[For Seniors] Introducing recommended songs to give on Respect for the Aged Day

Respect-for-the-Aged Day is a time to express our gratitude to seniors, isn’t it? Performing songs to celebrate at day services and other senior facilities is always very well received.

Still, it can be hard to decide which songs to choose.

In this article, we introduce recommended songs to gift to seniors for Respect-for-the-Aged Day.

We’ve selected a wide range—from songs loved across generations and tunes they likely enjoyed in their youth to folk songs and children’s songs.

Listening to popular hits from their youth and nostalgic melodies can bring back memories from those days, which also helps stimulate the brain.

Singing also helps relieve mental and physical stress, so we hope you’ll use this article to help with your song selection and make your Respect-for-the-Aged Day celebration wonderful.

Playlist

[For Seniors] Introducing recommended songs to give on Respect for the Aged Day
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	I look up as I walkSakamoto Kyu		Kyu Sakamoto’s classic song “Ue o Muite Arukou” reflects its era.
2	Hanagasa Ondomin’yō		Beloved across generations in the folk song of the Yamagata Hanagasa Festival
3	Mother’s SongSakushi Sakkyoku: Kubota Satoshi		A Showa-era classic that expresses gratitude to one’s mother
4	Life is full of ups and downs.Shimakura Chiyoko		An inspiring work that sings of life's joy and hope
5	Ah, life has its tearsSatomi Kotarō		The theme song of Mito Kōmon, a song reflecting on life.
6	There’s always tomorrowSakamoto Kyu		Kyu Sakamoto’s uplifting classic song “Ue o Muite Arukou”
7	Donpan-bushimin’yō		Akita folk songs gained nationwide popularity, spurred by the National Sports Festival.
8	Tokyo Boogie-WoogieKasaogi Shizuko		A boogie-style classic by Shizuko Kasagi that has been loved across generations.
9	Surely, thank you.Sakushi: Konishi Hiroya / Hobitsu: Yoshizawa Kumiko / Sakkyoku: Hoshi Tomo / Henkyoku: Sato Masahiro		A choral piece originating in Taka Town that sings of gratitude
10	MaybeKobayashi Sachiko & Miki Katsuhiko		A classic song imbued with bittersweet love and heartfelt wishes
11	Like the flow of a riverMisora Hibari		Hibari Misora’s classic song “The Flow of the River”
12	The Bride of SetoKoyanagi Rumiko		The song Seto no Hanayome by Rumiko Koyanagi
13	Dancing HeroOginome Yōko		Yoko Oginome’s cheerful classic is popular across generations.
14	Blue MountainsFujiyama Ichirō		A rousing theme song from “The Blue Mountains” that portrays youth and a new departure.
15	Off to the Mito Komon Festival!Yuko Suzuka		Mito Festival theme song: a fusion of traditional Japanese instruments and rock
16	Kiyoshi’s Soran BushiHikawa Kiyoshi		Arrangement of a Hokkaido folk song, a famous hit by Kiyoshi Hikawa
17	Words of FarewellKaientai		“Okuru Kotoba” is a song of springtime farewells and bonds.
18	If you’re happy and you know it, clap your handsSakamoto Kyu		A heartwarming classic imbued with peace and friendship
19	Early Spring OdeSakushi: Ichimasa Yoshimaru / Sakkyoku: Akira Nakata		A composition that delicately depicts a spring scene
20	A Ballad Dedicated to My MotherKaientai		A heartwarming classic that sings of gratitude to a mother, along with cherished memories.
21	Thank youOhashi Takuya		A warm song filled with gratitude
22	365 Steps MarchSuizenji Kiyoko		A march-style kayōkyoku song in the vein of Kiyoko Suizenji, carrying a message of moving forward.
23	Daphne (winter daphne)DISH//		A cheer song depicting family love
24	Grandfather’s ClockHirai Ken		A warm classic by Ken Hirai in which an old clock watches over family bonds and the passage of time.
25	dogwood (flowering dogwood)Hitoto Yo		Hitoto Yo’s signature song is a work imbued with thoughts of love and peace.
26	Look up at the stars in the nightSakamoto Kyu		Kyu Sakamoto’s signature songs and the charm of his gentle singing voice
27	Yosui Inoueshōnen jidai		A signature song by Yosui Inoue that looks back on summer memories
28	Matsuken SambaMatsudaira Ken		Ken Matsudaira's samba song is popular for its contrast with period dramas.
29	Traveler of the NorthIshihara Yūjirō		Yujiro Ishihara’s final song, expressing the loneliness of the northern country
30	Kawachi Otoko-bushiNakamura Mitsuko		A Bon Odori song portraying the way of life of Osaka men.
31	Kiyoshi’s Zundoko SongHikawa Kiyoshi		Let's get hyped with Kiyoshi's Zundoko Bushi
32	Together foreverKobukuro		Kobukuro’s classic wedding song becomes a massive hit
33	Tokyo Boogie-WoogieKasaogi Shizuko		Tokyo Boogie-Woogie is a nostalgic and delightful postwar classic.
34	Sorry, please forgive me.Kasuga Hachirō		Hachiro Kasuga’s classic songs are loved by the elderly
35	The Highland Train GoesOkamoto Atsurō		The Highland Train Goes, a nostalgic classic
36	MiracleGReeeeN		A love song by GReeeeN that sings about love and encounters
37	Shoulder Tapping Songdōyō		A children’s song that expresses gratitude to parents through shoulder tapping
38	A bouquet with loveSuperfly		A message song that sings of gratitude
39	Thank youikimonogakari		A song by Ikimono-gakari that straightforwardly conveys feelings of gratitude.
40	Let yourself go with the flow of timeTeresa Ten		A gentle melody that conveys love resonates in the heart.
41	Chanchiki OdesaMinami Haruo		A nostalgic classic by Haruo Minami. It expresses the feelings of longing for one’s hometown.
42	day by dayYoshida Yamada		A warm song that is close to the elderly
43	Thank youInoue Yōsui & Okuda Tamio		A song of gratitude by Yosui Inoue and Tamio Okuda
44	March of 365 StepsSuizenji Kiyoko		An encouraging song that gives you the courage to move forward
45	White lilies on my birthdayFukuyama Masaharu		Masaharu Fukuyama’s iconic song of gratitude to his mother
46	The Longed-For Hawaii RouteHaruo Oka		Okaharu's iconic postwar song of the Hawaii route
47	Otomi-sanKasuga Hachirō		Otomi-san is a story-like masterpiece that resonates with the heart.
48	Itako GasaHashi Yukio		Yukio Hashi’s debut song, “Itako Gasa,” became a big hit.
49	A hill with a view of the harborHirano Aiko		The Hill from Which You Can See the Harbor is a postwar classic.
50	Circle of Thanksayaka		A ballad filled with gratitude to my mother
51	The Apple SongNamiki Michiko		Soyokaze, the first hit song in Japan after the war
52	Hey, Nakamura-kun!Wakahara Ichirō		The Appeal of the Showa-Era Hit Song “Hey, Nakamura-kun!”
53	The boatman is dear.Otomaru		“Sendō Kawaiya” is Otomaru’s signature song, and it brings back fond memories.
54	Ginza Kan-kan GirlTakatamine Hideko		Hideko Takamine’s smash hit set in postwar Ginza
55	Over the hillFujiyama Ichirō		Ichiro Fujiyama’s youth anthem, a classic song of hope and courage
56	Second-son crowShirane Kazuo		Expressing a wistful love through Kazuo Shirane’s classic song
57	The Bells of NagasakiFujiyama Ichirō		Looking back on my youth with the Nagasaki Bells
58	The Toilet GodTanemura Kana		A heartwarming ballad about memories with my grandmother
59	Always keep your dreamsHashi Yukio, Yoshinaga Sayuri		A duet song by Yukio Hashi and Sayuri Yoshinaga