Showa Era Popular Artist Rankings [2026]
This time, we’ll be introducing Showa-era artists all at once in a ranking format!
The Showa period was also a time when the spread of television gave rise to many music stars.
Be sure to check out which artists were popular.
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- Cool songs from the Showa era. Masterpieces from Showa that shine with sensuality, passion, and rugged charm.
- Male-Popularity Artist Rankings [2026]
Showa Era Popular Artist Rankings [2026] (61–70)
White ChristmasJUN SKY WALKER(S)64rank/position
A legendary rock band that boosted their profile through street performances in pedestrian zones and helped lead the band boom of the 1980s, JUN SKY WALKER(S).
Their third single, “Shiroi Christmas,” used in a Matsushita Electric (Panasonic) commercial for a CD radio-cassette player, became their first number-one hit on the Oricon singles chart.
The expansive strings and lyrical guitar ensemble evoke the wintry Christmas sky, just as the title suggests.
With sentimental vocals and a moving melody, it stands as a classic among Christmas songs.
foreignerKUBOTA Saki65rank/position
“So you only ever see me as someone just passing by….” Foreign Visitor (Ihōjin) poetically captures a woman’s wistful, unrequited love.
Released in 1979 as singer-songwriter Saki Kubota’s debut single, the song’s enigmatic lyrics can make it hard to recognize at first listen as a love song—perhaps one of the charms of Showa-era romance music.
On top of that, it features meticulous compositional craft, shifting from a darker verse to a bright key change in the chorus.
Give it multiple listens and savor the profound depth of Showa kayō!
Two People’s Love IslandIshikawa Yuko & Chage66rank/position
One of the duet songs that represents the Showa era is “Futari no Airando” by Yuko Ishikawa and Chage.
Released as a single in 1984, it reached No.
3 on the Oricon Singles Chart.
It was used in a JAL commercial, and both the lyrics and the musical style were created with Okinawa in mind.
Although “coconuts” appear in the lyrics, there were actually no coconuts in Okinawa; there’s even an anecdote that they got around this by making a pun, linking “kokonattsu” (coconuts) with “koko wa natsu” (it’s summer here).
High-Teen BoogieKondō Masahiko67rank/position
A classic song that captures the brilliance and transience of youth was released in June 1982.
With lyrics by Takashi Matsumoto and composition/arrangement by Tatsuro Yamashita, the piece was also used as the theme song for a Toho film of the same title, becoming a major hit that reached No.
1 on the Oricon charts.
Beneath its seemingly defiant lyrics lies a message that champions love, freedom, and the importance of self-determination, resonating deeply with the youth of the time.
Combined with Masahiko Kondo’s powerful vocals, it became a defining track of 1980s youth culture.
It’s a timeless song that speaks to the heart—recommended both for those who wish to look back on their youthful memories and for younger generations unfamiliar with that era.
Get WildTM NETWORK68rank/position
An innovative sound that begins with the roar of tires racing through the city night.
Featured as the ending theme of the anime City Hunter, this song instantly boosted TM NETWORK’s recognition.
Its lyrics—singing of adventurous spirit, the challenge of the unknown, and the importance of becoming strong for someone else—resonate with many.
Since its release in April 1987, it has remained a staple of karaoke and anime songs, radiating timeless charm even 35 years later.
Performed live in various arrangements, it reveals new appeal each time.
It’s also a popular track on YouTube Shorts.
The Day the Seagulls FlewWatanabe Machiko69rank/position
Set in a port town, this gem of a ballad poignantly portrays the pain of heartbreak.
Against the glittering morning seascape, the singer overlays her feelings for a departing lover onto a single seagull, creating a moving masterpiece.
Released in April 1978, it became one of Machiko Watanabe’s signature songs, peaking at No.
5 on the Oricon charts.
The track won numerous music awards and drew attention to her as a rising talent among female singers.
In 2007, it was adopted as a Chiba Lotte Marines cheer song, with a special stadium version also released.
A performance by Japan’s dance team Avantgardey, featuring their unique choreography, garnered significant buzz and boosted the song’s recognition among younger audiences.
It’s a recommended listen for anyone who can relate to a woman quietly accepting the pain of lost love, or for those who wish to revisit youthful memories alongside the scenery of a harbor town.
YOUNG MAN (Y.M.C.A.)Saijō Hideki70rank/position
This is a song that delivers an energetic, uplifting message.
Aimed at young people, it gives them the courage to pursue their dreams.
Hideki Saijo’s powerful vocals resonate deeply with listeners.
Released in February 1979, it held the No.
1 spot on the Oricon charts for five consecutive weeks and became a massive hit, selling 1.808 million copies.
This work is perfect for those starting a new chapter in life or standing at a crossroads.
It’s also ideal for boosting motivation or getting pumped up with friends.
Saijo’s passionate, heartfelt singing is sure to lift your spirits.