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.
Playlist
| Showa Era Popular Artist Rankings [2026] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1 | ShipwreckNakamori Akina |  play_arrow | A classic song that poignantly portrays the sorrowful feelings of a woman who has lost her loved one |
| 2 | Blue Coral ReefMatsuda Seiko |  play_arrow | Seiko Matsuda’s classic summer love song |
| 3 | Be kind to othersTHE BLUE HEARTS |  play_arrow | Timeless masterpieces continue to be loved across generations. |
| 4 | Two People’s Summer Story – NEVER ENDING SUMMER –Sugiyama Kiyotaka & Omega Tribe |  play_arrow | A bittersweet love story by the summer seaside |
| 5 | MPRINCESS PRINCESS |  play_arrow | The heartrending ballad that chronicles the pain of heartbreak is abou... |
| 6 | Do whatever the hell you want.sawada kenji |  play_arrow | Kenji Sawada's heartbreak ballad smash hit |
| 7 | I can’t stop this sadnessAnri |  play_arrow | A shite actor who was active from the late Showa period to the early Heisei era… |
| 8 | First loveMurashita Kōzō |  play_arrow | Kozo Murashita’s “Hatsukoi” is easy to sing within a narrow vocal range. |
| 9 | Dancing HeroOginome Yōko |  play_arrow | A classic of 80s disco-pop is back in the spotlight |
| 10 | stationTakeuchi Mariya |  play_arrow | Reunion at the station, the bittersweet pain of a past love |
| 11 | Playback Part 2Yamaguchi Momoe |  | The successor to Momoe Yamaguchi, the songstress who epitomized the Showa era... |
| 12 | Graduationsaitou yuki |  play_arrow | Yuki Saito’s debut song, a youth anthem |
| 13 | Wine Red Heartanzenchitai |  play_arrow | Anzen Chitai’s adult love song |
| 14 | Ruby RingTerao Akira |  play_arrow | Akira Terao’s biggest hit song, “Ruby no Yubiwa” (Ruby Ring) |
| 15 | Lullaby of a Serrated HeartChekkāzu |  play_arrow | The Checkers’ debut song is popular right now. |
| 16 | Full of memoriesH₂O |  play_arrow | H2O’s signature youth-themed song, a graduation song |
| 17 | Goodbyeofukōsu |  play_arrow | Off Course, a classic folk song of a heartrending farewell |
| 18 | MarionetteBOØWY |  play_arrow | A classic by BOØWY—a masterpiece that encapsulates the allure of rock. |
| 19 | Chaco’s Seaside StorySazan Ōrusutāzu |  play_arrow | A classic by Southern that refreshingly sings of summer love |
| 20 | Paradise GalaxyHikaru GENJI |  play_arrow | Hikaru GENJI’s historic hit song(s) |
| 21 | Christmas EveYamashita Tatsuro |  play_arrow | Christmas Eve, a bittersweet love song |
| 22 | Distance of the Starry SkyTHE ALFEE |  play_arrow | Rooted in good old rock and folk songs… |
| 23 | Season in the SunTUBE |  play_arrow | TUBE, singing refreshingly about summer love and youth... |
| 24 | Roppongi HeartbreakAn Ruisu |  play_arrow | Ann Lewis's wistful love song about romance |
| 25 | Limit LoversSHOW-YA |  play_arrow | Expressing women's true feelings and emotions through heavy metal |
| 26 | Midnight Door ~ Stay With MeMatsubara Miki |  play_arrow | Miki Matsubara’s debut song, the masterpiece that thrilled the world |
| 27 | summer vacationyoshida takurou |  play_arrow | A folk rock piece depicting Takuro Yoshida’s summer memories |
| 28 | Cotton HandkerchiefŌta Hiromi |  play_arrow | A classic song that captures the heartache of a long-distance relationship |
| 29 | Friday ChinatownYasuha |  play_arrow | A classic gem of exotic charm from the Showa-era Chinatown |
| 30 | GLORIAZIGGY |  play_arrow | ZIGGY’s second single, a masterpiece that conveys the allure of rock |
| 31 | atonementTeresa Ten |  play_arrow | She was known as the “Diva of Asia” not only during her lifetime but also after her passing. |
| 32 | MasqueradeShonentai |  play_arrow | The emotions of Kamen Butokai and the charm of Shonentai |
| 33 | JUST ONE MORE KISSBUCK-TICK |  play_arrow | He drew attention with his look of hair spiked up high, and th… |
| 34 | MissingKubota Toshinobu |  play_arrow | Toshinobu Kubota’s heartrending ballad that sings of deep love. |
| 35 | youKozaka Akiko |  play_arrow | A masterpiece about unrequited love written by a high school student |
| 36 | Sinbad on the Shorepinku redii |  play_arrow | In the late 1970s, Japan’s disco boom… |
| 37 | Love is overŌyō Fifi |  play_arrow | Ouyang Fei Fei’s signature song, a heartbreaking love song about farewell |
| 38 | Sentimental ChristmasHamada Shogo |  play_arrow | Shogo Hamada’s winter masterpiece, a heartwarming singing voice |
| 39 | Close your eyes and come here.BARBEE BOYS |  play_arrow | When it comes to BARBEE BOYS’ signature works, it would have to be… |
| 40 | There’s always tomorrowSakamoto Kyu |  play_arrow | A classic song that sings of the clumsiness of youth and the hope it holds |
| 41 | Can’t Stop the RomanticC-C-B |  play_arrow | The quintessential hit song representing the ’80s is C-C-B’s da— |
| 42 | Embraced by the wintry windKoizumi Kyoko |  play_arrow | A wistful winter love song themed around unrequited love by Kyoko Koizumi |
| 43 | ambushIshikawa Hitomi |  play_arrow | A signature work by Hitomi Ishikawa that portrays the poignancy of unrequited love |
| 44 | DAY BREAKotoko |  play_arrow | The passionate debut song by Otokogumi sings of hope. |
| 45 | applausechiaki naomi |  play_arrow | The appeal of Naomi Chiaki’s signature songs and the classic hits of the Showa era |
| 46 | Lullaby of the Holy MothersIwasaki Hiromi |  play_arrow | Comparing the city to a battlefield, gently embracing the wounded warriors… |
| 47 | MUGO… so sexyKudō Shizuka |  play_arrow | Shizuka Kudo’s single that expresses feelings beyond words |
| 48 | Journey of the Heartchūrippu |  play_arrow | A bittersweet love song of departure, a timeless masterpiece that resonates with the heart |
| 49 | I LOVE YOUOzaki Yutaka |  play_arrow | A song with a straightforward and powerful message, and… |
| 50 | Sake, Tears, Men, and WomenKawashima Eigo |  play_arrow | A socially conscious masterpiece that depicts the feelings of men and women |
| 51 | younger boykyandīzu |  play_arrow | The pure emotions and allure of an age-gap romance |
| 52 | era; age; time; periodNakajima Miyuki |  play_arrow | Released in December 1975, this work... |
| 53 | The Last Holy NightSugiyama Kiyotaka |  play_arrow | Kiyotaka Sugiyama’s hit song used in multiple commercials |
| 54 | loveMatsuyama Chiharu |  play_arrow | This piece, known as one of Chiharu Matsuyama’s signature songs, is... |
| 55 | Love Song of LumMatsutani Yūko |  play_arrow | A classic song that sings of the bittersweet feelings of first love |
| 56 | FriendsREBECCA |  play_arrow | A classic song that sings of REBECCA’s youth, resonating in the heart |
| 57 | I’ll wait.amin |  play_arrow | Amin's debut single was a big hit. |
| 58 | Sonnet of the Clownsadamasashi |  play_arrow | A heartwarming song, one of Masashi Sada’s signature works |
| 59 | A Member of the Fire BrigadeRATS&STAR |  play_arrow | A love story that unfolds by the seaside in summer |
| 60 | Lingering Snowiruka |  play_arrow | Dolphin-san’s depiction of a farewell in the falling snow… |
| 61 | Light Blue RainYagami Junko |  play_arrow | Introducing classic songs by Junko Yagami, known for her translucent/clear singing voice |
| 62 | TouchIwasaki Yoshimi |  play_arrow | Showa-era classic hits are trending again on Instagram. |
| 63 | Until we meet againOzaki Kiyohiko |  play_arrow | This, known as one of Kiyohiko Ozaki’s signature songs… |
| 64 | White ChristmasJUN SKY WALKER(S) |  play_arrow | They boosted their profile through live performances on pedestrianized streets, and 19... |
| 65 | foreignerKUBOTA Saki |  play_arrow | The allure of Saki Kubota’s classic song “Ihōjin” (Stranger) |
| 66 | Two People’s Love IslandIshikawa Yuko & Chage |  play_arrow | Yuko Ishikawa and Chage’s classic song “Futari no Airando” (Our Love Island) |
| 67 | High-Teen BoogieKondō Masahiko |  play_arrow | A 1982 smash-hit classic that captures the brilliance of youth |
| 68 | Get WildTM NETWORK |  play_arrow | A sound that runs through the night, a song of adventure and challenge |
| 69 | The Day the Seagulls FlewWatanabe Machiko |  play_arrow | A Machiko Watanabe classic depicting heartbreak in a port town |
| 70 | YOUNG MAN (Y.M.C.A.)Saijō Hideki |  play_arrow | Hideki Saijo’s passionate singing gives young people the courage to pursue their dreams. |
| 71 | A street corner where even lovers get wetNakamura Masatoshi |  play_arrow | An adult love song set in Yokohama |
| 72 | You are in full color.Ohtaki Eiichi |  play_arrow | Eiichi Ohtaki’s classic: a bittersweet yearning for love |
| 73 | You are more beautiful than a rose.Fuse Akira |  play_arrow | A classic by Akira Fuse that praises the beauty of women |
| 74 | You’re 1000%1986 omega toraibu |  play_arrow | Omega Tribe's nostalgic classic songs are popular with a new generation |
| 75 | SOMEDAYSano Motoharu |  play_arrow | A classic song that sings of the brilliance and hope of youth, Motoharu Sano |
| 76 | Boat SongYashiro Aki |  play_arrow | Aki Yashiro's classic Showa-era ballads |
| 77 | Tsubpari High School Rock ’n’ Roll (Going-to-School Edition)Yokohama Ginbae |  play_arrow | Rebel youth rock, love that transcends generations |
| 78 | CHA-CHA-CHAIshii Akemi |  play_arrow | Akemi Ishii's debut single was a big hit |
| 79 | Summer HornsInagaki Junichi |  play_arrow | Released in 1983, this work is urban and so... |
| 80 | Lonely Tropical FishWink |  play_arrow | Wink, Panasonic commercial song, 1989 Oricon No. 1 |
| 81 | School HeavenFingā 5 |  play_arrow | A youth song expressing the bittersweetness of school life. |
| 82 | You’re Kiwi, Papaya, and Mango, aren’t you?Nakahara Meiko |  play_arrow | Masterpieces of Showa-era kayōkyoku: the origins of their distinctive titles and the background of their production |
| 83 | Crossing Amagi PassIshikawa Sayuri |  play_arrow | Released in 1986 and still to this day un… |
| 84 | Shake Hip!kome kome CLUB |  play_arrow | A hot Kome Kome Club hit of the summer |
| 85 | CheersNagabuchi Tsuyoshi |  play_arrow | A representative Japanese song that cheers on new beginnings in spring |
| 86 | heavy rainTHE MODS |  play_arrow | A classic that sings of burning passion, battered by the rain |
| 87 | huge nuisanceUNICORN |  play_arrow | Disbanded in 1993, and achieved a reunion in 2009… |
| 88 | Asakusa KidBīto Takeshi |  play_arrow | Set in a downtown neighborhood of the Showa era, it portrays youthful dreams and friendship... |
| 89 | My loverGorin Mayumi |  play_arrow | Beloved by many as a quintessential ballad of the Showa era… |
| 90 | bullseyeYamamoto Rinda |  play_arrow | Yamamoto Linda’s signature song is in the spotlight again. |
| 91 | Wax MuseumSeikima II |  play_arrow | Demon Kogure and Seikima-II’s terrifying classic, perfect for Halloween |
| 92 | Sailor Suit and Machine GunYakushimaru Hiroko |  play_arrow | Hiromi Yakushimaru's debut song is a big hit |
| 93 | 240 Million Eyes -Exotic Japan-Gō Hiromi |  play_arrow | A classic song by Hiromi Go that sings about the charms of Japan |
| 94 | ChampionArisu |  play_arrow | Alice's signature songs from the 1970s |
| 95 | I am the wind.Karumen Maki & OZ |  play_arrow | A witch-like singing voice shakes the heart |
| 96 | A café in a student districtGaro |  play_arrow | A nostalgic classic song about memories of a coffee shop |
| 97 | Rainy BlueTokunaga Hideaki |  play_arrow | A masterpiece that was Hideaki Tokunaga’s major-label debut song |
| 98 | SHOW MEMorikawa Yukari |  play_arrow | “Tanabata,” the classic song that changed the Showa era’s view of romance |
| 99 | Unstoppable ha~haYazawa Eikichi |  play_arrow | Eikichi Yazawa's powerful rock song |
| 100 | My lover is Santa ClausMatsutōya Yumi |  play_arrow | Spend time with a loved one with Christmas songs |