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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
1Wait & See ~Risk~Utada Hikaru
Wait & See ~Risk~Utada Hikaruplay_arrow
Utada’s first DVD track becomes a 1.66-million-selling smash
2TSUNAMISazan Ōrusutāzu
TSUNAMISazan Ōrusutāzuplay_arrow
A famous song from the 2000s, a massive hit by Southern (Southern All Stars)
3The 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)
4sign; mark; symbol; omenMr.Children
sign; mark; symbol; omenMr.Childrenplay_arrow
Theme song of “Mother at Fourteen,” a classic love song
5MiracleGReeeeN
MiracleGReeeeNplay_arrow
GReeeeN's 'Kiseki' is a massive hit.
6Love so sweetarashi
Love so sweetarashiplay_arrow
Theme song of Hana Yori Dango 2, a smash hit
7cherry blossomKetsumeishi
cherry blossomKetsumeishiplay_arrow
The classic song Sakura by Ketsumeishi is moving.
8SakurazakaFukuyama Masaharu
SakurazakaFukuyama Masaharuplay_arrow
A poignant classic: one of Fukuyama’s signature songs about the feelings of love.
9PIECES OF A DREAMCHEMISTRY
PIECES OF A DREAMCHEMISTRYplay_arrow
A J-R&B hit that portrays the dreams and hopes of youth
10Youthful AmigoShūji to Akira
Youthful AmigoShūji to Akiraplay_arrow
A popular unit song from a TV drama goes million-seller
11Becoming a Thousand WindsAkiyama Masashi
Becoming a Thousand WindsAkiyama Masashiplay_arrow
A moving song that sings of feelings for someone who has passed away
12Just… I want to see youEXILE
Just... I want to see youEXILEplay_arrow
A heartrending breakup song—an EXILE classic that resonates with the heart
13JupiterHirahara Ayaka
JupiterHirahara Ayakaplay_arrow
Ayaka Hirahara’s iconic song that gives courage and hope
14SEASONSHamasaki Ayumi
SEASONSHamasaki Ayumiplay_arrow
The Appeal of Ayumi Hamasaki’s Classic Song “SEASONS”
15swallowtail butterflyPorunogurafiti
swallowtail butterflyPorunogurafitiplay_arrow
Pornograffitti’s classic song, Love and Despair
16Spring, Summer, Autumn, WinterHilcrhyme
Spring, Summer, Autumn, WinterHilcrhymeplay_arrow
An inspiring classic that portrays love through the four seasons
17Secret of my heartKuraki Mai
Secret of my heartKuraki Maiplay_arrow
Detective Conan ending theme, early signature songs
18cherry (sweet cherry; cherry fruit)Otsuka Ai
cherry (sweet cherry; cherry fruit)Otsuka Aiplay_arrow
Ai Otsuka’s popular love song became a big hit.
19I’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.
20White LoversKuwata Keisuke
White LoversKuwata Keisukeplay_arrow
Keisuke Kuwata’s Coca-Cola commercial song becomes a big hit
21Tomorrow 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
22road; 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.
23In 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
24Pure Love SongShonan no Kaze
Pure Love SongShonan no Kazeplay_arrow
A Clumsy Love Story by Shonan no Kaze
25dogwood (flowering dogwood)Hitoto Yo
dogwood (flowering dogwood)Hitoto Yoplay_arrow
Theme song of the film 'Hanamizuki,' a masterpiece written after the terrorist attack
26Osaka LoverDREAMS COME TRUE
Osaka LoverDREAMS COME TRUEplay_arrow
The exhilaration of a long-distance relationship and the anticipation of reunion
27Lovin’ LifeFUNKY MONKEY BABYS
Lovin' LifeFUNKY MONKEY BABYSplay_arrow
A classic by FUNKY MONKEY BABYS, an ode to everyday happiness
28Song of DepartureMr.Children
Song of DepartureMr.Childrenplay_arrow
A heart-touching graduation song by Mr.Children
29I’m Here feat. Thelma AoyamaSoulJa
I’m Here feat. Thelma AoyamaSoulJaplay_arrow
A poignant long-distance love song that stirs the heart
30I 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
31powder snowRemioromen
powder snowRemioromenplay_arrow
Love in the snow, a timeless masterpiece filled with aching feelings
32Can You Keep A Secret?Utada Hikaru
Can You Keep A Secret?Utada Hikaruplay_arrow
Utada Hikaru’s classic song “First Love”
33Promise of SunflowersHata Motohiro
Promise of SunflowersHata Motohiroplay_arrow
Motohiro Hata’s smash hit song “STAND BY ME”
34GibbsShiina Ringo
GibbsShiina Ringoplay_arrow
Shiina Ringo’s heartrending love song, a longing for eternity
35weeeekNEWS
weeeekNEWSplay_arrow
NEWS’s 7th single is an upbeat song.
36Flavor Of LifeUtada Hikaru
Flavor Of LifeUtada Hikaruplay_arrow
A masterpiece whose words of gratitude heighten the sense of poignancy
37Baby Don’t CryAmuro Namie
Baby Don't CryAmuro Namieplay_arrow
A song by Namie Amuro that encourages me
38Happinessarashi
Happinessarashiplay_arrow
A powerful message song by Arashi—its uplifting vocals give your heart a push forward.
39FlowerORANGE RANGE
FlowerORANGE RANGEplay_arrow
A heart-touching ballad by ORANGE RANGE
40Close your eyesHirai Ken
Close your eyesHirai Kenplay_arrow
Ken Hirai's soul-stirring love song
41crescent moonayaka
crescent moonayakaplay_arrow
A masterpiece that sings of the poignant feelings of a long-distance romance
42A Little Love SongMONGOL800
A Little Love SongMONGOL800play_arrow
A classic that sings of pure feelings for a precious person
43HOTEL PACIFICSazan Ōrusutāzu
HOTEL PACIFICSazan Ōrusutāzuplay_arrow
Southern's iconic summer song echoes on the beach
44Sakura (Solo)Moriyama Naotaro
Sakura (Solo)Moriyama Naotaroplay_arrow
Loved as a youth anthem and a graduation song
45The Maiden with Flaxen HairShimatani Hitomi
The Maiden with Flaxen HairShimatani Hitomiplay_arrow
Hitomi Shimatani's CM song smash hit
46astronomical observationBUMP OF CHICKEN
astronomical observationBUMP OF CHICKENplay_arrow
BUMP OF CHICKEN’s song of youth
47Letter ~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.
48budKobukuro
budKobukuroplay_arrow
An emotional song filled with love for my mother, winner of the Japan Record Award
49I have wings on my backKinKi Kids
I have wings on my backKinKi Kidsplay_arrow
A captivating song of folk music resonates in the heart.
50StoryAI
StoryAIplay_arrow
Cherish the present, the time spent with those you hold dear.
51WINDING ROADAyaka × Kobukuro
WINDING ROADAyaka × Kobukuroplay_arrow
A hit song co-written by Ayaka and Kobukuro
52Best friendNishino Kana
Best friendNishino Kanaplay_arrow
A moving song about friendship is creating a buzz.
53Effeminate; 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
54Merry XmasBoA
Merry XmasBoAplay_arrow
BoA’s first Christmas song is a big hit
55Best FriendKiroro
Best FriendKiroroplay_arrow
Kiroro’s classic that portrays gratitude to a best friend
56The wind is blowing.ikimonogakari
The wind is blowing.ikimonogakariplay_arrow
Ikimono-gakari’s first Olympic theme song
57365 Days’ Paper AirplaneAKB48
365 Days' Paper AirplaneAKB48play_arrow
NHK morning drama theme song, an emotional track with Sayaka Yamamoto as the center