Classic and hit J-pop songs from the nostalgic ’90s
In the 1990s, when CDs sold explosively, countless artists produced signature songs that still stand the test of time.
From among the J-Pop hits that defined the ’90s, this article introduces classic and hit tracks recommended by our studio staff.
We’ve picked a variety of songs: theme songs from smash-hit dramas, beloved karaoke staples everyone in Japan has sung, and timeless favorites cherished across generations.
Be sure to check out this legendary playlist that reshaped the history of Japanese pop music—tracks that will never fade!
- Iconic ballads of 90s J-pop: nostalgic mega-hits and fan favorites
- Popular Nostalgic Songs: J-Pop Ranking [1990s Japanese Music Ranking]
- Nostalgic Yet Everlasting: Classic Hits by 1990s Idol Singers
- [J-Rock] Timeless masterpieces that colored the 1990s. Nostalgic hit songs.
- Classic and hit songs by nostalgic Japanese bands from the 1990s
- [Heisei Retro] Hit Japanese songs that defined the 1990s. Recommended J-POP classics.
- Ranking of Popular Songs by Female Singer-Songwriters of the 1990s [2026]
- 1990s Male Singer-Songwriters: Popular Song Rankings [2026]
- Showa-era classic songs that brightened the 1990s
- Popular 80s hits for karaoke. Sing kayōkyoku and pop songs!
- All big hits! A roundup of classic J‑Pop songs that were popular in 2000
- Tear-jerking J-pop from the ’90s. Hit songs and real tearjerkers.
- A collection of nostalgic hits from the Heisei era: Let’s look back at iconic songs from the 1990s and 2000s.
Classic and Hit Japanese Pop Songs from the Nostalgic ’90s (61–70)
Kujira No. 12JUDY AND MARY
A pop-rock tune with a powerful, bouncing bassline and guitar riffs, reminiscent of high-energy soccer.
JUDY AND MARY crafted this as a cheer song for Japan, filled with their passion for sports.
YUKI’s clear, crystalline vocals and TAKUYA’s memorable ending leave a lasting impression.
Released in February 1997 as the lead single from the album THE POWER SOURCE, the track was also featured in a commercial for Honda’s Live Dio scooter and reached No.
5 on the Oricon chart.
Its refreshing melody and exhilarating drive make it the perfect song when you’re taking a new step forward or want to cheer someone on.
Soulmatesupittsu
A gem of a song whose delicate lyricism finds meaning in the small moments of everyday life, paired with a universal message that questions the nature of love in modern society.
Released as a single in November 1997, it is known as a work that symbolizes Spitz’s musical evolution.
The striking sound—where the warmth of acoustic guitar harmonizes with new approaches like breakbeats—reached No.
3 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.
It also drew attention as the theme song for the 1999 film “Whisper of the Moonlight.” Highly recommended for those who want to listen alone on a calm night, or for anyone seeking emotional support at a crossroads in life.
The Other Side of LoveSakamoto Ryuichi featuring Sister M
This song is striking for its beautiful harmony woven from a translucent singing voice and a refined melody.
Crafted entirely in English lyrics by Ryuichi Sakamoto, it gracefully expresses universal themes that pursue the essence and truth of love.
This miraculous father–daughter collaboration was released as a single in January 1997 and drew attention as the theme song for the Nippon TV drama “Stalker: A Love Untouchable.” It reached No.
6 on the Oricon weekly chart and achieved an astounding sales figure of approximately 720,000 copies.
This work is a quiet, moving masterpiece in which a tender, heart-piercing vocal blends perfectly with a sound that is both delicate and powerful.
Highly recommended as a gemlike, healing ballad you’ll want to listen to alone on a calm night.
Happy endingOhtaki Eiichi
As the theme song for a Fuji TV Monday 9 p.m.
drama, this is a gem of a love song that Eiichi Ohtaki released for the first time in 12 years.
Its gentle, heartwarming melody and lyrics that carefully weave the feelings of a woman in love blend beautifully, leading to a massive hit of 970,000 copies sold since its release in November 1997.
Used in Love Generation, the song also marked Ohtaki’s first-ever Top 10 entry as a solo artist, showcasing his rich musicality to the fullest.
Portraying a sweet yet bittersweet love story, this track is highly recommended for those harboring feelings for someone special or wishing for a happy future with a loved one.
I love youKawamura Ryuuichi
A heart-stirring ballad woven from a delicate singing voice and profound expressions of love.
Ryuichi Kawamura’s solo debut is a memorable masterpiece whose romantic melody is matched by vivid imagery that evokes the shoreline.
Chosen as the ending theme for the music program COUNT DOWN TV, the song reached No.
4 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart after its release in February 1997, and it continues to shine as one of Kawamura’s signature tracks.
This exquisite love song, sung with sincere emotion, distinctive expressiveness, and soaring high notes, is sure to touch the heart—perfect for a nighttime drive when love is in the air or for special moments with someone important.
sunflowerNagabuchi Tsuyoshi
A song filled with warmth like sunlight, woven from a powerful singing voice and acoustic guitar.
With themes of hope and renewal, it superbly expresses human strength and kindness, showcasing Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi’s musical maturity.
Released on July 2, 1997, this work was used as the theme song for the TBS drama “Bodyguard” and became his 28th single.
Seamlessly blending folk rock and acoustic rock, the track embodies the essence of Nagabuchi’s musicality.
It is truly a sun-like song that stands beside those who are troubled at heart and those who are about to take a new step forward.
Hungry SpiderMakihara Noriyuki
This is a mysterious song by Noriyuki Makihara, captivating with its sensual Latin rhythms and alluring atmosphere.
Through the image of a butterfly ensnared in a spider’s web, it expresses a poignant heart torn between an unattainable love and self-sacrifice.
Released as a single that reached No.
7 on the Oricon chart in August 1999, this work is regarded as an unusual entry in Makihara’s career.
Its dark, exotic worldview and string-heavy arrangement leave a strong impression, and at times you can sense elements of jazz and fusion—making it a bittersweet yet passionate piece.