A nostalgic song—a timeless classic that somehow feels familiar and touches the heart.
Nostalgic music that brings back some vaguely familiar feelings or suddenly makes you feel a little melancholy.
When you listen to that kind of music, don’t you feel something quietly well up and soak into your heart?
“Nostalgic” comes from the English word “nostalgia,” which in Japanese carries the meaning of “filled with homesickness.”
In this article, we’ll introduce songs that evoke nostalgic feelings—music that makes you fondly remember your hometown or, for some reason, brings back memories of the past.
Imagine days that will never return, think of someone dear to you, and listen while cherishing the emotions that are yours alone.
- Emotional songs from the Heisei era. Nostalgic tracks that really hit you.
- A gentle song. A classic that calms the heart. A song that makes you feel kind.
- The nostalgic atmosphere tugs at your heartstrings. Tear-jerker songs from the Showa era.
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- The lyrics are profoundly good. The more you listen, the more it sinks in. Masterpieces of Japanese music, recommended popular songs.
- [Tearjerker] Songs that make your heart tremble with tears & moving tracks with lyrics that touch the soul
- A song with gentle lyrics that warm the heart
- Evokes the charm of the good old days. Showa-era inspirational songs that are still loved today.
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Nostalgic songs. Timeless classics that somehow feel familiar and touch the heart (141–150)
Now, an adventure!Wada Akiko
This is Akiko Wada’s 59th single, released on September 1, 1995.
Many people feel nostalgic about this song because it was used as an insert track on Fuji TV’s children’s program Ponkikkies.
If you listen to it together with the footage from the silent film A Trip to the Moon, which was used as the music video at the time, it may bring back memories from those days.
First loveMurashita Kōzō
A song released in 1983.
It’s been covered by many singers.
Despite its upbeat tempo, it’s the kind of song that makes your heart ache a little.
It truly captures a page of youth.
I love how every time you listen, the days gone by seem to play back.
First love rarely comes to fruition, and it usually ends without anyone ever knowing.
Maybe that’s why it never leaves your heart.
Pure nostalgia.
Dream ChickYano Akiko
This is Akiko Yano’s 17th single, released on July 1, 1994, and it was used as an insert song for the Fuji TV children’s program Ponkikkies.
With Yano’s gently enveloping vocals and tender instrumental tones that evoke nostalgia, this song may soothe you and fill you with warmth when listened to together with the visuals.
Lucky Star of SorrowHosono Haruomi
This is a track from Haruomi Hosono’s album “HoSoNoVa,” released on April 20, 2011.
It’s a charming song brimming with an acoustic feel, featuring a pleasantly nostalgic, old-fashioned sound.
The deep, mellow vocals are fantastic.
Start in my lifeKuraki Mai
This is a heartfelt ballad by Mai Kuraki, the Heisei-era songstress and R&B singer who also tied in with the anime Detective Conan’s theme songs.
With the phrase “You can change with just your mindset—come on, let’s start from here,” it’s a track that fills you with courage.