Heart-touching, tear-jerking masterpieces from the Showa era
When you think of tear-jerking songs from the Showa era, timeless classics come to mind, don’t they?
In this article, we’ve gathered moving masterpieces from the Showa period, including Showa kayō (pop), New Music, folk songs, and more.
Many of these songs have a relaxed tempo, letting you really listen to the lyrics—one of the charms of Showa music.
Each genre and artist has its own distinct flavor, yet they all have a gentle, lingering impact.
We’ll spotlight not only the standard classics and farewell songs, but also some uniquely moving tracks with a different edge.
Now, let’s listen to the tear-jerking masterpieces of the Showa era.
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Heart-Touching, Tear-Jerking Showa-Era Classics (11–20)
Lingering Snowiruka
This is the third single by Iruka, a female singer who debuted as a member of the folk group Shrieks and has been active not only as a solo artist but also as a picture book author.
Although it’s a cover of the folk band Kaguyahime, it became a smash hit that is synonymous with Iruka herself.
The wistful melody that follows the storyline of the lyrics evokes a universal theme that conjures the same scenes no matter the era in which it’s heard.
As a quintessential spring song passed down across generations, it’s a folk tune that reflects the backdrop of the Showa era.
And then I’m at a lossŌsawa Yoshiyuki
A signature work by Yoshiyuki Ohsawa, known as one of the iconic songs of the Showa era.
Its lyrics, which depict a heartrending farewell, and its deeply moving melody have resonated with many people and kept the song beloved for years.
Released in September 1984, it reached No.
6 on the Oricon charts and became a major hit with sales of 282,000 copies.
It is included on the album “CONFUSION,” and there is also a version with an arrangement slightly different from the single.
If you’re feeling the loneliness of parting or anxiety about the future, listening to this song may soothe your heart.
It’s also highly recommended for anyone who has experienced a goodbye with someone dear.
Azusa No. 2karyūdō
With its haunting melody and poignant lyrics, this song remains beloved by many as a timeless classic from the Showa era.
It skillfully portrays the complex emotions of a woman setting out on a new life, resonating deeply with listeners.
Released in March 1977 as the debut single by Kariudo, it became a major hit, peaking at No.
4 on the Oricon Weekly Chart.
It also won the New Artist Award at the 19th Japan Record Awards.
This is a must-listen for anyone who has experienced heartbreak, parting, or a fresh start.
When you want to sort through the feelings you hold in your heart or find yourself at a crossroads in life, this song will be there to support you.
contrailMatsutōya Yumi
A song by singer-songwriter Yumi Matsutoya—affectionately known as Yuming—who drew attention in 2013 when she received the Medal with Purple Ribbon.
Released under her maiden name, Yumi Arai, the piece was created with the death of an elementary school classmate as its motif.
Years after its release, it was chosen as the theme song for Studio Ghibli’s film The Wind Rises, so many younger listeners have likely heard it at least once.
With a melody that carries a sense of wistfulness within a floating, title-evoking atmosphere, it is a true Showa-era classic that has been loved across generations.
If I’m wrapped in kindnessArai Yumi
This song, still beloved as a classic from the Showa era, captivates with its delicate melody and deep emotional expression.
Its lyrics, which portray feelings of love and gratitude, take on a different resonance when you listen again as an adult.
Included on the album MISSLIM released in October 1974, it was also used as the ending theme for the 1989 film Kiki’s Delivery Service.
Its relaxed tempo is another charm, allowing you to focus closely on the words.
It’s a recommended track for moments when you want to reflect on your feelings for someone special in a calm atmosphere.
Wrapped in Yumi Arai’s gentle vocals, why not spend a heartwarming moment?
Red Sweet PeaMatsuda Seiko
This song performed by Seiko Matsuda is a poignant masterpiece of a ballad that slowly seeps into the heart.
The lyrics beautifully intertwine spring scenery with the ache of unrequited love, striking a deep chord.
Matsuda’s clear, soaring vocals capture the delicate feelings of a girl in love with nothing left out.
Released in February 1982 as her eighth single, it became a major hit and was also chosen as the ending theme for the popular TV program “Music Fair.” It’s a recommended track not only for those troubled by love, but also for moments when you want to feel your feelings for someone special.
Do You Remember Love?Iijima Mari
A renowned masterpiece widely known as an anime film ending theme, it resonates with Mari Iijima’s clear, translucent vocals and its sweeping melody.
Released in 1984, the song won support not only from anime fans but from a broad audience, becoming a major hit that reached No.
7 on the Oricon chart.
With lyrics themed around love, reunion, and unforgettable memories, it evokes a deep, moving emotion that sinks into the listener’s heart.
It’s a perfect track for quiet moments alone or when reflecting on memories with someone special—an experience sure to leave a lasting impression.
Let’s Do the ‘Strawberry Statement’ Once Morebanban
Spun by Ban Ban, this work is known as a classic that warmly embraces the hearts of young people of the Showa era.
Released in 1975—six years after the Yasuda Auditorium incident at the University of Tokyo, a symbol of the student movement—it resonated with the youth of the time, even reaching No.
1 on the Oricon charts.
Penned with the delicate touch of the then–early-twenties Yumi Matsutoya, the lyrics poignantly capture the feelings of a woman looking back on memories with a lover immersed in the student movement.
This piece is recommended for those who feel nostalgia for their bygone youth or who want to revisit memories with someone dear.
It’s lovely to listen to alone on a quiet night, and just as nice to play with someone special while reminiscing about old times.
The Scent of CyclamenFuse Akira
The classic song released in 1975 was written and composed by Kei Ogura.
Akira Fuse’s expansive vocals beautifully convey a love story depicted through the motif of cyclamen flowers.
From meeting to parting, the scenes are vividly portrayed alongside the changing colors of the blossoms, resonating deeply with listeners.
The song was a major hit immediately after its release, reaching No.
1 on the Oricon charts and winning numerous music awards.
It was also included on the album “From the Scent of Cyclamen,” earning support from a wide range of listeners.
It’s a highly recommended track that will touch the hearts of those who feel the fragility of love and the ache of loss.
It’s a sad color, isn’t it?Ueda Masaki
Released in 1982, this song is memorable for its Osaka-dialect lyrics.
Although its initial sales were sluggish, growing requests on cable radio boosted its popularity, and the following year it became a major hit, reaching No.
5 on the Oricon chart—a classic by Masaki Ueda.
The lyrics, told from a Kansai-dialect female perspective, poignantly depict a couple on the verge of breaking up.
On a seaside with rain approaching, the woman’s pain—unable even to cry—strikes a chord.
Evoking both the end of love and the fleeting nature of youth, this piece deeply resonates with anyone who has experienced heartbreak.