Lively songs recommended for people in their 80s: A collection of nostalgic enka and kayōkyoku

Some of you may have opportunities to enjoy music with people in their 80s among your family or acquaintances but feel at a loss because you don’t know which songs are popular.

In this article, we’ll focus on songs that are especially exciting among those familiar to people in their 80s.

We’ve selected mainly Showa-era kayōkyoku and enka, with an emphasis on up-tempo and cheerful tunes.

Please use this article as a reference and enjoy music together with people in their 80s to create a wonderful time.

Playlist

Lively songs recommended for people in their 80s: A collection of nostalgic enka and kayōkyoku
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	A street corner where stars fallSatoi Ito to Happī & Burū		A star‑strewn street corner, a bittersweet love song for adults
2	Ah, there are tears in life.Satomi Kôtarô, Yokouchi Masashi		The famous song of Mito Komon, a singing voice that resonates in the heart
3	March of 365 StepsSuizenji Kiyoko		A timeless song that shows how small steps add up to great results
4	Festival MamboMisora Hibari		A classic song from the Showa era, a stylish tune of the Edo spirit
5	12th graderFunaki Kazuo		The classic youth song “High School Senior,” expressing the sentiments of adolescence.
6	Ginza Kan-kan GirlTakamine Hideko		The classic song “Ginza Kankan Musume,” which sings of postwar hope
7	Chanchiki OdesaMinami Haruo		A famous song by Haruo Minami that sings of longing for his hometown
8	The third-year affairHiroshi & Kībō		Showa-era classic, male-female duet
9	Kiyoshi’s Zundoko SongHikawa Kiyoshi		Hikawa Kiyoshi’s songs are beloved classics across a wide range of generations.
10	North TavernHosokawa Takashi		A classic song about a fateful encounter in a northern tavern
11	festivalKitajima Saburō		A timeless song that sings the passion of the festival, resonating in the heart.
12	youthMorita Kōichi to Toppugyaran		The classic song Youthful Days, which portrays adolescence, is loved across generations.
13	Otomi-sanKasuga Hachirō		A Showa-era classic with a Kabuki motif, depicting a reunion
14	Hello from countries around the worldMinami Haruo		Haruo Minami’s Expo hit song, Song of Friendship
15	Scorpio womanMikawa Ken’ichi		Scorpio Woman: A Song of Passion and Love
16	The person I fell in love withMiyako Harumi		A classic enka song filled with deep emotion—a farewell ballad that resonates with the heart.
17	childhood friendDyūku Eisesu		A timeless song that sings of youthful memories, resonating in the heart.
18	I’m going to Tokyo.Yoshi Ikuzo		A smash hit in the Tsugaru dialect that portrays rural longing for Tokyo
19	Because the moon is so very blueSugawara Totoko		A masterpiece with a very blue moon, lyrics that resonate with the heart
20	Tokyo Boogie-WoogieKasaogi Shizuko		Postwar hope, Shizuko Kasagi’s classic song
21	I’m falling in love with you againSakamoto Fuyumi		Fuyumi Sakamoto’s love songs move people across generations.
22	Always keep your dreamsHashi Yukio, Yoshinaga Sayuri		The charm of the classic youth song “Along the Flow of the Stars”
23	There’s always tomorrowSakamoto Kyu		A coming-of-age song that sings of the feelings of a young person in love.
24	The Longed-For Hawaii RouteHaruo Oka		A postwar classic, “Hawaii Kōro” captivates the hearts of the Japanese.
25	Lingering Snowiruka		Youth watching a farewell in the spring snow
26	Northern SpringSen Masao		A heart longing for home, a famous melody that resonates with the season of spring
27	YosakuKitajima Saburō		Saburo Kitajima’s classic song “Yosaku” sings of labor and love.
28	Beach of MemoriesZa Wairudowanzu		A heartwarming classic that makes you feel the end of summer
29	Aoba Castle Love Songsatou muneyuki		A masterpiece by Muneyuki Sato, a famous song that colors Sendai
30	Season of LovePinkī to Kirāzu		A classic bossa nova standard for summer
31	Tokyo Ondomin’yō		The Showa-era Bon Odori classic 'Tokyo March'
32	Playback Part 2Yamaguchi Momoe		Let’s dance to Showa-era classics and relive nostalgic memories.
33	A Love Story in GinzaYūjirō Ishihara · Junko Makimura		A poignant love song echoing through the streets of Ginza
34	Flamenco of the StarsSaigō Teruhiko		Teruhiko Saigō’s flamenco-style classic
35	Kawachi Ondo		Kawachi Ondo is a thriving folk song style from Osaka.
36	school daysPegī Hayama		Peggy Hayama is a Japanese singer of the song 'Gakusei Jidai' (Student Days).
37	Crimson SunMisora Hibari		Passion and ephemerality, a masterpiece by Hibari Misora
38	Pineapple Princesstashiro midori		A sweet tone that soothes the heart with tropical melodies
39	That girl and IHashi Yukio		Yukio Hashi’s summer classic, The Brilliance of Youth
40	Hawaiian Airlines flightUtsumi Kiyoshi		Nostalgia for the tropics, Utsumi Kiyoshi’s classic song
41	Waltz of StarlightSen Masao		Masao Sen's classic 'Hoshikage no Waltz,' a song that sings of the melancholy of parting
42	Tokyo RhapsodyFujiyama Ichirō		A classic song from the Showa era: Ichiro Fujiyama’s “Tokyo.”
43	Traveler,Kayama Yūzō		An encouraging song for travelers who long for their hometown, a classic overflowing with kindness.
44	Forever with youKayama Yūzō		The classic song by Yuzo Kayama: the lyrics and emotion of love
45	Tankō-bushi (Coal Miner’s Song)min’yō		Chikuhō’s Tankō-bushi, a Bon Odori staple
46	At the Rainy Taverndikku mine		A Showa-era classic that sings of the melancholy of heartbreak.
47	The pier where that girl is cryingMitsubishi Michiya		The song of the port town resonates in the heart — a famous piece by Michiya Mihashi.
48	What a nice bath.Za Dorifutāzu		A nostalgic Showa-era melody with the Onsen Ondo
49	Tokyo Olympic OndoMinami Haruo		The Tokyo Olympic Ondo is a symbol of the Games.
50	Cotton HandkerchiefŌta Hiromi		A bittersweet song about long-distance love, nostalgic memories
51	The Highland Train GoesOkamoto Atsurō		The travel sentiment of a highland train, a song that resonates in the heart
52	I wanted to see you.Haruo Oka		Haruo Oka’s sailor-themed kayō songs colored the postwar era.
53	Ozasiki Song		In the year of the Tokyo Olympics, a smash-hit song became popular.
54	Brother ShipsToba Ichirō		A masterpiece by Ichirō Toba that movingly sings of the brotherly love of fishermen.
55	Tokyo CachitoFuranku Nagai		Timeless hits that color Akasaka’s night: songs of mature love
56	Traveler of the NorthIshihara Yūjirō		A melancholic masterpiece that sings of love in the northern land
57	I hope you are keeping well in the summer heat.kyandīzu		A nostalgic classic that portrays summer memories
58	Sinbad on the Shorepinku redii		Pink Lady’s classic summer hit
59	Dream PlayUmezawa Fumio		Fumio Umezawa’s soul-stirring classic, delivered with an emotionally rich singing voice
60	Kiyoshi’s Soran BushiHikawa Kiyoshi		Arrangement of a Hokkaido folk song, a famous hit by Kiyoshi Hikawa
61	Soran Bushimin’yō		A folk song sung by fishermen in Hokkaido, cherished across generations
62	18 Years Old Under the SunKi no Mi Nana		A youthful, coming-of-age song by the vibrant Nana Kinomi
63	Like a flower that blooms in the fieldDa Kāpo		A classic springtime song that conveys the importance of living naturally
64	Life is like a Naniwa-bushi (a melodramatic ballad).Hosokawa Takashi		A masterpiece with a rōkyoku motif, expressing the subtleties of life
65	Life is full of ups and downs.Shimakura Chiyoko		Chiyoko Shimakura’s enka resonates with people’s hearts.
66	The two are young.dikku mine		The classic duet by Dick Mine and Reiko Hoshi
67	A Love Game Between a Man and a WomanHino Mika / Aoi Shirou		Takeda Pharmaceutical’s commercial song becomes a hit duet classic
68	a bright red sunMisora Hibari		Hibari Misora's 'Bright Red Sun' was a huge hit, selling 1.4 million copies.
69	My Giftofukōsu		A famous song by Kazumasa Oda that makes you feel the arrival of spring
70	Cotton MoodAnri		Relive nostalgic memories with classic spring songs
71	tricolor violetSakurada Junko		A masterpiece by Junko Sakurada depicting spring scenes
72	spring’s dry windIzumiya Shigeru		A moving song that portrays social pressure and loneliness
73	TouchIwasaki Yoshimi		Yoshimi Iwasaki’s youth song, a moving theme song
74	IzakayaItsuki Hiroshi		A masterpiece that portrays the loneliness of an izakaya, resonating deep in the heart
75	Apple SongNamiki Michiko		A famous song that sang of postwar hope with the Apple Song
76	A Letter Waiting for Springyoshida takurou		Heartfelt exchanges through letters and songs of memories
77	If you’re happy and you know it, clap your handsSakamoto Kyu		A heartwarming classic imbued with peace and friendship
78	Hanjirō of the Hakone Eight RiHikawa Kiyoshi		A moving classic that captures the allure of enka
79	Ah, Ueno StationIzawa Hachirō		A classic song that sings of Ueno Station and longing for one’s hometown
80	Ozasiki SongMatsuo Kazuko Mahina Sutāzu		Kazuko Matsuo’s classic song—a heartrending love ballad set in Kyoto
81	Like the flow of a riverMisora Hibari		A masterpiece that sings of Hibari Misora’s life
82	Blue MountainsFujiyama Ichirō		A masterpiece that sings of life's journey and reflections on the times
83	Words of FarewellKaientai		“Okuru Kotoba” is a song of springtime farewells and bonds.
84	Yokohama TwilightItsuki Hiroshi		“Yokohama Twilight” is a masterpiece that resonates with the heart.