[For Seniors] Popular Kayōkyoku: A Collection of Classic Songs Perfect for Karaoke and Background Music Selection

In elderly care facilities such as day service centers, isn’t karaoke and music-based recreation quite common? At times like these, younger staff members—especially those much younger than the residents—might find themselves wondering, “Which songs are popular…?” In this article, we’ll introduce a wide selection of songs that are popular among seniors, focusing mainly on kayōkyoku (Japanese popular songs).

These are all well-known tracks that most seniors will have heard at least once, so they’re sure to get everyone excited! Please use this as a helpful guide when choosing songs.

Playlist

[For Seniors] Popular Kayōkyoku: A Collection of Classic Songs Perfect for Karaoke and Background Music Selection
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Because the moon is so very blueSugawara Totoko		The queen of elegy, Miyako Sugawara’s famous song
2	Tokyo Boogie-WoogieKasaogi Shizuko		Let's get pumped up with the Shōwa-era classic 'Tokyo Boogie Woogie'!
3	If you’re happy and you know it, clap your handsSakamoto Kyu		A heartwarming classic imbued with peace and friendship
4	Waltz of StarlightSen Masao		Masao Sen’s poignant classic, a love song that resonates with the heart
5	The Longed-For Hawaii RouteHaruo Oka		“Aloha Hawaii Route,” a song that sings of postwar hope
6	The Highland Train GoesOkamoto Atsurō		Atsuro Okamoto’s classic song “Kōgen Ressha” has become a station jingle.
7	Tsugaru Strait – Winter SceneIshikawa Sayuri		Sayuri Ishikawa’s classic song “Tsugaru Strait”
8	Let’s meet in Yurakucho.Furanku Nagai		Scenes from the Showa era, the classic hit by Frank Nagai
9	Kiyoshi’s Zundoko SongHikawa Kiyoshi		A representative song of the Zundoko-bushi genre: Kiyoshi Hikawa’s “Kiyoshi no Zundoko-bushi.”
10	Come, spring.Matsutōya Yumi		Yumi Matsutoya’s famous song “Come, Spring.”
11	I look up as I walkSakamoto Kyu		Kyu Sakamoto’s classic song “Ue o Muite Arukō”
12	Always keep your dreamsHashi Yukio / Yoshinaga Sayuri		A nostalgic classic is loved across generations.
13	Like a flower that blooms in the fieldDa Kāpo		Live strong and supple, like nature
14	I’m falling in love with you againSakamoto Fuyumi		Fuyumi Sakamoto’s songs are timeless masterpieces that resonate with the hearts of older adults.
15	teacherMori Masako		Masako Mori’s classic song “Sensei”: nostalgic lyrics and melody
16	March of 365 StepsSuizenji Kiyoko		Cheering on life with Kiyoko Suizenji’s “365-Step March.”
17	a bright red sunMisora Hibari		A classic hit by Hibari Misora depicting a summer romance
18	Until we meet againOzaki Kiyohiko		A Farewell Song and Hope for a New Step
19	Forever with youKayama Yūzō		Yuzo Kayama’s love song, a masterpiece that resonates in the hearts of youth
20	Hanjirō of the Hakone Eight RiHikawa Kiyoshi		A moving classic that captures the allure of enka
21	Oh, sake!Yoshi Ikuzo		Yoshi Ikuzo’s classic song “Sake yo” is moving.
22	The two are young.dikku mine		The allure of the duet song “The Spied-Upon Bride”
23	the first strong spring windkyandīzu		A spring classic by Candies that makes you feel the arrival of spring.
24	cherry blossomMoriyama Naotaro		A celebrated song by Naotaro Moriyama that sings of springtime farewells and reunions.
25	Otomi-sanKasuga Hachirō		Hachiro Kasuga’s kabuki-themed classic song “Otomi-san”
26	Traveler of the NorthIshihara Yūjirō		Northern traveler, a melancholy song of loneliness and love
27	Ginza Kan-kan GirlTakamine Hideko		A classic that sings of postwar hope and vitality
28	TouchIwasaki Yoshimi		Yoshimi Iwasaki’s youth song, a moving theme song
29	12th graderFunaki Kazuo		The classic song that depicts the end of youth: “High School Senior”
30	A hill with a view of the harborHirano Aiko		A classic song depicting a postwar port town, Aiko Hirano
31	Journey of the Heartchūrippu		A timeless song that sings of the bittersweetness and hope of youth, resonating in the heart
32	dogwood (flowering dogwood)Hitoto Yo		Hanamizuki, a prayer for peace—an unforgettable song that resonates in the heart
33	Words of FarewellKaientai		“Okuru Kotoba” is a song of springtime farewells and bonds.
34	Northern SpringSen Masao		A classic that resonates in the heart: the nostalgic spring of the northern country
35	Tokyo CachitoFuranku Nagai		Timeless hits that color Akasaka’s night: songs of mature love
36	Anemone flaccida (nirinsō; literally “two-flowered anemone”)kawanaka miyuki		A heartwarming classic that sings of the love and bond between a married couple.
37	That wonderful love once moreKatō Kazuhiko, Kitayama Osamu		A masterpiece by Kazuhiko Kato and Osamu Kitayama, a song that resonates with the heart
38	The Bells of NagasakiFujiyama Ichirō		Nagasaki no Kane: A classic that sings of hope and recovery
39	Look up at the stars in the nightSakamoto Kyu		The classic song that brings hope and courage: “Ue o Muite Arukou” (Sukiyaki)
40	Kiyoshi’s Soran BushiHikawa Kiyoshi		Arrangement of a Hokkaido folk song, a famous hit by Kiyoshi Hikawa
41	school daysPegī Hayama		A classic masterpiece that sings of youthful memories: “Student Days”
42	hometown		A heartwarming classic that sings of memories of one’s hometown
43	What a nice bath.Za Dorifutāzu		A nostalgic Showa-era melody with the Onsen Ondo
44	Ringo OiwakeMisora Hibari		Hibari Misora’s classic song “Ringo Oiwake” is popular among older adults.
45	Apple SongNamiki Michiko		The classic song “Ringo” that brought hope to postwar Japan
46	Aoba Castle Love Songsatou muneyuki		A classic masterpiece by Muneyuki Satō, a famous song that sings of Sendai.
47	Hawaiian Airlines flightUtsumi Kiyoshi		Nostalgia for the tropics, Utsumi Kiyoshi’s classic song
48	Blue Light Yokohamaishida ayumi		A classic of the port city Yokohama: wistfulness and the glitter of the metropolis
49	Life is full of ups and downs.Shimakura Chiyoko		Chiyoko Shimakura’s enka resonates with people’s hearts.
50	Longing for RainYashiro Aki		Aki Yashiro’s classic hit “Ame no Bojo” passionately sings of longing in love.
51	Let’s get married.yoshida takurou		Takuro Yoshida’s heartwarming spring classic
52	Cotton MoodAnri		Relive nostalgic memories with classic spring songs
53	Sleep on my chestkaguya hime		A timeless masterpiece brimming with romance, a heartwarming melody
54	Traveler,Kayama Yūzō		An encouraging song for travelers who long for their hometown, a classic overflowing with kindness.
55	Sake, Tears, Men, and WomenKawashima Eigo		Eigo Kawashima’s classic song that depicts the pathos of life
56	A Love Story in GinzaYūjirō Ishihara · Junko Makimura		A poignant love song echoing through the streets of Ginza
57	Snow CountryYoshi Ikuzo		The scenery of the northern country and the heart-stirring singing voice of Yoshikazu Ikuzō
58	The Splendor of the PrairieAgunesu Chan		A song of memories about nature and departure
59	Lingering Snowiruka		Spring partings, bittersweet memories of youth
60	lover; mistress; extramarital partnerTeresa Ten		The masterpiece rich with adult emotion, “Lover,” a representative work of Teresa Teng
61	To Marie on Fifth AvenuePedoro & Kapurishasu		To Marie on Fifth Avenue: The Allure of a Masterpiece
62	Sometimes, old storiesKatō Tokiko		Tokiko Kato’s song that gently looks back on nostalgic scenery
63	spring hazeIwasaki Hiromi		Hiromi Iwasaki’s spring classic, a song about a bittersweet love.
64	a red handkerchiefIshihara Yūjirō		Spring in the northern country, a wistful song resounding through the acacia trees
65	Crimson SunMisora Hibari		Hibari Misora’s “Bright Red Sun,” a song of passionate love
66	Tokyo RhapsodyFujiyama Ichirō		A classic song from the Showa era: Ichiro Fujiyama’s “Tokyo.”
67	The Sweet LifeNoguchi Goro		Goro Noguchi’s famous song, a masterpiece depicting cohabitation and separation
68	Song of Seeing Spring OffNoguchi Goro		Goro Noguchi’s classic song about a springtime parting
69	Cute babyNakao Mie		Mie Nakao’s “Kawaii Baby” is sweet and charming.
70	Be my bride.Kayama Yūzō		Yuzo Kayama’s classic song “Oyome ni Oide” is a masterpiece.
71	YosakuKitajima Saburō		The emotionally rich Japanese classic song “Yosaku”
72	Mischief of the spring breezeYamaguchi Momoe		A masterpiece by Momoe Yamaguchi, beckoned by the spring breeze
73	A solitary journey to MichinokuYamamoto Jōji		Jōji Yamamoto’s famous song “Michinoku Hitori Tabi”
74	GraduationMatsuyama Chiharu		Chiharu Matsuyama’s spring melody, the singing voice of youth
75	In the Great Sky and on the Vast EarthMatsuyama Chiharu		An iconic song about Hokkaido’s nature and a powerful resolve to live
76	youthMorita Kōichi to Toppugyaran		A classic song that sings of the bittersweetness of youth, resonating in the heart.
77	Itako GasaHashi Yukio		Yukio Hashi’s classic hit “Itako Gasa”: the feelings of a wistful traveler
78	Osaka RhapsodyUminara Senri · Mari		A classic song that paints memories of love against the backdrop of Osaka
79	Crossing Amagi PassIshikawa Sayuri		Let's sing Sayuri Ishikawa's famous song 'Amagi-goe'.
80	North TavernHosokawa Takashi		Takashi Hosokawa wins the Japan Record Award with “Kita Sakaba.”
81	Blue MountainsFujiyama Ichirō		The movie theme song “Aoi Sanmyaku” is a classic.
82	From the northern innMiyako Harumi		The appeal of Harumi Miyako’s classic song “From an Inn in the North”
83	The person I fell in love withMiyako Harumi		A bittersweet love carried on a gentle melody
84	Ginza Kan-kan GirlTakatamine Hideko		A postwar Ginza classic, a song by Hideko Takamine
85	Until we meet againOzaki Kiyohiko		Kiyohiko Ozaki’s classic, a song of love and parting
86	Like the flow of a riverMisora Hibari		Like the Flow of the River, the famous song by Hibari Misora
87	The Bride of SetoKoyanagi Rumiko		Lumiko Koyanagi’s classic song “The Bride of Seto”