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Lovely birthday

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!

Heart-Stirring Songs to Gift for an 88th Birthday Celebration (21–30)

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?

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The Apple SongNamiki Michiko

Released in 1945 by Michiko Namiki and Noboru Kirishima, this song became the first postwar hit in Japan.

It served as a spiritual anchor for the Japanese people after the war and was beloved as a national song.

If you celebrate a beiju (88th birthday) with it, wouldn’t Grandpa and Grandma be delighted?

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Heart-stirring songs to give for an 88th-birthday celebration (31–40)

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.

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Let’s say farewell to tearsMorita Kensaku

Kensaku Morita, “Let’s Say Goodbye to Tears,” 1973
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.

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As long as the sun is in the skynishikino akira

7. As Long as the Sun Is in the Sky / Akira Nishikino (cover) by Deja Vu @ Nerima BE born 2017-05-21
As long as the sun is in the skynishikino akira

This is Akira Nishikino’s third single, released on February 10, 1971.

It became a big hit, selling over 300,000 copies.

It’s a powerful number that you’d want to give as a celebration for your grandparents’ 88th birthday—someone so special you love dearly and will love forever.

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Northern SpringSen Masao

Spring in the Northern Country / Masao Sen (with lyrics)
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.

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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?

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