Autumn songs from the Showa era: A collection of classic masterpieces that colored the J-POP scene
On a somewhat wistful autumn evening, standing by the window and watching the sunset, it’s the season when you feel like listening to nostalgic Showa-era pop songs.
As the maples and ginkgoes turn color, a trove of gem-like autumn classics soothes the heart.
Songs of autumn we heard as children reveal a strangely different expression when we listen to them now as adults.
In this article, we’ll introduce beloved autumn-themed masterpieces from the Showa period, along with numbers that evoke an autumnal mood.
Whether you’re reminiscing about your youth or discovering them for the first time, please enjoy the wonderful world of song.
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Autumn songs of the Showa era: A collection of classic masterpieces that colored the J-POP scene (41–50)
Before winter comeskami fuusen
Kami Fusen is a folk duo formed in 1974 that has been active for a long time.
Their biggest hit, “Before Winter Comes,” is surely one of the quintessential autumn songs of the Showa era.
The lyrics, written from a woman’s perspective, express her wish to reconcile with the lover she parted with at summer’s end before winter arrives.
The image of her unable to forget her former lover, spending time alone in autumn scenery while recalling traces of the summer they shared, is deeply moving.
Their beautiful vocals, in contrast to the sorrowful lyrics, heighten the sense of poignancy even further.
autumn and winterMizue Takada
Singer Mizue Takada, who debuted as an idol after becoming the 18th Grand Champion on the audition show “You Are the Star!”, is known for her 22nd single “Shūtō” (Autumn/Winter), a cover song that has been performed by various artists throughout the 1980s.
The lyrics, which depict a lover’s changing emotions along with the shifting seasons, grow more poignant as time moves from autumn into winter.
It’s a wistful number whose melancholic vocals and ensemble stir the heart.
YES-YES-YESofukōsu
“YES-YES-YES,” a 1982 song by the folk group Off Course, in which Kazumasa Oda was a member.
Its melody is striking—at times like an autumn wind that blows through with bittersweet chill, and at times like a gust that sweeps briskly by.
The lyrics unfold like a proposal, with words that say “I want us to stay together forever,” and a sense of waiting for the reply.
Autumn scenery is beautiful anywhere, and above all, life is joyful as long as we’re together—hearing those words, would I take that hand or not…? It’s a song that lets you listen as if you were the story’s protagonist.
Ya Ya (I Won’t Forget That Time)Sazan Ōrusutāzu
This work is marked by Keisuke Kuwata’s crystal-clear vocals, as transparent as a crisp autumn sky.
Released as a single in October 1982, it is known as one of Southern All Stars’ classic ballads.
The lyrics, filled with Kuwata’s memories from his student days, evoke a poignant sadness that resonates deeply with listeners.
Also used in a Mazda MPV commercial, this song is perfect for a long autumn night.
It’s recommended for those who fondly recall the youthful days spent with someone special.
As you feel time flow gently, why not let your thoughts drift back to who you were back then?
Sumire September Loveippūdō
An immortal classic by Ippu-Do that became a huge hit twice thanks to SHAZNA’s cover.
Looking back, it’s amazing how such powerhouse members came together in one band—Masami Tsuchiya on guitar and vocals, Akira Mitake on keyboards, and Shoji Fujii on drums.
The lyrics flip the familiar idea that “summer romances end in autumn” on its head, inviting you to savor an “autumn romance.” I also love the sparkling, urbane words—like cinema and Manhattan—that evoke a cosmopolitan vibe.
The sound, which could be taken as either Western or Japanese, is quintessential Masami Tsuchiya, a man who knows the world inside out.
I bet many elementary school kids learned that “September” means the ninth month from this song.
It’s the nostalgic tune that first comes to mind when I think of September.
In September,Itō Tsukasa
An autumn classic by Tsukasa Ito, whose pure, translucent voice and melodic style resonate deeply with the heart.
Included on the album “Crescendo,” released in May 1984, this work remains beloved as a representative song of 1980s city pop.
Produced by Akira Inoue and featuring contributions from renowned musicians such as Tetsuji Hayashi and Tsugutoshi Goto, it is also well known for its stellar lineup.
The lyrics evoke tender memories of youth and the changing seasons, making it a perfect listen for long autumn nights.
Highly recommended for those who want to indulge in a nostalgic mood.
The pavement in a cold wintry windtenchi mari
Here is a song composed by Mr.
Morita of Morita Koichi and Top Gallant, who had a massive hit with “Seishun Jidai.” Released in 1974, it exudes a more mature vibe for Mari Amachi, who had previously been known for many songs with a girlish image.
Although it didn’t become a major hit, it could be considered a turning point that helped shape her next image.
Mari Amachi’s clear, pure voice matches perfectly with the theme of parting in the lyrics, beautifully evoking the loneliness and melancholy of autumn.
Sophia in NovemberOkamoto Maiko
A timeless song whose autumn tones resonate in the heart, where tenderness and bittersweet sorrow live side by side.
With Maiko Okamoto’s clear, transparent voice, memories of youth come rushing back.
Released in November 1985, this work beautifully blends Yasushi Akimoto’s poetic lyrics with Kisaburō Suzuki’s lovely melody.
This ballad depicting a student-days romance perfectly captures the loneliness of November and a longing for days gone by.
Vivid scenes—like the student avenue at dusk and the tolling of a chapel bell—leave a strong impression.
A perfect song for those who’ve experienced parting from someone dear, or for anyone seeking to soothe their heart on a long autumn night.
Mermaid of OctoberOkada Yukiko
A fantastical and romantic worldview that resonates in the autumn dusk.
Yukiko Okada’s “October Mermaid” is a track included on the album of the same name, released in September 1985.
Marked by Masataka Matsutoya’s meticulous arrangement and ethereal melodies, it’s a refined song with a City Pop sensibility.
It paints the image of a silver-haired mermaid swaying on the waves beneath a blue moonlit sea, with the mermaid’s lovesick longing expressed through a clear, translucent vocal.
This work symbolizes Okada’s musical growth and purity.
It’s a piece you’ll want to enjoy on a long autumn night, in an unhurried mood.
Adolescence (with an autumnal/reflective nuance)Iwasaki Hiromi
A hit song by Hiromi Iwasaki, a singer who shines across a wide range from city pop to ballads.
The lyrics by the songwriter Yu Aku are a highlight, playing cleverly with the words shishunki (adolescence) and shiuuki (autumn years).
The composition is by the legendary Takashi Miki.
There’s even an anecdote that when Iwasaki was 18, her first recording session had to be halted because she became so emotionally immersed in the song’s world that she couldn’t stop crying.
The lyrics gently yet poignantly reflect on love and youth that come to mind in autumn.
Although it was released in 1999, it feels timeless.