Classic and hit Japanese pop songs from the nostalgic 1960s

Japan in the 1960s was a tumultuous era: right in the midst of the so-called “period of rapid economic growth,” hailed as the Miracle of the East, with developments like the Tokyo Olympics and the Osaka World Expo.

In the music scene, beyond the frenzy surrounding The Beatles’ visit to Japan, there were many epoch-making events—such as Kyu Sakamoto’s classic “Ue o Muite Arukō” topping the U.S.

charts under the title “SUKIYAKI.”

In this article, we’ll introduce nostalgic Japanese pop songs that colored Japan in the ’60s.

Enjoy these beloved classics—from kayōkyoku and folk songs to Group Sounds (GS)—that remain popular even with today’s younger generation!

Playlist

Classic and hit Japanese pop songs from the nostalgic 1960s
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	12th graderFunaki Kazuo		A major hit and classic of Kazuo Funaki’s youth kayō (teen pop) songs
2	Drifters’ Zundoko BushiZa Dorifutāzu		A classic youth romance song by The Drifters
3	I look up as I walkSakamoto Kyu		A classic song from the ’60s with heartwarming lyrics and a message full of hope
4	I’m in trouble.Yamamoto Rinda		Linda Yamamoto’s debut single sold 700,000 copies.
5	Scat at DawnYuki Saori		Yuki Saori’s million-selling signature work
6	Season of LovePinkī to Kirāzu		Pinky and the Killers’ smash hit song “Season of Love”
7	Forbidden LoveMoriyama Ryoko		A masterpiece 60s folk love song
8	Love VacationZa Pīnattsu		The allure and popularity of love songs from the 1960s
9	Young PeopleZa Burodosaito Fō		A classic song that portrays the hopes and anxieties of youth in the ’60s
10	White Swingbiriibanban		Billy BanBan's debut song becomes a big hit
11	Blue Light Yokohamaishida ayumi		A romantic hit song about the Yokohama nightscape
12	Love only for youZa Taigāsu		A classic hit by The Tigers, a song of pure love
13	Memories of a Summer DayHino Teruko		Teruko Hino’s 1965 million-selling song
14	Hello, baby.Azusa Michiyo		A signature song by Michiyo Azusa about love for a newborn
15	March of 365 StepsSuizenji Kiyoko		Kiyoko Suizenji’s million-selling signature song
16	Just as there are stars in the skyAraki Ichiro		Araki Ichiro’s debut song won an award.
17	Louisiana MamaIida Hisahiko		Hisahiko Iida’s rockabilly song is a big hit
18	Blue ChateauJakkī Yoshikawa to Burū Komettsu		A classic hit from the 1960s that sings of a bittersweet love.
19	Forever with youKayama Yūzō		Yūzō Kayama’s signature song, a mega hit that sold over 3 million copies
20	Always keep your dreamsHashi Yukio / Yoshinaga Sayuri		Yukio Hashi and Sayuri Yoshinaga's duet smash hit song
21	I’m gonna cry (boo-hoo).Moriya Hiroshi		Moriya Hiroshi’s debut song shifts to pop
22	Angel’s TemptationMayuzumi Jun		Jun Mayuzumi's 'Angel's Temptation' won 3rd place on the Oricon charts
23	Samba of PartingHasegawa Kiyoshi		Kiyoshi Hasegawa's debut single
24	Season of LovePinkī to Kirāzu		Pinky and the Killers’ debut song
25	The Brown-Noser MarchHana Hajime to Kureēji Kyattsu		The Gomasuri March is a hit song by Hitoshi Ueki.
26	Between night and morningpiitaa		Peter's debut song wins the Grand Prize
27	Please, God!Za Tenputāzu		The Tempters’ famous song, Koigokoro and Inori
28	Don’t look back.Za Pīnattsu		The Peanuts' first original hit song
29	Misty Lake MashuFuse Akira		Akira Fuse's Mashū Lake. A Japan Record Award-winning song.
30	Hard to findSuriifankiiizu		The Three Funkies' smash hit song
31	Ruby RingTerao Akira		Akira Terao’s biggest hit song, “Ruby no Yubiwa” (Ruby Ring)
32	First loveMurashita Kōzō		Kozo Murashita’s “Hatsukoi” is easy to sing within a narrow vocal range.
33	school daysPegī Hayama		Peggy Hayama’s 1964 single
34	Pineapple Princesstashiro midori		Midori Tashiro’s “Pineapple Princess” is a big hit
35	A Sorrowful WishBito Isao		A famous jazz song covered by Isao Bito
36	Ha-ha-haZa Rindo & Rindāzu		A bright pop tune by The Lind & Lindaers
37	With the setting sunZa Wairudowanzu		Refreshing Blue Sky Group Sounds Classic
38	The river flows.Nakasone Miki		It is Miki Nakasone’s signature song.
39	Naples in the MoonlightMoriyama Kayoko		Moriyama Kayoko’s debut single that sold 500,000 copies
40	Hey, PaulaTanabe Yasuo, Azusa Michiyo		Cover songs by Yasuo Tanabe and Michiyo Azusa
41	I love you, I love you, I love you.Za Kānabītsu		Hit songs by The Carnabeats
42	Tunnel HeavenZa Dainamaitsu		A youthful rock song from the 1960s Group Sounds scene
43	What you wantZa Hapuningusu Fo		An experimental masterpiece single of Group Sounds
44	A world without youZa Bībāzu		The Beavers’ heartbreak rock song
45	Blind BirdZa Moppusu		The Mops’ pioneering psychedelic debut
46	I don’t want to let go.Za Yangāzu		The Youngers’ signature coming-of-age love song from 1968
47	blue eyesJakkī Yoshikawa to Burū Komettsu		A classic masterpiece from the dawn of the Group Sounds era depicting a bittersweet love in the northern country
48	Let’s go, Shake!Terauchi Takeshi & Banīzu		Group Sounds, the representative works of Takeshi Terauchi and the Bunnys
49	The lights of Sakhalin do not go outZa Jenoba		The debut song of The Genova, a Russian-folk-style ballad
50	No-No BoyZa Supaidāsu		Hiroshi Kamayatsu’s British beat-infused rock masterpiece
51	The Song of KemekoZa Dātsu		A classic youth song depicting a first love for a chemistry girl
52	The Maiden with Flaxen HairVirejji Shingāzu		A 1968 smash hit that portrays youth and first love
53	Jenny, JennySuzuki Yasushi		Yasushi Suzuki's cover song becomes a big hit
54	The Drunkard Has ReturnedZa Fōku Kurusedāzu		A musical tale that travels between heaven and earth
55	The morning I had forgottenYamamoto Junko		A song that gently portrays the youth of a red bird
56	Johnny of GlassAi Jōji		Ai George performs at Kouhaku
57	Olivia’s Melodyfoorību su		Four Leaves' debut single
58	Coffee RumbaNishida Sachiko		Sachiko Nishida's Coffee Rumba
59	Love You, TokyoKurosawa Akira & Rosu Purimosu		Love You Tokyo, Akira Kurosawa’s debut song
60	Only youSaigō Teruhiko		Teruhiko Saigō's debut song becomes a big hit
61	Sad KangarooDanī Iida to Paradaisu Kingu		A song that comically depicts a boy’s heartbreak
62	Rainbow-colored lakeNakamura Akiko		Akiko Nakamura’s hit song, Nijiiro no Mizuumi (Rainbow-Colored Lake)