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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!

Playlist

Nostalgic Japanese hit songs from the 1970s: the golden age of idols and kayōkyoku (Japanese pop songs)
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1eastSake, Tears, Men, and WomenKawashima Eigo
Sake, Tears, Men, and WomenKawashima Eigoplay_arrow
Singer Eikichi Kawashima, whose song also became the commercial jingle for the sake brand Kizakura...
2eastShiretoko Ryojo (Shiretoko Travel Sentiment)Katō Tokiko
Shiretoko Ryojo (Shiretoko Travel Sentiment)Katō Tokikoplay_arrow
Even today, Tokiko Kato is still a famous singer, and on televi...
3eastPlease, Time MachineSadisutikku Mika Bando
Please, Time MachineSadisutikku Mika Bandoplay_arrow
A single released in 1974 and later…
4eastsouthpawpinku redii
southpawpinku rediiplay_arrow
The No. 2 spot on the 1978 singles chart goes to Pin...
5eastAs time goes bysawada kenji
As time goes bysawada kenjiplay_arrow
A 1975 hit song. Lyrics by Yū Aku, music by ...
6eastLove Dial 6700Fingā 5
Love Dial 6700Fingā 5play_arrow
The Finger Five’s fourth release from 1973…
7eastSmiling Backkyandīzu
Smiling Backkyandīzuplay_arrow
“Mihiragaeshi” was released in 1978 and...
8eastCotton HandkerchiefŌta Hiromi
Cotton HandkerchiefŌta Hiromiplay_arrow
1975. Lyrics by Takashi Matsumoto, music by Kyohei Tsutsumi, 'Yellow…'
9eastA life full of scarsTsuruta Koji
A life full of scarsTsuruta Kojiplay_arrow
Released in 1970. It sold close to one million copies in total...
10eastMy good friendKamayatsu Hiroshi
My good friendKamayatsu Hiroshiplay_arrow
1975. The rough-and-tumble, boyish anthem by Takuro Yoshida, who wrote both the lyrics and music...
11eastNaomi’s DreamHedoba to Dabide
Naomi’s DreamHedoba to Dabideplay_arrow
Released as a single in 1971, and for four weeks...
12eastI’m appearing under my former name.Kobayashi Akira
I'm appearing under my former name.Kobayashi Akiraplay_arrow
It’s Akira Kobayashi’s single released in 1975…
13eastKanda Riverkaguya hime
Kanda Riverkaguya himeplay_arrow
A song released by Kaguyahime in 1973, and the...
14eastWoman’s BluesFuji Keiko
Woman's BluesFuji Keikoplay_arrow
“Woman’s Blues” was released in 1970…
15eastDrifters’ Zundoko BushiZa Dorifutāzu
Drifters' Zundoko BushiZa Dorifutāzu
“The Drifters’ Zundoko Bushi” was re… in 1969.
16eastlieNakaijō Kiyoshi
lieNakaijō Kiyoshiplay_arrow
The No. 3 spot in the 1974 year-end rankings goes to Kiyo Nakajo…
17eastNorthern SpringSen Masao
Northern SpringSen Masaoplay_arrow
“Kitaguni no Haru” was released in 1977...
18eastLove without meetingUchiyamada Hiroshi to Cool Five
Love without meetingUchiyamada Hiroshi to Cool Fiveplay_arrow
“Aiwazuni Aishite” (Loving You Without Meeting) is a song released by Lily in 1969...
19eastMother on the QuayFutaba Yuriko
Mother on the QuayFutaba Yurikoplay_arrow
"The Mother on the Quay" is about a woman whose son was sent off to fight in World War II...
20eastFunky Monkey BabyCAROL
Funky Monkey BabyCAROLplay_arrow
It’s a song released in 1973. CAR…
21eastA street corner where stars fallSatoi Ito to Happī & Burū
A street corner where stars fallSatoi Ito to Happī & Burūplay_arrow
A catchy, upbeat track sung by a handsome male vocalist that captures girls’ hearts.
22eastThank you for everything.Inoue Jun
Thank you for everything.Inoue Junplay_arrow
A 1971 hit song. The Spiders' re…
23eastA café in a student districtGaro
A café in a student districtGaroplay_arrow
The No. 3 spot on the 1973 year-end singles chart is ...
24eastyounger boykyandīzu
younger boykyandīzuplay_arrow
Released in 1975, its name...
25east17 years oldMinami Saori
17 years oldMinami Saoriplay_arrow
In 1971, appearing like a comet from Okinawa, ...
26eastapplausechiaki naomi
applausechiaki naomiplay_arrow
The No. 4 spot on the 1973 year-end singles chart is …
27south_eastapplausechiaki naomi
applausechiaki naomiplay_arrow
A classic oldies hit released in 1972...
28eastRun, Kotaro!Sorutī Shugā
Run, Kotaro!Sorutī Shugāplay_arrow
1970. The commi... of Salty Sugar
29eastThe Scent of CyclamenFuse Akira
The Scent of CyclamenFuse Akiraplay_arrow
Released in 1975, and at the end-of-year music of that year...
30eastYokohama TwilightItsuki Hiroshi
Yokohama TwilightItsuki Hiroshiplay_arrow
Released in 1971, Itsuki’s re-deb...
31eastThe Bride of SetoKoyanagi Rumiko
The Bride of SetoKoyanagi Rumikoplay_arrow
Hidden in the shadow of the monster hit song “Onna no Michi”...
32eastThousand KnivesSakamoto Ryuichi
Thousand KnivesSakamoto Ryuichiplay_arrow
Ryuichi Sakamoto’s release in 1978...
33eastA Midsummer IncidentHirayama Miki
A Midsummer IncidentHirayama Mikiplay_arrow
A hit song from 1971. Peaked at No. 5 on the Oricon weekly chart…
34eastYOUNG MAN(Y.M.C.A.)Saijō Hideki
YOUNG MAN(Y.M.C.A.)Saijō Hidekiplay_arrow
Released at the very end of the ’70s in 1979…
35eastBeautiful SundayDanieru Būn
Beautiful SundayDanieru Būnplay_arrow
Oyoge! Taiyaki-kun sold an incredible 4.53 million copies, but…
36eastPolyushka-PolyeNaka Masami
Polyushka-PolyeNaka Masamiplay_arrow
A hit song from 1971. Sung by the Red Army Choir...
37eastSwim! Taiyaki-kunShimon Masato
Swim! Taiyaki-kunShimon Masatoplay_arrow
This year, 1976, was also a turning point in the Japanese music scene...
38eastJourney of the Heartchūrippu
Journey of the Heartchūrippuplay_arrow
Two singles and two albums since their debut...
39eastThe Day the Seagulls FlewWatanabe Machiko
The Day the Seagulls FlewWatanabe Machikoplay_arrow
Machiko Watanabe, announced in April 1978…
40eastChampionArisu
ChampionArisuplay_arrow
Consisting of three members: Shinji Tanimura, Takao Horiuchi, and Tooru Yazawa...
41eastinteraction; friendly contact; bondingNakamura Masatoshi
interaction; friendly contact; bondingNakamura Masatoshiplay_arrow
He was also very active in youth dramas such as “Our Journey”...
42eastMy Pure LadyOzaki Ami
My Pure LadyOzaki Amiplay_arrow
A hit song from 1977. With a refreshing melody and...
43eastYokosuka StoryYamaguchi Momoe
Yokosuka StoryYamaguchi Momoeplay_arrow
A big hit from 1976. Until then, Kazuo Senke...
44eastCrying in the rainYanagi Jōji & Rainīuddo
Crying in the rainYanagi Jōji & Rainīuddoplay_arrow
A hit song from 1978. From a GS group…
45eastyouthMorita Kōichi to Toppugyaran
youthMorita Kōichi to Toppugyaranplay_arrow
It’s hidden in the shadow of Pink Lady, but this...
46eastGandharaGodaigo
GandharaGodaigoplay_arrow
Godai's single released in 1978...
47eastKeiko’s Dream Opens at NightFuji Keiko
Keiko's Dream Opens at NightFuji Keikoplay_arrow
I feel like I’ve heard the name Keiko Fuji somewhere...
48eastA Good Day to Set Out on a JourneyYamaguchi Momoe
A Good Day to Set Out on a JourneyYamaguchi Momoeplay_arrow
Released in 1978, written and composed by Shinji Tanimura...
49eastCarmen ’77pinku redii
Carmen '77pinku rediiplay_arrow
A hit song from 1977, a passionate love song
50eastFarewell SongNakajima Miyuki
Farewell SongNakajima Miyukiplay_arrow
Miyuki Nakajima’s fifth release, which came out in 1977…
51eastBlack Boat SongHasegawa Kiyoshi
Black Boat SongHasegawa Kiyoshiplay_arrow
A song whose lyrics and music were written by Jun Sakurai for Akiyuki Nosaka...
52eastSo alluring it makes you faintChar
So alluring it makes you faintCharplay_arrow
Famous for songs such as their signature hit “Kizetsu Suru Hodo Nayamoshii”…
53eastWithered Susuki Grass of the Shōwa Erasakura to ichirō
Withered Susuki Grass of the Shōwa Erasakura to ichirōplay_arrow
In 1975, marking the milestone of Showa 50, it became a big hit...
54eastGood-bye, My LoveAn Ruisu
Good-bye, My LoveAn Ruisuplay_arrow
A hit song from 1974. Sung by a half-Japanese girl...
55eastSinbad on the Shorepinku redii
Sinbad on the Shorepinku rediiplay_arrow
The number one spot in the annual rankings for ’77 was Pink Le…
56eastMy Favorite TeacherRC sakuseshon
My Favorite TeacherRC sakuseshonplay_arrow
In 1972, RC Succession’s first single...
57eastTechnopolisYellow Magic Orchestra
TechnopolisYellow Magic Orchestraplay_arrow
Pioneers of Japanese technopop, YMO's…
58eastParting at 22kaze
Parting at 22kazeplay_arrow
A story woven with a voice that touches the heart. Five years of a man and a woman...
59eastSalvia flowermotomaro
Salvia flowermotomaroplay_arrow
To the renowned song by Yoshio Hayakawa, the solitary rock singer, fo…
60eastYoko of the Port, Yokohama, YokosukaDaun Taun Bugiugi Bando
Yoko of the Port, Yokohama, YokosukaDaun Taun Bugiugi Bandoplay_arrow
A 1975 single that was a hit at the time...
61eastYour eyes are 10,000 voltsHoriuchi Takao
Your eyes are 10,000 voltsHoriuchi Takaoplay_arrow
It’s one of Takao Horiuchi’s signature songs that is still sung today. Encoun…
62eastMessage of RougeArai Yumi
Message of RougeArai Yumiplay_arrow
The first from Yumi Arai’s era before she married and became Yumi Matsutoya...
63eastLingering Snowiruka
Lingering Snowirukaplay_arrow
Dolphin’s biggest hit and by now her…
64eastSong of Departure – In Search of Lost Time –Kamijō Tsunehiko & Rokumonsen
Song of Departure - In Search of Lost Time -Kamijō Tsunehiko & Rokumonsenplay_arrow
A hit song from 1971. Yamaha Music Foundation pro—
65eastListening to OliviaAnri
Listening to OliviaAnriplay_arrow
A melody that gently envelops the lingering ache of a bittersweet love…
66eastRed Elegyagata morio
Red Elegyagata morioplay_arrow
A hit song from 1972. A nerdy manga...
67eastGather the Windhappiiendo
Gather the Windhappiiendoplay_arrow
An iconic song representing the 1970s has been born…
68eastLet’s get married.yoshida takurou
Let's get married.yoshida takurouplay_arrow
The album “Kara…” released in 1972
69eastIf I can see you in my dreamsShiria Pōru
If I can see you in my dreamsShiria Pōruplay_arrow
In 1996, Rats & Star made it a huge hit...
70eastTo say goodbyebiriibanban
To say goodbyebiriibanbanplay_arrow
The number 3 spot on the singles chart in ’72 was Billy…
71eastWantedpinku redii
Wantedpinku rediiplay_arrow
1977 was a year when Pink Lady made a big splash…
72eastSong of the Old Man from KawachiMisu Hanako
Song of the Old Man from KawachiMisu Hanakoplay_arrow
A track with an impressive Kansai (Kawachi) dialect. It has a slightly rough vibe...
73eastYou Are the One Who Rings That BellWada Akiko
You Are the One Who Rings That BellWada Akikoplay_arrow
It’s the 11th single by Akiko Wada, and…
74eastFarewell, my loverSakai Masaaki
Farewell, my loverSakai Masaakiplay_arrow
A 1971 hit song. The Spiders' re…
75eastYou’re not alone.tenchi mari
You're not alone.tenchi mariplay_arrow
Released in 1972, Tenchi's third album…
76eastA Woman’s WishMiya Shirō to Pinkara Torio
A Woman's WishMiya Shirō to Pinkara Torioplay_arrow
1973 turned out to be an unbelievable year…
77eastI hate demons.Hirata Takao to Serusutāzu
I hate demons.Hirata Takao to Serusutāzuplay_arrow
Released in 1971, with over one million copies...
78eastLove in KyotoNAGISA YŪKO
Love in KyotoNAGISA YŪKOplay_arrow
A hit song from 1970. It remains persistently popular in Japan...
79eastThe Apple Murder CaseGō Hiromi, Kigeki Kirin
The Apple Murder CaseGō Hiromi, Kigeki Kirinplay_arrow
Released in 1978, the television drama “...
80eastThe Pattern of LifeTakada Wataru
The Pattern of LifeTakada Wataruplay_arrow
The legendary folk singer, Mr. Wataru Takada’s 1…
81eastA woman born in OsakaBORO
A woman born in OsakaBORO
1979. In Osaka, with lyrics and music by BORO...
82eastImperial Regent Declarationsadamasashi
Imperial Regent Declarationsadamasashiplay_arrow
A song that lists the conditions and requests for getting married…
83eastwithered silvergrasschiaki naomi
withered silvergrasschiaki naomiplay_arrow
Sung by Sakura and Ichiro in 1974...
84eastSecrets in My PocketAgunesu Chan
Secrets in My PocketAgunesu Chanplay_arrow
A hit song from 1974. Happy End’s do...
85eastEnchantedJudi Ongu
EnchantedJudi Onguplay_arrow
At the end of the 1970s, Judy Ongg ran...
86eastUFOpinku redii
UFOpinku rediiplay_arrow
By 1978, the pink that had been popular since the previous year…
87eastMonsterpinku redii
Monsterpinku rediiplay_arrow
Third place in ’78 was also Pink Lady, with 'Monster'...
88eastI don’t have an umbrella.Inoue Yosui
I don't have an umbrella.Inoue Yosuiplay_arrow
A song that cast a piercing gaze at Japan in the 1970s…
89eastWoman’s PathMiya Shirō to Pinkara Torio
Woman's PathMiya Shirō to Pinkara Torioplay_arrow
This song recorded the highest sales in the 1970s...
90eastMy castle townKoyanagi Rumiko
My castle townKoyanagi Rumikoplay_arrow
The number one in the 1971 year-end ranking was Koyanagi...
91eastA sudden shower in KyotoKoyanagi Rumiko
A sudden shower in KyotoKoyanagi Rumikoplay_arrow
The fifth release by Rumiko Koyanagi, who is also a veteran actress...
92eastUntil we meet againOzaki Kiyohiko
Until we meet againOzaki Kiyohiko
A robust, almost tenor-like singing voice that makes you listen...
93eastLament of ResentmentKaji Meiko
Lament of ResentmentKaji Meikoplay_arrow
A hit song from 1973. Nikkatsu New Action...
94eastStrings of TearsTonosama Kingusu
Strings of TearsTonosama Kingusuplay_arrow
Looking back at the early 70s, enka and kayōkyoku were…
95eastHusband and Wife MirrorsTonosama Kingusu
Husband and Wife MirrorsTonosama Kingusu
Tonosama King, released in May 1974...
96eastTime, stop.Yazawa Eikichi
Time, stop.Yazawa Eikichiplay_arrow
It's an immortal classic from the '70s, isn't it? Eikichi Yazawa is…
97eastSEPTEMBERTakeuchi Mariya
SEPTEMBERTakeuchi Mariyaplay_arrow
In 1979, Mariya Takeuchi, whose highest Oricon ranking was 39th, ...
98eastFrom the northern innMiyako Harumi
From the northern innMiyako Harumiplay_arrow
At number three in the 1976 year-end rankings is now a la...
99eastpurplemurahachibu
purplemurahachibu
Still influencing Japan’s underground…
100eastbridehashida norihiko to kuraimakkusu
bridehashida norihiko to kuraimakkusuplay_arrow
One of the great songs from the folk era of the ’70s. Gru...
101eastWhenever I arrive, it’s always raining.Za Moppusu
Whenever I arrive, it’s always raining.Za Moppusuplay_arrow
1972. Peaked at weekly No. 26 (Oricon) …
102eastI love you, Captain.Za Ririizu
I love you, Captain.Za Ririizuplay_arrow
Released in 1975, The … became a huge hit.
103eastTravel Lodgeyoshida takurou
Travel Lodgeyoshida takurouplay_arrow
A 1972 hit song. Underground artists like Nobuyasu Okabayashi...
104eastMemories SakeKobayashi Sachiko
Memories SakeKobayashi Sachikoplay_arrow
Sachiko Kobayashi also scored a major hit in 1979...
105eastDream-Chasing SakeAtsumi Jirō
Dream-Chasing SakeAtsumi Jirōplay_arrow
As if the Pink Lady craze of the previous year had been a lie...
106eastBlack Cat TangoMinagawa Osamu
Black Cat TangoMinagawa Osamuplay_arrow
The best-selling single in 1970 is this...
107eastDWON TOWNSUGAR BABE
DWON TOWNSUGAR BABEplay_arrow
Released in April 1975, the urban night…
108eastyouKozaka Akiko
youKozaka Akikoplay_arrow
The late Akiko Kosaka, who debuted in 1973…
109eastRainy MidosujiŌyō Fifi
Rainy MidosujiŌyō Fifiplay_arrow
A hit song from 1971. In Japan, for a very long time…
110eastDo whatever the hell you want.sawada kenji
Do whatever the hell you want.sawada kenji
A song that represents the 1970s was born. Sweet…
111eastA Dangerous Pairsawada kenji
A Dangerous Pairsawada kenjiplay_arrow
One of Kenji Sawada’s signature songs and a major hit that represents the pop music scene of the 1970s.
112eastMy Dear EllieSazan Ōrusutāzu
My Dear EllieSazan Ōrusutāzuplay_arrow
Southern All Stars, released in 1979…
113eastSchool HeavenFingā 5
School HeavenFingā 5play_arrow
Speaking of Finger Five’s signature songs, it’s got to be this track…
114eastforeignerKUBOTA Saki
foreignerKUBOTA Sakiplay_arrow
Saki Kubota, who released it in 1979…
115eastYou May DreamSHEENA&THE ROKKETS
You May DreamSHEENA&THE ROKKETSplay_arrow
Released in December 1979, Sheena & the ...
116eastGraduation PhotoArai Yumi
Graduation PhotoArai Yumiplay_arrow
Yumi Arai’s ... released in June 1975