[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 Collection of Beloved Nostalgic Folk Song Classics for Karaoke: Popular Picks (41–50)
A Night’s DreamMinami Kōsetsu
It was also used as a cosmetic commercial song.
Every woman wants to look a little more beautiful to the person she likes, and this song sings about that tender, earnest feeling of love.
The lyrics are by Yoko Aki, and they’re truly impressive.
It’s a song to listen to slowly and savor.
[Showa Era] A collection of nostalgic folk song classics and popular tracks you’ll want to sing at karaoke (51–60)
scarecrowsadamasashi
It’s a song that Masashi Sada composed based on his experience living alone in Tokyo, paired with the scene he witnessed from a train window while traveling with his younger brother, where he saw a scarecrow in the fields.
In an era before LINE or email, it poignantly gives voice to the parents and siblings back home who worry and simply want any sign—anything at all—that their loved one is doing well.
It’s a classic that beautifully and tenderly conveys those feelings.
Let me have that wonderful love once moreKatō Kazuhiko, Kitayama Osamu
It was released on April 5, 1971.
It was presented as a collaboration between Kazuhiko Kato and Osamu Kitayama.
It has also become a classic wedding song.
The guitar accompaniment uses a three-finger picking style and is played briskly.
At karaoke, it’s fun and lively when everyone sings along.
puka-pukaNishioka Kyozo
Released in 1972, this song was written by Kyozo Nishioka, the master of the folk café “Dylan,” for the jazz singer Minami Yasuda.
“Puka Puka” became one of Nishioka’s signature songs.
Its jazzy, light-hearted groove is fun, and it’s a great song that really livens things up when everyone sings it together at karaoke.
Azusa No. 2karyūdō
This is a signature song by a male duo from the Showa era.
I love folk songs from this period! In “Azusa No.
2,” the A and B sections are relatively quiet, but once the chorus hits and the harmonies come in, it suddenly soars! It’s incredibly cool and feels so good to sing! The harmony is basically a third below, but since the main melody’s chorus sits around G4 and has that belting quality, the harmony should come in firmly so it doesn’t get overshadowed.
When entering the chorus, listen carefully to the backing track and breathe together so you both come in at the same time! The unison at the end of the chorus after all that harmonizing is wonderful, too.
It might be a somewhat wistful song, but when the harmonies lock in, it’ll give you goosebumps—so definitely find a partner and give it a try!
Goodbye PatternItō Toshihiro
Back when today’s JR was still JNR, he worked on the Hokuriku Main Line while making his debut as a singer-songwriter, wearing the same two hats as Kei Ogura.
The song sold over 700,000 copies, so when he appeared on music programs, they often broadcast live from inside the station.
Unlike the banks, JNR was quite lenient, it seems.
After privatization, Ito resigned from JNR.
The repeated “nee, nee” in the chorus is very sultry and makes the song stick in your ears.
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.