Ranking of Popular Oldies and Classic Songs [1960s Japanese Music Rankings]
We present the latest top 100 ranking of classic Japanese pop songs, all at once, ordered by the highest number of plays!
We’ve picked out nostalgic hits from the 1960s!
Listening again, you’ll notice many songs are still being revived today.
Be sure to check them out.
The playlist is updated weekly.
- Nostalgic Japanese hit songs from the 1960s. A collection of popular Showa-era classic melodies.
- Classic and hit kayōkyoku songs from the nostalgic 1960s
- Classic and hit Japanese pop songs from the nostalgic 1960s
- Hit songs in Japan in the late 1960s
- Popular Oldies and Classic Songs Ranking: 1970s Japanese Music
- [Recommended for people in their 70s] Classic nostalgic hits: A collection of youth songs
- A collection of nostalgic hit songs and classics from the 70s
- A roundup of classic Showa-era kayō songs: a comprehensive introduction to timeless tracks loved across generations.
- [Today's Recommended Nostalgic Songs] Memories from those days come flooding back! A collection of gem-like classics
- Good songs recommended for people in their 60s: classic and popular Japanese tracks
- Popular Showa-era pop. Timeless hit songs.
- Popular Japanese songs among men in their 60s: recommended masterpieces and classic tracks
- A heartbreak song that resonates in the chest of a man in his 60s: memories of youth woven by classic Showa-era masterpieces
Popular Oldies and Classic Songs Ranking [1960s Japanese Music Ranking] (11–20)
SWEET MEMORIESMatsuda Seiko16rank/position
This song is etched in the hearts of many as a ballad that sings of a bittersweet love.
Seiko Matsuda’s clear, translucent voice beautifully paints memories of a love that has passed.
Released in August 1983, it was also featured in a Suntory commercial.
The story of lovers who hurt each other in their youth resonated with many people, turning it into a classic that has been covered by numerous artists.
It’s a moving track you’ll want to listen to when you wish to heal the pain of heartbreak or reflect on memories with someone dear.
younger boykyandīzu17rank/position
This song portrays the bittersweet feelings of love and the gentle gaze of someone watching over a slightly stubborn and self-willed younger man.
The perspective—a woman observing a man’s awkwardness—is striking, and it deftly captures a relationship with a subtle age gap where the feelings of love can’t be accepted straightforwardly.
Released in February 1975 as Candies’ fifth single, the track broke into the top 10 on the Oricon charts and served as a springboard for their first appearance on the NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
It was also featured in the 2007 film “Little DJ: A Small Love Story,” reaffirming its charm.
The song has been covered by various artists and idols and remains beloved across generations.
It’s recommended for those who want to feel the nuances of an age-gap romance, the purity of being in love, or to bask in nostalgic memories of youthful days.
I can’t put it into wordsofukōsu18rank/position
A classic by Off Course that expresses overwhelming, indescribable emotions through music.
Kazumasa Oda’s clear, translucent vocals leave a strong impression as the song portrays lost love and self-reflection.
Released in February 1982, it has been covered by many artists and cherished for years.
In 1999, Oda’s self-cover was used in a Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance commercial, and it has since remained a key part of his concert repertoire.
With its sentimental melody and lyrics that resonate deeply, this is a song that tenderly accompanies listeners through many moments in life.
Plastic LoveTakeuchi Mariya19rank/position
As classic songs from the Showa era gain renewed attention on social media, this track by Mariya Takeuchi is once again capturing the hearts of younger listeners.
Featured on her acclaimed 1984 album “VARIETY,” the song is distinguished by its smooth, sophisticated sound and lyrics that portray the emptiness of romance.
Tatsuro Yamashita’s arrangement also shines.
In 2021, it was reissued on 12-inch vinyl, accompanied by a new music video.
The lyrics, which depict the feelings of a woman repeating superficial relationships, continue to resonate with many people today.
It’s a must-listen for anyone struggling to recover from heartbreak or feeling lonely in the city at night.
TouchIwasaki Yoshimi20rank/position
This is a song released in 1985, known as the theme song for the anime Touch.
It was also included on the album Touch, and gained popularity alongside other anime-related tracks.
The lyrics, which sing of the bittersweet feelings of youthful love and the importance of human connection, resonate with many listeners.
Combined with Yoshimi Iwasaki’s clear, pure vocals, it’s a track that makes hearts flutter.
It’s recommended not only for anime fans but also for anyone who wants to recall the innocence of first love.