Popular Japanese songs among women in their 50s: recommended classics and staple tracks

If you’re currently in your 50s, songs from the ’80s and ’90s are probably packed with memories of your youth, aren’t they?

And there are likely many tracks from the 2000s that feel familiar and nostalgic as well.

In this article, we’ll introduce a selection of recommended songs for women in their 50s, focusing on music from the ’80s through the 2000s.

We’ve carefully chosen only tracks that were popular at the time, so you’re sure to reunite with some old favorites.

We hope you’ll enjoy listening closely—and that this list will also come in handy when choosing songs for karaoke.

Playlist

Popular Japanese songs among women in their 50s: recommended classics and staple tracks
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Ballad of a SingerSaito Kazuyoshi		Kazuyoshi Saito’s classic: a song of the joy of singing and of love
2	The Future Projection IIDREAMS COME TRUE		Iconic 80s songs, anthems of youthful memories
3	dogwood (flowering dogwood)Hitoto Yo		Yo Hitoto's 'Hanamizuki' is a love song that resonates with the heart.
4	TRUE LOVEFujii Fumiya		Fumiya Fujii's 'TRUE LOVE' resonates with people in their 50s.
5	Time goes byEvery Little Thing		A shape of love that remains unchanged as time passes
6	La La LaDaikoku Maki		Maki Ohguro’s classic hit “La La La,” a moving song that heals the heart
7	Sailor Suit and Machine GunYakushimaru Hiroko		Hiroko Yakushimaru’s classic song “Sailor Suit and Machine Gun”
8	PRIDEImai Miki		Music is the key of the heart that colors life.
9	CAN YOU CELEBRATE?Amuro Namie		Namie Amuro’s smash hit and a wedding classic
10	Close your eyesHirai Ken		Ken Hirai's classic song 'Hitomi wo Tojite' is a heart-wrenching ballad about lost love.
11	Let’s become a familyFukuyama Masaharu		A heartwarming classic that sings of family bonds
12	powder snowRemioromen		Remioromen’s “Konayuki” is a masterpiece.
13	Tomorrow never knowsMr.Children		A classic that portrays the anguish and radiance of youth, a moving piece that transcends generations.
14	LA LA LA Love SongKubota Toshinobu		A love song that transcends time, a classic that comforts the heart
15	SWEET MEMORIESMatsuda Seiko		Seiko Matsuda’s classic song “SWEET MEMORIES”
16	Don’t give upZARD		The inspiring classic “Makenaide” resonates in the heart.
17	Robinsonsupittsu		Spitz’s classic song “Robinson” resonates with the heart.
18	God of RomanceHirose Kōmi		Kohmi Hirose’s classic hit “God of Romance”
19	BOY MEETS GIRLTRF		The Charm of the Classic Song ‘BOY MEETS GIRL’
20	Tears aren’t just for show.Nakamori Akina		Akina’s signature song and Yosui’s classic strike a chord.
21	The hottest summer in the worldPRINCESS PRINCESS		A classic hit by the girls' band PRINCESS PRINCESS
22	foreignerKUBOTA Saki		Saki Kubota’s classic song “Ihōjin” is easy to sing.
23	Aino Katachi feat. HIDE (GReeeeN)MISIA		“Aino Katachi” is an easy-to-sing masterpiece.
24	FriendsREBECCA		A classic coming-of-age song that depicts Rebecca’s first love
25	Let’s Count Your Kisses ~You were mine~Koyanagi Yuki		Yuki Koyanagi classics that are easy to pitch and fun to sing at karaoke
26	Sky Restauranthaifaisetto		An explanation of Hi-Fi Set’s classic songs
27	North WingNakamori Akina		Akina Nakamori’s love song: a resolute journey starting from the airport
28	I’m glad I met you.Koizumi Kyoko		Kyoko Koizumi’s 1992 work
29	CHA CHA CHAIshii Akemi		A Japanese-language cover of an Italian song; easy to catch the rhythm.
30	City Hunter ~Don’t Let Love Disappear~Kohiruimaki Kahoru		Kahoru Kohiruimaki, a popular singer from the 80s and 90s
31	Don’t give up on your dreamsOkamura Takako		Takako Okamura singing her signature songs after graduating from Aming
32	contrailArai Yumi		A gem of a song imbued with feelings for a deceased classmate
33	Come, spring.Matsutōya Yumi		Yumi Matsutoya’s classic spring song, the NHK morning drama theme
34	The Girl Who Leapt Through TimeHarada Tomoyo		Tomoyo Harada’s classic song “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time”
35	Hold On MeKohiruimaki Kahoru		Introduction to songs by female singers with low vocal timbre
36	Heavenly KissMatsuda Seiko		Seiko Matsuda’s “Heavenly Kiss” is a masterpiece.
37	Stars on EarthNakajima Miyuki		A powerful song that likens unnoticed people to stars
38	STAY TUNESuchmos		A captivating track that colors the city night
39	loveHoshino Gen		Gen Hoshino’s “Koi” becomes a social phenomenon along with the drama
40	Nancy of Summer ColorsHayami Yū		Introducing classic hits by the 80s idol Yū Hayami.
41	Love Doesn’t Stop ~Turn It Into Love~Wink		A song about unrequited love that sprouted from friendship
42	Surely more than anyone else in the worldNagayama Miho		A timeless classic that sings of fated reunions and eternal love
43	Second LoveNakamori Akina		Akina Nakamori’s first Oricon number-one hit song
44	Purple TownYagami Junko		Junko Yagami’s big hit song “Purple Town.”
45	Silhouette RomanceOhashi Junko		Junko Ohashi's signature song, a sophisticated love song
46	I’m only gazing at you.Daikoku Maki		A woman's bittersweet feelings as she changes herself for love
47	After all, I’m an idolKoizumi Kyoko		Kyoko Koizumi's masterpiece depicting the light and shadow of idols
48	Gentle RainKoizumi Kyoko		A resonant masterpiece that touches Kyoko Koizumi’s heart, like the rain
49	Tomorrow, when spring comesMatsu Takako		Takako Matsu’s major-label debut single becomes a big hit.
50	rainMoritaka Chisato		A tale of heartbreak and a heart drenched in rain
51	Summertime BluesWatanabe Misato		A bittersweet love song of youth by the summer sea
52	A woman born in OsakaBORO		A moving song from Osaka that depicts youth
53	Glass BoyKinKi Kids		KinKi Kids’ classic songs color the memories of youth.
54	Beyond the Night SkySMAP		A timeless song whose melody and lyrics soothe the heart
55	Baby, I love youTEE		A love song that resonates in the heart with a sweet, mellifluous voice
56	Lingering Snowiruka		The Appeal of the Heart-Touching Classic 'Nagori Yuki'
57	Go for it!Urufuruzu		The passionate tone of “Guts da ze” and its courage
58	Goodbyeofukōsu		A poignant masterpiece that sings of the end of winter
59	TSUNAMISazan Ōrusutāzu		A moving song that sings of destiny’s deep love and hope
60	UFOpinku redii		Pink Lady’s classic hit themed around a romance with an alien
61	School HeavenFingā 5		A timeless song that paints memories of youth, resonating in the heart.
62	It’s a sad color, isn’t it?Ueda Masaki		A Kansai-dialect classic that sings of a heartrending love
63	Fall in LoveKobayashi Akiko		Akiko Kobayashi’s classic song that sings of a heartrending love.
64	Marilyn in 1986Honda Minako		Minako Honda’s signature song, a classic that represents the 1980s.
65	A Beautiful Burning ForestToukyou Sukapara Daisu Ookesutora		Skapara’s classic song of passion and melancholy
66	Love is overŌyō Fifi		“Love is Over” is a masterpiece that portrays a woman’s independence.
67	Graduation PhotoArai Yumi		Graduation photo, a vivid moment of youth
68	Becoming a Thousand WindsAkiyama Masashi		Masafumi Akikawa’s signature song that resonates with the heart, Cherished Feelings
69	Falling in LoveKobayashi Akiko		A big hit as Akiko Kobayashi’s debut song
70	Pink sighTakahashi Mariko		A classic by Mariko Takahashi that portrays love with a lover in a fantastical way
71	I LOVE YOUOzaki Yutaka		Yutaka Ozaki’s youth songs and poignant love lyrics resonate in the heart.
72	cosmos (flower)Yamaguchi Momoe		Cosmos Flowers Portraying Love for a Mother and a Departure