Nostalgic Japanese hit songs from the 1960s. A collection of popular Showa-era classic melodies.
The Tokaido Shinkansen opening, the advent of color TV, the Beatles’ visit to Japan, Astro Boy, the Apollo 11 moon landing, and more…
The 1960s were a decade energized by a wide array of new cultural phenomena amid the era of rapid economic growth.
In 1964, Tokyo also hosted the Olympic Games.
In music, from kayōkyoku to sounds influenced by foreign styles, one of the charms of the ’60s is that you can actually enjoy a rich variety of tastes.
Some legendary artists from that time are still active today! From among the classic songs that lit up the hit charts of the tumultuous Shōwa era, we’ve thoroughly researched a selection of nothing-but-recommended nostalgic tracks from the ’60s.
You might rediscover a longtime favorite or stumble upon a wonderful new tune! Please enjoy these timeless masterpieces that continue to resonate in the hearts of the Japanese people, even as the times keep changing.
- Classic and hit Japanese pop songs from the nostalgic 1960s
- Classic and hit kayōkyoku songs from the nostalgic 1960s
- Hit songs in Japan in the late 1960s
- Ranking of Popular Oldies and Classic Songs [1960s Japanese Music Rankings]
- Heart-touching, tear-jerking masterpieces from the Showa era
- A collection of nostalgic hit songs and classics from the 70s
- Love songs that resonate with women in their 60s: gem-like romance tunes that revive memories of youth.
- A roundup of classic Showa-era kayō songs: a comprehensive introduction to timeless tracks loved across generations.
- So nostalgic it feels new? Showa retro classics that colored Japan’s period of rapid economic growth
- Female Singer-Songwriters of the ’60s: Popular Songs Ranking [2026]
- A love song that makes a man in his sixties relive his youth. Timeless classics that rekindle the romances of those days.
- Timeless classics only! Showa-era hit songs perfect for acoustic sing-alongs
- Showa-era nostalgic songs: Popular ranking
Nostalgic Japanese Hit Songs of the 1960s: Showa-Era Popular Oldies Collection (81–90)
Tokyo Dodonpa GirlWatanabe Mari
This is a song released by Mari Watanabe in 1961, a rhythm-kayo pop number that became a hit at the height of the dodonpa boom.
It fuses the Western rhythm mambo with Japan’s rhythm-dodoitsu, and Watanabe’s punchy, energetic vocals matched it perfectly, leading to its success.
The song has been covered by many artists.
Flamenco of the StarsSaigō Teruhiko
This song, released by Teruhiko Saigō in 1966, was born after Saigō, deeply moved by the flamenco he saw in Spain, told the story to singer-songwriter Kuranosuke Hamaguchi.
It became a major hit and, as one of Saigō’s signature songs, he performed it as the opening act for the White Team at that year’s 17th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
Crimson SunMisora Hibari
This song was released as a collaboration between Jackie Yoshikawa & The Blue Comets, who were hugely popular at the time as a Group Sounds act, and Hibari Misora.
Hibari Misora’s passionate vocals pair perfectly with the lyrics about a summer romance, making it a wonderful song.
Always keep your dreamsHashi Yukio, Yoshinaga Sayuri
It’s a song released as a duet by Yukio Hashi and Sayuri Yoshinaga, which came out in 1962.
Because it was a duet by two popular stars at the time and a piece that symbolized the era of rapid economic growth, it became a huge hit, selling a total of 2.6 million copies.
It remains a beloved classic in Japan and is frequently used in commercials.
In conclusion
Looking back, I realized there are so many songs that—even if you don’t know them by name—you’ve probably heard somewhere.
In my case, I often heard kayōkyoku while working part-time as a student, but I imagine many people are familiar with these songs thanks to TV revivals and the like.
Even now, their retro vibe and moving melodies are wonderful.
I’m almost envious of those who experienced that era in real time.
If you’re from that generation, I bet it fills you with a warm sense of nostalgia!