A collection of nostalgic hit songs and classics from the 70s
The 1970s, which began with the Osaka Expo, were a tumultuous decade of change, marked by the reversion of Okinawa, the first oil shock, and the opening of the first McDonald’s and Seven-Eleven stores in Japan.
In this article, we’ll introduce hit Japanese songs that energized the music scene during that dynamic era!
Many of these tracks have continued to be featured in commercials and more long after their release, so even younger listeners may find many of them familiar.
Whether nostalgic for those who lived through the era or fresh for younger generations, please enjoy these hit songs from the 1970s!
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- 1970s Female Singer-Songwriters: Popular Songs Ranking [2026]
- [Recommended for people in their 70s] Classic nostalgic hits: A collection of youth songs
- Nostalgic Japanese hit songs from the 1970s: the golden age of idols and kayōkyoku (Japanese pop songs)
- Commercial songs from the 70s. Nostalgic TV commercial jingles.
- Popular Oldies and Classic Songs Ranking: 1970s Japanese Music
- Revival hits driven by social media! Classic Showa-era songs popular with Gen Z
- Memorable Youth Songs: Looking Back on New Music Masterpieces from the 1970s–80s
- Evokes the charm of the good old days. Showa-era inspirational songs that are still loved today.
- Classic and hit kayōkyoku songs from the nostalgic 1960s
- Timeless classics only! Showa-era hit songs perfect for acoustic sing-alongs
Nostalgic Hit Songs of the ’70s: A Collection of Classics (31–40)
I want to go back to that dayArai Yumi
It was released in 1975 as Yumi Arai’s sixth single.
The song was used as the theme for the TBS drama “Katei no Himitsu” (Family Secrets) and also featured in a 1975 Mitsubishi Electric Diatone Stereo commercial.
It reached No.
1 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart and is one of Yumi Arai’s most popular songs.
A Flower Blooming Underwater of LoveMatsuzaka Keiko
“Ai no Suichuuka” (Love’s Underwater Flower) is the second single by Keiko Matsuzaka, released in 1979.
Sung by the star herself, Keiko Matsuzaka, as the theme song for a TV drama of the same name, it became a hit.
It also drew attention when Matsuzaka, who was becoming a top actress at the time, performed it in a bunny girl costume.
youthMorita Kōichi to Toppugyaran
Seishun Jidai (Youthful Days) is a single released in 1976 by Koichi Morita & Top Gallant.
It reached No.
1 on the Oricon charts.
Its lyrics, which express the feelings of young people, resonated widely and made it a million-seller.
Koichi Morita & Top Gallant is a group formed in 1969, consisting of Koichi Morita and a five-member chorus.
rainMiyoshi Eiji
This song was released in 1972 and was sung by Eishi Miyoshi when he was in his teens.
Because “Onna no Michi” by Shiro Miya and the Pinkara Trio was a hit around the same time, it didn’t reach number one, but it left a strong impression on the public and won the New Artist Award at the Japan Record Awards.
The song begins on a high note, making for a striking opening that, together with his clear, pure vocal tone, is very memorable.
Sung about a woman standing alone in the rain, this piece evokes scenes of the Showa era and a sense of nostalgia just by listening to it.
Boat SongYashiro Aki
This song was created by the team of lyricist Yū Aku and composer Keisuke Hama—renowned for crafting classics—and features Aki Yashiro’s husky voice.
Because its lyrics have the feel of a “man’s song,” having a woman sing it brought a fresh, bold energy that left a deep mark on Japan’s Showa-era music scene.
Its impact was proven when it was featured in a 2006 Suntory BOSS commercial.
With a power and emotion that are unforgettable after just one listen, the song evokes the scenery and sound of the Showa period.
It’s also highly recommended for younger generations who want to experience the great songs of Showa.
Compilation of nostalgic hit songs and classics from the ’70s (41–50)
Will you marry me?Niinuma Kenji
Kenji Niinuma’s “Yome ni Konai ka” is a wholehearted song that captures the romantic landscape of Japan at the time.
Its melodic line is smooth and approachable, with a pastoral beauty that is deeply appealing.
Both the musical character and the lyrics highlight the Japanese music scene of the 1970s, resulting in a work that encapsulates all the charms of the era’s kayōkyoku.
Niinuma’s distinctive emotional expression shines throughout, creating phrases whose poignancy lingers long after you first hear them.
While the lyrics may feel out of step with the times today, it’s a song that evokes the Japan of the Shōwa era.
lieNakaijō Kiyoshi
This song by Kiyoshi Nakajo, released in 1974.
The lyrics from a woman’s perspective are pretty scary, aren’t they? The melody attached to the opening lines is quite tricky and gives a tense start.
In the latter half, it shifts into something like a sweet flashback scene, and both the melody and rhythm exude a happy mood.
Songs from that era are all so well crafted, with the melody and lyrics linking beautifully.
And the title is in hiragana—that really conveys the feeling of “I know I’m being deceived, but it can’t be helped,” doesn’t it? Maybe it feels that way even more because it’s Nakajo singing it.