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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1 | Drifters’ Zundoko BushiZa Dorifutāzu |  play_arrow | The cheerful song sung by The Drifters is youth… |
| 2 | 12th graderFunaki Kazuo |  play_arrow | As a classic school song of the 1960s, Yurei... |
| 3 | I look up as I walkSakamoto Kyu |  play_arrow | Still beloved today as an iconic song of the 1960s… |
| 4 | I’m in trouble.Yamamoto Rinda |  play_arrow | Komacchau na was released by Minoru f... in 1966. |
| 5 | Scat at DawnYuki Saori |  play_arrow | A major shock to Japan’s music scene in the ’60s... |
| 6 | Season of LovePinkī to Kirāzu |  play_arrow | As the debut single by Pinky and the Killers, 19… |
| 7 | Memories of a Summer DayHino Teruko |  play_arrow | “Memories of a Summer Day” was released in 1965... |
| 8 | Blue Light Yokohamaishida ayumi |  play_arrow | A poignant scene of lovers set against the night view of Yokohama... |
| 9 | Forbidden LoveMoriyama Ryoko |  play_arrow | It could be called a masterpiece among folk songs of the 1960s... |
| 10 | Young PeopleZa Burodosaito Fō |  play_arrow | Vividly portraying the hopes and anxieties of young people in the 1960s... |
| 11 | White Swingbiriibanban |  play_arrow | In the 1960s, as a pioneer of folk songs, he/she/they... |
| 12 | Love only for youZa Taigāsu |  play_arrow | A classic hit by The Tigers, a song of pure love |
| 13 | Love VacationZa Pīnattsu |  play_arrow | A classic hit by the iconic songstress duo of the 1960s... |
| 14 | Hello, baby.Azusa Michiyo |  play_arrow | In 1963, someone sang of love and hope for a small life… |
| 15 | March of 365 StepsSuizenji Kiyoko |  play_arrow | This song, still loved today as a classic from the Showa era... |
| 16 | Blue ChateauJakkī Yoshikawa to Burū Komettsu |  play_arrow | A bittersweet romance set in a blue castle surrounded by forests and springs... |
| 17 | Forever with youKayama Yūzō |  play_arrow | “Kimi to Itsu Made mo” was released in 1965 and… |
| 18 | Always keep your dreamsHashi Yukio / Yoshinaga Sayuri |  play_arrow | Released in the 1960s, this work features Yukio Hashi and... |
| 19 | Just as there are stars in the skyAraki Ichiro |  play_arrow | As There Are Stars in the Sky was released in 1966... |
| 20 | Louisiana MamaIida Hisahiko |  play_arrow | “Louisiana Mama” was released in 1962… |
| 21 | Angel’s TemptationMayuzumi Jun |  play_arrow | "Angel's Temptation" was released in 1968 by Toshiba Musical Industries... |
| 22 | Samba of PartingHasegawa Kiyoshi |  | "Samba of Farewell" was released in 1969... |
| 23 | Please, God!Za Tenputāzu |  play_arrow | The prayer of youth, staking its sweet sentiments on God, is earnest… |
| 24 | Season of LovePinkī to Kirāzu |  play_arrow | “The Season of Love” is the Pi... that was released in 1968. |
| 25 | I’m gonna cry (boo-hoo).Moriya Hiroshi |  play_arrow | "Boku wa Naichicchi" was released in 1960... |
| 26 | Ruby RingTerao Akira |  play_arrow | As a renowned actor who has left behind numerous masterpieces, … |
| 27 | Between night and morningpiitaa |  play_arrow | “Between Night and Morning” was released in 1969… |
| 28 | First loveMurashita Kōzō |  play_arrow | Mixing New Music and folk songs... |
| 29 | Don’t look back.Za Pīnattsu |  play_arrow | "Furimukanaide" was released in 1962... |
| 30 | The Brown-Noser MarchHana Hajime to Kureēji Kyattsu |  play_arrow | "The Brown-Nosing March" was released in 1965... |
| 31 | Misty Lake MashuFuse Akira |  play_arrow | “Kiri no Mashūko” (“Foggy Lake Mashū”) was released in 1966… |
| 32 | Hard to findSuriifankiiizu |  play_arrow | “Nakanaka mitsukaranai” was released in 1962... |
| 33 | school daysPegī Hayama |  play_arrow | “Gakusei Jidai” is “Pe…” released in 1964. |
| 34 | Pineapple Princesstashiro midori |  play_arrow | "Pineapple Princess" is from 1961... |
| 35 | A Sorrowful WishBito Isao |  play_arrow | “The House of the Rising Sun” was released in 1964… |
| 36 | I love you, I love you, I love you.Za Kānabītsu |  play_arrow | Hit songs by The Carnabeats |
| 37 | Tunnel HeavenZa Dainamaitsu |  play_arrow | Youth that symbolizes the Group Sounds of the ’60s... |
| 38 | What you wantZa Hapuningusu Fo |  play_arrow | A show that brings the masterpieces of the Group Sounds era to the present… |
| 39 | A world without youZa Bībāzu |  play_arrow | Psychedelic rock sounds with a touch of melancholy… |
| 40 | Blind BirdZa Moppusu |  play_arrow | In the turbulent 1960s, the psychedelic mov... |
| 41 | I don’t want to let go.Za Yangāzu |  play_arrow | A coming-of-age love song that sings of sweet and bittersweet feelings of love... |
| 42 | Ha-ha-haZa Rindo & Rindāzu |  play_arrow | Set to a light rhythm and a bright melody, 1… |
| 43 | With the setting sunZa Wairudowanzu |  play_arrow | A refreshing melody that captures a scene standing out against the blue sky… |
| 44 | blue eyesJakkī Yoshikawa to Burū Komettsu |  play_arrow | A band with a melancholy-tinged melody that stirs the heart... |
| 45 | Let’s go, Shake!Terauchi Takeshi & Banīzu |  play_arrow | A youthful romance unfolding on the beach, and an ele… |
| 46 | The lights of Sakhalin do not go outZa Jenoba |  | The 1960s grooves that Crown Records proudly presents... |
| 47 | No-No BoyZa Supaidāsu |  | Sophistication influenced by the British Beat… |
| 48 | The Song of KemekoZa Dātsu |  | February 1968, when the bittersweet scent of youth lingered in the air… |
| 49 | The Maiden with Flaxen HairVirejji Shingāzu |  play_arrow | The radiant purity of youth and the bittersweet stirrings of first love... |
| 50 | The Drunkard Has ReturnedZa Fōku Kurusedāzu |  play_arrow | A musical tale that travels between heaven and earth |
| 51 | The morning I had forgottenYamamoto Junko |  play_arrow | July 1971 of Fork Group Akai Tori’s… |
| 52 | Johnny of GlassAi Jōji |  play_arrow | “Glass Johnny” was released in 1961… |
| 53 | Olivia’s Melodyfoorību su |  play_arrow | “Olivia’s Tune” was released in 1968... |
| 54 | The river flows.Nakasone Miki |  play_arrow | “The River Flows” was released in 1961… |
| 55 | Naples in the MoonlightMoriyama Kayoko |  play_arrow | “Tsukikage no Napoli” was released in 1960... |
| 56 | Hey, PaulaTanabe Yasuo, Azusa Michiyo |  play_arrow | "Hey Paula" was released by King Records in 1963... |
| 57 | Coffee RumbaNishida Sachiko |  play_arrow | "Coffee Rumba" was released in 1961... |
| 58 | Love You, TokyoKurosawa Akira & Rosu Purimosu |  play_arrow | “Love You Tokyo” was released in 1966… |
| 59 | Only youSaigō Teruhiko |  play_arrow | “Kimi dake o” was released by Crown Records in 1964... |
| 60 | Sad KangarooDanī Iida to Paradaisu Kingu |  play_arrow | “Sad Kangaroo” was relea… in 1963 |
| 61 | Rainbow-colored lakeNakamura Akiko |  play_arrow | "Nijiiro no Mizūmi" (Rainbow-Colored Lake) was released by King Records in 1967… |
| 62 | Jenny, JennySuzuki Yasushi |  play_arrow | "Jeni Jeni" was released in 1962... |