Old songs from the Showa to Heisei eras: a collection of timeless classics loved across generations

These days, thanks to the widespread use of Spotify and Apple Music, people of all ages can easily listen to a wide variety of songs.

Social media platforms like TikTok have also sparked an increase in older songs becoming revival hits among young people.

In this article, we’ll be showcasing a selection of hit tracks from the Showa and Heisei eras all at once!

There are plenty of timeless masterpieces that haven’t lost their charm, so take this opportunity to give them another listen.

Playlist

Old songs from the Showa to Heisei eras: a collection of timeless classics loved across generations
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	I’ll wait.amin		A classic debut song by Amin
2	Swim! Taiyaki-kunShimon Masato		A song about a taiyaki escaping to the sea
3	Wine Red Heartanzenchitai		A mature romantic love song by Anzen Chitai
4	I LOVE YOUOzaki Yutaka		A beautiful ballad with Yutaka Ozaki’s restrained piano
5	TouchIwasaki Yoshimi		A nationally beloved theme song from an anime based on an original work by Mitsuru Adachi
6	240 Million Eyes -Exotic Japan-Gō Hiromi		Hiromi Go's signature song, original and on a grand scale
7	Far, far awayMakihara Noriyuki		Gain courage from Noriyuki Makihara's graduation song
8	Look up at the stars in the nightSakamoto Kyu		A Showa-era classic song that symbolizes young people's hope and hard work
9	Message of RougeMatsutoya Yumi		A classic song about standing up to infidelity and celebrating women's strength
10	A long nightMatsuyama Chiharu		Chiharu Matsuyama’s famous ballad, a poignant song of a man
11	The Future Projection IIDREAMS COME TRUE		Heisei-era masterpiece: deep affection cherished across generations
12	Island SongTHE BOOM		A gemlike ballad depicting the Battle of Okinawa and peace
13	Please give me wingsakai tori		A classic from the Showa era, cherished for its hope and beauty
14	Strawberry Statement Once Againbanban		A memorable song that sings of the bittersweet feelings of youth
15	era; age; time; periodNakajima Miyuki		A classic song of the Showa era, a melody guiding us toward hope.
16	UFOpinku redii		A classic Showa-era song depicting a romance with an alien
17	March of 365 StepsSuizenji Kiyoko		Suizenji Kiyoko’s classic song cheers you on in life.
18	A Hazy Moonlit Nightshouka		An old Japanese song that depicts a spring evening
19	Kanda Riverkaguya hime		Even if you didn't know it in real time, around 1973...
20	Silhouette RomanceOhashi Junko		Image song for Sanrio’s romance novel label
21	A Good Day to Set Out on a JourneyYamaguchi Momoe		Momoe Yamaguchi’s graduation theme song
22	Elegy of SpringShōji Shirō		A celebrated song from early Showa, singing of a lost love
23	Spring, Summer, Autumn, WinterIzumiya Shigeru		Reflecting life's impermanence in the changing of the four seasons
24	I look up as I walkSakamoto Kyu		Kyu Sakamoto’s signature song, an upbeat anthem of hope
25	Blue PhotographMatsuda Seiko		A famous ballad used as a TV drama theme song
26	Purple TownYagami Junko		Junko Yagami’s classic song depicting loneliness and love
27	It might make it in time.yoshida takurou		Let's break free together from an unfulfilling everyday life
28	It was spring, wasn’t it?yoshida takurou		Takuro Yoshida’s poignant spring classic
29	Even though it’s springKashiwabara Yoshie		Yoshie Kashiwabara’s graduation song written and composed by Miyuki Nakajima
30	I don’t have an umbrella.Inoue Yosui		Yosui’s umbrella song from 1972 is genius.
31	outdatedKawashima Eigo		Let's live with our feet firmly on the ground
32	Meeting at ShuishiyingOkanoteiichi		A classic song that sings of soldiers’ reconciliation and longing for peace
33	The Never-Ending SongTHE BLUE HEARTS		A Song Where Misfits Come Out Ahead
34	Lapis-Lazuli EarthMatsuda Seiko		Seiko Matsuda’s signature song about finding hope in the darkness
35	The One and Only Flower in the WorldSMAP		A signature Heisei-era masterpiece: 'The One and Only Flower in the World'
36	Beautiful NameGodaigo		The song of the International Year of the Child known for “Daisuki”
37	You are in full color.Ohtaki Eiichi		Eiichi Ohtaki’s music—beauty that transcends life.
38	Premonition of Loveanzenchitai		A classic hit by Anzen Chitai, popular as an airline commercial song.
39	youKozaka Akiko		Akiko Kosaka’s debut single becomes a big hit
40	Let yourself go with the flow of timeTeresa Ten		Many of Teresa Teng’s classic songs have been covered by many artists.
41	applausechiaki naomi		A classic of Showa-era kayōkyoku: a song of passion and melancholy
42	Love on the Yamanote LineKobayashi Akira		Akira Kobayashi’s Versatile Musical Activities and the Yamanote Line Song
43	spring hazeIwasaki Hiromi		In the spring of the Showa era, singing the bittersweetness of love
44	The last spring breakMatsutōya Yumi		The poignant masterpiece depicting a springtime farewell, “Haru yo, Koi” (Come, Spring)
45	Among the seasonsMatsuyama Chiharu		Chiharu Matsuyama’s first No. 1 song draws attention after being used in a commercial.
46	You Are the One Who Rings That BellWada Akiko		Finding strength in the classic Showa-era songs of Akiko Wada
47	Dramatic RainInagaki Junichi		A long-running hit that reached No. 8 on the Oricon chart. This song became Yasushi Akimoto’s first hit work.
48	Until we meet againOzaki Kiyohiko		A classic song from the Showa era: a positive track about an adult breakup.
49	YAH YAH YAHCHAGE and ASKA		Chage and Aska’s classic hit remains popular.
50	Blue Light Yokohamaishida ayumi		Ayumi Ishida’s million-selling hit song
51	Imperial Regent Declarationsadamasashi		A classic song that sings the true feelings of a man about to get married
52	Across this wide fieldMoriyama Ryoko		A folk song that sings of the beauty of nature
53	Words of FarewellKaientai		Symbol of youth, a graduation song that resonates in the heart
54	foreignerKUBOTA Saki		A blockbuster hit whose exotic melody resonates with the heart
55	Boat SongYashiro Aki		Aki Yashiro's classic Showa-era ballads
56	It was rainy again in Nagasaki today.Uchiyamada Hiroshi to Cool Five		Kiyoshi Maekawa’s local-themed song becomes a hit
57	The Scent of CyclamenFuse Akira		A classic Showa-era song made a hit by Akira Fuse
58	Red Sweet PeaMatsuda Seiko		Seiko Matsuda’s signature spring love ballad
59	12th graderFunaki Kazuo		Sing of graduation memories and hopes for the future
60	Blue MountainsFuji Yama Ichirou, Nara Mitsue		An anthem of the Showa era gave hope to the people.
61	Ruby RingTerao Akira		Adult-oriented, AOR-style music is popular.
62	North AirportKatsura Ginshuku, Hama Keisuke		A duet song about a man and woman departing from Sapporo Airport
63	windhashida norihiko to shuuberutsu		Shida Norihiko Natural Elegy
64	The Apple SongNamiki Michiko, Kirishima Noboru		Encouraging the children in the burnt-out ruins with song
65	High-Teen BoogieGorin Mayumi		Tatsuro Yamashita’s youth number, a movie theme song
66	Forever with youKayama Yūzō		A famous love song by Yuzo Kayama
67	A snap in yellow-green (moegi)anzenchitai		Anzen Chitai’s classic spring debut song
68	Life is full of ups and downs.Shimakura Chiyoko		Chiyoko Shimakura’s 1987 smash hit song
69	Lill Returning from ShanghaiTsumura Ken		A poignant song set in a postwar port
70	Merry-go-roundMakiha Yumi		The secret of Momoe Yamaguchi’s audition song
71	Tsugaru Strait Winter SceneIshikawa Sayuri		Sayuri Ishikawa, the singer of the classic song 'Tsugaru Strait – Winter Scene'
72	SakurazakaFukuyama Masaharu		Masaharu Fukuyama’s classic spring ballad
73	Everything is alright.RC sakuseshon		A song that gives courage to everyone who feels anxious
74	Withered Susuki Grass of the Shōwa Erasakura to ichirō		A classic song from the Showa era, a massive hit with 1.5 million copies sold
75	Journey of the Heartchūrippu		A timeless classic that resonates with the heart: a single by Tulip
76	The Days of Rainbows and Sneakerschūrippu		Striking from the start, a hit song by Tulip
77	My loverGorin Mayumi		Mayumi Itsuwa’s classic has captivated many singers.
78	Not even worth confessingKitahara Mirei		A shocking song—the song of iron bars—was etched into my heart.
79	Northern SpringSen Masao		Masao Sen’s classic song that expresses his feelings for his hometown.
80	Don’t say anything.Sono Mari		Mari Sono, a singer who represents the Showa-era Japanese pop music scene
81	Goodbye to sorrowanzenchitai		The timeless songs of Anzen Chitai are still being sung today.
82	Beyond the GoodbyeYamaguchi Momoe		A Shōwa-era mega star who sums up their life in the final song before retirement
83	Red spider lilyYamaguchi Momoe		A famous song by the Ryudo Uzaki couple, included on their smash-hit album.
84	Graduationsaitou yuki		A singer’s debut song depicting graduation ceremonies and youth
85	The wind is autumn-colored.Matsuda Seiko		The charm and influence of idol Seiko were immense.
86	Strings of TearsTonosama Kingusu		A signature song by Tonomachi Kings released in 1973
87	Like the flow of a riverMisora Hibari		A classic song by Hibari Misora, lyrics by Yasushi Akimoto
88	YOUNG MAN (Y.M.C.A.)Saijō Hideki		The famous hit song by Y.M.C.A. became a big hit.
89	kayōkyoku (Japanese popular music)Tonneruzu		Its very name, bluntly, is a song titled “Kayōkyoku,” and the co…
90	Fall in LoveKobayashi Akiko		Forbidden love, a heart-stirring classic
91	The Flower Girl of TokyoHaruo Oka		A 1946 classic that portrayed hope in postwar Tokyo
92	To my distant loverSaijō Hideki		Hideo Saijo of the city: a classic song about love from his hometown
93	Sōemonchō Bluesheiwa katsuji to daakuhosu		A hit song selling over 2 million was born in Sakai City in 1972 (Showa 47)
94	Your NameOrii Shigeko		A memorable masterpiece of a movie theme song
95	Yearning for youFuranku Nagai		An old song was rearranged in 1961 and became a hit.
96	The two were young.Ozaki Kiyohiko		Kiyohiko Ozaki’s tragic love melody resonates in the heart.
97	draft (cold air seeping through gaps)Sugi Ryōtarō		Warmth and kindness for living like a human being
98	HERO (The time to become a hero is now)Kai Band		The signature songs of Kai Band and the uniqueness of their TV appearances
99	Surely more than anyone else in the worldNagayama Miho		Miho Nakayama and WANDS’ summer love song, a big hit
100	Mischief of the spring breezeYamaguchi Momoe		Momoe Yamaguchi’s classic: the bittersweet feelings of a springtime love