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!

Playlist

A classic Japanese folk song passed down through generations of acoustic performances
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	So sad I can’t bear itZa Fōku Kurusedāzu		A moving masterpiece that symbolizes sorrow and loneliness
2	It’s the same wherever you are.Hanbaato Hanbaato		A warm message song that wants to connect
3	MessageHanbaato Hanbaato		A number with a simple singing voice entrusted to the wind
4	Grand banquetHanbaato Hanbaato		A song with a unique view of life and death that sees death as a departure
5	Spring, Summer, Autumn, WinterIzumiya Shigeru		Shigeru Izumiya, a song that overcame hardship
6	bridehashida norihiko to kuraimakkusu		Norihiko Hashida’s classic song “Tabidachi”
7	Please give me wingsakai tori		The Red Bird’s masterpiece: the moving Takeda Lullaby
8	Let me have that wonderful love once moreKitayama Osamu, Katō Kazuhiko		A wistful wish for the reunion of two people who lost their love
9	FriendOkabayashi Nobuyasu		Nobuyasu Okabayashi’s powerful folk songs resonate with people’s hearts.
10	Love SongKagawa Ryo		Ryo Kagawa’s moving masterpiece portraying life and love
11	loveMatsuyama Chiharu		A classic that gently portrays a bittersweet love, touching the heart
12	So sad I can’t bear itOkuda Tamio		A classic song in which Tamio Okuda covers a folk song
13	Sugarcane fieldMoriyama Ryoko		A song that resonates with the heart: the sorrow of war and a wish for peace
14	Song of DepartureKamijō Tsunehiko & Rokumonsen		A song of nostalgia and hope: Tsunehiko Kamijō’s smash hit
15	early summerfuki no tō		A classic song that depicts Hokkaido’s scenery and solitude
16	Why am I so sad?yoshida takurou		A Folk Song of Life’s Setbacks and Empathy
17	Twilight looks lonelyN.S.P		A poignant song of twilight, a timeless masterpiece that touches the heart.
18	Kanda Riverkaguya hime		A classic song portraying the bittersweet love of youth; a huge hit.
19	Lingering Snowiruka		Lingering Snow, a Farewell Song of Memories
20	Children Who Don’t Know WarJirōzu		A song of peace depicting the sentiments of the postwar generation
21	Parting at 22kaze		A duo song by Shozo Ise and Kazuhisa Okubo
22	My good friendyoshida takurou		The Appeal of Hiroshi Kamayatsu’s Smash Hit Songs
23	Outside, it’s a night of white snow.yoshida takurou		A song that delicately portrays a man and woman parting ways in a café
24	Tell me an eternal lieyoshida takurou		A masterpiece that Miyuki Nakajima provided to Takuro
25	summer vacationyoshida takurou		Takuro Yoshida’s classic summer song, full of nostalgia
26	The Pattern of LifeTakada Wataru		Wataru Takada’s soul-stirring poem of sleeping rough
27	Examinee BluesTakaishi Tomoya		A nostalgic classic that sings of examinees’ feelings
28	Before winter comeskami fuusen		A red bird sings of the bittersweet feelings of a married couple.
29	ant (colloquial, little ant)nagira kenichi		A moving classic that sings about the way of life of ants
30	Journey of the Heartchūrippu		A classic breakup song by a popular group from the ’70s
31	Sake, Tears, Men, and WomenKawashima Eigo		Eigo Kawashima’s moving folk ballad
32	Shadows of Youthchūrippu		Tulip’s popular song “Ordinary Happiness”
33	White is the color of lovers.Bettsi & Kurisu		A pure classic in which a foreigner sings about Japan as their hometown
34	First loveMurashita Kōzō		A hit song themed around Kozo Murashita’s “Hatsukoi” (First Love)
35	Midnight GuitarSenga Kahoru		Songs of the Showa Era: Youthful Spirit and the Character of the Times
36	Beach of MemoriesZa Wairudowanzu		An iconic hit idol song from the 1960s
37	The season the sun gave usaoi sankakujougi		Won the grand prize for a coming-of-age drama theme song
38	Our FailureMorita Doji		A timeless, wistful masterpiece that gained the spotlight as a TV drama’s theme song
39	Say that you’re alive.Tomokawa Kazuki		Sing a folk song with a message
40	Street Corner of BetrayalKai Band		Popular single by the Kai Band, a long-selling hit
41	Full of memoriesH₂O		The ending theme song of the youth anime “Miyuki”
42	Sanya BluesOkabayashi Nobuyasu		Gained attention with songs filled with anger toward society
43	Strawberry Statement, Once Againbanban		A song by Yumi Matsutoya that sings about memories of youth.
44	Salvia flowermotomaro		Female college student group disbands after a hit song
45	A woman born in OsakaBORO		Kenichi Hagiwara sings BORO’s classic song
46	PrayerNagabuchi Tsuyoshi		Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi’s soul-stirring ballad, the pain of loss.
47	Heart patternInoue Yosui		Yosui Inoue, a leading figure in the folk music scene
48	sonOkuda Tamio		A song of a father's love sung by Tamio Okuda
49	In the Great Sky and on the Vast EarthMatsuyama Chiharu		Chiharu Matsuyama’s signature song inspired by Hokkaido
50	Goodbye for today.Moriyama Ryoko		Ryoko Moriyama, a musician’s daughter and a singer of famous songs
51	Love is a mirageGam		The transitional period from folk to new music
52	Aoba Castle Love Songsatou muneyuki		A beloved Sendai classic: the songs of Muneyuki Sato
53	Travel Lodgeyoshida takurou		Takuro Yoshida is a folk singer who represents Japan.
54	Cape TourYamamoto Kōtarō & Uīkendo		A hit song that depicts an encounter with a bus
55	ChampionArisu		A boxer's story, a song of struggle and hope
56	Gather the Windhappiiendo		A classic Happy End song that depicts Tokyo
57	Let’s get married.yoshida takurou		A masterpiece that changed folk music, a massive hit
58	The Drunkard Has ReturnedZa Fōku Kurusedāzu		Showa-era smash-hit folk song, Drunkard’s Paradise
59	Even though I don’t have a loverShimonzu		Youth culture and music during the heyday of folk songs
60	Whom should I hold a grudge against?Mikami Kan		A folk singer who continues to sing the heart of the people
61	It’s a sad color, isn’t it?Ueda Masaki		A legendary ballad by Masaki Ueda from Osaka
62	Lullaby for Sleeping AloneKatō Tokiko		A song released in 1969, which Tokiko Kato put out while thinking of her husband who was in prison.
63	Let’s get married.yoshida takurou		Folk songs whose era was changed by Takuro’s music
64	In Francine’s CaseShintani Noriko		The anti-war folk song “A Song for Francine”
65	Across this wide fieldMoriyama Ryoko		An early classic by a Showa-era folk singer
66	spring’s dry windIzumiya Shigeru		Shigeru Izumiya’s powerful folk-song classic
67	Words of FarewellKaientai		A famous song by Kaientai, a graduation ceremony classic.
68	CheersNagabuchi Tsuyoshi		A moving song that celebrates and supports life’s milestones
69	A Lonely RoomTakagi Asaya		Masayo Takagi's debut song becomes a big hit.
70	Imperial Regent Declarationsadamasashi		Sada Masashi’s solo hit songs
71	Sometimes like a child without a motherKarumen Maki		A famous Negro spiritual that sings of the sorrow of slaves
72	Spirit Boat (Shoro Nagashi)gureepu		The classic song “Shōryō Nagashi” created by Grape
73	Is it true that you’re getting married?Da Kāpo		Da Capo’s smash hit song, a husband-and-wife duo
74	If I could fly in this skyKatō Tokiko		A famous song by Tokiko Kato, with lyrics by Miyuki Nakajima
75	A Ballad Dedicated to My MotherKaientai		Tetsuya of Kaientai sings about his feelings for his mother
76	Do you not sing that song anymore?kaze		A wind-themed single with letter-like lyrics that moved me
77	Red Elegyagata morio		A classic masterpiece by Morio Agata that carries darkness and understated cool.
78	The Song of the Red Dragonflyanonenone		Representative hit song(s) of Anone-none
79	Strawberry Statement Once Againbanba hirofumi		A classic song that portrays youthful memories and the end of an era
80	A café in a student districtGaro		Showa-era male folk singer, fashion innovation
81	To say goodbyebiriibanban		Adult folk song, the brothers' singing voices are beautiful.
82	Shiretoko Ryojo (Shiretoko Travel Sentiment)Katō Tokiko		Morishige Hisaya’s classic song set in Shiretoko
83	contrailArai Yumi		Yumi Arai’s Breezy Theme of Death
84	I am crying.ririi		Orphaned at a young age, they went from singing with a guitar to scoring a massive hit.
85	O skyToa e moa		A refreshing song by Towa Tei and Moi, born from an open call
86	A rose has bloomed.Maiku Maki		Influenced by Maki’s masterpiece, “The Little Prince”
87	youKozaka Akiko		A timeless, heartfelt song that sings of the sorrow of parting
88	Wandering Love SongNagabuchi Tsuyoshi		Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi’s song of youthful courage
89	White Winterfuki no tō		Fukinoto: A lonely spring farewell song
90	While listening to a distant train whistleArisu		A classic song by Alice, the legendary group from the '70s.
91	One more time,One more chanceYamazaki Masayoshi		Masayoshi Yamazaki’s classic song about the feelings of moving to Tokyo.
92	Into the DreamInoue Yosui		Inoue Yosui’s 1973 debut song, a masterpiece