[For Seniors] Autumn Songs That Touch the Heart: From Nostalgic Children’s Songs and School Songs to Showa-Era Kayōkyoku

Under the autumn sky, it has become the season when nostalgic songs resonate in our hearts.

Music has a mysterious power to evoke memories, and autumn songs in particular gently wrap us in warmth.

Singing together with older adults can spark lively conversations and naturally bring out smiles, creating a wonderful time together.

In this article, we introduce songs of autumn that everyone can enjoy.

Clap along, sing while doing simple exercises, or close your eyes and listen closely to the lyrics—please enjoy these songs filled with Japan’s seasons, culture, and cherished memories with everyone.

Playlist

[For Seniors] Autumn Songs That Touch the Heart: From Nostalgic Children’s Songs and School Songs to Showa-Era Kayōkyoku
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	The sound of insectsMonbushō shōka		A song that beautifully sings the sounds of autumn insects
2	cosmos (flower)sadamasashi		Momoe Yamaguchi’s classic song “Cosmos (Akizakura)”: memories with my mother
3	365 Steps MarchSuizenji Kiyoko		Autumn is for sports! Kiyoko Suizenji’s cheer song
4	Harvest MoonSakushi: Noguchi Ujo / Sakkyoku: Motoori Nagayo		A sad nursery rhyme of a scattered family, a nostalgic masterpiece
5	village festivalMonbushō shōka		Autumn village festival: preserving traditional folk songs
6	The House in KakinokizakaAoki Koichi		The House on Kakinokizaka sung by Koichi Aoki
7	Red sky at duskSakushi: Nakamura Ukō / Sakkyoku: Kusakawa Shin		The autumn children’s song “Yuyake Koyake” resonates with the heart.
8	Village AutumnSakushi: Saitō Nobuo / Sakkyoku: Kainuma Minoru		A warm village autumn song that heals hearts after the war
9	Voices of InsectsSakushi/Sakkyoku: Monbushō Shōka		A heartwarming children's song that sings of the voices of autumn insects
10	red dragonflySakushi: Miki Rofū / Sakkyoku: Yamada Kōsaku		The famous song Akatonbo with lyrics by Rofu Miki, brimming with nostalgia.
11	I found a little sign of autumn.Sakushi: Satou Hachirou／Sakkyoku: Nakata Yoshinao		The charm of the autumn children’s song “Chiisai Aki Mitsuketa” (I Found a Little Autumn)
12	Apple OiwakeMisora Hibari		The charm of Hibari Misora’s classic song “Ringo Oiwake”
13	Moonlit Night over the Great Tone RiverTabata Yoshio		A melancholic song resounding in the clear autumn night sky
14	Because the moon is so very blueSugawara Totoko		A classic that sings sweet memories under the moonlight
15	The Apple SongNamiki Michiko		The Apple Song that Lifted Japan’s Spirits After the War
16	An Apple’s SoliloquySakushi: Takeuchi Toshiko / Sakkyoku: Kawamura Mitsuyo		A nostalgic, heartwarming children's song sung from an apple's perspective
17	Moon		A children's song about the autumn moon, a beautiful piece that resonates with the heart.
18	Homesickness on a JourneySakkyoku: Jon P. Oodowei / Yakushi: Inudou Kyuukei		A poignant song that sings of longing for one's hometown
19	campfireSakushi: Tatsumi Seika / Sakkyoku: Watanabe Shigeru		A winter song; everyone warms themselves by the bonfire.
20	Look up at the stars in the nightSakamoto Kyu		Song of dreams entrusted to the starry sky, a ray of hope
21	Song of AutumnSakushi sakkyoku: Mine Akira		Feeling a child's growth through an autumn children's song
22	Village Festival		A classic Japanese song that sings of the autumn harvest festival.
23	Donguri KorokoroSakushi: Aoki Sonoyoshi / Sakkyoku: Yanada Tadashi		A children's song about loaches rolling across the autumn fields and hills
24	Like the flow of a riverMisora Hibari		Compare life to a river and sing of hope and strength
25	The Highland Train GoesOkamoto Atsurō		A heartwarming classic song depicting a journey on a highland train
26	wild chrysanthemumSakushi:Ishimori Nobuo/Sakkyoku:Ishimori Nobuo		A heartwarming song cherishing the wild chrysanthemums of autumn
27	Under the big chestnut treeSakushi: Sakata Hiroo/Sakkyoku: Gaikoku Kyoku		Happily singing with friends under the chestnut tree
28	A deserted seaTo wa e mo wa		A classic song that sings of the autumn sea and the feelings of heartbreak
29	Desert of the MoonSakushi: Katou Masao / Sakkyoku: Sasaki Suguru		Song of the Prince and Princess Traveling Across the Moonlit Sands
30	Sky of my hometownsakushi: oowada kenki		An autumn song that sings of longing for one’s hometown
31	MoonMonbushō shōka		A nostalgic song praising the beauty of the full moon
32	That Town, This TownNoguchi Ujō:sakushi/Nakayama Shimpei:sakkyoku		A children's song of autumn, depicting the way home at dusk.
33	Midnight GuitarSenga Kahoru		Feel the emotions of autumn in Kahoru Senga’s classic song
34	Rindō PassShimakura Chiyoko		Autumn gentians, a scene singing of an elder sister going off to be married.
35	Seven-year-old childSakushi: Noguchi Ujo / Sakkyoku: Motoori Nagayo		The Crow’s Song, a masterpiece children’s song by Ujō Noguchi
36	dragonfly glassesSakushi: Nukaga Seishi / Sakkyoku: Hirai Kōzaburō		A children's song that sings about a scene of kids playing with dragonflies.
37	The Raccoon Dog Music of Shōjōji TempleSakushi: Noguchi Ujō / Sakkyoku: Nakayama Shinpei		A tanuki hand-clapping song, dancing under the moon
38	autumn leaves		A masterpiece that sings of the beauty of autumn leaves and the four seasons
39	Desert of the MoonSakushi: Katou Masao / Sakkyoku: Sasaki Suguru		Moon desert, a song of a prince and princess traveling by camel
40	maple leavesSakushi: Takano Tatsuyuki / Sakkyoku: Okano Teiichi		A heartwarming children's song depicting autumn foliage
41	There’s always tomorrowSakamoto Kyu		The classic song that gives hope and courage, 'There's Always Tomorrow'.
42	A Hazy Moonlit Night		The moving masterpiece “Oborozukiyo,” with its beautiful lyrics and melody
43	Falling-leaf drizzleMiura Koichi		Koichi Miura’s classic “Ochiba Shigure” is a melancholic enka song.
44	Donguri KorokoroSakushi:Aoki Zonki/ Sakkyoku:Yanada Tadashi		Acorn Korokoro, an autumn children's song
45	Red dragonflychiaki naomi		The Showa-era classic 'Red Dragonfly' is moving.
46	Sky of my hometownSukottorando min’yō/sakushi: Ōwada Kenju		A hometown song based on a traditional Scottish folk tune
47	Yakiimo goo-choki-pasakushi: sakata hiroo / sakkyoku: yamamoto naozumi		Let's have fun with autumn fingerplay songs
48	Song of the Four SeasonsSakushi sakkyoku: Araki Toyohisa		Showa-era classic: the beauty of the four seasons and love
49	cosmos (flower)Yamaguchi Momoe		Momoe Yamaguchi’s classic song “Cosmos” captures the emotions of autumn.
50	Harvest Moon over Mount AkagiTōkairin Tarō		Singing a farewell under the moonlight of Mount Akagi
51	Tangled HairMisora Hibari		Hibari Misora 'Midaregami' Autumn Scenery
52	Tankō-bushi (Coal Miner’s Song)		The Tankō-bushi is a coal miners’ folk song; it became a big hit by Michiya Mihashi.
53	Village FestivalSakushi/Sakkyoku: Monbushō Shōka		A song of the autumn festival, expressing harmony and joy among the people
54	scarecrowSakushi/Sakkyoku: Monbushō Shōka		Fields watched over by scarecrows and a harvest scene
55	pine coneSakushi: Hirota Takao / Sakkyoku: Kobayashi Tsuyae		Pine Cone Song, an autumn hand-play nursery rhyme
56	A midnight in autumn		An emotionally rich song depicting an autumn scene
57	Moon over the Ruined Castle		Kōjō no Tsuki, the celebrated masterpiece by Bansui Doi and Rentarō Taki
58	A small nut		An inspiring work featuring nostalgic classic songs sung by Teruko Ōba.
59	Tokyo Olympic OndoMinami Haruo		Let's enjoy the autumn of sports with a song
60	rabbitwarabeuta		Usagi uta is traditional Japanese music.
61	Bright Red Autumnsakushi: satsuma tadashi / sakkyoku: kobayashi hideo		Crimson autumn: the autumn scenery reflected in a child’s eyes
62	Sunset HillIshihara Yūjirō & Asaoka Ruriko		A bittersweet love song played on the hill at sunset