Songs to Enjoy in Summer! Classic Hits Special (Showa & Heisei)
In this article, we’re featuring nostalgic songs perfect for summer.
As summer approaches we all start to feel more carefree, and music really helps lift that summer mood!
We’re mainly introducing summer tracks from the Showa and Heisei eras, focusing on songs from the 1980s through the 2000s.
Some of you might remember hearing these tunes on car stereos back then, even if you’d only just become aware of things.
Listening to summer songs may also bring back memories from those days.
How about spending a fun summer with these wonderful tracks that capture the season?
Every song will boost your summer vibes—and they’re great for road trips, too!
- Classic nostalgic summer hits from the ’80s. A roundup of summer songs.
- 1990s J-Pop to listen to in summer: classic and hit summer songs
- Songs of Summer from the Showa Era: A comprehensive introduction, from nostalgic Japanese hits to timeless favorites still popular today
- Masterpieces that color the hot season! Summer songs recommended for the Yutori generation
- [Summer Songs Recommended for Your 30s] A Selection of Nostalgic Hit Tunes!
- [Classics] Timeless Summer Hits Recommended for All Ages [Summer Songs]
- Recommended Summer Songs for People in Their 60s: Classic and Popular J-Pop Hits [2026]
- [Make Your Summer Pop] A High-Energy J-POP Playlist to Boost Your Mood! [2026]
- [Oldies] Summer Songs Recommended for People in Their 50s [2026]
- [August Songs] Carefully selected masterpieces, classics, and the latest hits you’ll want to listen to in midsummer!
- [Heisei-Era Summer Songs] A curated selection of timeless summer tunes loved across generations!
- [July Songs] A selection of Japanese summer tunes perfect for the start of the season!
- [Heart-throbbing] Cute summer classics. The charm of adorable summer songs [2026]
Songs you’ll want to listen to in summer! A special feature on nostalgic hits (Showa & Heisei) (31–40)
The Summer That Vanished Beyond the GlassSuzuki Masayuki
Speaking of solo debut songs by Masayuki Suzuki, the King of Love Songs, it has to be this classic end-of-summer ballad! The scene of driving along the highway just before dawn, watching the scenery recede through the window and overlaying it with a past love, really tugs at the heartstrings.
Released in February 1986, many of you probably first heard it in a Nissin Cup Noodles commercial.
Beyond the image he had in the Rats & Star era, his soulful vocals here are truly wonderful—conveying his resolve to take on a gentle ballad as a solo artist.
It’s the perfect soundtrack for those moments when you’re driving alone along the seaside at dusk and want to indulge in a touch of melancholy.
ultra soulB’z
B’z’s ‘ultra soul’ was selected as the official theme song for the 2001 FINA World Championships in Fukuoka and has often been used at professional baseball games and other events.
Released as a single in 2001, it topped the Oricon singles chart for two consecutive weeks and became one of B’z’s signature songs.
It’s a rock tune that incorporates techno beats and Latin sounds, making it a perfect number for summer.
The title call at the end of the chorus always gets you hyped up, no questions asked.
Barefoot GoddessB’z
B’z, the solitary rock unit that has had a tremendous impact on Japan’s rock scene and set numerous milestones.
Their 13th single, “Hadashi no Megami,” used in a Toyota Corolla Levin commercial, is a track that, despite not being included on any original album, is frequently performed live.
The contrast between its clear, airy synths and sharp-edged guitar tones pairs perfectly with the hot yet refreshing feel of summer.
It’s a cool, invigorating rock tune whose powerful vocals will lift your spirits.
For the momentEvery Little Thing
Every Little Thing is a two-member music unit with numerous hit songs beloved across generations, such as “Time goes by” and “fragile.” Their fourth single, “For the moment,” which became their first single to top the Oricon charts, was used in Morinaga’s ICE BOX commercial and as the ending theme for the music program COUNT DOWN TV.
Its lyrics, which straightforwardly depict feelings of love, truly evoke vivid scenes in the hot season of summer.
It’s a gem of a pop tune, marked by the striking contrast between hard guitar sounds and a crystalline synth tone.
Yes, SummerdaysGLAY
GLAY is a four-piece band that dominated the J-POP scene in the 1990s with a musical concept that was neither pop nor rock.
Their sixth single, “Yes, Summerdays,” used in a Camelia Diamond commercial, opens with a lyrical guitar riff that really sticks in your ears.
The melody, tinged with a certain wistfulness, seems to evoke the sentimental atmosphere of summer—something more than just heat.
With an acoustic guitar solo and a strings interlude, the dramatic arrangement makes it an emotional number.
Songs to Enjoy in Summer! Classic Hits Special (Showa & Heisei) (41–50)
The Summer When You Were ThereMr.Children
Mr.Children is a four-piece rock band whose name everyone in the J-pop scene knows, having earned numerous million-selling singles and albums.
Their debut single, “Kimi ga Ita Natsu” (“The Summer You Were There”), was released as a single cut from their debut album, EVERYTHING.
The slide-guitar-driven sound, paired with its heartrending lyrics, evokes images of the summer seaside.
It’s a track that showcases the band’s exceptional sensibility—one you’ll want to listen to in the summertime.
Roco LotionORANGE RANGE
ORANGE RANGE is a five-member rock band based in their hometown of Okinawa, known for songs that feature three MCs and a wide-ranging musical style.
Their 6th single “Locolotion,” which, together with their 2nd single “Shanghai Honey,” helped cement ORANGE RANGE’s image as a summer band, was used in a commercial for Otsuka Beverage’s MATCH.
The contrast between its sexy lyrics and pop melody is perfect for the liberating feeling of summer.
It’s a quintessential summer anthem, where a breezy vibe and a contrastingly heavy rock sound create a superb balance.