on the Best Ten year-end ranking, and it reached No.
1 as Himuro’s debut single after serving as the vocalist of the former band BOØWY.
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.”
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.
Opera Glasses in WinterEri Nitta
Just like AKB48 members do solo activities, the same thing happened with Onyanko Club.
As the second solo act to be promoted was Eri Nitta.
(The first was Sonoko Kawai.) She was very popular, but it seems her singing ability didn’t quite measure up.
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.
GET WILDTM NETWORK
This song was released in 1987.
It was chosen as the ending theme for the anime City Hunter and quickly became a huge hit.
City Hunter used various songs and all of them were successful, but this one was the biggest hit.
The song has been used repeatedly in later installments of the series as well.