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