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 Nostalgic J-Pop Rankings [1990s Japanese Music Rankings] (11–20)
SAY YESCHAGE and ASKA15rank/position
CHAGE and ASKA is a music duo formed by high school classmates that gained popularity with songs featuring distinctive vocals and beautiful harmonies.
Their 27th single, “SAY YES,” used as the theme song for the TV drama The 101st Proposal, became a double-million seller.
Its contrast between dreamlike ensemble and love-filled lyrics likely evokes scenes from the drama for those of that generation.
It’s a signature 1990s hit that brought the name CHAGE and ASKA to widespread recognition.
Maplesupittsu16rank/position
It’s a classic song about parting with someone dear, and it’s also famous for having been covered by many artists.
It’s a single released by the rock band Spitz in July 1998 from the album “Fake Fur.” The somewhat nostalgic tones of piano and guitar resonate in the heart, and Masamune Kusano’s vocals, which beautifully express longing and loneliness, seem to convey a sense of helplessness.
The piece portrays not only the sorrow of farewell but also a forward-looking resolve to hold those memories close and keep moving on, revealing something new with every listen.
It’s no wonder it has colored so many works across generations, such as the drama “silent.” It’s also a great choice to sing slowly and thoughtfully at karaoke while soaking in the autumn mood.
ALONEB’z17rank/position
B’z’s ninth single is a rock ballad that sings of the preciousness of love that shines brightest in loneliness.
Chosen as the theme song for the drama “Hotel Woman,” it topped the Oricon charts for two consecutive weeks and became a million seller.
The poignant feelings of a man who can only yearn for someone he cannot meet truly hit home.
The grand sound incorporating piano and synth, along with the emotive, tear-evoking guitar phrases, is unforgettable.
It’s a masterpiece that stays close to your heart when your feelings for someone special grow stronger.
I won’t fall in love anymore.Makihara Noriyuki18rank/position
A gem-like ballad that delicately portrays the pain of heartbreak and the hope of taking a new step forward.
Noriyuki Makihara’s gentle vocals tenderly envelop the protagonist’s complex feelings as they struggle to accept a breakup with their lover.
While carefully depicting the loneliness and confusion felt in everyday life, it also resonates with the positive resolve hidden behind the words “I won’t fall in love anymore.” Released in May 1992, the song was used as the theme for the drama “After the Children Are Asleep,” reaching No.
2 on the weekly Oricon chart and No.
7 for the year.
It’s a song that stands as emotional support, accompanying you through the healing process of a broken heart.
LOVE LOVE LOVEDREAMS COME TRUE19rank/position
DREAMS COME TRUE is a band celebrated for its overwhelmingly powerful vocals—unusual by Japanese standards—and songs that are funky yet imbued with the sensibility of J-pop.
Their 18th single, “LOVE LOVE LOVE,” released as a double A-side with “Arashi ga Kuru” (“A Storm Is Coming”), was used as the theme song for the TV drama “Aishiteiru to Itte Kure” (“Say You Love Me”).
Its clear, translucent ensemble and love-filled message create a soothing charm that draws you in.
Among DREAMS COME TRUE’s many singles, it boasts the highest sales and stands as a quintessential ballad representing the J-pop scene of the 1990s.
I’m only gazing at you.Daikoku Maki20rank/position
Released in December 1993, this song marked a major turning point in Maki Ohguro’s career as the first ending theme for the TV Asahi anime SLAM DUNK.
The lyrics, depicting a woman who loses sight of herself by conforming too much to her lover, were written based on a friend’s real experience, and they convey a poignant emotion in contrast to the upbeat melody.
Her powerful vocals over the quintessential Being-style sound captured the hearts of not only anime fans but a wide audience, achieving a million sales in about three months after release.
It ranked eighth on the Oricon year-end chart and recorded an astounding total of approximately 1.236 million copies sold.
For anyone who has felt on the verge of losing their true self in love, this is a song that offers empathy and the courage to move forward.
Popular Oldies J-Pop Rankings [1990s Japanese Music Rankings] (21–30)
Until the World Ends…WANDS21rank/position
It’s a rock ballad that fuses lyrics depicting loneliness and a sense of loss in the big city with a powerful melody crafted by Tetsurō Oda, leaving a striking impression with a masculine inner landscape that stands apart from their earlier love-song approach.
Released in June 1994 as WANDS’s eighth single, it was chosen as the ending theme for the second season of the TV anime Slam Dunk and became a million-seller, topping the Oricon weekly chart for two consecutive weeks.
With its hard-edged guitar sound and Shō Uesugi’s emotional vocals, the track resonated across generations—helped by the karaoke boom at the time.
Its composition appeals not only to anime fans but also to rock enthusiasts, so give it a listen when you want to revisit your youth.