Recommended summer songs for people in their 90s: A collection of Showa-era summer tunes [2026]

As of 2025, those of you in your 90s are people who spent your teenage years during the difficult times of the war and postwar period.

After reaching adulthood, the era of rapid economic growth arrived, and you lived through the turbulent Showa, Heisei, and Reiwa eras.

So, what songs come to mind when you think of summer? In this article, we’ve researched and compiled songs that 90-year-olds might remember—from children’s songs and choral pieces from their youth to popular tunes and enka they likely enjoyed as adults.

It’s designed to be enjoyable for three generations of a family, so please take this opportunity to have a look.

Playlist

Recommended summer songs for people in their 90s: A collection of Showa-era summer tunes [2026]
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Rumba of PassionTakamine Mieko		A classic masterpiece of Latin rhythm and the singing voice of Mikako Takamine
2	Seagull Sailorshouka		The refreshing children's song of the seagull sailor
3	I am a child of the sea.shouka		Umi no Ko is a classic song engraved in the hearts of the Japanese people.
4	Go south from Roppa.Furukawa Roppa		Furukawa Roppa’s delightful song from a trip to the South Seas
5	tea pickingshouka		Introducing nostalgic summer songs
6	seashouka		A song that praises the beauty of the sea
7	VacationHirota Mieko		Mieko Hirota’s classic summer hit, a vacation song.
8	The Longed-For Hawaii RouteHaruo Oka		The classic song “Hawai Kōro” that sang of postwar hope
9	Leaving sunny Tosa behindPegī Hayama		A famous song by Peggy Hayama that sings of her love for Tosa
10	Festival MamboMisora Hibari		Miki Hibari’s summer classic, Omatsuri Mambo
11	banana boatHamamura Michiko		Michiko Hamamura's Calypso smash hit
12	If I go to seagunka		The Requiem Umi Yukaba by Kiyoshi Nobutoki
13	Tanabata DanceShimakura Chiyoko		Chiyoko Shimakura's Sendai Tanabata Festival Bon Odori Song
14	The Life of Mutsu (Including “A Thousand Ryō of Guts”)Murata Hideo		The life philosophy of Dokyo Senryo as sung by Hideo Murata
15	Summer Mountain Songmin’yō		A folk song from Miyagi Prefecture, singing of the resolve for mountain work
16	Crazed FruitIshihara Yūjirō		The Allure of Theme Songs from Yujiro Ishihara’s Youth Films
17	This roaddōyō		The masterpieces by Hakushu Kitahara and Kosaku Yamada are loved by many.
18	Lady of the SeashoreFunaki Kazuo		Kazuo Funaki’s tropical summer classic
19	A young lady in a bikini styleDanī Iida to Paradaisu Kingu		A nostalgic classic that sings of summer by the seaside
20	Love VacationZa Pīnattsu		The Peanuts’ classic summer love song
21	Beach of MemoriesZa Wairudowanzu		A classic hit song depicting a seaside romance became a massive success
22	The Young Boss of HawaiiKayama Yūzō		A classic that lifts the spirit: the blue sea of the tropics and a song of hope
23	Angel’s TemptationMayuzumi Jun		Jun Mayuzumi's summer hit songs are hugely popular
24	Memories of a Summer DayHino Teruko		A nostalgic song that brings back memories of a summer love in winter
25	coconutSakushi: Shimazaki Tōson / Sakkyoku: Ōnaka Toraji		Coconut, Fujimura’s poem and Oonaka’s music
26	Plover on the BeachSakushi: Kashima Naruaki / Sakkyoku: Hirota Ryūtarō		The plover’s song seeking its parent on the blue moonlit shore
27	Look up at the stars in the nightSakamoto Kyu		The classic song that brings hope and courage: “Ue o Muite Arukou” (Sukiyaki)
28	I hope you are keeping well in the summer heat.kyandīzu		A nostalgic classic that portrays summer memories
29	Sinbad on the Shorepinku redii		Pink Lady’s classic summer hit
30	Tokyo Ondomin’yō		The Showa-era Bon Odori classic 'Tokyo March'
31	Tankō-bushi (Coal Miner’s Song)min’yō		Chikuhō’s Tankō-bushi, a Bon Odori staple
32	summer vacationyoshida takurou		Summer memories, a famous song by Takuro Yoshida
33	Soran Bushimin’yō		A folk song sung by fishermen in Hokkaido, cherished across generations
34	Mount Fuji (Fujinoyama)		The song about Mount Fuji: a nostalgic classic that resonates in the heart
35	Season of LovePinkī to Kirāzu		A classic bossa nova standard for summer
36	Summer MemoriesSakushi: Ema Akiko / Sakkyoku: Nakata Yoshinao		A heartwarming classic that depicts the scenery of Oze
37	Hawaiian Airlines flightUtsumi Kiyoshi		Nostalgia for the tropics, Utsumi Kiyoshi’s classic song
38	Flamenco of the StarsSaigō Teruhiko		Teruhiko Saigō’s flamenco-style classic
39	The season the sun gave usaoi sankakujougi		Songs of youth, and the bonds with friends, resonate in the heart.
40	Song of the Four SeasonsSakushi sakkyoku: Araki Toyohisa		Showa-era classic: the beauty of the four seasons and love
41	Shiretoko Ryojo (Shiretoko Travel Sentiment)Katō Tokiko		Shiretoko Ryojo is a famous song that depicts the nature of Shiretoko and feelings of love.
42	Summer Memoriesshouka		A heartwarming song depicting the nature of Oze
43	Summer has comeshouka		A traditional Japanese song depicting an early-summer landscape
44	coconutshouka		A famous song that poignantly expresses a heartfelt longing for one’s hometown
45	Song of the Seashoreshouka		The history and charm of the Showa-era classic “Hamabe no Uta”
46	The Hill Where Mandarin Orange Blossoms BloomKawada Masako		A classic song that depicts the nostalgic summers of the Showa era
47	fireworksdōyō		The classic Showa-era song “Hanabi” is a children’s song that colors summer memories.
48	Crimson SunMisora Hibari		Hibari’s classic song poignantly expresses a summer romance