[Recommended for people in their 70s] Songs that really move you. Beloved classic Japanese hits of the past.

a red handkerchiefIshihara Yūjirō

Red Handkerchief: Yujiro Ishihara

This is a narrative song that gently portrays the spring scenery of Japan’s northern country.

Against a backdrop of blooming acacia flowers, Yujiro Ishihara’s voice, depicting a bittersweet parting in love, leaves a deep, lingering resonance that touches the heart.

Released by Teichiku Records in October 1962, the work created a major buzz at the time.

In January 1964, it was also used as the theme song for a film of the same name starring Yujiro Ishihara, captivating many audiences alongside the movie.

Why not hum along and relive fond memories together? You’re sure to spend a lovely time as you recall days gone by.

Please enjoy a relaxing moment immersed in music under the gentle spring sunshine.

Blue MountainsFujiyama Ichirō

[With Large Lyrics] Blue Mountain Range [Recreation]

The celebrated song, which beautifully depicts postwar hope and the breath of a new era, was performed by Ichirō Fujiyama and Mitsue Nara as the theme for a film of the same name released in 1949.

Along with the splendor of nature, it warmly portrays young people forging a bright future, like flowers that bloom after enduring a harsh winter.

For those who lived in the years immediately following the war, it is surely a piece filled with memories.

Beloved across generations, it was chosen as No.

1 in NHK’s 1989 program “Songs of the Showa Era: 200 Unforgettable Songs.” Its beautiful melody, infused with elements of classical music, and its heartwarming lyrics are sure to evoke fond recollections of days gone by.

Lonely-for-Company TavernMiyama Hiroshi

Lonely-for-Company Tavern

Hiroshi Miyama’s “Hitokoi Sakaba” is a medium-tempo ballad steeped in both heartache and hope.

It’s a masterpiece that gently sings of a woman’s feelings as she visits a bar, carrying her loneliness.

Released as his debut single in 2009, it became a major hit and was certified Gold in 2010.

The yearning for human connection and the feelings for someone you long to see but cannot meet quietly resonate in the heart.

It’s a song I especially recommend to those who can relate to cherishing someone or to the transience of life.

On a leisurely evening, why not let yourself be wrapped in a voice that stays close to your heart?

City LightsSakai Masaaki

City Lights

“Machi no Akari” (City Lights) is a medium-tempo ballad released by Masakazu Sakai in 1973.

Akuyu’s delicate lyrics and Keisuke Hama’s melody blend beautifully, making it a classic that resonates with listeners.

The lyrics are striking for the way they evoke loneliness while hinting at new encounters and the budding of love.

Sakai’s clear, expansive vocals further enhance the song’s appeal.

It’s a track from the period when, after his time with The Spiders, he was beginning to flourish as a solo artist—one that helped color the music scene of the time.

The song brings back fond memories and reminds us of the importance of human connection.

It’s also a great pick for karaoke.

The Camellia Sasanqua InnŌkawa Eisaku

The Camellia Sasanqua Inn

Eisaku Okawa’s “Sazanka no Yado” is a classic that poignantly depicts a bittersweet love.

The forbidden love, likened to the winter flower sazanka (sasanqua), is sung with rich emotion.

Released in 1982, the song became one of Okawa’s signature works and captured the hearts of many.

The lyrics, beginning with the image of a woman wiping a fogged-up window, brilliantly express the anguish of unrequited love.

You can feel the emotions swaying between deep affection and resignation, prompting an involuntary sense of empathy.

It’s a song I’d especially recommend to older listeners with a wealth of life experience—one that resonates deeply and can inspire reflection on life alongside fond memories.

cherry blossom frontKoyanagi Rumiko

Cherry Blossom Front by Rumiko Koyanagi

Sakura Zensen is a classic song heralding spring, released in 1976 by Rumiko Koyanagi.

Its lyrics delicately portray scenes from a journey across Japan and the shifting of the heart, blending with a gentle, bittersweet melody that resonates deeply.

Feelings for what has been lost and anticipation for a new season intertwine, expressed through Koyanagi’s warm vocals that offer comfort to listeners.

It’s a song that gives you the courage to take a new step with the arrival of spring.

While it’s perfect for the cherry blossom season, it will also be a strong companion when you want to bask in nostalgia or make a fresh start.

Until we meet againOzaki Kiyohiko

Mata Au Himade

Kiyohiko Ozaki’s “Mata Au Hi Made” is a classic released in 1971.

Its lyrics, depicting a man and woman who have resolved to part ways, quietly seep into the heart.

The phrase “until the day we meet again” carries a wish for a parting without hurting each other, evoking a mature kind of romance.

It’s also appealing for expressing values that were unusual at the time.

The song has been widely loved, even being chosen as the entrance march for the National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament.

Filled with nostalgia, it’s a piece that resonates with older listeners who have overcome farewells with loved ones.

Sing it at karaoke, and tears may flow naturally.