[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!