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] (21–30)
PRIDEImai Miki29rank/position
This piece resonates with lyrics that portray deep love for a partner and the will of an independent woman, carried by a warm melody crafted by Tomoyasu Hotei.
You don’t need to belt it out, and the melody moves gently, making it a great choice even for those who aren’t very confident in their singing.
Released in November 1996 as Miki Imai’s 12th single, it also became well known as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Doc.” As a tender, soothing ballad, it’s recommended for the latter part of a karaoke session or in a calm setting.
Simply following the melody carefully will make it sound lovely, so consider adding it to your repertoire.
TRUE LOVEFujii Fumiya30rank/position
Released in November 1993, this was Fumiya Fuji’s second solo single, which drew huge attention as the theme song for Fuji TV’s Monday 9 p.m.
drama Asunaro Hakusho.
Marking his first step as a new kind of artist after the breakup of The Checkers, this work is a heartfelt ballad written and composed by Fuji himself.
Centered on acoustic guitar, its unadorned sound strips away excess to let the warmth of his voice come through directly.
The lyrics, quietly addressing a departing lover, are suffused with the immaturity of youth and deep regret, giving the song a universality that resonates with each listener’s own memories.
Selling over two million copies and winning a Best 5 Singles Award at the Japan Gold Disc Awards, it has become established as a classic—so much so that it is included in high school music textbooks.
It’s a song you’ll want to play softly when you’re looking back on memories with someone dear.
Popular Nostalgic Songs: J-Pop Ranking [1990s Japanese Music Ranking] (31–40)
single bedSha ran Q31rank/position
This is a wistful ballad that poignantly sings of lingering feelings for a former lover, a classic that gently teaches the preciousness of love.
As the protagonist looks back on memories left behind on a single bed, they realize that a romance once taken for granted was in fact more valuable than jewels, weaving a moving drama.
Released by Sharam Q in October 1994, the song became a major hit, ranking 24th on the year-end charts.
It was also used as the ending theme for the anime D.N.A²: They Were Once a Thing, and included on the album Inferiority Complex.
It’s the perfect track for reminiscing about youthful love while sharing memories with friends.
TemptationGLAY32rank/position
The rock band GLAY, which left behind legendary records such as holding a 200,000-person live concert in 1999, is indispensable when talking about 90s music.
Their 1998 release “Yuuwaku” was featured as the theme song for TDK’s “MiniDisc XA Series” commercial.
Its addictive blend of an up-tempo melody and intertwining rock sound makes it a standout track.
Their visual-kei appearance combined with gentle, warm sounds made a huge impact on the music scene at the time.
The lustrous lyrics and high level of musicianship also make this song especially compelling.
A third of pure-hearted feelingsSIAM SHADE33rank/position
This SIAM SHADE classic captures the helpless ache of love that only makes you feel farther from the one you care about the harder you try.
No matter how strongly you feel, only a fraction of those feelings ever reach them—this pure emotional dilemma is vividly portrayed through the contrast between the technical, intense instrumentation and the sweetly resonant vocals.
Released in November 1997, the song was used as the ending theme for the anime Rurouni Kenshin and became a major hit, selling over 700,000 copies in total.
If you’ve ever felt your love was one-sided, listening to it may feel like it’s speaking your frustration for you.
I want to take only you away just like this.DEEN34rank/position
Starting from a mood of quietly gazing at the cityscape, DEEN’s debut song gives voice to the pain of heartbreak and lingering attachment.
Carried by a characteristically poignant ballad melody, the deep sorrow of losing a lover and the powerful desire to win them back resonate in the listener’s heart.
Released in March 1993, it was later featured in a pager commercial and reached No.
2 on the Oricon charts, becoming a massive hit with total sales exceeding 1.3 million copies.
Fully expressing the feelings of reflecting on a love that has ended, the song—highly acclaimed for the quality of both its lyrics and melody—has been covered by many artists.
Cherished as a staple at weddings and karaoke alike, it continues to comfort and encourage those who have experienced heartbreak.
Silent JealousyX JAPAN35rank/position
The way it cascades from beautiful piano lines into a storm-like metal sound is nothing short of dramatic.
This piece centers on the theme of a maddening jealousy born out of love, and its heartrending cries of the heart are powerfully conveyed through Toshl’s piercing high-tone vocals.
Even within its aggressive sound, the coexistence of melodic allure is breathtaking.
Released as a single from the classic album “Jealousy” in September 1991, it was also performed at that year’s NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
It’s a wonderful track that lets you fully savor X JAPAN’s passion and delicacy—the magnetic pull of both extremes.