CITY POP 50 — 1980s Essential
Refined pop, rediscovered after 40 years.
A jukebox of its most beautiful and nostalgic major tracks.
Start your sakura Songs — the jukebox will open in a new window and start instantly.
Top Song of This List
Tatsuro Yamashita – SPARKLE
Hit songs followed suit, with bright and energetic idol pop dominating the charts.
Amid that vibrant scene, another sound flowed just beneath the surface—City Pop.
Blending the sounds of the American West Coast with Japanese sensibilities, it created a uniquely refined style of music.
The artist who pushed that sense of polished comfort to its limits was Tatsuro Yamashita.
“SPARKLE” stands as one of the most complete expressions of that sound.
Eiichi Ohtaki
“Kimi wa Tennenshoku” – A vibrant 1981 masterpiece from the “80s” era.
Miki Matsubara
“THE WINNER” – A powerful 1981 “80s” anthem showcasing her incredible vocal range.
Tatsuro Yamashita
“SPARKLE” – A 1982 funk-infused “80s” classic with legendary guitar riffs.
Mariya Takeuchi
“Plastic Love” – The 1984 global sensation of “80s” Japanese city pop.
Yumi Matsutoya
“Shinju no Pierce” – A sophisticated 1982 “80s” tale of love and loss.
Anri
“Remember Summer Days” – A nostalgic 1983 breezy “80s” summer memory.
Toshiki Kadomatsu
“No End Summer” – An endless 1985 “80s” groove for the warm nights.
Junichi Inagaki
“Natsu no Klaxon” – A 1983 crystal-voiced “80s” summer classic.
Akira Terao
“Ruby no Yubiwa” – The record-breaking 1981 “80s” cool-noir hit.
Kazuhito Murata
“Ippon no Ongaku” – A 1983 refreshing “80s” pop tune that flows like water.
Tomoko Aran
“Midnight Pretenders” – A 1983 dreamy and sultry “80s” night vibes.
Takako Mamiya
“Love Trip” – A 1982 urban “80s” masterpiece of city pop elegance.
Junko Ohashi
“Telephone Number” – A funky 1981 “80s” groove with powerful vocals.
Junko Yagami
“Tasogare no BAY CITY” – A 1983 high-energy “80s” seaside anthem.
Yurie Kokubu
“Just a Joke” – A sophisticated 1983 “80s” funk-pop gem.
Hitomi Toyama
“Cathy” – A 1983 stylish urban “80s” danceable track.
Asami Kado
“I Feel Like Menthol” – A sophisticated 1982 “80s” track with a cool, urban breeze.
EPO
“Doyo no Yoru wa Paradise” – A 1982 upbeat “80s” weekend celebration.
Mai Yamane
“Tasogare” – A soulful 1980 “80s” twilight ballad with deep resonance.
Mari Iijima
“Cecil no Amagasa” – A delicate 1985 “80s” pop melody by the “Macross” star.
Hiromi Iwasaki
“Street Dancer” – A 1980 urban disco-funk gem with her signature powerful vocals.
Hiroshi Sato
“I CAN’T WAIT” – A funky 1982 “80s” electronic pop masterpiece.
Makoto Matsushita
“First Light” – A 1981 guitar-driven “80s” urban fusion track.
Kingo Hamada
“Midnight Cruisin’” – A 1982 smooth “80s” drive through the city lights.
Yasuhiro Abe
“Double Imagination” – A 1984 sparkling “80s” pop gem with lush harmony.
Fujimal Yoshino
“Midnight Plus One” – A 1983 cool-blue “80s” session-guitarist’s solo hit.
PSY-S
“Angel Night” – A high-tech 1988 “80s” synth-pop “City Hunter” theme.
Toshinobu Kubota
“CRY ON YOUR SMILE” – A 1987 soul-stirring “80s” R&B ballad.
Takashi Sato
“My Classic” – A sophisticated 1984 “80s” masterpiece with a Mediterranean flair.
Motoharu Sano
“YOUNG BLOODS” – A 1985 vibrant and socially conscious “80s” rock-pop.
Southern All Stars
“EMANON” – A jazzy 1983 “80s” experimental track by the legends.
Seiko Matsuda
“Miami Gozen 5-ji” – A 1983 bright and breezy “80s” idol-pop drive.
Sugiyama & Omega Tribe
“SUMMER SUSPICION” – The ultimate 1983 “80s” beachside city pop debut.
Niagara Triangle
“A-men de Koi wo Shite” – A 1981 collaborative “80s” wall-of-sound pop.
Yoshiyuki Ohsawa
“Soshite Boku wa Toho ni Kureru” – A 1984 iconic “80s” synth-ballad.
Char
“All Around Me” – A 1981 breezy “80s” rock-pop tune with a guitar master’s touch.
Minako Yoshida
“Hoho ni Yoru no Tomoshibi” – A 1982 night-lit “80s” city pop standard.
Taeko Onuki
“Shikisai Toshi” – A 1982 colorful and chic “80s” urban masterpiece.
Yoshitaka Minami
“Slow na Boogie ni Shite Kure” – A 1981 “80s” cinematic folk-rock gem.
Haruomi Hosono
“Sports Men” – A 1982 quirky and innovative “80s” electronic pop.
Tatsuhiko Yamamoto
“Matenro Blues” – A 1983 skyscraper-view “80s” urban city pop ballad.
Kengo Kurozumi
“Juggler” – A 1982 smooth-sailing “80s” AOR city pop track.
Masamichi Sugi
“Itoshi no Terra” – A 1983 Beatles-esque “80s” pop tune with a twist.
Bread & Butter
“Cruising On” – A 1980 laid-back “80s” seaside drive with soft harmonies.
Meiko Nakahara
“Fantasy” – A 1982 high-energy “80s” disco-funk city pop anthem.
Kaoru Akimoto
“Dress Down” – A 1986 sleek and stylish “80s” night-club city pop.
Senri Oe
“Rain” – A 1988 poignant and urban “80s” rainy day tale.
Kazuhiko Kato
“Anogoro, Marie Laurencin” – A 1983 artistic and elegant “80s” pop.
Pizzicato Five
“Kore wa Koi de wa nai” – A 1987 sophisticated “80s” avant-garde pop.
Daisuke Inoue
“I FEEL COKE” – The legendary 1987 “80s” anthem of sparkling urban life.
CITY POP — 1980s Epics
Late at night, after work, you sink deep into your car seat.
A refined, effortless sound begins to flow.
Sparse traffic. A quiet run through the high-rise city.
A rare moment of luxury, wrapped in a gentle fatigue.
Back then, the car stereo became standard.
A sound that blended seamlessly with the neon-lit streets—that was City Pop.
As the heat of the day still lingers, the music drifts in softly.
It plays the moment when the city reveals another face.
Start your sakura Songs — the jukebox will open in a new window and start instantly.
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