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

Tsugaru Strait – Winter SceneIshikawa Sayuri

Tsugaru Strait – Winter Scene

Sayuri Ishikawa’s soul-stirring song “Tsugaru Strait—Winter Scene” is a classic released in 1977.

Captivating listeners and never letting go, it’s marked by lyrics that depict a winter journey and aching emotions.

Its moving melody seems to mirror winter’s scenery itself, leaving a deep imprint on those who hear it.

Loved across generations, its charm is quiet yet powerful—like falling snow.

Follow the wake of the Seikan ferry and let yourself be swept up in its heartfelt emotion.

Tokyo Boogie-WoogieKasaogi Shizuko

Tokyo Boogie-Woogie

Tokyo Boogie-Woogie has been loved for generations.

Ever since Shizuko Kasagi released it in 1948, its lively melody and rhythm have captivated people’s hearts.

Its charm lives on today—FC Tokyo supporters even sing it at matches.

With a cross-generational familiarity, it evokes nostalgic scenes of Japan not only for those in their seventies but for people of all ages.

Perfect for gymnastics or dance as well, this song brings smiles and fills any moment with energy.

tea pickingMonbushō shōka

Tea Picking | With Lyrics | Ministry of Education Song | One Hundred Japanese Songs | The 88th Night as Summer Approaches

We present a piece that beautifully portrays the charm of Japan’s four seasons.

This classic song richly depicts the tea-picking scene from Hachijūhachi-ya into early summer.

As the tranquil weather continues, you can picture people wearing vermilion sashes and sedge hats, diligently picking tea to the warmth of heartfelt singing.

Included in 1912 in “Elementary School Songs for the Third Grade,” it conveys the lifestyle of the time and the changing seasons to the present day.

Please listen with a relaxed mind as you recall nostalgic landscapes.

It may also spark fond memories and lively conversations with family and friends.

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.

Sake, Tears, Men, and WomenKawashima Eigo

Eigo Kawashima – Sake, Tears, Men and Women

Eigo Kawashima’s “Sake, Tears, Men and Women” is a masterpiece that portrays the sorrows of life.

It skillfully expresses the differences between men’s and women’s emotions, featuring lyrics and a melody that resonate deeply.

Released in 1975, it was also used in a commercial song for the sake brand Kizakura.

Covered by many artists, the song has a universal appeal.

It’s a perfect track for older listeners to reminisce about their youth, and it’s also great for karaoke.

Why not listen to it leisurely along with your memories? You’re sure to spend a touching, heartfelt time.

From the northern innMiyako Harumi

Harumi Miyako / From the Northern Inn [Live Footage]

Harumi Miyako’s “Kita no Yado Kara” is a masterpiece among masterpieces, released in 1975.

Akuyu’s heartfelt lyrics and Asei Kobayashi’s beautiful melody harmonize perfectly.

The loneliness of the northern regions and the bittersweetness of love are conveyed through Miyako’s powerful vocals, moving the listener’s heart.

The lyrics depicting a woman knitting a sweater, her solitude and lingering feelings, resonated with many people.

It’s also a popular karaoke song, so it’s great to sing and enjoy with friends and family.

I also recommend listening to it alone on a quiet night and immersing yourself in nostalgic memories.

I’m appearing under my former name.Kobayashi Akira

Appearing under my former name: Akira Kobayashi

A classic released by Akira Kobayashi in 1975.

The poignant lyrics, portraying the feelings of a woman working at a snack bar, really resonate.

You can’t help but be drawn to the way he delivers it with rich emotion in his distinctive “Akira-bushi” style.

Although it didn’t attract much attention at first, steady efforts by Kobayashi turned it into a longseller two years later.

It became a massive hit, selling over two million copies in total, and he performed it at the NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen for the first time in 1977.

A song that echoes in the heart along with fond memories.

Why not take your time and listen to it with someone special?