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 J-Pop Songs from the ’90s (71–80)
FACEglobe
A gem of a dance-pop tune that fuses Tetsuya Komuro’s exceptional production with KEIKO’s richly expressive vocals.
Released as a single from avex globe in January 1997, its sophisticated sound—woven from electronic rhythms and memorable melodies—captures the heart.
Chosen as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Kanojo-tachi no Kekkon” and as the CM song for NTT’s “Multi-Net Fair,” it debuted at No.
1 on the Oricon charts.
Long cherished as one of globe’s signature tracks, it was also included on the album “FACES PLACES,” selling over 3 million copies.
Its dramatic progression and groovy sound make it perfect for heart-lifting moments or reminiscing about times with someone special.
I want to take only you away just like this.DEEN
Starting from a mood of quietly gazing at the cityscape, DEEN’s debut song gives voice to the pain of heartbreak and lingering attachment.
Carried by a characteristically poignant ballad melody, the deep sorrow of losing a lover and the powerful desire to win them back resonate in the listener’s heart.
Released in March 1993, it was later featured in a pager commercial and reached No.
2 on the Oricon charts, becoming a massive hit with total sales exceeding 1.3 million copies.
Fully expressing the feelings of reflecting on a love that has ended, the song—highly acclaimed for the quality of both its lyrics and melody—has been covered by many artists.
Cherished as a staple at weddings and karaoke alike, it continues to comfort and encourage those who have experienced heartbreak.
White ChristmasJUN SKY WALKER(S)
A love song that weaves a poignant breakup story in the romantic season of Christmas.
While the title evokes images of a pure white snowy landscape, the song actually paints an indelible picture of a parting scene unfolding in a torrential downpour.
Released in November 1989, this track by JUN SKY WALKER(S) became the band’s first number-one hit on the Oricon charts.
It was also featured in a commercial for Matsushita Electric (now Panasonic) promoting their CD radio-cassette player, earning widespread acclaim.
In this work, the punk rock band takes on a ballad, skillfully contrasting the city’s glamorous Christmas atmosphere with the protagonist’s heart swaying with a sense of impending separation, creating a unique world of its own.
It’s the perfect song for spending a winter night alone or soothing a heart unsettled by love.
cream sodaSUPERCAR
This song portrays emotions swaying between the fleeting nature of youth and the realities of life.
As SUPERCAR’s debut single, it’s marked by a refreshing sound that fuses shoegaze and guitar pop, and by wistful lyrics that weave together dreams and longing.
Koji Nakamura’s delicate melodies intertwine with Junji Ishiwatari’s poetic words, gently resonating in the heart.
Released by Epic Records Japan in September 1997, it was also included on the album Three Out Change.
It’s a track with a peculiar charm that can summon nostalgic memories when you listen to it during a drive, at dusk, or in those slightly melancholic moments.
A town where it snowsUNICORN
This is a classic song that gently captures scenes of a snowy town at year’s end.
Released by UNICORN in December 1992, it was originally planned as a Christmas song but was reworked into a year-end song.
Set to a shuffle beat with a melody line reminiscent of the mid-period Beatles, it beautifully contrasts the bustle and the quiet of late December.
The worldview woven from candid feelings about the city’s hectic pace and a nostalgia for the falling snow continues to resonate with many listeners.
Also used as the ending theme for TBS’s “Totsuzen Variety Sokuhō!! COUNT DOWN 100,” this is a track you’ll want to play when you’re seeking a bit of calm at the busy close of the year or on a quiet night thinking of someone special.
Summer Days of 1993class
This is a gem of a ballad, colored by a refreshing acoustic sound and a melody that lingers in the heart.
It delicately portrays the subtle emotional shifts from friendship to romance, resulting in a song that gently embraces a love that suddenly blossoms.
class released this as their debut single in April 1993, and it was used as the opening theme for “Kimi to Itsumademo” and as a commercial song for Saison Card.
It was also included on the albums “Mellow Prism” and “CLASSIX,” and became a massive hit, selling over 1.7 million copies.
Fifteen years later, in 2008, an answer song—effectively a continuation of the story—was released.
It’s a recommended track for those who want to look back on memories with someone dear, or who resonate with the secret feelings of love held for a long-time friend.
Like tonight’s moonElefanto Kashimashi
A signature song by Elephant Kashimashi, it sublimates the feeling of a heart wavering between everyday nihilism and hope into something beautiful.
The dramatic melody and Hiroji Miyamoto’s impassioned vocals resonate deeply with listeners.
Released by Pony Canyon in July 1997, it was used as the theme song for the drama “Because the Moon Shines at Night.” It became the band’s first entry into the Oricon Weekly Top 10 and a major hit with total sales of about 800,000 copies.
When you’re worn out by relationships or work and listen to this song, you can sense someone who struggles just like you yet still tries to face forward and live.
Like gentle moonlight softly illuminating the night, this is a song that stays close to your heart.