RAG MusicHit Song
Lovely hit song

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.

Playlist

Nostalgic Japanese hit songs from the 1960s. A collection of popular Showa-era classic melodies.
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1eastCute babyNakao Mie
Cute babyNakao Mieplay_arrow
Known as a diva of oldies, Co…
2eastIsn’t it fine as long as you’re happy?Sara Naomi
Isn't it fine as long as you're happy?Sara Naomiplay_arrow
A song released by Naomi Sagara in 1969, and a bi...
3eastrime iceHashi Yukio
rime iceHashi Yukioplay_arrow
“Itako-gasa,” released in 1966, and “Itsu…
4eastYearning for youFuranku Nagai
Yearning for youFuranku Nagaiplay_arrow
With an enchanting low voice that stirs the hearts of listeners, Fran…
5eastThere’s always tomorrowSakamoto Kyu
There's always tomorrowSakamoto Kyuplay_arrow
The signatu… of Kyu Sakamoto, released in 1963
6eastAngel’s TemptationMayuzumi Jun
Angel's TemptationMayuzumi Junplay_arrow
As Jun Mayuzumi’s fourth single, 1…
7eastHello, baby.Azusa Michiyo
Hello, baby.Azusa Michiyoplay_arrow
A song released by Michiyo Azusa in 1963, 1…
8eastSong of the Yoito-makeMaruyama Akihiro (Miwa Akihiro)
Song of the Yoito-makeMaruyama Akihiro (Miwa Akihiro)play_arrow
The 1966 hit written and composed by Akihiro Miwa…
9eastGoodbye, TearsWada Hiroshi to Mahina Sutāzu
Goodbye, TearsWada Hiroshi to Mahina Sutāzuplay_arrow
Originally, in May 1965, as a song by Kyu Sakamoto...
10eastSilver RoadZa Pīnattsu
Silver RoadZa Pīnattsuplay_arrow
I was about to watc… a program called “Dreams for You” on NHK.
11eastBlue Light Yokohamaishida ayumi
Blue Light Yokohamaishida ayumiplay_arrow
As the 26th single by Ayumi Ishida, 1...
12eastBlue ChateauJakkī Yoshikawa to Burū Komettsu
Blue ChateauJakkī Yoshikawa to Burū Komettsuplay_arrow
In Japan, during the heyday of Group Sounds in 19...
13eastZundoko-bushiKobayashi Akira
Zundoko-bushiKobayashi Akiraplay_arrow
The 1960 smash hit song Zundoko-bushi is...
14eastForever with youKayama Yūzō
Forever with youKayama Yūzōplay_arrow
As Yuzo Kayama’s fifth single in 1965...
15eastLullaby of the Silk TreeYoshinaga Sayuri
Lullaby of the Silk TreeYoshinaga Sayuriplay_arrow
This piece is, believe it or not, from 1965—Prince Fumihito, the Akishino-no-miya...
16eastBlack Cat TangoMinagawa Osamu
Black Cat TangoMinagawa Osamuplay_arrow
The nephew of Kazuko Minagawa, founder of the Hibari Children’s Choir…
17eastThe setting sun is crying.Za Supaidāsu
The setting sun is crying.Za Supaidāsuplay_arrow
The Spiders' “The Setting Sun Is Crying.”…
18eastIf you’re happy and you know it, clap your handsSakamoto Kyu
If you're happy and you know it, clap your handsSakamoto Kyuplay_arrow
A song based on an American folk tune, which in Japan is 1...
19eastWhen the Acacia Rain StopsNishida Sachiko
When the Acacia Rain StopsNishida Sachikoplay_arrow
Sachiko Nishida, who was released in 1960, wa...
20eastA Love Story in GinzaYūjirō Ishihara · Junko Makimura
A Love Story in Ginza Ishihara Yūjirō · Makimura Junkoplay_arrow
Often referred to as “Ginren,” the duet that comes up first is…
21eastDrifters’ Zundoko BushiZa Dorifutāzu
Drifters' Zundoko BushiZa Dorifutāzu
A band also famous as a comedy sketch group, The...
22eastLove VacationZa Pīnattsu
Love VacationZa Pīnattsuplay_arrow
A song released in 1963 that, even after its release, many...
23eastWaltz of StarlightSen Masao
Waltz of StarlightSen Masaoplay_arrow
As Masao Sen’s sixth single, in 1966...
24eastI’ve had enough of love.Za Dainamaitsu
I've had enough of love.Za Dainamaitsuplay_arrow
A classic Group Sounds hit. November 1967…
25eastLittle Finger MemoriesItō Yukari
Little Finger MemoriesItō Yukariplay_arrow
A song released by Yukari Ito in 1967, ...
26eastAnko Camellia is the flower of loveMiyako Harumi
Anko Camellia is the flower of loveMiyako Harumiplay_arrow
It’s a song released by Harumi Miyako in 1964, and Miyako…
27eastI look up as I walkSakamoto Kyu
I look up as I walkSakamoto Kyuplay_arrow
Kyu Sakamoto, who is known overseas as “Sukiyaki”…
28eastLook up at the stars in the nightSakamoto Kyu
Look up at the stars in the nightSakamoto Kyuplay_arrow
A song released by Kyu Sakamoto in 1963, with the original song…
29eastBeach of MemoriesZa Wairudowanzu
Beach of MemoriesZa Wairudowanzu
As the debut single of The Wild Ones…
30eastScat at DawnYuki Saori
Scat at DawnYuki Saoriplay_arrow
A song woven with the unique vocal technique known as scat...
31eastFlower NecklaceZa Taigāsu
Flower NecklaceZa Taigāsuplay_arrow
It was called Group Sounds, which enjoyed popularity at the time, and...
32eastYanagase BluesMikawa Ken’ichi
Yanagase BluesMikawa Ken'ichiplay_arrow
As Kenichi Mikawa’s third single record, ...
33east12th graderFunaki Kazuo
12th graderFunaki Kazuoplay_arrow
As Kazuo Funaki’s debut single in 1963…
34eastLove me to the bone.Jō Takuya
Love me to the bone.Jō Takuyaplay_arrow
A song released by Takuya Jo in 1966, and in 19...
35eastSūdara-bushiUeki Hitoshi
Sūdara-bushiUeki Hitoshiplay_arrow
They performed a style that fused music and comedy...
36eastThe Song of KemekoZa Dātsu
The Song of KemekoZa Dātsu
February 1968, when the bittersweet scent of youth lingered in the air…
37eastWith the setting sunZa Wairudowanzu
With the setting sunZa Wairudowanzuplay_arrow
A refreshing melody that captures a scene standing out against the blue sky…
38eastblue eyesJakkī Yoshikawa to Burū Komettsu
blue eyesJakkī Yoshikawa to Burū Komettsuplay_arrow
A band with a melancholy-tinged melody that stirs the heart...
39eastWhat you wantZa Hapuningusu Fo
What you wantZa Hapuningusu Foplay_arrow
A show that brings the masterpieces of the Group Sounds era to the present…
40eastA world without youZa Bībāzu
A world without youZa Bībāzuplay_arrow
Psychedelic rock sounds with a touch of melancholy…
41eastI don’t want to let go.Za Yangāzu
I don't want to let go.Za Yangāzuplay_arrow
A coming-of-age love song that sings of sweet and bittersweet feelings of love...
42eastHa-ha-haZa Rindo & Rindāzu
Ha-ha-haZa Rindo & Rindāzuplay_arrow
Set to a light rhythm and a bright melody, 1…
43eastNo-No BoyZa Supaidāsu
No-No BoyZa Supaidāsu
Sophistication influenced by the British Beat…
44eastTunnel HeavenZa Dainamaitsu
Tunnel HeavenZa Dainamaitsuplay_arrow
Youth that symbolizes the Group Sounds of the ’60s...
45eastPlease, God!Za Tenputāzu
Please, God!Za Tenputāzuplay_arrow
The prayer of youth, staking its sweet sentiments on God, is earnest…
46eastBlind BirdZa Moppusu
Blind BirdZa Moppusuplay_arrow
In the turbulent 1960s, the psychedelic mov...
47eastLet’s go, Shake!Terauchi Takeshi & Banīzu
Let's go, Shake!Terauchi Takeshi & Banīzuplay_arrow
A youthful romance unfolding on the beach, and an ele…
48eastThe lights of Sakhalin do not go outZa Jenoba
The lights of Sakhalin do not go outZa Jenoba
The 1960s grooves that Crown Records proudly presents...
49eastThe Maiden with Flaxen HairVirejji Shingāzu
The Maiden with Flaxen HairVirejji Shingāzuplay_arrow
The radiant purity of youth and the bittersweet stirrings of first love...
50eastIn a distant worldItsutsu no akai fūsen
In a distant worldItsutsu no akai fūsenplay_arrow
Japan’s folk scene, which would catch fire from the 1960s to the 1970s...
51eastIn the pouring rainWada Akiko
In the pouring rainWada Akikoplay_arrow
The heartrending feelings soaked by the pouring rain, Wada...
52eastAcross this wide fieldMoriyama Ryoko
Across this wide fieldMoriyama Ryokoplay_arrow
With a relaxed resonance that evokes the vastness of the grasslands...
53eastDrops of LoveItō Yukari
Drops of LoveItō Yukariplay_arrow
Released in 1968, it topped the Oricon char...
54eastJohnny of GlassAi Jōji
Johnny of GlassAi Jōjiplay_arrow
Singing of a bittersweet love that colored the big hits of the Showa era…
55eastYou were young back then.Za Supaidāsu
You were young back then.Za Supaidāsuplay_arrow
A classic song that sings of the bittersweetness of youth, The Spiders
56eastSong of the Mountain Mandaakudakkusu
Song of the Mountain Mandaakudakkusuplay_arrow
Released in 1962, this song tells the story of a mountain man...
57eastThe Drunkard Has ReturnedThe Folk Crusaders
The Drunkard Has ReturnedThe Folk Crusadersplay_arrow
The melody line of a nostalgic classic popped into my head…
58eastBrotherly Code of HonorKitajima Saburō
Brotherly Code of HonorKitajima Saburōplay_arrow
A masterpiece that richly depicts a world of duty and human compassion. Kita…
59eastWoman of HakodateKitajima Saburō
Woman of HakodateKitajima Saburōplay_arrow
As Saburo Kitajima’s 14th single, 196...
60eastSatsuma WomanKitajima Saburō
Satsuma WomanKitajima Saburōplay_arrow
A song depicting a scene where duty and human emotion intersect. Kita...
61eastI’m in trouble.Yamamoto Rinda
I'm in trouble.Yamamoto Rindaplay_arrow
As Linda Yamamoto’s debut single, 196...
62eastLadies and gentlemenMurata Hideo
Ladies and gentlemenMurata Hideoplay_arrow
A sublime fusion of deep emotional expression and Japanese tradition…
63eastMarch of 365 StepsSuizenji Kiyoko
March of 365 StepsSuizenji Kiyokoplay_arrow
Released as Kiyoko Suizenji’s 23rd single in 19…
64eastNight fog, thank you again tonightIshihara Yūjirō
Night fog, thank you again tonightIshihara Yūjirōplay_arrow
A poignant song sung by Yujiro Ishihara, a legendary actor of the Showa era...
65eastTokyo BluesNishida Sachiko
Tokyo BluesNishida Sachikoplay_arrow
A song released by Sachiko Nishida in 1964, ...
66eastThe foghorn is calling me.Akagi Keiichiro
The foghorn is calling me.Akagi Keiichiroplay_arrow
The wistful low tones and striking lyrics resonate with the heart...
67eastIsezakicho BluesAoe Mina
Isezakicho BluesAoe Minaplay_arrow
As Mina Aoe’s seventh single, in 1968…
68eastI want to go far away.Jerī Fujio
I want to go far away.Jerī Fujioplay_arrow
A beautiful, wistful melody resonates in the heart…
69eastBlue ChateauJakkī Yoshikawa to Burū Komettsu
Blue ChateauJakkī Yoshikawa to Burū Komettsuplay_arrow
Jackey Yoshikawa and The Blue Comets 196...
70eastFlower Necklacetaigāsu
Flower Necklacetaigāsu
This work, known as a signature song of The Tigers...
71eastSeason of LovePinkī to Kirāzu
Season of LovePinkī to Kirāzuplay_arrow
As the debut single of Pinky and the Killers, ...
72eastSong of Circumnavigating Lake BiwaPegī Hayama
Song of Circumnavigating Lake BiwaPegī Hayamaplay_arrow
Set against Shiga’s beautiful natural scenery, a bittersweet tale of travel and youth...
73eastA rose has bloomed.Maiku Maki
A rose has bloomed.Maiku Makiplay_arrow
A song released by Maki Maki in 1966, ...
74eastSong of the DawnKishi Yoko
Song of the DawnKishi Yokoplay_arrow
A song released by Yoko Kishi in 1964, and Asaka...
75eastMisty Lake MashuFuse Akira
Misty Lake MashuFuse Akiraplay_arrow
It is Akira Fuse’s fifth single record, released in 19...
76eastking (shogi piece)Murata Hideo
king (shogi piece)Murata Hideoplay_arrow
A song released by Hideo Murata in 1961, Mur...
77eastI love you more than anyone.Matsuo Kazuko & Wada Hiroshi & Mahina Sutāzu
I love you more than anyone.Matsuo Kazuko & Wada Hiroshi & Mahina Sutāzuplay_arrow
A masterpiece that colored the music scene of the Showa era. Ms. Kazuko Matsuo...
78eastPort Town BluesMori Shinichi
Port Town BluesMori Shinichiplay_arrow
A song released by Shinichi Mori in 1969, with lyrics...
79eastSad SakeMisora Hibari
Sad SakeMisora Hibariplay_arrow
A song released by Hibari Misora in 1966 that...
80eastWoman of ShinjukuFuji Keiko
Woman of ShinjukuFuji Keikoplay_arrow
Released in September 1969 as Keiko Fuji’s debut single…
81eastOnly youSaigō Teruhiko
Only youSaigō Teruhikoplay_arrow
Poignantly capturing the hearts of young people during the period of rapid economic growth...
82eastThe Ferry of TearsMiyako Harumi
The Ferry of TearsMiyako Harumiplay_arrow
A classic song representing the late 1960s in Japan. It resonates on lonely nights...
83eastIn Search of Love and DeathAoyama Kazuko
In Search of Love and DeathAoyama Kazukoplay_arrow
A heartrendingly beautiful, gem-like ballad by Kazuko Aoyama…
84eastEcstasy BluesAoe Mina
Ecstasy BluesAoe Mina
The debut of Mina Aoe, whose husky voice is captivating...
85eastTokyo Dodonpa GirlWatanabe Mari
Tokyo Dodonpa GirlWatanabe Mariplay_arrow
A song released in 1961 by Mari Watanabe, do...
86eastFlamenco of the StarsSaigō Teruhiko
Flamenco of the StarsSaigō Teruhikoplay_arrow
A song released by Teruhiko Saigō in 1966, s...
87eastCrimson SunMisora Hibari
Crimson SunMisora Hibariplay_arrow
At the time, this song was considered adult as group sounds...
88eastAlways keep your dreamsHashi Yukio, Yoshinaga Sayuri
Always keep your dreamsHashi Yukio, Yoshinaga Sayuriplay_arrow
The song was released as a duet by Yukio Hashi and Sayuri Yoshinaga...