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.

Playlist

Autumn songs from the Showa era: A collection of classic masterpieces that colored the J-POP scene
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Autumn Full StopArisu		A bittersweet love story at the end of summer
2	Septemberchūrippu		Tulips’ feelings from summer to autumn
3	I want to go back to that dayMatsutōya Yumi		Yuming's signature song, a Showa-era autumn tune
4	Lavender LipsKawai Naoko		Talking about the music and charm of Naoko Kawai
5	cosmos (flower)Yamaguchi Momoe		Feelings of Cosmos, Momoe Yamaguchi’s autumn masterpiece
6	In the Season of Cobaltsawada kenji		Kenji Sawada’s autumn classic, “The Cobalt Season.”
7	Tales of Fallen LeavesZa Taigāsu		A classic of autumn, a bittersweet love story
8	AutumnAran Tomoko		Tomoko Aran’s wistful autumn musical world
9	A City Turning ColorsMinami Saori		Saori Minami’s classic “Blue Dead Leaves”: the wistfulness of autumn and a girl’s heart
10	White cosmosKoizumi Kyoko		Pure feelings of love layered onto white cosmos flowers
11	Stranger in SeptemberTokunaga Hideaki		Hideaki Tokunaga's classic that sings of autumn melancholy
12	The Door of Autumnhigurashi		A song that quietly accepts the sadness of autumn and the end of a love
13	A withered-leaf-colored smileMoriguchi Hiroko		Hiroko Moriguchi’s autumn classic that sings of a maiden’s heart
14	The blue sky in OctoberMorikawa Miho		A classic song that evokes the poignancy of farewell beneath the clear autumn sky
15	Sunset HillYujiro Ishihara · Ruriko Asaoka		A poignant travel-themed song by Yujiro Ishihara and Ruriko Asaoka
16	Signs of autumnofukōsu		Off Course’s “Autumn Song” portrays a breakup with a soothing melody.
17	Burning Autumnhaifaisetto		An autumn classic, a beautiful melody that resonates in the heart
18	Autumn has a pastel touchNakamori Akina		Composed by Masayoshi Takanaka, an exquisite track performed with Akina
19	SeptemberTakeuchi Mariya		A timeless song that resonates on a long autumn night, an autumn breeze in the heart.
20	The Wind RisesMatsuda Seiko		Seiko Matsuda’s classic autumn song—fresh yet heartrending.
21	Autumn afternoonMinami Saori		A timeless song that touches the heart on an autumn afternoon
22	Late Summer (A Season for One)Arai Yumi		The end of love layered over the seasons’ scenery
23	Cosmos Highwaykaryūdō		Recollections of love wrapped in the autumn breeze
24	Departing AutumnMatsutōya Yumi		A classic from the young Yumi Matsutoya that delicately depicts an autumn scene
25	It’s almost September.Kawai Naoko		A bittersweet summer masterpiece by an idol composer
26	Moonlit Night over the Great Tone RiverTabata Yoshio		A melancholy song that lets the mind wander to the autumn moon
27	MissingKubota Toshinobu		Toshinobu Kubota’s heartrending ballad that sings of deep love.
28	The Koshu Highway is already in autumn.RC sakuseshon		A classic song by RC Succession about the Kōshū Highway in autumn
29	Lovers’ PavementArufī		A classic song that sings of warm love for a lover.
30	My loverGorin Mayumi		Mayumi Itsuwa’s classic that infuses sorrow into song
31	Autumn’s Pensive GazeItō Maiko		A bittersweet autumn love song that resonates in the heart
32	Autumn-colored townKunizane Yuri		A poignant song that reflects autumn scenery—the masterpiece by Yuri Kunimi.
33	Your eyes are 10,000 voltsHoriuchi Takao		An autumn classic that praises a beautiful woman
34	Photo Mail for OctoberIwasaki Yoshimi		A classic song that sings of autumn scenery and love.
35	The wind is autumn-colored.Matsuda Seiko		Seiko Matsuda’s classic song “Cosmos”: The Beginning of a Legend
36	Summer Time from AutumnNitō Yūko		A heartwarming classic that sings of autumn scenery
37	Look up at the stars in the nightSakamoto Kyu		Sakamoto Kyu’s “Ue o Muite Arukou,” a masterpiece perfect for listening to in autumn
38	Embraced by the wintry windKoizumi Kyoko		A bittersweet unrequited-love song, a masterpiece perfect for long autumn nights
39	Autumn wind is you.Shimura Kaori		An autumn masterpiece: Kaori Shimura’s unforgettable song
40	A deserted seaToa e moa		A song of loneliness and hope by the sea at summer’s end
41	Before winter comeskami fuusen		A classic autumn song by Kamifusen that sings of a poignant, wistful love.
42	autumn and winterMizue Takada		The bittersweet hit song “Autumn–Winter” by idol Mizue Takada
43	YES-YES-YESofukōsu		A masterpiece like Off Course’s “Autumn Wind”
44	Ya Ya (I Won’t Forget That Time)Sazan Ōrusutāzu		A classic ballad that evokes youth with a crystal-clear singing voice
45	Sumire September Loveippūdō		Ippudo’s classic song, Singing of Autumn Love
46	In September,Itō Tsukasa		Tsukasa Ito’s autumn classic that resonates with the heart.
47	The pavement in a cold wintry windtenchi mari		A famous song by Mari Amachi that exudes a mature atmosphere
48	Sophia in NovemberOkamoto Maiko		A timeless song that colors autumn youth and resonates with the heart
49	Mermaid of OctoberOkada Yukiko		Yukiko Okada’s dreamy autumn song
50	Adolescence (with an autumnal/reflective nuance)Iwasaki Hiromi		Hiromi Iwasaki’s classic song that sings of adolescence and autumn emotions
51	Twilight BlueKawai Naoko		A song about autumn scenery and a heart-wrenching love.
52	If you board the autumn-clothes boatWatanabe Marina		A classic song that portrays love in an autumn park
53	Autumnotoko		A melancholic masterpiece: Otokogumi’s autumn ballad
54	Autumn is burningIshikawa Hitomi		Hitomi Ishikawa’s classic song, a bittersweet autumn love ballad.
55	Melancholy CasablancaGō Hiromi		A melancholic song portraying the end of a bittersweet love
56	Traveler of OctoberTakai Mamiko		A moving ballad that sings of autumn loneliness
57	September RainŌta Hiromi		Hiromi Ohta’s classic, depicting an autumn scene
58	October StormNakamori Akina		Akina Nakamori’s classic resounding on an autumn night.
59	Autumn breeze in a puzzle gameKojima Misan		A masterpiece that portrays the end of autumn and the poignancy of love
60	Stay by my side even after autumnMinamino Yoko		Minamino Yoko’s autumn song is popular on a color CD.
61	Love, my deepest apologies for troubling you when you are so busy.Harayuko		Southern All Stars’ Haruyoshi’s autumn classic, an eternal masterpiece
62	Christmas in OctoberAsaka Yui		Autumn Love Song, a classic by Yui Asaka
63	The smell of September rainIijima Mari		A masterpiece that expresses an autumn scene: Rain and Sentiment
64	Street-corner TwilightShaneruzu		A popular music group in doo-wop
65	late autumnkuwata yasuko		Yasuko Kuwata’s autumn song dyes the heart.