[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] A roundup of nostalgic folk song classics and popular tracks you’ll want to sing at karaoke (71–80)
roadshowfurudokei
Despite his phone call saying he was “too busy,” it’s a heartbreak song about a woman who is deeply shocked to see him at the movie theater with another woman.
Both the melody and the lyrics make it feel like watching a scene from a film.
While bands like Tulip were famous at the time, this is a hidden gem.
White Swingbiriibanban
It was released on January 15, 1969.
It is the debut single by the brother duo Billy BanBan.
The song became a hit, selling over 200,000 copies, and Billy BanBan quickly rose to popularity as a folk duo.
With its gentle melody and the intertwining harmonies of the two voices, the piece evokes a beautiful scene with a white swing.
Your MorningKishida Satoshi
He also appeared as an actor in the 1979 drama “Ai to Kassai to,” and the insert song he sang for the show became a big hit.
I’ve heard that in the drama the song was titled “Morning,” but it was released on record as “Kimi no Asa.” The refrain at the end, repeating “Morning, morning,” is very catchy.
He changed his stage name from Satoshi Kishida to Toshiyuki Kishida, and his voice quality is truly beautiful.
If you’re proud of your singing voice, why not give it a try?
I’ve come a long way when I think about it.Kaientai
This song is about a 14-year-old boy who once dreamed of the future and believed he could become many different versions of himself, looking back 30 years later at his realistic life and not knowing what lies ahead.
While Kaientai is famous for songs like “Okuru Kotoba” and “Haha ni Sasageru Ballad,” if you’re singing at karaoke, I recommend this one.
A rose has bloomed.Maiku Maki
It was released on April 5, 1966.
This song sparked and fueled Japan’s folk song boom.
The lyrics, which liken a rose to feelings of love, are beautiful.
It was also broadcast on NHK’s “Minna no Uta.” For karaoke, it’s best sung in a relaxed, conversational style.
In conclusion
Even when we say “folk songs” in a single breath, if you listen to the classics introduced this time, you’ll hear everything from pop-leaning numbers to simple, stripped-down solo performances—the styles are truly diverse. The timeless songs that colored their eras never lose their luster, and the spirit of folk music is being carried on by musicians active in today’s Reiwa era. If you’ve been avoiding it, thinking it feels kind of old-fashioned, I hope you’ll try singing any tracks you liked from this article!