[2026] Recommended karaoke songs for women in their 70s: from enka to Showa-era pop

I’m falling in love with you againSakamoto Fuyumi

Fuyumi Sakamoto – I'm Falling in Love with You Again

A gem of a song where nostalgia and freshness intertwine.

Fuyumi Sakamoto’s voice gently embraces the timeless depth of love.

Released in January 2009, this track reached No.

3 on the Oricon weekly chart.

It was also featured on NHK Radio 1’s “Radio Shinyabin” as the “Song of Shinyabin,” touching the hearts of many listeners.

Vivid images of nature—morning dew, light, flowers, and rainbows—beautifully express the maturation of romantic feelings.

Why not sing it slowly, keeping memories of your loved one close to your heart? It will surely become a special moment that sinks deeply into your soul.

From the northern innMiyako Harumi

Harumi Miyako / From the Northern Inn [Live Footage]

Harumi Miyako’s “Kita no Yado kara” is a masterpiece that stirs the hearts of enka fans! Since its release in 1975, it has been a particularly memorable song for women in their seventies.

The piece blends the delicate lyrics of Yū Aku with the soul-stirring melody by Asei Kobayashi.

Harumi Miyako’s powerful yet warm voice movingly conveys the loneliness of the north and the lingering regrets of love.

It’s a timeless work that lets you fully savor the essence of karaoke.

May it bring back memories of those days and warm your heart.

My castle townKoyanagi Rumiko

Rumiko Koyanagi – My Castle Town (1971)

It’s the debut song of Rumiko Koyanagi, often described as “Wakon Yōsai,” where the refinement of Western music is blended with Japanese sentiment.

She sings tenderly of scenes that bring back memories—an old castle town at dusk, the nostalgic view through lattice doors, and a faint, hidden love stirring in the heart.

Released in April 1971, the song won the Japan Record Award for Best New Artist and found widespread affection in step with the national railway’s “Discover Japan” campaign.

It is also included on the album “My Twelve Songs – A Collection of Japanese Lyric Songs.” It’s the perfect piece for those moments when you want to drift back to days gone by and savor a song at an unhurried pace.

Its gentle melody is sure to be comfortable to sing.

Life won’t give (it) to me / Unyielding lifeSegawa Eiko

Eiko Segawa - Inochi Kurenai - Enka Hyakusen

Eiko Segawa’s signature song “Inochi Kurenai,” which conveys the enduring appeal of enka, captured people’s hearts after its 1986 release and sold a total of 1.7 million copies.

At the core of its impact are lyrics that portray a couple’s journey—happy yet sometimes harsh.

This piece, while evoking nostalgia especially among women in their 70s, still resonates freshly today.

Sing it at karaoke, and you can convey the importance of family bonds not only to your peers but also to younger listeners.

Pink sighTakahashi Mariko

Pink sigh

A song with an exotic vibe that evokes the Mediterranean, highlighted by Mariko Takahashi’s standout vocals.

The seductive, mature lyrics convey a sense of adult romance, depicting love and a passionate relationship that resonates deeply with listeners.

Released in May 1984, the track was used in a Mikki Camelia Diamond commercial and became a major hit, selling approximately 368,000 copies according to Oricon.

With its easy-to-sing melody, it remains a popular choice for karaoke.

Why not sing it at a relaxed pace while reminiscing about your own love memories?

Hello, baby.Azusa Michiyo

Hello, baby.

A gently sung piece overflowing with boundless love for a baby, Michiyo Azusa’s crystalline voice sinks deep into the heart.

Its warm melody celebrating the birth of new life harmonizes beautifully with tender lyrics that express a mother’s profound love.

Released in 1963, the song won the 5th Japan Record Award that same year.

It became a massive hit, selling over 1.2 million copies, and went on to become one of Azusa’s signature songs.

Loved across generations, this work brings a sense of calm and is cherished by many older listeners as well.

With its easy-to-sing melody and bright atmosphere, it remains a popular choice for karaoke.

A Doll’s HouseHirota Mieko

A Doll's House

Known as a classic that colored the Showa era, this song beautifully portrays the sorrow of a woman who lived for love and her lost love, likening it to a dust-covered doll.

Mieko Hirota’s powerful voice and vocal skill exquisitely convey the heartache and emptiness.

Released in October 1969, it reached No.

1 on the Oricon chart and won the Vocal Performance Award at the 11th Japan Record Awards.

It has been featured in many popular manga and anime, and is loved by a wide range of generations.

It’s a perfect song for seniors to hum while reminiscing about the past.

Sing it together with peers at karaoke, and it will surely spark a flood of memories.