![[Nostalgic Commercials] A compilation of commercials that aired in the Showa era](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/XFiccrmQpH8/hqdefault.jpg)
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 (1–10)
Japan Coca-Cola I feel Coke
Among Showa-era commercials, the 1987 Coca-Cola ad is especially acclaimed as a masterpiece in the advertising world.
Its nostalgia-filled footage, packed with the atmosphere of the time, will likely bring memories flooding back at a single glance.
The background song “I feel Coke 87” is also a timeless classic among commercial jingles, and it drew attention again in 2023 when a cover version of the song was featured in a new commercial.
Japanese National Railways ‘A Good Day to Set Out’ Campaign
This is a TV commercial from the Japan National Railways’ “A Good Day to Set Out” campaign, broadcast in 1978.
Multiple JNR trains appear, making it a delightful video for railway enthusiasts.
The background music is another highlight: the song ‘Good Day to Set Out’ was created specifically for this commercial.
After its release, it became one of Momoe Yamaguchi’s signature songs and has continued to be cherished as a classic of the Showa-era pop canon.
Hitachi, Tree of Hitachi
It’s not a product commercial, but a corporate/group ad.
If I say the commercial with the big tree, you probably know which one I mean.
You can always see it at the end of “The World’s Mysteries.” That tree is a monkeypod located in Moanalua Gardens on Oahu, Hawaii.
It’s 25 meters tall and an impressive 40 meters wide.
Some of you might say, “I’ve seen it in Hawaii.” The phrase “Everyone gathers, everyone contributes, and we take on something new” has remained unchanged for a long time.
It’s a commercial jingle that even kids can’t help but sing.
Meiji Suginoko Village
Kinoko no Yama and Takenoko no Sato are still on the market today, but if you were born in the Showa era, you might remember there was another snack in the family.
That was Suginoko Mura.
This is a commercial for Suginoko Mura that aired in 1987, and many of you may have felt nostalgic watching it, thinking, “Oh right, there was a snack like that!”
Suntory RedReiko Ohara
This is a commercial for Suntory’s whisky “Suntory Red” that portrays the way a woman lives.
The phrase “Love me a little, love me long” drew attention.
Reiko Ohara plays a woman who is tossed about by the man she loves, and her endearing devotion, along with her small slip-ups, is truly charming.
By featuring Suntory Red in everyday scenes, the ad also conveys a wish for people to enjoy whisky as something familiar.
Reiko Ohara’s gentle smile also does a fine job of conveying how delicious Suntory Red is.
Maruzen Oil: Oh! Moretsu
Hearing the name Maruzen Sekiyu might not ring a bell for younger generations, but many people recognize Cosmo Oil.
Today’s Cosmo Oil was formed by the merger of Maruzen Sekiyu, Daikyo Sekiyu, and the former Cosmo Oil.
In a commercial for Maruzen Sekiyu’s leaded premium gasoline “Maruzen Gasoline,” a woman dressed as a slightly sexy race queen appears.
She is Rosa Ogawa, who was active as a model and actress.
After speeding along with the wind, she uttered the sexy phrase “Oh! Mōretsu,” which became a huge talking point.
The phrase later influenced other commercials and even the title of a Crayon Shin-chan movie, becoming a line that stuck in many people’s minds for years.
Fujifilm Fujicolor N100 Let’s capture the New Year
The long-beloved Fuji Color staple commercial series “Let’s Photograph the New Year” dates back to 1966, when it first began airing.
From 1978, Kiki Kirin was cast in the commercials, and many people likely remember the Fuji Color ads in which she appeared.