Popular Nostalgic Songs: J-Pop Ranking [1990s Japanese Music Ranking]
We present the latest Top 100 ranking of classic Japanese pop songs all at once, ordered by most views! We’ve picked out nostalgic hits from the 1990s.
Listening again, you’ll notice many songs are still enjoying a revival today.
Be sure to check them out.
The playlist is updated weekly.
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Popular Oldies/J-Pop Rankings [1990s Japanese Music Rankings] (71–80)
ESCAPEMOON CHILD71rank/position
A J-pop track that epitomizes the band sound of the ’90s, featuring clear, sharply defined guitars and an engaging bassline.
Released as a single in May 1997, it was used as the theme song for the Nippon TV drama “FiVE,” and it fully showcases MOON CHILD’s musicality.
Included on the albums “MY LITTLE RED BOOK” and “Treasures of MOON CHILD,” the song achieved a remarkable feat on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart, soaring from No.
9 to No.
1.
Even after the band’s breakup, it has continued to be covered by many artists—including dream, Hitomi Shimatani, and Yutaro Miura—cementing its status as a timeless classic.
Its stirring melody and deeply relatable message continue to move listeners with undiminished impact.
Because it’s a cold nightTRF72rank/position
This is the fifth single by TRF, a five-member co-ed dance and vocal group whose goal is to turn any live venue into a disco just by being there.
It became the group’s first single to break into the Oricon Top 10, and also drew attention when its music video was used in a commercial for Nagatanien’s Hieshirazu-san Ginger Series.
Its brisk dance beat and lyrical melody are quintessential TK sound that dominated the 1990s.
It’s a gem of a love song whose passionate approach—distinct from a ballad—lingers in the ear.
Winter Fantasykazan73rank/position
There are times, as the cold deepens, when you just want to be wrapped in heartwarming kindness.
Cousin’s song is a true classic that gently embraces exactly that feeling.
As the season turns cold enough for your breath to turn white, a special story for just the two of you begins… The lyrics beautifully paint such winter scenes, perfectly matched with a melody that seeps into the heart.
Released in October 1995, the song was also used in a Sapporo Beer commercial and became a big hit, reaching No.
8 on the Oricon chart.
It’s a track you’ll want to listen to when you need to soothe a tired heart, or on a quiet winter night spent with someone special.
Tomorrow never knowsMr.Children74rank/position
The moment the intro starts, the atmosphere of the ’90s comes rushing back—Mr.Children’s sixth single, released in November 1994, is exactly that kind of song.
Built around the universal theme that no one knows what tomorrow will bring, it portrays someone who, despite carrying regret and pain, chooses to follow their heart and move forward.
Rather than winning or losing, the lyrics emphasize the importance of continually facing yourself, gently giving listeners a push on the back.
The song was used as the theme for the Fuji TV drama “Wakamono no Subete” and became a massive hit, selling a total of about 2.766 million copies.
It also won the Grand Prix Single Award at the Japan Gold Disc Awards.
It’s a classic you’ll want to hear when you’re at a crossroads in life or feeling a vague sense of anxiety.
By the time of the Christmas carolsInagaki Junichi75rank/position
This is the 27th single by singer-songwriter Junichi Inagaki, who debuted with the catchphrase “Super Pop Vocal” and is active not only as a singer but also as a drummer.
The song was used as the theme for the TV drama Homework.
Although it’s widely known as a classic Christmas song, did you know that the timeline in the lyrics is actually not set in winter? The theme of a couple in a stagnant phase taking some distance and each reflecting on their future is heart-wrenching, even for those who haven’t had such an experience.
With its melancholic melody that evokes vivid scenes, it’s a sentimental number.
Transparent GirlNUMBER GIRL76rank/position
NUMBER GIRL, a band that had a major influence on Japanese alternative rock.
Their 1999 major-label debut single, “Toumei Shoujo” (“Transparent Girl”), is a song that embodies the soul of their band sound.
The driving energy and guitar phrases really stick in your ears.
Above all, the band’s overall groove is especially striking.
The tight, punctuated moments throughout the track are so cool that you can’t help but move along.
In a world where melodic music tends to get more recognition, this is a signature song in which they built their own brand of rock ’n’ roll.
My Room, My Dress Shirt, and MeHiramatsu Eri77rank/position
This work is known as one of Eri Hiramatsu’s signature songs.
Released as a single from the album “MY DEAR” in March 1992, it became a major hit.
It portrays the joy and anxieties felt in living together with a loved one, capturing the delicate emotions of a woman.
The lyrics about a woman’s sharp intuition convey deep affection for a lover or husband.
There’s also humor woven in, including a darkly playful line like, “If you ever cheat on me, let’s go together with a bowl of poisoned soup.” It’s a recommended track for moments when you want to reaffirm the love in everyday life or feel the bond with someone special.
Each listen will paint a beautiful scene in your heart.