A Guide to City Pop, the Soundtrack for Japan’s Bubble-Era Generation

Arai Yumi’s Cobalt Hour (1975) has a strong city pop flavor.

Yamashita Tatsurō’s Ride on Time (1980) and Terao Akira’s Reflections (1981), which features the hit song “Rubī no yubiwa” (Ruby Ring).

Ohtaki Eiichi’s A Long Vacation (1981).

Hitomitoi’s City Dive (2012) and the Suchmos EP Love & Vice (2016), which includes the band’s breakthrough song “Stay Tune.”

Ōnuki Taeko’s Sunshower (1977) and Takeuchi Mariya’s Variety (1984), which includes her Internet-famous song “Plastic Love.”