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.
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Cute babyNakao Mie		Cover of a song by Connie Francis
2	rime iceHashi Yukio		Yukio Hashi’s 84th single, a Japan Record Award-winning song
3	Isn’t it fine as long as you’re happy?Sara Naomi		Naomi Sara's signature song wins the Grand Prize
4	Yearning for youFuranku Nagai		A classic by Frank Nagai, a jazz-tinged love song
5	There’s always tomorrowSakamoto Kyu		Kyu Sakamoto’s signature song becomes a revival hit
6	Angel’s TemptationMayuzumi Jun		Jun Mayuzumi's signature song is 'Tenshi no Yuwaku' (Angel's Temptation).
7	Hello, baby.Azusa Michiyo		Micho Azusa’s smash hit continues to be cherished as a classic
8	Goodbye, TearsWada Hiroshi to Mahina Sutāzu		Many artists have covered classic songs from the Showa era.
9	Silver RoadZa Pīnattsu		A famous Japanese song inspired by a puddle reflecting the moon
10	Blue Light Yokohamaishida ayumi		Ayumi Ishida Yokohama hit songs
11	Blue ChateauJakkī Yoshikawa to Burū Komettsu		Signature songs of Jackie Yoshikawa and the Blue Comets
12	Zundoko-bushiKobayashi Akira		The Zundoko-bushi is a classic song from the Showa era, etched into the DNA of the Japanese people.
13	Forever with youKayama Yūzō		A massive hit by Yuzo Kayama, one of his signature songs, with over 3 million copies sold.
14	The setting sun is crying.Za Supaidāsu		Spiders' classic nostalgic song
15	Song of the Yoito-makeMaruyama Akihiro (Miwa Akihiro)		Miwako Akihiro’s 1966 hit song is being rediscovered
16	Lullaby of the Silk TreeYoshinaga Sayuri		Lullaby Celebrating the Birth of Prince Akishino
17	If you’re happy and you know it, clap your handsSakamoto Kyu		A hand-play children’s song made a hit by Kyu Sakamoto
18	Black Cat TangoMinagawa Osamu		The tango song I sang in my childhood is making headlines
19	When the Acacia Rain StopsNishida Sachiko		Introducing Showa-era classic songs by Sachiko Nishida
20	A Love Story in GinzaYūjirō Ishihara · Junko Makimura		The duet song Ginza by Yujiro Ishihara and Junko Makimura
21	Drifters’ Zundoko BushiZa Dorifutāzu		A military song arrangement by The Drifters
22	Love VacationZa Pīnattsu		A classic released in 1963 that has been covered many times.
23	Waltz of StarlightSen Masao		Masao Sen’s signature song, a massive hit selling 2.5 million copies
24	Little Finger MemoriesItō Yukari		Yukari Ito’s signature 1967 smash hit
25	Anko Camellia is the flower of loveMiyako Harumi		Harumi Miyako’s debut hit and a million-seller
26	I look up as I walkSakamoto Kyu		Kyu Sakamoto’s song was first recognized overseas.
27	Flower NecklaceZa Taigāsu		Representative popular songs of Group Sounds
28	I’ve had enough of love.Za Dainamaitsu		The charm of Dynamites, a Group Sounds breakup song
29	Look up at the stars in the nightSakamoto Kyu		Kyū Sakamoto's signature song musical theme song
30	Beach of MemoriesZa Wairudowanzu		The beach of memories is a big hit
31	Scat at DawnYuki Saori		Leaving a lingering resonance in the heart with Saori Yuki’s translucent singing voice
32	Yanagase BluesMikawa Ken’ichi		Kenichi Mikawa's signature song marking a turning point in his enka career
33	12th graderFunaki Kazuo		Kazuo Funaki's signature song, debuted in 1963
34	Love me to the bone.Jō Takuya		Takuya Shiro’s 1966 smash hit song
35	Sūdara-bushiUeki Hitoshi		The signature song of Hitoshi Ueki about a no-good man
36	Ha-ha-haZa Rindo & Rindāzu		A bright pop tune by The Lind & Lindaers
37	You were young back then.Za Supaidāsu		A classic song that sings of the bittersweetness of youth, The Spiders
38	What you wantZa Hapuningusu Fo		An experimental masterpiece single of Group Sounds
39	A world without youZa Bībāzu		The Beavers’ heartbreak rock song
40	I don’t want to let go.Za Yangāzu		The Youngers’ signature coming-of-age love song from 1968
41	Johnny of GlassAi Jōji		A Showa-era classic that sings of a heartrending love.
42	No-No BoyZa Supaidāsu		Hiroshi Kamayatsu’s British beat-infused rock masterpiece
43	Tunnel HeavenZa Dainamaitsu		A youthful rock song from the 1960s Group Sounds scene
44	The Song of KemekoZa Dātsu		A classic youth song depicting a first love for a chemistry girl
45	Please, God!Za Tenputāzu		The Tempters’ famous song, Koigokoro and Inori
46	Blind BirdZa Moppusu		The Mops’ pioneering psychedelic debut
47	With the setting sunZa Wairudowanzu		Refreshing Blue Sky Group Sounds Classic
48	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
49	Song of the Mountain Mandaakudakkusu		Introduction to a classic song that sings of a mountain man's life
50	The Drunkard Has ReturnedThe Folk Crusaders		Introduction to a blockbuster song that will go down in the history of folk music
51	In a distant worldItsutsu no akai fūsen		The Powerful Message of Five Red Balloons
52	Brotherly Code of HonorKitajima Saburō		A famous song by Saburō Kitajima that sings of duty and compassion
53	Woman of HakodateKitajima Saburō		A smash hit and one of Saburo Kitajima’s signature songs
54	Satsuma WomanKitajima Saburō		An enka work by Saburo Kitajima that portrays the complexity of duty and human compassion
55	In the pouring rainWada Akiko		Akiko Wada’s heartbreak song resonates with the heart through rainy imagery
56	Let’s go, Shake!Terauchi Takeshi & Banīzu		Group Sounds, the representative works of Takeshi Terauchi and the Bunnys
57	I’m in trouble.Yamamoto Rinda		Linda Yamamoto’s debut single was a huge hit, selling 700,000 copies
58	Ladies and gentlemenMurata Hideo		A masterpiece where Japanese tradition and emotion blend
59	Across this wide fieldMoriyama Ryoko		A gentle song, Moriyama Ryoko’s debut, loved by people of all ages
60	March of 365 StepsSuizenji Kiyoko		A Daily-One-Step Life Encouragement Song
61	Night fog, thank you again tonightIshihara Yūjirō		Yujiro Ishihara’s heartrending love song
62	Tokyo BluesNishida Sachiko		Sachiko Nishida’s 1964 hit song
63	The foghorn is calling me.Akagi Keiichiro		A poignant ballad portraying a lonely sailor
64	Isezakicho BluesAoe Mina		Set in Isezaki-cho, the setting of Mina Aoe’s signature song
65	The lights of Sakhalin do not go outZa Jenoba		The debut song of The Genova, a Russian-folk-style ballad
66	I want to go far away.Jerī Fujio		A classic song that sings of a longing for travel
67	Blue ChateauJakkī Yoshikawa to Burū Komettsu		The big hit song by Jackey Yoshikawa and The Blue Comets
68	Flower Necklacetaigāsu		A signature song by The Tigers, released in 1968
69	Season of LovePinkī to Kirāzu		Pinky and the Killers made their debut in 1968 and had a big hit
70	Song of Circumnavigating Lake BiwaPegī Hayama		A classic song of travel and youth set on Lake Biwa
71	A rose has bloomed.Maiku Maki		Mike Maki makes his first appearance on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen
72	The Maiden with Flaxen HairVirejji Shingāzu		A 1968 smash hit that portrays youth and first love
73	Song of the DawnKishi Yoko		Yoko Kishi’s signature song, first appearance on the Kouhaku (NHK New Year’s Eve) show.
74	Misty Lake MashuFuse Akira		Akira Fuse’s signature song set at Lake Mashu
75	king (shogi piece)Murata Hideo		Hideo Murata’s smash hit song
76	I love you more than anyone.Matsuo Kazuko & Wada Hiroshi & Mahina Sutāzu		Showa-era masterpieces, Japan Record Award-winning works
77	Port Town BluesMori Shinichi		Shinichi Mori’s signature song that travels through port towns
78	Sad SakeMisora Hibari		Hibari Misora's million-selling signature song
79	Woman of ShinjukuFuji Keiko		Keiko Fuji’s debut song, an enka that portrays the feelings of a woman suffering in love
80	Only youSaigō Teruhiko		Teruhiko Saigō's youthful love song
81	The Ferry of TearsMiyako Harumi		A Showa-era classic that sings of heartbreak and loneliness
82	In Search of Love and DeathAoyama Kazuko		Kazuko Aoyama’s gem-like ballad, a pure love story between a girl fighting illness and a young man
83	Ecstasy BluesAoe Mina		Mina Aoe’s debut single was a big hit
84	Drops of LoveItō Yukari		A signature song by Yukari Ito depicting romance
85	Tokyo Dodonpa GirlWatanabe Mari		Watanabe Mari’s 1961 rhythm kayō hit song
86	Flamenco of the StarsSaigō Teruhiko		Teruhiko Saigō’s moving flamenco song
87	Crimson SunMisora Hibari		A collaboration song by Jackie Yoshikawa and Hibari Misora
88	Always keep your dreamsHashi Yukio, Yoshinaga Sayuri		A duet song by Yukio Hashi and Sayuri Yoshinaga