Just listening makes you feel happy! Heisei-era mutual love songs
Among love songs that many people see themselves in, mutual-love songs that celebrate happy times can warm your heart just by listening to them.
Some of these mutual-love songs weave words that are hard to say in everyday life, and you might feel as if they’re speaking on your behalf.
This time, we’re introducing mutual-love songs that lit up the Heisei era.
We’ve selected tracks spanning a wide range of generations, so we hope this is helpful—whether you listen with your partner or choose songs to express your feelings at karaoke.
Just listening makes you feel happy! Mutual-love songs of the Heisei era (1–10)
Zutto (feat. HAN-KUN & TEE)NEW!SPICY CHOCOLATE
Are you familiar with the famous ballad that moved many to tears as the theme song for NTT Docomo’s “Connecting Feelings” commercial? SPICY CHOCOLATE teams up with HAN-KUN from Shonan no Kaze and singer-songwriter TEE to deliver a straightforward, heartfelt ode to love, even if a bit clumsy.
The blend of TEE’s sweet vocals and HAN-KUN’s powerful voice is truly stirring.
Released as a single in September 2012, it became a major sensation, topping digital charts with 19 crowns.
Its lyrics vow eternal love while overcoming the loneliness of time apart, making it perfect for couples in long-distance relationships or those about to get married.
Listening to this song will make you cherish the person beside you even more.
It could also make a lovely anniversary gift.
Maiden in LoveNEW!ikimonogakari
This is one of Ikimonogakari’s early signature ballads, expressing the swells and shifts of being in love with heartfelt directness.
Carried by a melody that blends warmth with wistfulness, it sings of the miracle of meeting someone precious and the pure heart that thinks of them.
As you listen, you may find yourself recalling someone irreplaceable, feeling your chest tighten with emotion.
Released as a single in October 2006, it was used at the time as the ending theme for Nippon TV’s “Ren’ai Bukatsu (Love-Katsu).” Beloved ever since, it’s recently drawn attention again as the CM song for the wedding information service “Zexy” starting in March 2025.
It’s also included on albums such as “Sakura Saku Machi Monogatari,” and its charm lies in how it’s been passed down in various arrangements.
Portraying a steadfast, single-minded love, this song is perfect not only for those with unrequited feelings but also for moments when you want to express gratitude to a partner.
It’s a popular choice at weddings, making it a wonderful tune to accompany life’s happiest moments!
Future Projection IIDREAMS COME TRUE
With its romantic lyrics and soothing melody, this song has captured the hearts of many listeners.
Included on the album “LOVE GOES ON…” released in November 1989, it has long been a staple at DREAMS COME TRUE’s live shows.
Miwa Yoshida’s warm vocals gently portray the unchanging love between two lovers.
In 2007, it was also used as an insert song in the film “Yume Yosozu: A Sign of Love,” becoming a classic beloved by a new generation.
It’s a heartwarming love song that’s perfect to listen to with someone special.
Love SongGReeeeN
This is the third single by GReeeeN, a four-member male vocal group that is likely the most commercially successful among artists who keep their appearances private.
Known as one of their signature songs, it has been featured in numerous tie-ins, including music shows, variety programs, and commercials, and has inspired many cover versions by other artists.
Its straightforward lyrics that evoke the importance of one’s partner, combined with a catchy melody, have surely moved many listeners.
It’s a warm track featuring GReeeeN’s characteristic wide-ranging choral work and excellent rap.
fragileNEW!Every Little Thing
Widely beloved as the theme song for the romance observation show “Ainori,” this renowned ballad remains deeply etched in many people’s memories.
The lyrics woven by Kaori Mochida delicately portray the fragility of human relationships—not limited to romance—and the clumsy hearts that struggle to be honest.
Those earnest feelings resonate in the heart, carried by a gentle yet powerful melody.
Released in January 2001, this work is also a landmark piece as Every Little Thing’s first Oricon No.
1 after becoming a duo.
Included on the classic album “4 FORCE,” it has been cherished for many years.
It’s a number that offers a warm, quiet companionship on nights when you’re troubled by a relationship with someone important or when you want to face your own vulnerabilities.
Spring, Summer, Autumn, WinterHilcrhyme
Hilcrhyme’s major-label second single gently portrays a love that deepens with the changing seasons.
Its soothing sound—soft melodies layered over a hip-hop beat—leaves a lasting impression.
Released in September 2009, it was featured as the ending theme for numerous TV programs.
The lyrics skillfully depict seasonal scenes, offering a comforting warmth that resonates with listeners.
Conveying the desire to cherish time with a loved one, this track is perfect for listening with your partner or for expressing your feelings at karaoke.
Wherever you areONE OK ROCK
A signature song by ONE OK ROCK that brims with deep feelings for a loved one and a vow of eternity.
Included on the album “Niche Syndrome,” the track became widely known after being used in a NTT Docomo commercial in 2016.
Blending Japanese and English, the lyrics convey a powerful resolve—“No matter where you are, I will always make you smile”—delivering a message that resonates deeply with listeners.
It ranked first for two consecutive years, 2017 and 2018, as the “most-used song at weddings,” and is cherished as a wedding staple.
It’s a perfect choice when you want to express your feelings to someone special or listen together with your partner.