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


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