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!
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- Recommended ballads for men: classic songs about love, encouragement, and youth.
Timeless Japanese folk song classics passed down through solo performances (11–20)
Why am I so sad?yoshida takurou
Its hallmark is universal lyrics that the folk generation of the 1970s could easily relate to their own circumstances.
There’s an episode in which someone rushed to a friend whose company had gone bankrupt and sang this song in front of them; the feeling of “still wanting human connection” amid life’s setbacks and loneliness resonated with many.
It’s truly a quintessential folk song! The melody is very simple and easy to remember, making it great for everyone from karaoke beginners to those who want to sing in earnest.
When singing, deliver the A verse more like spoken word without pushing your voice too much—especially in the first verse, where it takes a while to reach the chorus and the talk-like elements may feel long, but if you sing the following chorus solidly to bring the energy up, you can capture the mood of the song nicely.
Try to sing with care for the lyrics!
Twilight looks lonelyN.S.P
It’s a song whose lyrical words and melody sink deep into the heart.
It delicately portrays the loneliness of twilight and expresses a bittersweet longing to be with someone.
NSP’s warm folk sound further enhances the song’s appeal.
Released as a single in July 1974, it has also been used as the departure melody at Ichinoseki Station on the Tohoku Shinkansen since March 2019.
It’s the perfect track for spending time alone at dusk or when you want to think of someone dear to you.
You can feel a comforting warmth that stays close to your heart—truly a masterpiece of Japanese folk music.
Kanda Riverkaguya hime
It’s one of Kaguya-hime’s signature songs, released in September 1973.
Depicting the lives and budding romance of students in the Showa era, the song became a massive hit, selling 1.6 million copies.
There’s even a story that they declined an appearance on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen because the lyrics contained a trademarked brand name.
Singing of modest yet happy days and a bittersweet farewell, the song vividly captures the feelings of young people at the time.
Everyday scenes—like promising to go to the public bath together or cooking curry rice—strike a chord.
It’s recommended for anyone who has experienced a breakup or wants to feel the purity of love.
Lingering Snowiruka
Released in 1975.
Written and composed by Shozo Ise, it was originally a track on a Kaguyahime album.
It’s a classic that’s still widely sung at karaoke today.
In just a few short lyrics, you can picture the scene of a man seeing off his childhood friend at the station as she leaves to marry in the countryside, and feel his bittersweet sense that they may never meet again.
The term “nagori-yuki” (lingering snow) didn’t originally exist, but it’s a perfect title for this song.
Children Who Don’t Know WarJirōzu
The folk song released by Jiro’s in 1971 vividly captures the feelings of the postwar generation.
The purity of young people who grew up without knowing war and their wish for peace resound alongside a beautiful melody.
The song spoke for the youth of the time and sparked major debate over generational gaps and differing attitudes toward war.
After its release, it reached No.
11 on the charts in the folk genre and won both the New Artist Award and the Lyrics Award at the Japan Record Awards.
Its distinctive left-right separated vocal mixing also drew attention.
It’s a recommended track when you want to reaffirm your desire for peace or have conversations that bridge generations.