Classic and hit kayōkyoku songs from the nostalgic 1960s

The 1960s are often remembered for Group Sounds and rock, but in reality, the charts were largely dominated by kayōkyoku (Japanese popular songs).

It was also still a time when enka remained popular, and even those who were children back then probably have a rich repertoire of enka and kayōkyoku.

This time, we’re spotlighting nostalgic kayōkyoku from the music of the 1960s.

The 1960s were an era when classic, mainstream kayōkyoku drew the most attention.

If you’d like to look back on memories from that time through music, be sure to read this article to the end.

Playlist

Classic and hit kayōkyoku songs from the nostalgic 1960s
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	In the pouring rainWada Akiko		Akiko Wada’s breakout work, a classic that sings of the pain of heartbreak
2	school daysPegī Hayama		A signature song about Peggy Hayama’s memories from her school days
3	Scat at DawnYuki Saori		Yuk Saori’s classic song that expresses the beauty of dawn
4	Isn’t it fine as long as you’re happy?Sara Naomi		Naomi Sagara’s famous song, the first Grand Prize won by a woman
5	Just as there are stars in the skyAraki Ichiro		Araki Ichirō's signature song has been loved for a long time.
6	Always keep your dreamsHashi Yukio, Yoshinaga Sayuri		Introduction of the song that won the 1962 Japan Record Award
7	Isezakicho BluesAoe Mina		Mina Aoe’s smash hit song themed around Yokohama
8	When the Acacia Rain StopsNishida Sachiko		Introduce Sachiko Nishida's signature songs
9	Blue ChateauJakkī Yoshikawa to Burū Komettsu		Blue Comets' signature song award
10	Little Finger MemoriesItō Yukari		Yukari Ito’s singing career and romances in her younger days
11	A woman aloneDyūku Eisesu		A song that expresses heartbreak through the scenery of Kyoto
12	Slave of LoveOkumura Chiyo		Okumura Chiyo’s signature song becomes a big hit
13	The flowers were late.Miki Katsuhiko		A sad song mourning the death of a loved one
14	Cute flowerZa Pīnattsu		The Peanuts' debut song, Little Flower
15	ReunionMatsuo Kazuko		A poignant classic about yearning to reunite with a distant lover
16	Thank you, night fog, again tonight.Ishihara Yūjirō		Yujiro Ishihara’s classic song of love in the night mist
17	Applause for loveKomadori Shimai		A nostalgic 1960s kayōkyoku song expressing the joys and pains of love
18	Forever and everZa Sabeji		A nostalgic classic by The Savage. A universal theme singing of feelings for a lost lover.
19	So sad I can’t bear itZa Fōku Kurusedāzu		Introduction to iconic songs representing Japanese folk music
20	In Search of Love and DeathAoyama Kazuko		A classic of love and death, Kazuko Aoyama’s signature work
21	12th graderFunaki Kazuo		A song themed around the friendship of third-year high school students
22	You are my very lifeMizuhara Hiroshi		Released in 1967, a love song characteristic of the Showa era
23	Dream GuideYamaguchi Momoe		Momoe Yamaguchi’s “Yume Saki Annainin” is easy to sing.
24	Forbidden LoveMoriyama Ryoko		Ryoko Moriyama’s smash hit song
25	Black Cat TangoMinagawa Osamu		Osamu Minagawa’s smash-hit children’s song
26	Otaru no hito yoTsuruoka Masayoshi to Tokyo Romanchika		Masayoshi Tsuruoka’s debut song has its origins in a romantic experience in Kushiro.
27	soft; gentle; pliantMisora Hibari		A cheer song with a judo vibe
28	The world is for the two of us.Sara Naomi		Naomi Sara is active as a businesswoman.
29	Love FugueZa Pīnattsu		Representative song of The Peanuts' love series
30	Song of the Mountain Mandaakudakkusu		History and Transformation of Male Groups
31	Yanagase BluesMikawa Ken’ichi		A representative song marking a turning point in Kenichi Mikawa’s enka style
32	I want to go far away.Jerī Fujio		A nostalgic classic Japanese song
33	Blue Light Yokohamaishida ayumi		A stylish song set in Yokohama by Ayumi Ishida
34	I’m in trouble.Yamamoto Rinda		Yamamoto Linda’s debut single became a big hit
35	Flower NecklaceZa Taigāsu		The Tigers scored a huge hit with Toppo as the lead vocalist.
36	Song of the DawnKishi Yoko		Award-winning performance of one of Yoko Kishi’s signature songs
37	Only youSaigō Teruhiko		Teruhiko Saigō’s debut song and current activities
38	To Marie on Fifth AvenuePedoro & Kapurishasu		A nostalgic favorite song by Pedro & Capricious
39	Miracle of LoveHide to Rozanna		A youthful duet, the miracle of love born from unrequited feelings
40	Waltz of StarlightSen Masao		A major hit song released by Masao Sen in 1966
41	March of 365 StepsSuizenji Kiyoko		A life of continuing to take one step a day
42	Misty Lake MashuFuse Akira		A famous song that sings of the beauty and love of Lake Mashu
43	Hibari’s Sado Love StoryMisora Hibari		Theme song of Misora Hibari's Sado Love Story
44	Tunnel HeavenZa Dainamaitsu		A youthful rock song from the 1960s Group Sounds scene
45	Please, God!Za Tenputāzu		The Tempters’ famous song, Koigokoro and Inori
46	What you wantZa Hapuningusu Fo		An experimental masterpiece single of Group Sounds
47	A world without youZa Bībāzu		The Beavers’ heartbreak rock song
48	Blind BirdZa Moppusu		The Mops’ pioneering psychedelic debut
49	I don’t want to let go.Za Yangāzu		The Youngers’ signature coming-of-age love song from 1968
50	Ha-ha-haZa Rindo & Rindāzu		A bright pop tune by The Lind & Lindaers
51	With the setting sunZa Wairudowanzu		Refreshing Blue Sky Group Sounds Classic
52	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
53	Let’s go, Shake!Terauchi Takeshi & Banīzu		Group Sounds, the representative works of Takeshi Terauchi and the Bunnys
54	The lights of Sakhalin do not go outZa Jenoba		The debut song of The Genova, a Russian-folk-style ballad
55	No-No BoyZa Supaidāsu		Hiroshi Kamayatsu’s British beat-infused rock masterpiece
56	The Song of KemekoZa Dātsu		A classic youth song depicting a first love for a chemistry girl
57	The Maiden with Flaxen HairVirejji Shingāzu		A 1968 smash hit that portrays youth and first love
58	Beach of MemoriesZa Wairudowanzu		A smash hit song by a long-haired Group Sounds band
59	Legend of the EmeraldZa Tenputāzu		A representative song by The Tempters and a hit released in 1968
60	Season of LovePinkī to Kirāzu		A smash-hit song released in 1968 that sold 2.7 million copies
61	The last dance is mineKoshiji Fubuki		Koshiji Fubuki’s smash-hit chanson
62	A rose has bloomed.Maiku Maki		A song by Maki Maki with a The Little Prince motif
63	Last Night’s SecretOgawa Tomoko		Tomoko Ogawa's debut single reached No. 1 on the Oricon chart
64	newspaper boyYamada Tarō		A boy from a poor family showing filial piety
65	Sūdara-bushiUeki Hitoshi		A song that comically portrays the image of a Showa-era father
66	Tokyo Dodonpa GirlWatanabe Mari		A light, catchy hit from 1961 is still loved today.
67	Nagasaki BluesAoe Mina		Mina Aoe’s signature song was released in 1968.
68	Angel’s TemptationMayuzumi Jun		Jun Mayuzumi's 1968 Japan Record Award-winning song
69	Ozasiki SongMatsuo Kazuko & Wada Hiroshi & Mahina Sutāzu		A smash hit released in 1964, composer unknown
70	Tokyo Olympic OndoMinami Haruo		The Tokyo Olympic Ondo became a big hit thanks to Haruo Minami.
71	Goodbye Comes After the DanceBaishō Chieko		Chieko Baisho’s smash hit song wins an award
72	Love me to the bone.Jō Takuya		Takuya Shiro’s debut single achieves a million-seller
73	Fossil of LoveAsaoka Ruriko		Ruriko Asaoka’s 1969 hit song
74	Coffee RumbaNishida Sachiko		A rumba in which Sachiko Nishida finds a new love over coffee
75	I look up as I walkSakamoto Kyu		I Look Up as I Walk, a song about recovering from a broken heart
76	Forever with youKayama Yūzō		The appeal of Yuzo Kayama’s 1965 signature song
77	older womanMori Shinichi		An early signature song by Shinichi Mori that sold 800,000 copies