Masaaki Sen’s Popular Song Rankings [2026]

Northern SpringSen Masao1rank/position

Spring in the Northern Country / Masao Sen (with lyrics)

This classic song, gently depicting the changing seasons, expresses Japan’s beautiful nature and the longing for one’s hometown.

Prompted by a parcel from his mother, the protagonist living in the city recalls northern landscapes—white birch, magnolia blossoms, babbling brooks, and morning mist—and we empathize with his feelings.

Masao Sen’s warm vocals tenderly embrace nostalgic memories and love for family.

Since its release in April 1977, the song has been beloved by many, including three consecutive appearances on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

This piece is a heartwarming song that, when sung together with older adults during music recreation at care facilities, helps share cherished memories.

Waltz of StarlightSen Masao2rank/position

Waltz of Starlight - Masao Sen

A gem of a waltz where the sorrow of parting and deep affection intertwine.

The lyrics were written by Sonoeda Shiratori and the music composed by Minoru Endo.

Released as Masao Sen’s single in 1966, it became a major hit in 1968, selling a total of 2.5 million copies.

The protagonist’s feelings—choosing a painful breakup while wishing happiness for a loved one—are deeply moving.

This classic has been covered across Asia, including Taiwan and Hong Kong, and is beloved across borders.

It’s a song I’d recommend for those winter nights when you gaze at the stars and reminisce about young love.

It also lends itself well to an emotionally rich performance at karaoke.

70th birthday celebrationSen Masao3rank/position

70th birthday celebration

The piece “Koki Celebration,” cherished by many fans as a late-period masterpiece, is exactly what its title suggests—a work celebrating one’s seventieth birthday.

True to that theme, it features a warm, inviting melody.

While it’s solidly enka, most of its characteristic kobushi rely on Masao Sen’s unique style of completely stopping the voice to form the phrases, so you shouldn’t find the ornamentation particularly difficult.

Because it begins with a clear, decisive opening, you’ll need some familiarity with singing it.

Be sure to add it to your repertoire.

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sunset cloudsSen Masao4rank/position

sunset clouds

A classic song that vividly captures the emotions of an autumn dusk is Masao Sen’s “Yuyakegumo” (Evening Clouds).

Sung from the perspective of a young person who has left their hometown and dreams of making it in the big city, the song is filled with a poignant charm that resonates with many.

Released in March 1976, it has long been cherished as one of Sen’s signature pieces.

Its lyrics, portraying the pull of one’s hometown and the struggle for success in the city, overlapped with the backdrop of Japan’s period of rapid economic growth and struck a chord with countless listeners.

It’s the perfect track for those reflective moments on an autumn evening.

In every age…Sen Masao5rank/position

In every age...

Masao Sen’s classic “Itsunoyo mo…” is known for its orthodox enka-style melody.

The song carries the message that some things remain unchanged even as times change, and perhaps to match that theme, it’s composed with a very straightforward, low-quirk melody.

While it’s full of enka elements, most of the kobushi (melodic turns) and shakuri (scoops) are modest and approachable, making it a song that even beginners or those not yet accustomed to singing enka can handle comfortably.

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Our town was green indeed.Sen Masao6rank/position

Our town was green indeed.

Masao Sen’s classic “Waga Machi wa Midori Nariki” is notable for its gentle melody.

While it is nominally classified as enka, the vocal line strongly reflects the essence of Showa-era kayōkyoku, and the characteristic enka vocal melisma (kobushi) is scarcely present.

The few instances of kobushi are mostly limited to a single scale step up or down, so even those not adept at enka-style phrasing should be able to sing it without difficulty.

If you enjoy songs with a nostalgic, old-fashioned mood, consider adding this one to your repertoire.

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Parody of ‘Waltz of Starlight’: ‘Waltz of the Sixtieth Birthday’Sen Masao7rank/position

Parody of 'Waltz of Starlight': 'Waltz of Sixty' — Rearranged the farewell song into a song for a devoted couple, wishing for a bright old age. #parodySong #anthemForSeniors #WaltzOfStarlight

Let’s try arranging Masao Sen’s famous song that sings about the feelings of parting into a 60th-birthday version and take on a parody! Here are some ideas for “Kanreki no Waltz,” a parody of “Hoshikage no Waltz.” The original “Hoshikage no Waltz” is memorable for its lyrics that express the pitiable emotions budding within oneself and the feelings of thinking about the other person.

In contrast, “Kanreki no Waltz” seems to center on a couple who lean on each other, wishing for a bright old age together.

You can sense lyrics that make you chuckle and a positive energy that encourages a forward-looking outlook.