RAG MusicHit Song
Lovely hit song

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!

Playlist

Classic and hit J-pop songs from the nostalgic ’90s
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1eastDon’t give upZARD
Don't give upZARDplay_arrow
As the theme song for the drama “Reiko Shiratori de Gozaimasu”…
2eastRobinsonsupittsu
Robinsonsupittsuplay_arrow
Spitz’s ... released in April 1995
3eastGod of RomanceHirose Kōmi
God of RomanceHirose Kōmiplay_arrow
Speaking of winter songs from the ’90s, Koumi Hirose’s...
4eastI won’t fall in love anymore.Makihara Noriyuki
I won't fall in love anymore.Makihara Noriyukiplay_arrow
Singing a man's aching love straight and sincerely with his voice…
5eastAt all times.Makihara Noriyuki
At all times.Makihara Noriyukiplay_arrow
Let’s cherish our honest feelings—that kind of messe…
6eastDEPARTURESglobe
DEPARTURESglobeplay_arrow
globe, who sang about the anticipation of a new departure...
7eastHOWEVERGLAY
HOWEVERGLAYplay_arrow
A song that sings of gentle love and is one of GLAY’s signature works…
8eastAs I love and as I please, you’re the only one I won’t hurt.B’z
As I love and as I please, you’re the only one I won’t hurt.B'zplay_arrow
One of the leading figures in Japan’s rock band scene, B’z’s 1…
9eastLove Story Comes SuddenlyOda Kazumasa
Love Story Comes SuddenlyOda Kazumasaplay_arrow
Kyogo Kawaguchi, Twelve Girls Band, BENI...
10eastLOVE LOVE LOVEDREAMS COME TRUE
LOVE LOVE LOVEDREAMS COME TRUEplay_arrow
With an overwhelmingly powerful singing voice uncharacteristic of Japanese singers, and a fa...
11eastHello, Again ~A place that has existed since long ago~My Little Lover
Hello, Again ~A place that has existed since long ago~My Little Loverplay_arrow
My…, known as an iconic song representing the 1990s,
12eastAutomaticUtada Hikaru
AutomaticUtada Hikaruplay_arrow
Utada Hikaru’s, released in 1998...
13eastJust by you being herekome kome CLUB
Just by you being herekome kome CLUBplay_arrow
Characterized by a melody and lyrics that resonate deeply with the heart, …
14eastLonging, poignancy, and strength of heartShinohara Ryōko
Longing, poignancy, and strength of heartShinohara Ryōkoplay_arrow
This, known as an iconic song representing the 1990s...
15eastBecause you were thereFIELD OF VIEW
Because you were thereFIELD OF VIEWplay_arrow
FIELD’s youthful hit songs, heartwarming classics
16eastTomorrow never knowsMr.Children
Tomorrow never knowsMr.Childrenplay_arrow
A classic hit of the ’90s that depicts a crossroads in life
17eastLA LA LA Love SongKubota Toshinobu
LA LA LA Love SongKubota Toshinobuplay_arrow
Takuya Kimura and Tomoko Yamaguchi starred in…
18eastWOW WAR TONIGHT ~Sometimes Start a Movement~H Jungle with T
WOW WAR TONIGHT ~Sometimes Start a Movement~H Jungle with Tplay_arrow
A shocking work that represents the ’90s! Masatoshi Hamada…
19eastLOVE MachineMōningu Musume.
LOVE MachineMōningu Musume.play_arrow
An iconic song representing the ’90s, by Morning Musume, co...
20eastPRIDEImai Miki
PRIDEImai Mikiplay_arrow
Miki Imai’s classic song “LOVE PHANTOM”
21eastTRUE LOVEFujii Fumiya
TRUE LOVEFujii Fumiyaplay_arrow
Fumiya Fujii’s classic song from Asunaro Hakusho
22eastLove will winKAN
Love will winKANplay_arrow
Singer-songwriter KAN has 19…
23eastSeesaw Game ~A Brave Love Song~Mr.Children
Seesaw Game ~A Brave Love Song~Mr.Childrenplay_arrow
A cheer song that likens the push-and-pull of love to a seesaw
24eastsurvival dAnce 〜no no cry more〜TRF
survival dAnce 〜no no cry more〜TRFplay_arrow
Just having that group at the live venue is alr…
25eastTiming ~Timing~Burakku Bisukettsu
Timing ~Timing~Burakku Bisukettsuplay_arrow
On the show featuring Ucchan Nanchan, led by Chiaki...
26eastWhite LoveSPEED
White LoveSPEEDplay_arrow
A special that likens a pure, heartrending first love to white snow...
27eastRESPECT the POWER OF LOVEAmuro Namie
RESPECT the POWER OF LOVEAmuro Namieplay_arrow
Namie Amuro’s powerful cheer song
28eastdaily newsKahara Tomomi
daily newsKahara Tomomiplay_arrow
A masterpiece produced by Tetsuya Komuro, healing music
29eastOver DriveJUDY AND MARY
Over DriveJUDY AND MARYplay_arrow
Sweet and cute vocals over a punky tune…
30eastI’m only gazing at youDaikoku Maki
I’m only gazing at youDaikoku Makiplay_arrow
The powerful vocals of Maki Ohguro, a songstress emblematic of the ’90s…
31eastPOWER OF LOVEJUDY AND MARY
POWER OF LOVEJUDY AND MARYplay_arrow
YUKI’s airy vocals and the deliberate sound…
32eastMan & WomanMy Little Lover
Man & WomanMy Little Loverplay_arrow
My Litt… released in May 1995
33eastRapturous BluePoketto Bisuketsu
Rapturous BluePoketto Bisuketsuplay_arrow
I can’t believe this came from a TV show concept...
34eastMIND CIRCUSNakatani Miki
MIND CIRCUSNakatani Mikiplay_arrow
Urban and sophisticated, produced by Ryuichi Sakamoto...
35eastTomorrow, when spring comesMatsu Takako
Tomorrow, when spring comesMatsu Takakoplay_arrow
Takako Matsu, who had already earned high acclaim as an actress...
36eastTORA TORA TORAMAX
TORA TORA TORAMAXplay_arrow
The position of being a backup dancer for Namie Amuro…
37eastI can’t stay a daydreaming girlAikawa Nanase
I can't stay a daydreaming girlAikawa Nanaseplay_arrow
With red-haired wolf-cut and a leather jacket, like a comet...
38eastSummer NudeMagokoro Burazāzu
Summer NudeMagokoro Burazāzuplay_arrow
Released by Magokoro Brothers in 1995…
39eastIt’s love.V6
It's love.V6play_arrow
Lyrics by Goro Matsui, music by Koji Tamaki…
40eastOdoru Pompoko RinB.B. Kuīnzu
Odoru Pompoko RinB.B. Kuīnzuplay_arrow
The nationwide hit song “Koi Suru Fortune Cookie”
41eastDon’t avert your eyes.DEEN
Don't avert your eyes.DEENplay_arrow
The fifth release by DEEN, which achieved million-seller status...
42eastsuddenlyFIELD OF VIEW
suddenlyFIELD OF VIEWplay_arrow
ZARD “Totsuzen,” a moving anthem of youth
43eastUntil the World Ends…WANDS
Until the World Ends…WANDSplay_arrow
The moving ending of the anime 'SLAM DUNK'
44eastSwaying FeelingsZARD
Swaying FeelingsZARDplay_arrow
“Don’t Give Up” is a classic of youth, resonating in the heart
45eastI can’t say it.Gō Hiromi
I can’t say it.Gō Hiromiplay_arrow
A signature song by Hiromi Go that sings of a heartrending love.
46eastDear My FriendsNagayama Miho
Dear My FriendsNagayama Mihoplay_arrow
A song whose warm message to a friend resonates in the heart
47eastEveOkui Masami
EveOkui Masamiplay_arrow
A heartfelt song that resonates at summer’s end
48eastEt cetera related to the seashorePUFFY
Et cetera related to the seashorePUFFYplay_arrow
The female duo PUFFY is currently…
49eastI’m proudKahara Tomomi
I'm proudKahara Tomomiplay_arrow
The Komuro family that caused a huge sensation in the ’90s...
50eastCrazy Babyfisshumanzu
Crazy Babyfisshumanzuplay_arrow
A gentle, dreamlike melody and a wistful singing voice touch the heart...
51eastSTEADYSPEED
STEADYSPEEDplay_arrow
With a sepia-toned palette, the seaside scene is striking…
52eastBOY MEETS GIRLTRF
BOY MEETS GIRLTRFplay_arrow
At the time, TRF, which was explosively popular, the vocal…
53eastLA LA LA Love SongKubota Toshinobu with Naomi Kyanberu
LA LA LA Love SongKubota Toshinobu with Naomi Kyanberuplay_arrow
A bittersweet classic song of carousel-like love
54eastThe wind is dancing outside the window.SUPER BUTTER DOG
The wind is dancing outside the window.SUPER BUTTER DOGplay_arrow
Pause a little from the busyness of everyday life and your…
55eastSingin’ in the Rainthe pillows
Singin' in the Rainthe pillowsplay_arrow
In May 1991, the pillows...
56eastYoung PeopleSanīdēi Sābisu
Young PeopleSanīdēi Sābisuplay_arrow
A singing voice that seeps into the heart like gentle sunlight, and…
57eastbaby baby babyDOS
baby baby babyDOSplay_arrow
Formed from an audition variety show…
58eastSummer Colorsyuzu
Summer Colorsyuzuplay_arrow
A moving summer youth anthem about racing down hills on a bicycle
59eastThe strong and fleeting onesCocco
The strong and fleeting onesCoccoplay_arrow
A journey to protect love: the struggles and hopes of life
60eastcherrysupittsu
cherrysupittsuplay_arrow
The charm of iconic songs that color Spitz's youth
61eastLiar! Liar!B’z
Liar! Liar!B'zplay_arrow
An overwhelming guitar riff and a sound brimming with speed…
62eastFor the momentEvery Little Thing
For the momentEvery Little Thingplay_arrow
Elegant, translucent vocals and a sophisticated a…
63eastlipsGLAY
lipsGLAYplay_arrow
A classic song that sensually portrays a heartrending romance, brimming with passion…
64eastKujira No. 12JUDY AND MARY
Kujira No. 12JUDY AND MARYplay_arrow
Bouncing powerfully, like an energetic game of soccer...
65eastSoulmatesupittsu
Soulmatesupittsuplay_arrow
I find the meaning of life in the small moments of everyday life...
66eastThe Other Side of LoveSakamoto Ryuichi featuring Sister M
The Other Side of LoveSakamoto Ryuichi featuring Sister Mplay_arrow
Crystal-clear vocals and a refined melody...
67eastHappy endingOhtaki Eiichi
Happy endingOhtaki Eiichiplay_arrow
As the theme song for Fuji TV’s Monday 9 p.m. drama (Getsu-9), the la…
68eastI love youKawamura Ryuuichi
I love youKawamura Ryuuichiplay_arrow
A delicate singing voice and a profound expression of love weave together to stir the heart…
69eastsunflowerNagabuchi Tsuyoshi
sunflowerNagabuchi Tsuyoshiplay_arrow
Powerful vocals and an acoustic guitar weave together...
70eastHungry SpiderMakihara Noriyuki
Hungry SpiderMakihara Noriyukiplay_arrow
Sensual Latin rhythms and a bewitching, alluring atmosphere are the charms…
71eastFACEglobe
FACEglobeplay_arrow
Tetsuya Komuro’s outstanding production skills and K…
72eastI want to take only you away just like this.DEEN
I want to take only you away just like this.DEENplay_arrow
It begins with the feeling of quietly gazing at the cityscape, and then los...
73eastWhite ChristmasJUN SKY WALKER(S)
White ChristmasJUN SKY WALKER(S)play_arrow
A love song about a Christmas breakup
74eastcream sodaSUPERCAR
cream sodaSUPERCARplay_arrow
Emotions wavering between the transience of youth and the reality before me…
75eastA town where it snowsUNICORN
A town where it snowsUNICORNplay_arrow
Capture the scene of a snow-covered town at year’s end with a warm gaze…
76eastSummer Days of 1993class
Summer Days of 1993classplay_arrow
Refreshing acoustic sound and lingering in the heart…
77eastLike tonight’s moonElefanto Kashimashi
Like tonight's moonElefanto Kashimashiplay_arrow
One of Elephant Kashimashi’s signature songs, depicting the emptiness of everyday life...
78eastSurely more than anyone else in the worldNagayama Miho
Surely more than anyone else in the worldNagayama Mihoplay_arrow
This work by Miho Nakayama and WANDS is a 1…
79eastFar, far awayMakihara Noriyuki
Far, far awayMakihara Noriyukiplay_arrow
Gently embracing the feelings of those who have left their hometown…
80eastDon’t Leave MeB’z
Don't Leave MeB'zplay_arrow
It opens with the melancholic tones of a blues harp…
81eastDear My FriendEvery Little Thing
Dear My FriendEvery Little Thingplay_arrow
This song, which was also used in a beauty salon commercial at the time, is a wom...
82eastby myselfhitomi
by myselfhitomiplay_arrow
hitomi, who is still active today, in 1996…
83eastGo for it!Urufuruzu
Go for it!Urufuruzuplay_arrow
Since my debut, I’ve hardly had a chance to be in the spotlight…
84eastTRY ME ~Believe in Me~Amuro Namie
TRY ME ~Believe in Me~Amuro Namieplay_arrow
With platform boots, light brown hair, and thin eyebrows, it even became a social phenomenon at the time...
85eastAnother OrionFujii Fumiya
Another OrionFujii Fumiyaplay_arrow
Fuj… with grand melodies and heartrending lyrics that resonate in the heart
86eastYELLOW YELLOW HAPPYPocket Biscuits
YELLOW YELLOW HAPPY Pocket Biscuitsplay_arrow
The then-popular variety show by Ucchan Nanchan...
87eastThrilling Uplifting StreetOzawa Kenji
Thrilling Uplifting StreetOzawa Kenjiplay_arrow
Kenji Ozawa, who was then called the “Shibuya-kei prince,” ...
88eastdo do for meChinen Rina
do do for meChinen Rinaplay_arrow
Rina Chinen from Okinawa is like Namie Amuro and SPEE…