[For Seniors] A Collection of Recommended Spring Songs for People in Their 80s

tea pickingMonbushō shōka

Tea Picking | With Lyrics | Ministry of Education Song | One Hundred Japanese Songs | The 88th Night as Summer Approaches

We present a piece that beautifully portrays the charm of Japan’s four seasons.

This classic song richly depicts the tea-picking scene from Hachijūhachi-ya into early summer.

As the tranquil weather continues, you can picture people wearing vermilion sashes and sedge hats, diligently picking tea to the warmth of heartfelt singing.

Included in 1912 in “Elementary School Songs for the Third Grade,” it conveys the lifestyle of the time and the changing seasons to the present day.

Please listen with a relaxed mind as you recall nostalgic landscapes.

It may also spark fond memories and lively conversations with family and friends.

koinobori (carp streamers)Monbushō shōka

Koinobori | With Lyrics | Waves of roof tiles and waves of clouds

Beloved as a Ministry of Education shoka (school song), this piece gracefully expresses both the grandeur of the carp streamers displayed for the Boys’ Festival (Tango no Sekku) and the wish for children’s happy growth.

Included in the 1913 publication “Jinjō Shōgaku Shōka, Grade Five,” the song, set in F major, harmonizes a powerful melody with a refined sense of the season.

It continues to be cherished and sung by contemporary musicians, including arrangements by Kiyoe Yoshioka.

Its cheerful atmosphere and warm, seasonable tone make it perfect for older adults who want to enjoy a pleasant springtime moment.

It can also be a cue to hum along with grandchildren or to fondly recall days gone by.

Come, spring.Matsutōya Yumi

Yumi Matsutoya – Come, Spring

The celebrated song that gently sings of the arrival of spring was released in 1994 by Yumi Matsutoya and became a major topic as the theme song for an NHK morning drama series.

Its sweet, wistful vocals and lyrics filled with feelings for a loved one deeply resonate with many listeners.

Elegantly portraying spring scenes—such as the scent of daphne and sudden showers—it beautifully expresses nostalgic memories and the hope of reunion.

After its release, the song topped the Oricon weekly chart and became a massive hit, selling over 1.16 million copies.

It was also used for the Huis Ten Bosch Tulip Festival and in commercials for the Yomiuri Shimbun, making it familiar to an even wider audience.

Its gentle melody and heartwarming lyrics are perfect for sparking conversations about memories with older adults.

Please enjoy a richly satisfying moment together while feeling the arrival of spring.

Has the plum blossomed?Misora Hibari

Has the plum blossomed?

This is a wonderful piece in which Hibari Misora expresses a traditional Edo-period hauta with her radiant voice.

The refreshing scenes of spring are beautifully intertwined with the elegance of the pleasure quarters, creating a heartwarming atmosphere alongside the timbre of the shamisen.

The song likens the changing seasons and people’s sentiments to evocative blossoms such as plum, cherry, and willow.

Riding on the light rhythm of the shamisen, Misora’s vocals gracefully evoke the charm of old Japan.

This piece has long been cherished as a song that lets listeners rediscover the beauty of Japanese traditional music.

It’s perfect for moments when you want to spend time peacefully or reminisce about nostalgic Japanese landscapes, and it’s also used to create a warm, friendly atmosphere at gatherings of older adults.

12th graderFunaki Kazuo

[With Large Lyrics] High School Senior [Rec]

This lyrical song is filled with memories of youth, and Kazuo Funaki’s fresh vocals in a student uniform make a striking impression.

Set to a march-like, approachable melody, it gently recounts the joys and loneliness of school life and the partings with friends.

After its release in June 1963, the work achieved astonishing sales and won the New Artist Award at that year’s Japan Record Awards.

It was also adapted into a film, starring Kazuo Funaki himself, with scenes shot in his hometown of Ichinomiya City, Aichi Prefecture.

It’s a song meant to be hummed together as you reminisce about nostalgic youthful days.

Let’s sing along with cheerful handclaps.

Parting at 22kaze

Parting at 22 / Kaze (with lyrics)

The debut song by the folk duo Kaze is a heartwarming classic, as gentle as the spring sunshine.

The lyrics vividly portray the pure love and parting of youth, while the tender acoustic guitar melody weaves a beautiful harmony.

Since its release in 1975, it has been covered by many artists and even adapted into a film by director Nobuhiko Obayashi in 2007, remaining beloved across generations.

In NHK’s “SukiUta — Kouhaku Everyone’s Survey,” it ranked 71st for the White Team.

It’s a perfect song for savoring slowly when you want to bask in nostalgic memories, and it could also spark lively conversations among older listeners about their experiences from back in the day.

Sakura, sakura

Sakura, sakura 🌸 by Himawari 🌻 with lyrics [One Hundred Selected Japanese Songs] Sakura Sakura | Cherry Blossoms

“Sakura, Sakura” is a familiar song for Japanese people.

Its lyrics, which praise the beauty of cherry blossoms as a symbol of spring’s arrival, evoke images of Japan’s emotionally rich landscapes.

The melody also stands out, making you feel as if you’re touring famous cherry blossom spots.

Since its inclusion in the Koto Music Collection, it has been featured in national textbooks and even used as arrival and departure melodies for public transportation, becoming part of our daily lives.

During the spring hanami season, why not hum along with family and friends? The vocal range is easy to sing, and performing it in a group creates a lovely sense of unity.