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[Japanese Music] Masterpieces of 2000s Pop: A Collection of Hit 00’s J-POP Songs

As we find ourselves in the mid-2020s, it’s surprising to think the 2000s were already more than 20 years ago.

It’s fascinating that music and culture from that era are being rediscovered and celebrated—particularly through the so-called “Y2K” boom—led by younger generations who were born around that time.

In this article, we’re focusing on Japanese hit songs from the 2000s, gathering beloved tracks that colored the era under the broad theme of pop music.

Especially in the early 2000s, the momentum from the ’90s carried over, giving rise to massive nationwide hits.

We hope not only younger listeners but also those now in their 30s, who likely spent their youth in the 2000s, will enjoy reminiscing with these nostalgic classics!

Playlist

[Japanese Music] Masterpieces of 2000s Pop: A Collection of Hit 00’s J-POP Songs
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1eastWait & See ~Risk~Utada Hikaru
Wait & See ~Risk~Utada Hikaruplay_arrow
Utada’s first DVD track becomes a 1.66-million-selling smash
2eastTSUNAMISazan Ōrusutāzu
TSUNAMISazan Ōrusutāzuplay_arrow
A famous song from the 2000s, a massive hit by Southern (Southern All Stars)
3eastThe One and Only Flower in the WorldSMAP
The One and Only Flower in the WorldSMAPplay_arrow
SMAP’s classic song “Sekai ni Hitotsu Dake no Hana” (Only One Flower in the World)
4eastsign; mark; symbol; omenMr.Children
sign; mark; symbol; omenMr.Childrenplay_arrow
Theme song of “Mother at Fourteen,” a classic love song
5eastMiracleGReeeeN
MiracleGReeeeNplay_arrow
GReeeeN's 'Kiseki' is a massive hit.
6eastcherry blossomKetsumeishi
cherry blossomKetsumeishiplay_arrow
The classic song Sakura by Ketsumeishi is moving.
7eastSakurazakaFukuyama Masaharu
SakurazakaFukuyama Masaharuplay_arrow
A poignant classic: one of Fukuyama’s signature songs about the feelings of love.
8eastLove so sweetarashi
Love so sweetarashiplay_arrow
Theme song of Hana Yori Dango 2, a smash hit
9eastPIECES OF A DREAMCHEMISTRY
PIECES OF A DREAMCHEMISTRYplay_arrow
A J-R&B hit that portrays the dreams and hopes of youth
10eastBecoming a Thousand WindsAkiyama Masashi
Becoming a Thousand WindsAkiyama Masashiplay_arrow
A moving song that sings of feelings for someone who has passed away
11eastYouthful AmigoShūji to Akira
Youthful AmigoShūji to Akiraplay_arrow
A popular unit song from a TV drama goes million-seller
12eastJust… I want to see youEXILE
Just... I want to see youEXILEplay_arrow
A heartrending breakup song—an EXILE classic that resonates with the heart
13eastSEASONSHamasaki Ayumi
SEASONSHamasaki Ayumiplay_arrow
The Appeal of Ayumi Hamasaki’s Classic Song “SEASONS”
14eastswallowtail butterflyPorunogurafiti
swallowtail butterflyPorunogurafitiplay_arrow
Pornograffitti’s classic song, Love and Despair
15eastJupiterHirahara Ayaka
JupiterHirahara Ayakaplay_arrow
Ayaka Hirahara’s iconic song that gives courage and hope
16eastI’ll be by your side.Aoyama Teruma ft. SoulJa
I'll be by your side.Aoyama Teruma ft. SoulJaplay_arrow
A classic song that sings of the heartache of a long-distance romance.
17eastSpring, Summer, Autumn, WinterHilcrhyme
Spring, Summer, Autumn, WinterHilcrhymeplay_arrow
An inspiring classic that portrays love through the four seasons
18eastSecret of my heartKuraki Mai
Secret of my heartKuraki Maiplay_arrow
Detective Conan ending theme, early signature songs
19eastcherry (sweet cherry; cherry fruit)Otsuka Ai
cherry (sweet cherry; cherry fruit)Otsuka Aiplay_arrow
Ai Otsuka’s popular love song became a big hit.
20eastWhite LoversKuwata Keisuke
White LoversKuwata Keisukeplay_arrow
Keisuke Kuwata’s Coca-Cola commercial song becomes a big hit
21eastTomorrow will surely be a good day.Takahashi Yuu
Tomorrow will surely be a good day.Takahashi Yuuplay_arrow
Yu Takahashi's 12th single and commercial song
22eastPromise of SunflowersHata Motohiro
Promise of SunflowersHata Motohiroplay_arrow
Motohiro Hata’s smash hit song “STAND BY ME”
23eastdogwood (flowering dogwood)Hitoto Yo
dogwood (flowering dogwood)Hitoto Yoplay_arrow
Theme song of the film 'Hanamizuki,' a masterpiece written after the terrorist attack
24eastIn the Morning of DeterminationAqua Timez
In the Morning of DeterminationAqua Timezplay_arrow
Brave Story theme song, first appearance at the Kōhaku (Red and White) music festival
25eastSakura (Solo)Moriyama Naotaro
Sakura (Solo)Moriyama Naotaroplay_arrow
Loved as a youth anthem and a graduation song
26eastFlavor Of LifeUtada Hikaru
Flavor Of LifeUtada Hikaruplay_arrow
A masterpiece whose words of gratitude heighten the sense of poignancy
27eastBaby Don’t CryAmuro Namie
Baby Don't CryAmuro Namieplay_arrow
A song by Namie Amuro that encourages me
28eastOsaka LoverDREAMS COME TRUE
Osaka LoverDREAMS COME TRUEplay_arrow
The exhilaration of a long-distance relationship and the anticipation of reunion
29eastroad; way; path; street; route; Tao (in philosophy)EXILE
road; way; path; street; route; Tao (in philosophy)EXILEplay_arrow
A moving ballad that accompanies the graduation season.
30eastLovin’ LifeFUNKY MONKEY BABYS
Lovin' LifeFUNKY MONKEY BABYSplay_arrow
A classic by FUNKY MONKEY BABYS, an ode to everyday happiness
31eastSong of DepartureMr.Children
Song of DepartureMr.Childrenplay_arrow
A heart-touching graduation song by Mr.Children
32eastweeeekNEWS
weeeekNEWSplay_arrow
NEWS’s 7th single is an upbeat song.
33eastI’m Here feat. Thelma AoyamaSoulJa
I’m Here feat. Thelma AoyamaSoulJaplay_arrow
A poignant long-distance love song that stirs the heart
34eastHappinessarashi
Happinessarashiplay_arrow
A powerful message song by Arashi—its uplifting vocals give your heart a push forward.
35eastI wonder if it will be sunny tomorrow.Kuwata Keisuke
I wonder if it will be sunny tomorrow.Kuwata Keisukeplay_arrow
A poignant, lyrical masterpiece by Keisuke Kuwata that resonates with the heart
36eastFlowerORANGE RANGE
FlowerORANGE RANGEplay_arrow
A heart-touching ballad by ORANGE RANGE
37eastpowder snowRemioromen
powder snowRemioromenplay_arrow
Love in the snow, a timeless masterpiece filled with aching feelings
38eastCan You Keep A Secret?Utada Hikaru
Can You Keep A Secret?Utada Hikaruplay_arrow
Utada Hikaru’s classic song “First Love”
39eastClose your eyesHirai Ken
Close your eyesHirai Kenplay_arrow
Ken Hirai's soul-stirring love song
40eastPure Love SongShonan no Kaze
Pure Love SongShonan no Kazeplay_arrow
A Clumsy Love Story by Shonan no Kaze
41eastcrescent moonayaka
crescent moonayakaplay_arrow
A masterpiece that sings of the poignant feelings of a long-distance romance
42eastLetter ~To You at Fifteen~Anjura Aki
Letter ~To You at Fifteen~Anjura Akiplay_arrow
“Tegami” is the set piece for the junior high school music competition.
43eastThe Maiden with Flaxen HairShimatani Hitomi
The Maiden with Flaxen HairShimatani Hitomiplay_arrow
Hitomi Shimatani's CM song smash hit
44eastastronomical observationBUMP OF CHICKEN
astronomical observationBUMP OF CHICKENplay_arrow
BUMP OF CHICKEN’s song of youth
45eastA Little Love SongMONGOL800
A Little Love SongMONGOL800play_arrow
A classic that sings of pure feelings for a precious person
46eastHOTEL PACIFICSazan Ōrusutāzu
HOTEL PACIFICSazan Ōrusutāzuplay_arrow
Southern's iconic summer song echoes on the beach
47eastGibbsShiina Ringo
GibbsShiina Ringoplay_arrow
Shiina Ringo’s heartrending love song, a longing for eternity
48eastbudKobukuro
budKobukuroplay_arrow
An emotional song filled with love for my mother, winner of the Japan Record Award
49eastI have wings on my backKinKi Kids
I have wings on my backKinKi Kidsplay_arrow
A captivating song of folk music resonates in the heart.
50eastStoryAI
StoryAIplay_arrow
Cherish the present, the time spent with those you hold dear.
51eastEffeminate; overly sentimental; being clingy/whiny (context-dependent)Gōruden Bonbā
Effeminate; overly sentimental; being clingy/whiny (context-dependent)Gōruden Bonbāplay_arrow
Golden Bomber's explosive hit song
52eastWINDING ROADAyaka × Kobukuro
WINDING ROADAyaka × Kobukuroplay_arrow
A hit song co-written by Ayaka and Kobukuro
53eastBest friendNishino Kana
Best friendNishino Kanaplay_arrow
A moving song about friendship is creating a buzz.
54eastMerry XmasBoA
Merry XmasBoAplay_arrow
BoA’s first Christmas song is a big hit
55eastBest FriendKiroro
Best FriendKiroroplay_arrow
Kiroro’s classic that portrays gratitude to a best friend
56eastThe wind is blowing.ikimonogakari
The wind is blowing.ikimonogakariplay_arrow
Ikimono-gakari’s first Olympic theme song
57east365 Days’ Paper AirplaneAKB48
365 Days' Paper AirplaneAKB48play_arrow
NHK morning drama theme song, an emotional track with Sayaka Yamamoto as the center