[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] A Compilation of TV Ads from the Showa Era (41–50)
Sapporo Beer
This is a Sapporo Beer commercial that portrays someone quietly facing their beer without unnecessary words.
The phrase “Men should be silent and drink Sapporo Beer” conveys the company’s desire for people to simply taste it first.
Toshiro Mifune’s expressions are another highlight, communicating the beer’s deliciousness as his face turns into a smile while savoring Sapporo.
The way the bottle is opened, the beer is poured, and even the typography together express a sense of boldness throughout the ad.
The moment he blows away the foam clinging to his lips comically conveys a flavor you can get completely absorbed in.
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.
Meiji Chelsea
Meiji’s candy “Chelsea,” inspired by Scottish sweets, is known for its striking floral illustrations in pink and green on a black background.
The familiar song from the Chelsea commercials is called “Chelsea no Uta,” and it was first performed by the female duo Simons.
It was later sung by various artists, including Saori Minami and Junko Yagami, and in the 1985 commercial broadcast, Agnes Chan provided the vocals.
The line spoken by a foreign girl appearing in the commercials aired during the Showa era—“Anata ni mo Chelsea agetai” (“I want to give you Chelsea, too”)—became a major talking point at the time.
House Foods Kukure Curry
This is a commercial that showcases the appeal of House Foods’ “Curry Kukure” set to a light, catchy tune.
The phrase “Osechi is good, but curry is nice too” drew attention, highlighting both the delicious taste and convenience that can be enjoyed even during the New Year holiday.
It’s not only a message for those who are tired of traditional osechi dishes, but also advice for people who don’t have time to cook.
The comical scene of a jubako (layered bento box) filled with Curry Kukure also conveys a sense of tasty familiarity that brings a smile.
Mitsubishi Hi-Fi Video
This is the track used in a 1987 commercial for MITSUBISHI Hi-Fi Video.
It became a hot topic because Madonna, who was at the peak of global popularity, was hired as the image character.
The way Madonna casually appeared in the commercial gives the impression of a symbol of wealthy Japan during the bubble era.
This song was later used as an insert track for the TV drama “Shasho Taeko.”
Sato Pharmaceutical Yunker: “Do your best with Yunkerumba.”
This is a commercial for Sato Pharmaceutical’s Yunker Kotei-eki that aired in 1988.
When you think of Yunker commercials, you think of Tamori, who has served as the long-time face of the brand.
In it, Tamori trains a sea lion to do tricks while striking the same poses himself.
Both Tamori and the sea lion are adorable (lol).
The original jingle is kind of laid-back, and it really sticks in your head.
Coca-Cola Japan
This is a Coca-Cola commercial from 1983.
The song “SING A SONG” is by Chiharu Matsuyama, who also appears in the ad.
He was a hugely popular young folk singer at the time and rarely appeared on TV, so his appearance in a commercial drew a lot of attention.
The contrast between his gentle, clean-toned singing voice and his masculine, freewheeling talk was captivating.
The catchphrase, “I’m a Coke guy,” perfectly captures his persona.