A classic Japanese folk song passed down through generations of acoustic performances
A special feature on Japanese folk songs.
Folk music originally began as arrangements of traditional songs and spread in the United States.
From around the 1960s, it was also embraced in Japan, and, reflecting the times, songs with strong anti-war and anti-government messages were delivered.
Entering the 1970s, it became especially popular with more accessible, mainstream themes and reached a peak of commercial success.
Although Japanese folk has evolved to incorporate various elements, it retains an acoustic allure and a wistful mood, with lyrics that stand out and resonate.
By all means, take your time and immerse yourself in Japanese folk music!
- [Showa Era] A roundup of nostalgic folk song classics and popular tracks you’ll want to sing at karaoke
- [Japanese Music] A Collection of Heart-Touching Hit Folk Songs from the 1970s
- [Recommended for people in their 70s] Songs that really move you. Beloved classic Japanese hits of the past.
- Timeless classics only! Showa-era hit songs perfect for acoustic sing-alongs
- A poignant ballad song. A tear-jerking masterpiece of Japanese pop music.
- From classic folk dance staples to hidden gems. Introducing recommended tracks!
- [Resonates with the Heart] Masterpiece Ballads with Beautiful, Poignant Lyrics
- [Tearjerker] Songs that make your heart tremble with tears & moving tracks with lyrics that touch the soul
- [Hometown Songs] A curated selection of popular Japanese tracks that fill your heart with nostalgia
- A lineup of timeless masterpieces to pass down to future generations! Ballad songs born in the Reiwa era
- [Touching the Heart] Timeless Ballad Masterpieces. A Collection of Unfading Classics and the Latest Songs [2026]
- The nostalgic atmosphere tugs at your heartstrings. Tear-jerker songs from the Showa era.
- Recommended ballads for men: classic songs about love, encouragement, and youth.
Classic Japanese folk songs passed down through solo performances (51–60)
Gather the Windhappiiendo
This is a song included on Happy End’s 1971 album Kazemachi Roman.
Its portrayal of old, nostalgic Tokyo and its sophisticated composition have earned it a lasting, devoted fan base.
Later, one of the members went on to form YMO, and the other members also continued to work at the forefront of the music scene.
Let’s get married.yoshida takurou
This is a single released by Takuro Yoshida in 1972, a song that helped bring folk music into the mainstream.
Often described as the ‘origin of J-POP,’ it became a huge hit, selling over 400,000 copies.
Featuring lyrics that present a proposal from a male perspective and use colorful language, it drew attention at the time for its innovative content.
The Drunkard Has ReturnedZa Fōku Kurusedāzu
It’s a folk song released in 1967 (Showa 42), but it’s a very unique comic song that became a huge hit and sold over a million copies.
The song is about a drunk man who is called up to heaven, only to be lectured by God that wrongdoers aren’t accepted there and sent back down to the earthly world.
Since recording technology back then wasn’t as advanced as it is today, they reportedly had a hard time—like how speeding up the tape to change the voice would throw the pitch out of tune.
Even though I don’t have a loverShimonzu
Released in 1972 (Showa 47), when folk songs were gaining recognition in society, young men—including college students—grew their hair down to their shoulders.
It wasn’t the kind of deliberately styled “long hair” people talk about today; not in a weird way, but more like imitating Takuro Yoshida—slipping a folk guitar over the shoulder and wearing ripped jeans was a status symbol.
While not everything appealed to all age groups, the clean, soothing melodies of a female duo brought a sense of comfort.
Simmons’ white, semi‑long one‑piece dress featured Tyrolean floral tape at the neckline, and that fashion was trending as well.
Whom should I hold a grudge against?Mikami Kan
If we take the term “folk song” literally as “songs of the people,” then in the sense that Kan Mikami and Kazuki Tomokawa kept singing songs far removed from the hit charts, they might be the very definition of Japanese folk singers.