[Showa Era] A roundup of nostalgic folk song classics and popular tracks you’ll want to sing at karaoke
What kind of image do you have of the music genre known as “folk songs”? Perhaps many of you picture Showa-era singers with an acoustic guitar in hand, singing lyrics like private diaries of everyday life—and at times delivering political messages.
In Japan, folk songs became a booming trend from the 1960s to the 1970s, and countless classic tracks that made music history were born as the style evolved.
In this article, we’ve curated a wide selection of nostalgic Japanese folk song classics that you’ll definitely want to try singing at karaoke.
Whether you experienced them in real time or you’re a younger listener who loves Showa-era music, be sure to check them out!
- [Japanese Music] A Collection of Heart-Touching Hit Folk Songs from the 1970s
- A classic Japanese folk song passed down through generations of acoustic performances
- A collection of nostalgic hits from the ’70s to 2000s that are perfect for livening up karaoke
- Timeless classics only! Showa-era hit songs perfect for acoustic sing-alongs
- When you can’t decide what to sing at karaoke: Easy-to-sing classic hits from the Showa era
- Evokes the charm of the good old days. Showa-era inspirational songs that are still loved today.
- [2026] Songs I Want to Try at Karaoke! A Roundup of Popular Showa-Era Kayōkyoku
- [Songs from the Showa Era] Introducing classic tracks that are easy to sing at karaoke.
- A lineup of classic hits! Karaoke songs recommended for the yutori generation
- Easy-to-sing youth songs for karaoke: recommended classics and popular hits
- [For People in Their 50s] Ranking of Easy-to-Sing Karaoke Songs [2026]
- Karaoke songs everyone can sing: Japanese tracks that are easy to enjoy with a group.
- Must-see for men: Songs that look cool if you can sing them at karaoke—numbers that women can’t help but be captivated by.
[Showa Era] A roundup of nostalgic folk song classics and popular tracks you’ll want to sing at karaoke (61–70)
interaction; friendly contact; bondingNakamura Masatoshi
It was released on July 1, 1974.
It is Masatoshi Nakamura’s debut song.
It was used in the drama “Warera Seishun!” and became a hit.
Thanks to Nakamura’s vocal tone and singing style, it has become a staple healing song.
Its relaxed tempo also makes it easy to sing at karaoke.
Ah, youthyoshida takurou
It was first released in 1975 by the band Trans-Am, with the composition by Takuro Yoshida.
Yoshida later covered it himself, and Masatoshi Nakamura has also covered it.
This passionate song about youth is perfect for belting out at karaoke.
youKozaka Akiko
It was released on December 21, 1973, and is Akiko Kosaka’s debut single.
At the age of 16, Akiko Kosaka performed this song as a piano-and-vocal piece at the 6th Yamaha Popular Song Contest and won the Grand Prix.
It’s also a standard song for weddings.
The key is high and it’s quite challenging, but if you can sing it well at karaoke, you’ll be a star.
One afternoonMoriyama Ryoko
Ryoko Moriyama has many folk song hits, but this is a recommended choice among her songs for karaoke.
It portrays a couple on a date that isn’t progressing very smoothly, and the high notes in the chorus are the highlight.
Children Who Don’t Know WarJirōzu
It was released on February 5, 1971.
Although it sounds like a light, upbeat tune with a lively rhythm, it is an anti-war song.
At a time when the Vietnam War was underway, this song took a firm stand against the war and became one of Japan’s representative anti-war songs.
With this song, Jiro’s won the New Artist Award at the 1971 Japan Record Awards.