DISCLAIMER: Rather than “best” according to sales or popularity (like Oricon chart and such), these songs are my PERSONAL picks. They might not be to your taste, so please feel free to post your fave Summer Heisei songs in the comment!
YUI – SUMMER SONG (2008)The lyrics, the MV… this is it. The epitome of SUMMER. The definition of seishun.
Koda Kumi – Run For Your Life (2007)A cute summer bop from Kuu! I think the whole FREAKY EP was excellent, but this song was my most favourite out of four tracks.[Spoiler (click to open)]
m-flo loves Crystal Kay – REEEWIND! (2003)One of the best songs from m-flo loves series. It still sounds fresh even now, and I love Crystal rapping!
Ketsumeishi – Yoru☆Kaze (2001)It’s either this or Natsu no Omoide for me. Chill and fun, suitable for a night drive. Their Summer Best album has a lot of songs with similar vibe to this one.[Spoiler (click to open)]
BoA – KEY OF HEART (2006)Very fresh summer vibe. I think this is actually one of my first BoA songs! This and Winter Love were my absolute faves until Eien came out.
EXILE – SUMMER TIME LOVE (2007)I was thinking either this song or FIREWORKS, but ended up choosing this one instead since I prefer chill summer vibe. I liked Takahiro with this hair lol[Spoiler (click to open)]
ORANGE RANGE – Shanghai Honey (2003)No summer would be completed without ORANGE RANGE! I think this is probably the song that made them became more well-known. They have lots of fun summer tracks — Ikenai Taiyou, Locolotion, Sadistic Summer and more.[Spoiler (click to open)]
JUJU – PLAYBACK (2015)Another fun summer bop! I remember this song playing everywhere when I lived in Japan, along with Shiina Ringo’s Nagaku Mijikai Matsuri. Suuuuper catchy song and very cute MV!
Galileo Galilei – Aoi Shiori (2011)I don’t think I’ve ever finished Ano Hana, but this song has seared on mind since it was released. I would say Galileo Galilei always make perfect nostalgic summery tracks, back then and even now. Check out: Circle Game (2013), Swan (2011), Sunny Day Happy End (2014), Retry (2024).[Spoiler (click to open)]
Sandaime J Soul Brothers – Hanabi (2012)This was a difficult pick between this one or R.Y.U.S.E.I (an EDM track). But I really do love how firework is portrayed as something beautiful and fleeting, just like summer. The MV is very pretty too.
BUMP OF CHICKEN – Tentai Kansoku (2001)Probably one of BOC’s biggest hits, a song loved by fans and non-fans alike. This reminds me of being under the starry night sky in a summer night.[Spoiler (click to open)]
YORUSHIKA – Summer, Bus Stop, Waiting for You (2018)It’s a little piano piece, but it’s full of nostalgic feeling. Simple but beautiful, a perfect way to end the summer.
BONUS:eill – Succubus (2019)This was released right after Reiwa started (like only a month after), but it was so good I NEED to include this song in the post. eill (along with her girlband CHIANZ) has many bops, but I still consider this one her Magnum Opus. This has a chill R&B, urban vibe. The MV is so pretty as well – those silhouette shots on the beach created such a sexy vibe for the song. I miss J-Urban!!!!!
Source:Youtube 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13
There are still so many more I wanted to add, but I need to stop now before it became a mega post. ONTD, what’s your memorable summer J-Pop tracks from Heisei era? If you made it here, thank you so much for reading! Enjoy listening, and please don’t forget to stay hydrated during these hot summer days. 🍹🌻🌴
