[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
- 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
- Funny commercial song. Popular funny commercial songs.
- Commercial songs from the 70s. Nostalgic TV commercial jingles.
- Shampoo commercials: A roundup of popular products’ ads from each manufacturer
- [I want to hear it again!] Songs from Suntory commercials. Popular commercial jingles
- Commercials by Coca-Cola Japan: A collection of ads for popular products like Coke and I LOHAS.
Nostalgic Commercials: A Compilation of TV Ads from the Showa Era (51–60)
Ishimaru Denki
This is a commercial for Ishimaru Denki, a consumer electronics retailer that operated mainly around Akihabara in the Kanto region during the Showa era.
Even people in other regions where there were no stores may recognize the “dekkai wa” line spoken by the narrator at the end of the ad.
After being absorbed by Aiden in 2009, the brand was consolidated into Edion in 2012, and the company name disappeared.
In a 1986 commercial, lively scenes show adults and children happily shopping inside Ishimaru Denki.
The original jingle features a bright, friendly, and memorable melody.
Kinchō Mosquito Coil: “Kinchō’s summer, Japan’s summer.”
For summer insect protection, it’s got to be Kintcho mosquito coils! This is a commercial from around 1967 for the KINCHO mosquito coil, loved by many across generations.
And guess what—legendary songstress Hibari Misora appears in it! The ad shows Hibari looking cool and elegant in a yukata as she rides a yakatabune boat.
After her beautiful vocals, she delivers the product name followed by the signature line: “Summer is wonderful, isn’t it!” Even though it’s an insect-repellent commercial, the visuals convey a refreshingly pleasant sense of summer.
In the spot featuring the famous phrase “Kinchō’s summer, Japan’s summer,” you also hear and see the familiar explosive “ba-ba-ba-BAAAN” fireworks sound and imagery.
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.”
Kanebo Cosmetics Fitnet Eye
It’s surprising to think that in the Showa era, the major cosmetics company Kanebo actually released a product for drawing eyebrows in soft purple—something unimaginable in the Reiwa era.
They featured Shizuka Kudo, who was hugely popular at the time.
She has a long, slim face, but her plump cheeks give a youthful impression.
Purple eyeshadow with thick purple brows, pearly whitish lips, and long one-length hair—all of it was cutting-edge fashion back then.
[Nostalgic Commercials] A Collection of TV Ads from the Showa Era (61–70)
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.
Sapporo Draft Beer in a Can
Around 1988, Cyndi Lauper was featured in a commercial for Sapporo Draft Beer in a can.
During the height of the bubble economy, it was popular to use major international musicians—such as Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, and Stevie Wonder—in commercials.
The CM song “Hole in My Heart” is crafted as an Asian-flavored track brimming with exotic atmosphere.
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.”