Popular Oldies and Classic Songs Ranking: 1970s Japanese Music
We’re excited to present the latest top 100 ranking of nostalgic Japanese pop songs, introduced all at once in order of most views!
We’ve picked out beloved classics that were hits in the 1970s.
Listening again like this, you’ll notice many songs are still enjoying revivals today.
Be sure to check them out.
The playlist is updated every week.
- A collection of nostalgic hit songs and classics from the 70s
- [Showa Kayō] A roundup of Japanese love songs that hit in the 1970s
- [1970s] Collection of Japanese hit songs. Nostalgic masterpieces of Japan
- Nostalgic Japanese hit songs from the 1970s: the golden age of idols and kayōkyoku (Japanese pop songs)
- 1970s Female Singer-Songwriters: Popular Songs Ranking [2026]
- [Classic Showa Kayō Hits] The captivating Showa-era pop songs beloved even by younger generations
- [Recommended for people in their 70s] Songs that really move you. Beloved classic Japanese hits of the past.
- Heart-touching, tear-jerking masterpieces from the Showa era
- [Japanese Music] A Collection of Heart-Touching Hit Folk Songs from the 1970s
- Classic and hit songs by nostalgic Japanese idols from the 1970s
- Nostalgic yet fresh!? Classic masterpieces of Japanese rock from the 1970s and 1980s
- Classic and hit Japanese pop songs from the nostalgic 1960s
- [Today's Recommended Nostalgic Songs] Memories from those days come flooding back! A collection of gem-like classics
Popular Oldies and Classic Songs Ranking [1970s Japanese Music Ranking] (81–90)
A Member of the Fire BrigadeRATS&STAR86rank/position
This song portrays a “stylish incident” sparked by the appearance of a charming woman on a summer seaside stage.
Released in April 1983, it was the first single after the group changed its name to Rats & Star.
With its catchy melody and distinctive choreography, it topped the Oricon Singles Chart and became a massive hit, selling over 600,000 copies.
It was also loved by many, ranking 10th on the year-end charts.
The track captures a fleeting summer romance on the beach with an upbeat rhythm and has enjoyed a revival through platforms like YouTube Shorts.
It’s the perfect song for those who want to get into a summer mood or enjoy a nostalgic Showa-era classic.
spring thunderfuki no tō87rank/position
It’s a lyrical folk song that makes you want to look up at the sky just as Hokkaido’s long winter comes to an end.
Released as a single in February 1979 by Fukinotou, it was also included on the album “Jinsei • Haru • Oudan” and is cherished as one of their signature numbers.
The lyrics, written and composed by Yasuyo Yamaki—said to carry a prayer for his ailing mother—resonate with the unsettled feelings that come with the change of seasons, striking a deep chord.
Ichizo Seo’s arrangement dramatizes both stillness and intensity, powerfully stirring the emotions.
Fans also know that this song marked their first appearance on “Yoru no Hit Studio” in March 1979.
As graduation season blends farewells with new departures, why not listen to it amid the mix of anxiety and anticipation that comes with taking a new step forward?
Parting at 22kaze88rank/position
Released in 1975, the debut single by the folk duo Kaze is a deeply moving breakup song written and composed by Shozo Ise.
Its simple guitar tones and Ise’s gentle vocals beautifully capture the poignant feelings of a young woman.
The song was a major hit upon release, topping the Oricon charts for four consecutive weeks.
It has continued to be sung for many years, and in 2005 it was ranked 71st on the NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen white team list, remaining beloved across generations.
The lyrics, which resonate deeply with anyone who has experienced the end of a romance, evoke empathy as they overlap with each listener’s own memories.
Among the seasonsMatsuyama Chiharu89rank/position
Released in 1978, this song is a masterpiece in which delicate lyricism and a powerful melody are beautifully harmonized.
Through the changing seasons, it portrays the journey of life and resonates deeply with listeners.
Its use in a Glico Almond Chocolate commercial helped bring Chiharu Matsuyama’s name to wide public attention.
The following year, it was chosen as the theme song for the National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament, becoming a beloved track across generations.
The world woven by Matsuyama’s commanding vocals and the lyrics that touch the heart is filled with a universal appeal that anyone can relate to.
It’s the perfect song for moments when you want to feel something—whether reminiscing about your youth or standing at a crossroads in life.
A Man’s Badge of HonorYokohama Ginbae90rank/position
A masterpiece that portrays the fiery spirit of a young man forging his own path with a rebellious heart.
Released in April 1982, it is known as one of Daisuke Shima’s signature songs.
Written and composed by Johnny of Yokohama Ginbae, the work features powerful vocals and a strong sense of justice, emblematic of the 1980s tsuppari (delinquent) youth culture.
The song was used as the theme for the Nippon TV drama “Ten made Agare!” and reached No.
3 on the weekly Oricon charts.
Its lyrics carefully depict the protagonist’s resolve to stay true to his beginnings despite facing adversity, resonating deeply across generations.
It was also covered as the theme song for the Nippon TV drama “From Today, It’s My Turn!!,” which boosted its popularity among younger audiences.
For example, it’s beloved as a cheer song in high school baseball and has been used as a walk-up song by professional baseball players—an anthem that pushes forward those striving toward their dreams.