Millennial Generation: Iconic Heisei-Era Songs That Defined Our Youth
Do you still find yourself humming songs from the Heisei era? When you think back on your youth, don’t you remember the moments you encountered songs that resonated with your heart? For those of the “Yutori” generation in particular, the classic hits of the Heisei period may hold a special place.
Those songs are now spoken of alongside fond memories.
Here, we introduce melodies and lyrics that have been loved across generations.
You’re sure to find one that’s tied to your own cherished memories.
- Relive those feelings from back in the day! Youth anthems recommended for the Yutori generation
- [Yutori Generation] Looking back at the cute songs that colored our youth
- [Yutori Generation] Songs That Feel Emoi: Youthful Anthems That Stir Up Nostalgia
- [Yutori Generation] Stylish, Youthful Anthems You'll Want to Listen To
- Cool songs of the Heisei era. Hit tracks that energized the times.
- Songs from the Heisei retro era that will get any generation excited! Timeless tracks you’ll want to listen to now.
- Heisei-era masterpieces. Hit songs that represent the Heisei period.
- A Must-See for the Heisei Generation: Nostalgic Songs That Were Popular in the Heisei Era
- Memories come flooding back! Graduation songs recommended for the Yutori generation
- Heisei Song Collection: Iconic Hits That Colored the ’90s and 2000s
- From emotional tracks to exhilarating tunes! Heisei-era youth songs
- A collection of nostalgic hits from the Heisei era: Let’s look back at iconic songs from the 1990s and 2000s.
- Old songs from the Showa to Heisei eras: a collection of timeless classics loved across generations
[Yutori Generation] Iconic Heisei-Era Songs That Marked Our Youth (21–30)
Blue BenchSasuke
The single released in 2004 is imbued with a wistfulness that lingers like standing on a station platform at dusk.
Created by Sasuke—who at the time gained word-of-mouth popularity with acoustic guitar and two-part harmonies—this work is a heartbreak tale of someone clutching a class reunion invitation and tasting regret.
Despite its simple, street-bred arrangement, the emotions that rise from the pauses in the lyrics and the swell of the chorus resonate across generations.
Though it peaked at only No.
8 on the Oricon Weekly chart, it remained charted for 64 weeks and was later included in school textbooks as a choral piece.
It’s a classic that gently stays by your side when you’ve grown up still holding faint memories of first love, or when you want to revisit old feelings during graduation season.
March 9Remioromen
Known as a classic graduation song that has continued to accompany the youth of the yutori generation, this piece originally began as a wedding song, inspired by the fact that a member’s friend was getting married on the same date.
Its warm lyrics matched perfectly with the graduation season, turning it into a song that has colored the new beginnings of many students.
The lyrics, filled with gratitude for someone dear and a desire to keep supporting each other, resonate with the emotions felt before parting with friends and companions.
Released in 2004 and used as an insert song in the drama “1 Litre of Tears,” it left an even deeper impression on many people.
Highly recommended for those approaching graduation or anyone who wants to reminisce about their school days.
[Yutori Generation] Iconic Heisei-Era Songs That Shaped Our Youth (31–40)
Song of LoveKōda Kumi
Released in September 2007 as her 37th single, this work is a deeply resonant ballad in which Kumi Koda sings from a new perspective she realized through giving love advice to friends and fans: “love is something you give.” She found inspiration while driving along the coast on a getaway to a hot spring inn, and wrote the lyrics immediately upon arrival.
They delicately portray a young woman’s aching heart as she senses a breakup approaching yet tries to convey unwavering love.
The song was featured in the MTI “music.jp” commercial and served as a support song for Fuji TV’s World Judo 2007.
Composed entirely of Kumi Koda’s vocals without any backing chorus, it centers on mid-to-low registers, making it easy to sing even for those who struggle with high notes, and it’s a track anyone who has experienced the end of a romance can relate to.
Close your eyesHirai Ken
This work sings of the grief of suddenly losing a loved one and the love that still refuses to fade.
Released in 2004, the song was written as the theme for the film “Crying Out Love, in the Center of the World” and topped the Oricon year-end singles chart.
Close your eyes and the smile, tears, and warmth of that precious person surface.
The bittersweet feelings—sensing loss in everyday life and cherishing even that pain—are delicately expressed through Ken Hirai’s rich vocals.
Singing of the resolve to live while holding onto feelings that never fade with time, this piece is sure to resonate with anyone who has experienced parting from someone dear.
User ManualNishino Kana
Kana Nishino’s 27th single, used as the theme song for the film “No Longer Heroine,” released in September 2015.
Its unique lyrics, which liken a woman’s delicate emotions to an instruction manual, became a hot topic and won the Grand Prize at the 57th Japan Record Awards.
The lyrics, where she introduces herself through the metaphor of a user manual, are both chuckle-worthy and heart-fluttering just by listening.
The song is included on her 6th album, “Just LOVE,” and has become a wedding staple.
It’s a perfect love song not only for those with a crush or in a relationship, but also for when you want to convey your feelings to your partner.
In conclusion
When we listen to the great songs of the Heisei era, memories and emotions from that time vividly come back to life.
Including the yutori generation, there are many songs that leave a deep imprint on the heart across eras and generations.
Music may be an irreplaceable treasure that makes the important moments in our lives shine even brighter.