Nostalgic Japanese hit songs from the 1970s: the golden age of idols and kayōkyoku (Japanese pop songs)
What songs come to mind when you think of Japanese hit songs from the 1970s?
Those who lived through that era in real time probably recall a wide range of hits.
With the spread of color television, people began to enjoy music from a visual perspective as well.
The 1970s are often called the golden age of kayōkyoku and idols.
Even generations who weren’t yet born will find many familiar, approachable songs that make you think, “Hey, I’ve heard this before!”
Please enjoy these captivating hit songs from the 1970s!
- A collection of nostalgic hit songs and classics from the 70s
- Debut song of a 1970s idol
- Classic and hit songs by nostalgic Japanese idols from the 1970s
- Popular Showa-era pop. Timeless hit songs.
- [Showa Kayō] A roundup of Japanese love songs that hit in the 1970s
- [Recommended for people in their 70s] Classic nostalgic hits: A collection of youth songs
- Great enka masterpieces and hit songs of the 1970s
- Heart-touching, tear-jerking masterpieces from the Showa era
- [Winter Songs] Classic Showa-era masterpieces. Popular songs you’ll want to listen to in winter.
- [1970s] Collection of Japanese hit songs. Nostalgic masterpieces of Japan
- Evokes the charm of the good old days. Showa-era inspirational songs that are still loved today.
- Memorable Youth Songs: Looking Back on New Music Masterpieces from the 1970s–80s
- [2026 Edition] Songs Loved by People in Their 60s: Classic Hits from Their Youth
Nostalgic Japanese Hit Songs of the 1970s: The Golden Age of Idols and Kayōkyoku (91–100)
purplemurahachibu
images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com
A track from Murahachibu, a rock band that continues to influence Japan’s underground scene.
It’s also famous that guitarist Char, after listening to the Sex Pistols, remarked, “They’re just like Murahachibu.” The impulsive guitar and the vocals that scream as if scales don’t exist are indescribably rock and incredibly cool.
bridehashida norihiko to kuraimakkusu
One of the classic songs from the 1970s folk era.
It was the group’s debut single and reached No.
1 on the Oricon charts at the time.
At first glance, it seems like a cheerful travelogue about a woman taking a train to get married, but in fact it’s a song about eloping with a lover who was opposed by those around them.
It must be an action taken with a great deal of determination.
Despite that, the bright melody keeps it from feeling sad at all.
Nostalgic Japanese hit songs of the 1970s: The golden age of idols and kayōkyoku (101–110)
Whenever I arrive, it’s always raining.Za Moppusu
1972.
Its highest position was 26th on the Oricon weekly chart, so it only became a minor hit, but it has remained a long-remembered song as a signature piece for The Mops and Hiromitsu Suzuki.
Takuro Yoshida’s syllable-heavy folk song was transformed into a splendid rock ballad through Masaru Hoshi’s arrangement and Hiromitsu Suzuki’s passionate vocals.
I love you, Captain.Za Ririizu
Released in 1975, this signature hit by The Lilies has been loved across generations, as it’s played in many different places.
The lyrics, depicting the bittersweet romance of youth, are especially memorable.
The song tells the story of an unrequited crush on the captain of a high school tennis team, and listening to it brings back those fresh, innocent feelings.
With lyrics by Takashi Matsumoto and music by Koichi Morita, the track peaked at No.
39 on the Oricon charts and sold 80,000 copies.
It also gained wide recognition by winning the Bronze Prize at the 1975 Shinjuku Music Festival.
Travel Lodgeyoshida takurou
A hit song from 1972.
Takuro Yoshida—who, while influenced by Bob Dylan, helped shift Japanese folk from the underground, politically and socially focused scene of artists like Nobuyasu Okabayashi to a new, youth-centered folk—created this lyrical masterpiece in partnership with lyricist Osami Okamoto.
Memories SakeKobayashi Sachiko
Sachiko Kobayashi also scored a huge hit in 1979.
This song made her a regular on the NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen, and her name recognition and popularity spread nationwide.
It sold 990,000 copies and ranked third on the annual singles chart.
I think everyone should listen to the youthful singing voice of Sachiko Kobayashi at least once.
Dream-Chasing SakeAtsumi Jirō
As if the Pink Lady craze of the previous years had been a lie, 1979 saw a complete turnaround, with a mellow enka song taking the top spot on the annual charts.
This track was also a massive hit, selling over 1.45 million copies, which instantly made Jiro Atsumi’s name known nationwide.