[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 (11–20)
Is it true that you’re getting married?Da Kāpo
Beginning with a short letter that arrives on a morning after the rain, this song is known as Da Capo’s signature work.
Released in June 1974 as their fourth single, it became a major hit, selling 312,000 copies on the Oricon chart.
The protagonist’s complex feelings upon learning of an ex-lover’s marriage are woven together with beautiful imagery—red cosmos flowers and a blue breeze.
Packed with the charm of folk music, it’s a song that resonates deeply when sung at karaoke.
Recommended for those who have experienced heartbreak or who want to express the wish for a loved one’s happiness.
Let me have that wonderful love once moreKatō Kazuhiko, Kitayama Osamu
It’s a classic Showa-era folk song with a nostalgic atmosphere.
The lyrics, which weave together bittersweet memories of love and a longing to meet again, resonate deeply with listeners.
Released in April 1971, the song has remained beloved for many years.
There’s also a well-known story that Kazuhiko Kato and Osamu Kitayama completed the track in just two days.
The lyrics convey a longing for beautiful memories and shared moments, making it perfect for karaoke—a song you’ll want to sing quietly as you look back on times with someone special.
Why am I so sad?yoshida takurou
Its hallmark is universal lyrics that the folk generation of the 1970s could easily relate to their own circumstances.
There’s an episode in which someone rushed to a friend whose company had gone bankrupt and sang this song in front of them; the feeling of “still wanting human connection” amid life’s setbacks and loneliness resonated with many.
It’s truly a quintessential folk song! The melody is very simple and easy to remember, making it great for everyone from karaoke beginners to those who want to sing in earnest.
When singing, deliver the A verse more like spoken word without pushing your voice too much—especially in the first verse, where it takes a while to reach the chorus and the talk-like elements may feel long, but if you sing the following chorus solidly to bring the energy up, you can capture the mood of the song nicely.
Try to sing with care for the lyrics!
Let’s get married.yoshida takurou
A quintessential folk love song and one of Takuro Yoshida’s signature masterpieces.
Its candid expression of feelings that resonated with the youth of the time and lyrics that sing of deep, marriage-minded love are especially appealing.
Released in January 1972, it became a massive hit, surpassing one million copies sold by September of that year.
If you sing it at karaoke, try delivering it sincerely over the gentle tones of an acoustic guitar.
It’s a great choice for conveying your feelings to a lover or someone special, and it’s also well-received as a performance at weddings.
So sad I can’t bear itZa Fōku Kurusedāzu
Released on March 21, 1968.
The planned release of “Imjin River,” which was to be The Folk Crusaders’ second single, was voluntarily withheld, and this song was hastily created as a substitute.
There is an anecdote that it was composed by reversing the chords of “Imjin River.”