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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Tear-Jerking Classic Songs of the Showa Era That Touch the Heart (1–10)
As time goes bysawada kenji
Among the masterpieces of the Showa era, this work shines with a special brilliance—a gemlike ballad that portrays the love between a man and a woman as it changes with the passage of time.
Kenji Sawada’s sultry vocals strike a perfect balance between heartache and hope.
Released in August 1975, it topped the Oricon weekly chart for five consecutive weeks.
It was also used as an insert song for the TBS drama “Akuma no Youna Aitsu,” leaving a lasting impression on many hearts.
It’s a recommended track for healing the pain of heartbreak or reminiscing about precious memories with someone dear.
Truly, a Showa classic that resonates across generations.
Second LoveNakamori Akina
Known as a classic song from the Showa era, this piece is Akina Nakamori’s third single, released in November 1982.
The lyrics, which portray bittersweet and heartrending emotions of love, resonate deeply with listeners when paired with Nakamori’s delicate vocals.
It skillfully captures the complex feelings of a woman newly in love, depicting both the beauty and the pain of romance at the same time.
It became Nakamori’s first Oricon No.
1 hit and sold approximately 770,000 copies.
It also achieved commercial success by ranking eighth on Oricon’s annual singles chart for 1983.
This is a recommended track for those who have experienced heartbreak or unrequited love, as well as those who feel nostalgic for their youth.
My loverGorin Mayumi
A signature song by Mayumi Itsuwa, known as a piece that deeply resonates with listeners’ hearts.
With lyrics themed around parting and a gently soul-stirring melody, it has struck a chord with many.
Released in August 1980, it reached No.
1 on the weekly Oricon chart.
It also won the Gold Prize at the 22nd Japan Record Awards and marked her first appearance at the 31st NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen, making it a pivotal track that propelled her career.
Highly recommended for those who have experienced heartbreak or farewells, or who want to feel the bond with someone special.
Wrapped in Itsuwa’s gentle, warm vocals, this classic lets each listener immerse themselves in their own memories.
loveMatsuyama Chiharu
Released in 1980, Chiharu Matsuyama’s work is a masterpiece that portrays the sorrow of heartbreak and a woman’s feelings.
It delicately expresses the emotions of a woman who keeps waiting, and its lyrics that resonate with many are truly captivating.
Featured on the albums “Kishōtenketsu II” and “Tabidachi,” it has become one of Matsuyama’s signature songs.
While weary from love, it powerfully conveys the complex emotion of continuing to love, creating a song that deeply touches listeners’ hearts.
It’s a perfect piece for those who have experienced heartbreak or are troubled by love.
You’ll surely find comfort in Matsuyama’s voice, which feels as if it’s right by your side.
Sad SakeMisora Hibari
Known as an iconic song representing the Showa era, this masterpiece fully showcases Hibari Misora’s vocal prowess.
Its lyrics, portraying the pain of heartbreak and an escape into drink, evoke a profound emotion that resonates deeply with listeners.
Released in June 1966, the song achieved a remarkable 1.45 million sales.
It has continued to be cherished over the years, and was re-released in January 2007.
It’s a perfect listen on nights steeped in sorrow or when you want to look back on past love.
Hibari Misora’s voice will be there to gently comfort your heart.
era; age; time; periodNakajima Miyuki
This is the second single by singer-songwriter Miyuki Nakajima, who continues to captivate listeners with a powerful voice you can’t forget after hearing it once and lyrics that depict both love and madness.
Known as a staple for graduation ceremonies, it has been featured in music textbooks and selected as one of the “100 Best Japanese Songs,” making it a beloved piece across generations.
Its dramatic development and an arrangement that makes you feel there could be no better lyrics for the melody showcase Nakajima’s timeless, original sensibility from the very start of her career.
Catchy yet tinged with melancholy that resonates in the heart, it’s a classic from the Showa era that will surely continue to be sung for years to come.
Cotton HandkerchiefŌta Hiromi
Composed by Kyohei Tsutsumi and written by Takashi Matsumoto, “Momen no Handkerchief” was released in 1975.
The song is not only one of Hiromi Ota’s signature tracks but also among the most well-known works with lyrics by Takashi Matsumoto.
The lyrics depict an exchange between a woman who stays in her hometown and a man who moves to Tokyo, tracing how their long-distance relationship gradually falls apart.
The title “Momen no Handkerchief” (Cotton Handkerchief) comes from the story in which, when the breakup is brought up, the woman says she wants a cotton handkerchief to wipe away her tears.
