[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 nostalgic folk song classics and popular tracks you’ll want to sing at karaoke (51–60)
Blue sky, all aloneInoue Yosui
It was released on November 25, 1975.
It’s also included on the album “An Invitation-less Show.” This album was the first release from For Life Records, the label launched by Takuro Yoshida, Shigeru Izumiya, Hitoshi Komuro, and others.
This song, featured on that milestone album, powerfully captures the poetic world of Yosui Inoue in a single track—it’s a cool classic.
If you can nail just the chorus—the part about the blue sky and being all alone—it’ll look effortlessly cool.
Whenever I arrive, it’s always raining.moppusu
It was released on July 5, 1972.
It’s The Mops’ 12th single.
Originally, the band Downtowns, which Takuro Yoshida was part of, performed it.
This version is arranged in a rock style.
It’s the kind of song that still sounds cool at karaoke even if you’ve had a few drinks and sing a bit off-pitch.
The Drunkard Has ReturnedZa Fōku Kurusedāzu
With a high-pitched voice and humor-laden musical expression, a fantastical story unfolds that shuttles between heaven and earth.
While satirically conveying the dangers of drunk driving, its innovative musicality—woven with nods to the Beatles, the Heart Sutra, and even Beethoven—is captivating.
Released by The Folk Crusaders in December 1967, the song became the first million-seller in Oricon chart history and was even adapted into a Toei film.
Far from sounding like a track born to fill out an album, this masterpiece combines experimental sound with social consciousness, making it a recommended tune for those who want to savor life’s subtleties along with a good laugh.
The person I used to likekaguya hime
These are tracks from Kaguya-hime’s album produced by Takuro Yoshida, released on April 20, 1972.
The songs quietly express feelings toward someone you loved and lost.
When you’re heartbroken, it might be good to sing them at karaoke and have a good cry.
[Showa Era] A roundup of nostalgic folk song classics and popular tracks you’ll want to sing at karaoke (61–70)
white guitarcherisshu
Cherish, who are still happily together and appearing in commercials, were a folk duo that produced many hits back in the day, thanks to Etsuko Matsuzaki’s refreshing vocals.
Their popularity at the time made folk guitars—especially white ones—objects of admiration among young people.
This song, which begins with a folk guitar intro, coincided with the era and became a massive hit, selling 800,000 copies.
Cactus Flowerchūrippu
This song is an answer song to “Misaki Meguri” by Kotaro Yamamoto & Weekend, which was a hit in 1974.
It tells of a heartbroken man trying to move on toward spring; while recounting memories of his girlfriend, he resolves to live positively, carried by a pleasant melody.
Eighteen years after its release, Kazuo Zaitsu sang it solo as the theme song for a drama, and it became a revival hit.
Even now, it remains popular among men, and many choose it for karaoke.
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.