[2026] Songs I Want to Try at Karaoke! A Roundup of Popular Showa-Era Kayōkyoku

Even in the 2020s, the songs that still enjoy unwavering popularity at karaoke are the kayōkyoku hits that colored the Showa era.

The term “Showa kayō” is well known even among younger generations, partly thanks to the global popularity of city pop and more.

Above all, there are simply so many timeless classics—these are beloved tracks that keep getting sung at karaoke across all ages.

For those of you who are eager to try singing Showa-era kayōkyoku, this article rounds up recommended popular karaoke picks, focusing mainly on hits from the 1970s and 1980s.

Every song is a famous tune you’ve likely heard at least once, so teens and people in their 20s—feel free to use this as inspiration for your karaoke repertoire!

Playlist

[2026] Songs I Want to Try at Karaoke! A Roundup of Popular Showa-Era Kayōkyoku
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Distance of the Starry SkyTHE ALFEE		A classic song by THE ALFEE released in 1984
2	Playback Part 2Yamaguchi Momoe		The song where a red Porsche turned into a tomato
3	Wine Red Heartanzenchitai		An adult love song by Yosui Inoue and Koji Tamaki
4	Stardust StageChekkāzu		The Checkers’ classic heartbreak songs
5	Listening to OliviaAnri		A city pop classic that portrays heartbreak and positivity
6	Do whatever the hell you want.sawada kenji		Kenji Sawada's heartbreak ballad smash hit
7	Sailor Suit and Machine GunYakushimaru Hiroko		Yakushimaru Hiroko’s debut song became a big hit.
8	Boat SongYashiro Aki		Male-voiced version of Aki Yashiro’s signature songs
9	Kanda Riverkaguya hime		Kaguya-hime’s signature work, a Showa-era pure love song
10	MasqueradeShonentai		Shonentai’s debut single tops the charts
11	Journey of the HeartTULIP		A signature song by TULIP that sings of youth and parting
12	Slow motionNakamori Akina		Akina Nakamori’s debut song to a star in the world of kayō (Japanese pop)
13	Pink sighTakahashi Mariko		The vocal prowess of Mariko Takahashi, a classic hitmaker of the ’80s
14	younger boykyandīzu		A signature song by Candies that many idols have covered
15	Until we meet againOzaki Kiyohiko		Kiyohiko Ozaki’s classic farewell song is revived
16	Tsugaru Strait – Winter SceneIshikawa Sayuri		A signature song by Sayuri Ishikawa, a classic that sings of a journey from Aomori to Hokkaido
17	Lingering Snowiruka		A classic song about a parting in unseasonal snow
18	Blue Coral ReefMatsuda Seiko		Seiko Matsuda’s early signature song, a refreshing first-love tune
19	Rainy MidosujiŌyō Fifi		A love heart dampened by rain, a classic from Midosuji
20	Azusa No. 2karyūdō		The hunter’s debut song is a ballad of farewell and departure
21	TouchIwasaki Yoshimi		A smash hit by Yoshimi Iwasaki and a staple pep song
22	DESIRE -Passion-Nakamori Akina		Akina Nakamori's outfits and dances became popular.
23	The Day the Seagulls FlewWatanabe Machiko		Machiko Watanabe’s song is used as the train melody at Yokosuka Station.
24	Night of 15Ozaki Yutaka		Yutaka Ozaki’s debut song covered by his son
25	First loveMurashita Kōzō		Kozo Murashita's biggest hit song about his first love experience
26	Falling in LoveKobayashi Akiko		Akiko Kobayashi's 1985 debut song
27	Forever with youKayama Yūzō		A signature song by Yuzo Kayama that sold over 3 million copies
28	If I’m wrapped in kindnessArai Yumi		Yumi Matsutoya’s classic hit makes a comeback through a film
29	UFOpinku redii		Pink Lady's signature songs are popular for their choreography.
30	Let yourself go with the flow of timeTeresa Ten		Teresa Teng wins for the third consecutive year
31	Good-bye, My LoveAn Ruisu		Ann Lewis's first hit song
32	Northern SpringSen Masao		A song that depicts the feelings of a man longing for his hometown
33	celebratory sakeSakamoto Fuyumi		A hit song by Fuyumi Sakamoto sung at weddings
34	Goodbye to sorrowanzenchitai		A huge hit by Anzen Chitai, their first appearance on Kouhaku
35	From the northern innMiyako Harumi		Harumi Miyako wins the Grand Prize and takes her first-ever final spot on the Kouhaku stage
36	FriendsREBECCA		A huge hit as a TV drama theme song, and still loved today
37	Your eyes are 10,000 voltsHoriuchi Takao		Takao Horiuchi's solo single smash hit song
38	Life is full of ups and downs.Shimakura Chiyoko		Chiyoko Shimakura’s classic song is loved across generations.
39	Love RadiantMisora Hibari		Announced by Hibari Misora on the 40th anniversary of her debut
40	EnchantedJudi Ongu		Judy Ong’s signature song sold 1.23 million copies
41	Love is overŌyō Fifi		Ouyang Feifei’s representative song about heartbreak
42	School HeavenFingā 5		A representative youth romance song by Finger Five
43	applausechiaki naomi		Naomi Chiaki wins the Japan Record Award
44	foreignerKUBOTA Saki		Their debut song gained attention in a commercial and became a hit.
45	Snow TrainMaekawa Kiyoshi		Kiyoshi Maekawa’s solo debut song “Yuki Ressha” (Snow Train)
46	Lingering Snowiruka		Dolphin had a cover hit in 1975
47	Snow CountryYoshi Ikuzo		A song released in 1986 that became one of Ichirō Yoshik's signature tracks
48	There’s always tomorrowSakamoto Kyu		Kyu Sakamoto’s cheer song, covered by many artists
49	The Bride of SetoKoyanagi Rumiko		Rumiko Koyanagi’s Seto Inland Sea local song becomes a big hit
50	Love MemoryMatsuzaki Shigeru		Shigeru Matsuzaki’s biggest hit song of 1977
51	Words of FarewellKaientai		A graduation song based on Tetsuya Takeda’s heartbreak experience
52	RunawayShaneruzu		Shanels' debut single
53	Red Sweet PeaMatsuda Seiko		Seiko Matsuda’s signature song and her first-ever closing headliner at the Kōhaku year-end show
54	Cape ErimoMori Shinichi		Released in 1974, sold 1 million copies. Double grand prize winner.
55	Other people’s relationshipsKanai Katsuko		Katsuko Kanai’s expressionless singing and choreography are making waves
56	CheersNagabuchi Tsuyoshi		Cheer on life with a wedding celebration song
57	ff (fortissimo)HOUND DOG		Used for fundraising donations with a famous song by HOUND DOG
58	Galaxy Express 999Godaigo		An upbeat popular song also covered by EXILE
59	My loverGorin Mayumi		First appearance on the NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen with Mayumi Itsuwa’s biggest hit song
60	A Good Day to Set Out on a JourneyYamaguchi Momoe		Momoe Yamaguchi’s biggest hit sold over one million copies.
61	Full of memoriesH₂O		Hit songs of H2O's anime theme songs
62	Akiko Kosakaanata		Akiko Kosaka’s debut single became a big hit.
63	Into the DreamInoue Yosui		Inoue Yosui’s songs have been covered multiple times and are drawing attention
64	Ruby RingTerao Akira		Atsushi Terao’s hit song, winner of the Japan Record Award
65	SubaruTanimura Shinji		Shinji Tanimura’s 1980 smash-hit song commercial
66	Broken-winged angelNakamura Ayumi		Ayumi Nakamura's songs have been covered by multiple artists.
67	You Are the One Who Rings That BellWada Akiko		Akiko Wada's signature song, winner of the Japan Record Award
68	Spring, Summer, Autumn, WinterIzumiya Shigeru		Shigeru Izumiya’s signature song “Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter”