Songs to give for an 88th-birthday celebration (Beiju). Heartwarming classics and popular tunes.
There are various terms corresponding to different ages for longevity celebrations, such as kanreki and koki, but do you know how old “beiju” refers to?
Beiju is 88 years old in traditional Japanese age counting.
It is said to come from the fact that the character for “rice” (米) can be broken down into the components for eighty-eight (八十八).
In this article, we’ve compiled classic Japanese songs that you’ll want to sing or gift for a beiju celebration.
Our lineup centers on timeless enka and kayōkyoku, while also including recent J-pop.
We hope you’ll find songs that the whole family—especially the grandchildren—can sing together to celebrate your grandpa’s or grandma’s beiju!
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- [Celebration] A compilation of Japanese songs that elderly people will enjoy
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- [Celebration Song] A heart-brightening playlist of celebratory songs to color your special day
- [Grandpa & Grandma] Timeless Songs to Gift to Seniors
- A classic from the good old days! A famous birthday song born in the Showa era.
- [For Seniors] Songs Everyone Can Sing Together! A Roundup of Recommended Crowd-Pleasers
- [For Seniors] Crowd-Pleasers! A Collection of Classic Karaoke Songs
- [Family Song] A gratitude song that lets you feel the importance of family.
- [For Seniors] Popular Karaoke Songs That Everyone Can Enjoy Together
Heart-stirring songs to give for an 88th-birthday celebration (31–40)
king (shogi piece)Murata Hideo
A single by Hideo Murata released in November 1961.
It became a massive hit, selling over 1.5 million copies.
The song is modeled after the shogi player Sankata Sankichi, and its lyrics, which sing of a man’s way of life, seem perfect for celebrating Grandpa’s 88th birthday, don’t they?
Crimson SunMisora Hibari
This is a single by Hibari Misora and Jackie Yoshikawa & The Blue Comets, released on May 25, 1967.
It became a million-seller, with 1.4 million copies sold.
It’s a powerful celebratory song that you’ll want to give to grandparents who are forever lively and young at heart.
Let’s say farewell to tearsMorita Kensaku
This is Kensaku Morita’s sixth single, released on March 25, 1971.
It was used as the theme song for the drama “Ore wa Otoko da!” in which he starred, and both the show and the song were big hits.
With its powerful, youthful energy, it’s a perfect choice to celebrate the 88th birthday of grandparents, wishing them continued health and vitality.
Northern SpringSen Masao
A single by Masao Sen released on April 5, 1977.
It won the Long Seller Award at the 21st Japan Record Awards.
The lyrics, filled with a sense of longing for one’s hometown, are perfect for a family living apart from their grandparents to celebrate an 88th-birthday beiju.
Take care.Mitsubishi Michiya
A single by Michiya Mihashi released in 1960.
He also performed it at that year’s Red and White Song Battle.
It was a huge hit, selling 2.2 million copies.
Since the lyrics wish for the health of family living apart, wouldn’t it be perfect for an 88th-birthday celebration?
homeKiyama Yusaku
A song of love from a father to his child.
Yusaku Kiyama’s gentle, embracing voice blends with a heartwarming melody to vividly portray the bond between parent and child.
Through its calm tone, it conveys a parent’s feelings as they stay close to their child’s growth and the importance of cherishing the small joys of everyday life.
Released in February 2008, it was used as the ending theme for Nippon TV’s “Uta-Suta!!” and Yomiuri TV’s “Joho Live Miyane-ya,” and later that year Kiyama performed it at the NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen.
Beloved at important life moments such as graduations and weddings, this song is a perfect choice when you want to express gratitude to someone special or deepen your family bonds.
You were young back then.Za Supaidāsu
It’s a song by The Spiders released on March 5, 1968.
The composer is Hiroshi Kamayatsu, and it features a duet by Masakazu Sakai and Jun Inoue.
It’s a sweet-and-sour yet positive GS-era Showa kayō perfect for reminiscing about one’s youth.
GIFTMr.Children
Mr.Children’s music is known for its heartfelt messages and sweeping melodies.
This work was created as a theme song for the Olympics, but it celebrates the brilliance of all people, not just the winners.
It sings of the value of each person’s effort and existence, moving many listeners.
Released in July 2008, it was used in NHK’s broadcasts of the Beijing Olympics and is also included on the album SUPERMARKET FANTASY.
It’s the perfect song for celebrating someone important to you or encouraging yourself.
With its universal message and moving melody, it will surely resonate with your heart.
existenceWANIMA
A heartwarming song woven with feelings for a grandmother, perfect for Mother’s Day.
Released by WANIMA in March 2025, the piece was written specifically as the Mother’s Day campaign commercial song for the flower gift service “Hana Cupid.” Drawing on vocalist KENTA’s experience of being raised by his grandmother, it gently sings of memories in a seaside town and the bonds with loved ones.
Even within its powerful rock sound, the warmth of the vocals stands out, resonating with heartfelt gratitude toward someone special.
Together with the commercial featuring actor Shohei Miura, the song has become a hot topic, and many people on social media are saying, “I want my mother to hear this.” It’s gaining attention this year as a track to give alongside a Mother’s Day present.
From me to yousakuramaya
This song conveys, from a child’s perspective, gratitude toward grandparents and the wish for them to stay healthy.
Its powerful vocals over an enka-style sound further emphasize the message in the lyrics.
Because it depicts simple, relatable memories, it’s likely to prompt listeners to reflect on their own.
By delivering straightforward words like those in this song—hoping they live a long life—let’s encourage them to keep living energetically from here on out.
