[Nostalgic Commercials] A compilation of commercials that aired in the Showa era
TV commercials vary by era, and when you see them again after a long time, many of them feel nostalgic, don’t they?
In particular, from the 1970s to the 1980s—the latter part of the Showa era—many distinctive commercials were aired.
Catchphrases used in those ads were chosen as buzzwords, and songs featured in them became huge hits, making quite the splash in various ways.
In this article, we’ll introduce a whole collection of those nostalgic commercials from the Showa period.
They range widely from spots with a completely different flavor than today’s commercials to ones that have become enduring classics even now, so please take your time and enjoy.
- Catchy Showa-era commercial jingles. Introducing famous songs recently featured in commercials, too!
- [Funny Commercials] Hilarious! Memorable Ads
- Commercial songs from the 70s. Nostalgic TV commercial jingles.
- Catchy commercial jingles. A roundup of those songs grabbing attention in ads!
- Unforgettable! Memorable commercial jingles. Popular commercial songs.
- [Kansai Region Local] A compilation of local commercials broadcast in Kansai
- [From timeless classics to the latest hits] A roundup of catchy commercial songs
- Compilation of candy commercials: from the latest to nostalgic ones
- Nostalgic commercials from the 2000s: revisiting ads that left a lasting impression
- A must-see for people in their 30s and 40s! A roundup of nostalgic 1990s commercial jingles
- Funny commercial song. Popular funny commercial songs.
- Shampoo commercials: A roundup of popular products’ ads from each manufacturer
- [I want to hear it again!] Songs from Suntory commercials. Popular commercial jingles
[Nostalgic Commercials] Compilation of commercials aired in the Showa era (31–40)
Nissin Yakisoba U.F.O.
This is a commercial for Nissin Foods’ Cup Yakisoba UFO that aired in 1978.
Pink Lady appears, singing and dancing.
It seems to be a collaboration connected to Pink Lady’s 1977 single “UFO.” They sing and dance on top of the Cup Yakisoba UFO.
The sound effects and the space-themed background really give it a vintage feel.
SONY Walkman “Monkey’s Meditation”
Sony’s Walkman is a product that has continued to be loved, even as its form has changed.
This is a commercial for a cassette-tape Walkman that aired in 1987.
The image of a Japanese macaque pressing earphones to its ears and carefully holding the Walkman with both hands while listening intently to music is very striking, and it was a hot topic at the time.
The slight blinking and other subtle movements make it feel as if it’s truly absorbed in the music.
Kanebo IF-G
This commercial for Kanebo Cosmetics’ “If” features Akira Fuse’s signature song “You Are More Beautiful Than a Rose.” The woman leaning against a tree holding flowers and gazing intently at us is the British actress Olivia Hussey.
Her beauty is overwhelming—she’s a picture just by looking.
The tagline even tweaks the song title a bit.
She’s truly so beautiful that roses don’t even compare.
Even the casual gesture of plucking a single petal, like in a flower fortune-telling game, is lovely.
Seeing this makes you feel that if you use this cosmetics line, you might become as beautiful as Olivia, which really stirs the desire to buy.
Kikkoman Ponzu Soy Sauce
A Kikkoman ponzu soy sauce commercial that aired in 1986.
In the ad, Sanma Akashiya promotes ponzu soy sauce while singing, and the commercial became so popular that the song was even released on CD.
Even those whose memories of that time aren’t very clear might still remember this phrase, right? A remade soy sauce commercial aired in 2009.
Hatoya Hotel
This is a commercial for the HATOYA Hotel, headquartered in Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture.
It gained nationwide attention with the catchy phrase “If you’re going to Ito, go to Hatoya,” set to a light, upbeat sound.
The ad repeatedly highlights the phone number, and it’s memorable that the Hatoya hotels in Tokyo and Osaka share the same last digits as the one in Ito.
The layered chorus creates a fun atmosphere that strongly underscores Hatoya’s desire for guests to simply enjoy their travels.
While the song is the focus of the commercial, the detailed narration explaining the hotel’s appeal also conveys a sense of reassurance.
[Nostalgic Commercials] A Compilation of TV Ads from the Showa Era (41–50)
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Oronamin C “Lively and Full of Energy!”
This is a commercial for Otsuka Pharmaceutical’s Oronamin C, known for the “Genki Hatsuratsu” catchphrase, which aired in the early 1980s.
It turns out they had been collaborating with the Yomiuri Giants since back then.
It’s a nostalgic ad that feels like a cheer for working people and office workers, with six players, not in uniforms but in suits, sprinting through the gaps between buildings.
Many of you may also remember Kon Omura’s closing line: “Oronamin C is a little giant.”
Ryukakusan: When you hear a cough, think Ryukakusan.
This is a commercial for Ryukakusan, famous for its catchphrase, “When you cough—Ryukakusan.” It features the stage prompter (kuroko) as the main character, feeding lines from the wings to an actor performing on stage.
While smoothly guiding the dialogue with the script in hand, the prompter suddenly coughs—“ahem”—and asks someone nearby for Ryukakusan.
The actor on stage mistakes even this exchange—from the cough to the request for Ryukakusan—for part of the script and says it out loud! Watching the prompter’s shifting expressions of “Oh no, I messed up…” is irresistibly chuckle-worthy.
This commercial even won the Grand Prix at the ACC CM Festival!