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.
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Popular Nostalgic Songs and Classics Ranking [1970s Japanese Music Ranking] (51–60)
Wandering Love SongNagabuchi Tsuyoshi57rank/position
Known as one of the iconic songs representing the Showa era, this was the artist’s second single overall.
Its melancholy melody and sentimental lyrics resonate deeply with listeners.
Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi’s powerful yet delicate vocals blend beautifully with the acoustic guitar.
Released in October 1978, the song drew attention as Nagabuchi’s re-debut work.
The promotional campaign—touring the country with just a guitar case in hand—was unusual for the time and became a talking point.
With its relaxed tempo and relatively narrow vocal range, it’s also recommended for those who want to try singing and playing guitar.
Tsugaru Strait – Winter SceneIshikawa Sayuri58rank/position
Sayuri Ishikawa’s popular song is gaining attention as a track you can use in Instagram Stories.
This piece is a classic that portrays the emotions of people woven through its narrative.
Released in March 1977, it became a major hit.
Ishikawa’s powerful vocals and emotionally rich lyrics captured many hearts, making it one of Japan’s representative enka songs.
The lyrics evoke the era of the Seikan ferry, creating a nostalgic atmosphere.
It’s especially recommended for Instagram Stories that capture travel memories or moments of longing.
It’s the perfect song for those who want to highlight nostalgic scenery or deeply moving moments.
Shiretoko Ryojo (Shiretoko Travel Sentiment)Katō Tokiko59rank/position
It is a celebrated song that vividly portrays the nature of Shiretoko and the feelings of love.
Its beautiful scenery and poignant emotions resonate together, leaving a deep impression on listeners.
Tokiko Kato’s pure, clear vocals further enhance the song’s appeal.
Released in November 1970, it topped the Oricon charts for seven consecutive weeks.
It also ranked second on the year-end chart that same year and became a massive hit, selling over 1.4 million copies.
The song is included in Japanese middle school music textbooks and continues to be loved across generations.
It’s a perfect choice for moments when you want to relax or reflect on memories with someone special.
My good friendKamayatsu Hiroshi60rank/position
This work is infused with heartfelt themes of friendship and youth.
It’s a classic song powerfully sung by Hiroshi Kamayatsu.
The lyrics, full of nostalgia and warmth, gently wrap you in memories of friends from your school days.
Released in February 1975, the track reached No.
1 on the Oricon chart and became a major hit, selling over 700,000 copies.
Its gem-like melody, blending folk and rock, poignantly conveys the longing to reunite with friends.
Recommended for those who want to feel unchanging friendship amid changing times.
Let the soul-stirring vocals deepen your feelings for the people you cherish.
Popular Oldies and Classic Songs Ranking [1970s Japanese Music Ranking] (61–70)
rainMiyoshi Eiji61rank/position
This song was released in 1972 and was sung by Eishi Miyoshi when he was in his teens.
Because “Onna no Michi” by Shiro Miya and the Pinkara Trio was a hit around the same time, it didn’t reach number one, but it left a strong impression on the public and won the New Artist Award at the Japan Record Awards.
The song begins on a high note, making for a striking opening that, together with his clear, pure vocal tone, is very memorable.
Sung about a woman standing alone in the rain, this piece evokes scenes of the Showa era and a sense of nostalgia just by listening to it.
Let’s get married.yoshida takurou62rank/position
A masterpiece by Takuro Yoshida that transcends the framework of folk music, set to a light melody that portrays young people’s bright, free view of love.
Its warm world, expressing personal, everyday happiness straightforwardly without being bound by heavy circumstances, resonated with many young people at the time.
Released as a single in January 1972, it was taken from the previous year’s album “Ningen Nante” and became a historic, smash hit.
Years later, it continued to be cherished, even serving as a motif for a 2008 film bearing the same title as the song.
This work is perfect for couples dreaming of a future with their loved one.
Why not share that happy feeling by humming it together at karaoke?
17 years oldMinami Saori63rank/position
This is the striking debut single by Saori Minami, who burst onto the scene from Okinawa in 1971 like a comet.
The title “17-sai” (“Seventeen”), sung by her at the age of 16, is incredibly memorable, isn’t it? The scene of being alone by the seaside with someone you love, heart fluttering with a slightly grown-up kind of romance, is something many of us may have experienced.
The sweet-and-sour, slightly bittersweet feelings carried by the stylish, Western-influenced sound blend perfectly with Saori Minami’s clear, luminous voice, and even today it makes your heart tighten without you realizing it.