[For Seniors in Their 80s] Recommended Summer Songs: From Enka and School Songs to Folk Songs

Summer has comeSakushi: Sasaki Nobutsuna / Sakkyoku: Koyama Sakunosuke

[Music Recreation / With Lyrics] Shoka: Natsu wa Kinu [For Elderly Care Facilities]

This is a children’s song selected for the 100 Best Songs of Japan, featuring many natural scenes and motifs that evoke early summer.

At first glance, the title may seem to mean “Summer won’t come,” but in classical Japanese it actually means “Summer has come,” which makes it memorable in a slightly tricky way.

Its bright mood and gentle tempo are also notable features, conjuring images of the mild early-summer air and clear, sunny landscapes.

It might be nice to read the lyrics carefully and use them as a prompt to find summer-like motifs.

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Crimson SunMisora Hibari

Crimson Sun

Hibari Misora’s “Makkana Taiyō” (The Crimson Sun) is a classic that sings of a love as dazzling and passionate as the summer sun.

Released as a single on May 25, 1967, it has been covered by many artists, including Jun Mayuzumi and Teresa Teng.

Its lyrics—evoking lovers’ eternal vows alongside the fragility of things that must one day end—blend with memories of summer and resonate deeply with listeners.

At this season of life’s milestones, it is a song I especially hope will accompany those in their 80s who feel nostalgic for summers of the Shōwa era.

Memories of a Summer DayHino Teruko

Memories of a Summer Day (sung by Teruko Hino). A song with a pleasant Hawaiian rhythm (1965).

It’s a classic masterfully sung by Teruko Hino, the “Hawaiian Queen.” On a winter beach bathed in moonlight, memories of a passionate summer kiss suddenly return to the heart—you can almost see the scene unfold.

It’s bittersweet yet somehow warm, a song whose afterglow you can bask in.

Her clear voice gently seeps into the listener’s heart.

Released in January 1965, it first appeared as the B-side of a single, but its excellence brought it back as the A-side, and it went on to be loved by more than a million people.

Many will remember Hino’s first appearance at that year’s NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen with this very song.

It’s also included on albums such as “Memories of a Summer Day.” On a slightly chilly day, when you want to linger by the window with a warm drink and sink into beautiful memories, this song will surely stay close to your heart.

It’s also lovely to hum along with family or friends and let your thoughts drift to days gone by.

Festival MamboMisora Hibari

Festival Mambo

A song themed around summer traditions, Omatsuri Mambo.

Hibari Misora’s 15-year-old voice vividly captures the lively atmosphere of a festival.

With a sprightly rhythm, it portrays a festival-loving Edoite and even sings of the loneliness that follows once the festivities end—making it a true classic.

Released on August 15, 1952, it became one of Hibari Misora’s signature songs.

Singing it together with older adults may bring back fond memories of summers past.

It’s also recommended to sing along while moving your body to the cheerful melody.

Pineapple Princesstashiro midori

Pineapple Princess - Midori Tashiro

How about lending an ear to that bright tune that beckons you to a tropical paradise? As the lively sound of the ukulele begins to flow, it’s as if the sweet-and-tart scent of pineapple gently spreads through your heart.

Listen closely to the singing, and you can picture the scene of the protagonist dancing with joy on a sun-sparkling island.

Sung by Midori Tashiro in 1961, this song is a cover of American singer Annette’s number and was extremely popular in Japan at the time.

Give it a listen, and you may forget the summer heat and feel refreshed.

For older listeners, it will surely bring back happy memories of their youth and brighten their hearts.

18 Years Old Under the SunKi no Mi Nana

Nana Kinomi: 1963: 18-Year-Olds Under the Sun (Sunlight Twist: Go Kart Twist)

Let me introduce a song that brings back the sparkle of those days, brimming with youth and energy.

Sung by Nana Kinomi, this track centers on the radiant teenage years at eighteen, and its bright, breezy melody is irresistibly charming! Just listening to it makes your heart dance, as if the excitement of that time comes rushing back.

Released in March 1963, it stands as one of Nana Kinomi’s notable early works.

Its pop sound, infused with Western rhythms, brought a fresh breeze to the music scene of the time.

While many know Nana Kinomi from her duet “Izakaya” with Hiroshi Itsuki, here you can enjoy a different side—her youthful, vibrant voice.

Why not hum along together while sharing fun memories of summers spent under the sun? It’s sure to fill the moment with wonderful smiles! Let the nostalgic melody carry you as you savor the memories of those days.

Tankō-bushi (Coal Miner’s Song)min’yō

Tanko Bushi – With Guide [Let’s All Dance! Bon Odori]

It is a folk song from the Chikuho region, cherished as a hallmark of summer in Japan.

Born in the Meiji era from songs sung by women during coal sorting at mines, it spread nationwide in the early Showa period through radio broadcasts.

Its familiar melody, depicting coal mine labor and everyday life, remains a staple for Bon Odori dances.

In August 2024, BEGIN released a new arrangement incorporating Brazilian samba rhythms, but the traditional choreography—characterized by movements that mimic mining work—makes it easy to dance together with older adults.

Since 2006, Tagawa City in Fukuoka Prefecture has hosted the Tanko-bushi Festival every summer, and the song continues to be passed down across generations.