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