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.
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Nostalgic Japanese hit songs from the 1960s: A collection of popular Showa-era old favorites (1–10)
Song of the Yoito-makeMaruyama Akihiro (Miwa Akihiro)
Here is a 1966 hit song written and composed by Akihiro Miwa.
Originally a chanson singer, Miwa decided to create a song he could sing for workers after performing a concert in a coal-mining town.
It’s said he wrote the song while recalling the work of a childhood friend’s mother.
Due to discriminatory language in the lyrics and its length, the song was long kept under wraps, but after Keisuke Kuwata covered it, more people began performing it on television, leading to a renewed appreciation of its merits.
Goodbye, TearsWada Hiroshi to Mahina Sutāzu
Originally released in May 1965 as a song by Kyu Sakamoto, this track became a big hit when Johnny Tillotson covered it in September.
Hiroshi Wada and the Mahina Stars covered it in December of the same year, and the Johnnys followed in April of the next year, establishing it as one of the signature songs of the Group Sounds era.
Many artists have covered it since, but its lyrics and melody wonderfully evoke the good old days of the Showa period.
Silver RoadZa Pīnattsu
Prompted by NHK’s program “Yume o Anata ni,” this song—released as a collaboration between The Peanuts and Dark Ducks—features lyrics by Shigeru Tsukada and music by Hiroshi Miyagawa, and later became a celebrated Japanese classic included in music textbooks.
According to the composer Miyagawa, he became convinced that the image for the piece came from seeing the moon reflected in a puddle along the remains of the rails at Sumitomo Metal Mining’s Konomai Mine in Monbetsu, Hokkaido.
The phrasing of the lyrics is distinctive and is said to have served as a reference when writing the lyrics for THE ALFEE’s “Merī Ann.”
Nostalgic Japanese hit songs from the 1960s: A collection of popular Showa-era oldies (11–20)
Blue Light Yokohamaishida ayumi
It was released in 1968 as Ayumi Ishida’s 26th single.
As a representative local song of Yokohama and one of Ishida’s signature tracks, it became a million-seller with total sales exceeding 1.5 million copies.
Thanks to the success of this song, she made her first appearance at the 20th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen in 1969.
Blue ChateauJakkī Yoshikawa to Burū Komettsu
Here’s a song that Jackey Yoshikawa and the Blue Comets sang in 1967, when Group Sounds was at its peak in Japan.
It’s widely known across generations as one of the genre’s signature tracks.
It’s said that Daisuke Inoue, who was one of the members, originally wrote the song for Nana Kinomi.
Do you remember the parody version that became popular, where people added food names to the ends of lines like a word chain? In 2001, they fully resumed their activities as a unit and performed nostalgic numbers.
Zundoko-bushiKobayashi Akira
The 1960 smash hit “Zundoko-bushi” is an upbeat, bright song performed by Akira Kobayashi, and you can feel the excitement of the era in its lively rhythm and fun energy.
Even today, the song can still be heard at festivals and other events, making it a piece of music that seems ingrained in the DNA of the Japanese people.
“Zundoko-bushi” is one of the classic tunes that graced the Showa hit charts.
The 1960s were a period of rapid economic growth in Japan and a time when new culture was emerging.
Music, too, offered a variety of styles influenced by kayōkyoku (Japanese popular songs) and music from overseas.
Some of the artists who were active in that era continue to perform today.
Please take the opportunity to enjoy these timeless Showa-era classics.
Forever with youKayama Yūzō
It was released in 1965 as Yuzo Kayama’s fifth single.
It became a huge hit, selling over 3 million copies, and won the Special Award at the 8th Japan Record Awards in 1966.
It was used as the theme song for Toho’s 1966 film “Young Guy in the Alps” and is one of Yuzo Kayama’s most popular signature songs.