Yukio Hashi’s Popular Song Rankings [2026]

Always keep your dreamsHashi Yukio, Yoshinaga Sayuri1rank/position

Yukio Hashi & Sayuri Yoshinaga / Itsudemo Yume o (Always Dream)

When it comes to duet songs that colored the youth of the Showa era, many people probably think of “Itsudemo Yume wo” sung by Yukio Hashi and Sayuri Yoshinaga.

Released in 1962, this song carries a positive message: keep a dream in your heart no matter what.

Its gently conversational melody warms the heart even in the cold season.

The song won the Japan Record Award the same year, and the following year it was chosen as the entrance march for the National High School Baseball Championship.

It was memorably featured in the 2013 NHK morning drama Amachan, and it continues to be loved across generations.

At New Year’s parties, if a man and woman pair up to sing it as a duet, smiles naturally spread.

Add some handclaps and sing it with hope for the year ahead.

Always keep your dreamsHashi Yukio / Yoshinaga Sayuri2rank/position

Always keep your dreams

Released in the 1960s, this piece became a massive hit as a duet by Yukio Hashi and Sayuri Yoshinaga.

Its lyrics, which gently speak to people’s hearts like softly falling rain or stars, are distinctive, conveying the importance of holding on to dreams even while carrying loneliness and sorrow.

Upon its release in September 1962, it sold 300,000 copies in just one month, becoming a major hit and winning the 4th Japan Record Award.

The following year, a film of the same name was released, boosting its popularity even further.

It’s a song that will surely give you courage when you’re feeling down or in need of encouragement.

Itako GasaHashi Yukio3rank/position

Itako-gasa / Yukio Hashi

Yukio Hashi’s “Itako-gasa” is a famous song from his 1960 debut.

It is known as a representative work of the matabi (wandering traveler) genre.

The lyrics, which depict beautiful Japanese scenery and the bittersweet feelings of a traveler, are captivating.

The protagonist, Itarō, continues his journey while keeping his longing for his hometown in his heart, which is deeply moving.

The song was also used as a movie’s theme song, in which Hashi himself appeared.

It’s a piece that lets you spend a heartwarming moment filled with nostalgia.

With its relaxed tempo, it’s easy for older listeners to enjoy and unwind.

It’s also nice to sing or listen to together during recreation time.

rime iceHashi Yukio4rank/position

rime ice

It’s a classic of Showa-era kayōkyoku that remains beloved by many, a masterpiece released in 1966 that won the 8th Japan Record Award.

The lyrics, inspired by rime ice, beautifully express the poignancy of a lost love.

Yukio Hashi’s powerful yet delicate vocals vividly evoke the cold of winter and a sense of loneliness.

The melody features an arrangement rich in strings, reflecting the high level of craftsmanship typical of 1960s popular songs.

When singing it at karaoke, it’s important to channel deep emotion while keeping in mind Hashi’s excellent vocal projection and expressiveness.

Highly recommended for those carrying the ache of unrequited love, or for anyone who wants to master a classic of Showa-era kayōkyoku.

If I sing the OkesaHashi Yukio5rank/position

If I sing the Oke-sa, by Yukio Hashi

Released on October 5, 1960.

This song incorporates Sado’s representative folk tune “Sado Okesa,” making it a familiar piece for residents of Niigata Prefecture.

A film titled “Okesa Utaeba,” with this song as its theme and starring Yukio Hashi, was produced and reportedly released on July 19, 1961.

Ojo KichisaHashi Yukio6rank/position

Yukio Hashi “Ojo Kichisa”

If you’re familiar with kabuki, the title “Ojo Kichisa” might ring a bell.

It’s the name of a character—an outlaw disguised as a woman—from the kabuki play “Sannin Kichisa Kuruwa no Hatsugai” by Kawatake Mokuami.

Using that character as a motif, a song was released in 1963, performed by one of Japan’s most prominent singers, Yukio Hashi.

From that description alone, it may seem unrelated to Setsubun, but if you read the lyrics, the word “Setsubun” appears.

As a stylish, slightly offbeat choice, it might be nice to listen to this song around the Setsubun season.

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KOH-1

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Beautiful Boy of the South SeasHashi Yukio7rank/position

Yukio Hashi “The Beautiful Boy of the South Seas”

Speaking of Amakusa in Kumamoto, the Christian rebel Amakusa Shirō, who led the Shimabara-Amakusa Rebellion, is famous.

It’s said he was a beautiful youth of sixteen who looked almost like a girl.

This is a song inspired by his tragic exploits.

There was a blue sky.Hashi Yukio, Yoshinaga Sayuri8rank/position

There was a blue sky.

The song that Yukio Hashi and Sayuri Yoshinaga duetted on in 1964 is “Soko wa Aoi Sora Datta” (“There, the Sky Was Blue”).

Starting with “Itsudemo Yume wo,” which was released in 1962 and became a huge hit, this became the pair’s fourth duet.

“Soko wa Aoi Sora Datta” was used as the image song for All Nippon Airways’ first introduced jet airliner, the Boeing 727.

With anticipation building for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, the track was crafted with a brilliant, hope-filled sound.

Be sure to listen to “Soko wa Aoi Sora Datta” and soak in the atmosphere of the era!

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Hamada Takuya

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I won’t let you go tonight.Abe Riitsuko / Hashi Yukio9rank/position

Yukio Hashi & Ritsuko Abe — I Won’t Let You Go Tonight

Here is the song that is none other than Yukio Hashi’s 149th single.

Riuko Abe was reportedly chosen as Hashi’s partner through an audition.

Sales surpassed 300,000 copies, and the song received a Special Award at the Japan Cable Awards.

Because it’s often sung at drinking parties in karaoke, this kind of theme feels like the classic image of a duet song.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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That girl and IHashi Yukio10rank/position

Yukio Hashi / That Girl and Me (Swim, Swim, Swim) (1965)

It’s a lively, heart‑thumping tune by Yukio Hashi that captures the feeling of summer’s arrival.

Just listening to it conjures up vivid scenes of the bustling summers of that era.

The bright melody conveys the beaming smiles of young people and the heat of excitement as they enjoyed the swim dance that was popular at the time.

Released in June 1965, this was Hashi’s 68th single.

It became a major hit, selling 710,000 copies in less than two months, and he performed it on that year’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

It was even adapted into a film and used in a swimsuit commercial that aired in households across the country.

For older listeners, it likely brings back the thrill of those summers along with fond memories.

If everyone hums along together, smiles will come naturally and conversation is sure to flow.