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


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