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.

Playlist

Heart-touching, tear-jerking masterpieces from the Showa era
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	As time goes bysawada kenji		A beloved Showa-era ballad of love by Kenji Sawada
2	Second LoveNakamori Akina		Akina Nakamori’s Shōwa classic wins her first Oricon No. 1
3	loveMatsuyama Chiharu		Chiharu Matsuyama’s classic heartbreak song
4	My loverGorin Mayumi		Mamiya Owari’s farewell song becomes a big hit
5	Cotton HandkerchiefŌta Hiromi		Hiromi Ohta’s signature song depicting a long-distance breakup
6	era; age; time; periodNakajima Miyuki		Miyuki Nakajima’s classic graduation ceremony song
7	Sad SakeMisora Hibari		Hibari Misora’s Showa-era classic songs depict heartbreak and alcohol
8	Lingering Snowiruka		The signature spring song by Iruka
9	Beyond the GoodbyeYamaguchi Momoe		Yamaguchi Momoe’s retirement commemorative last song
10	I can’t put it into wordsofukōsu		A signature song by Off Course. A masterpiece that sings of deep emotions.
11	MissingKubota Toshinobu		A classic Showa-era ballad by Toshinobu Kubota. It depicts heartbreak and inner conflict.
12	Azusa No. 2karyūdō		The hunter’s debut song wins a major hit award
13	contrailMatsutōya Yumi		Yuming’s signature song, the theme song of The Wind Rises
14	And then I’m at a lossŌsawa Yoshiyuki		Yoshiyuki Osawa’s poignant breakup classic
15	Do You Remember Love?Iijima Mari		Mari Iijima’s classic song, the theme of love and reunion
16	If I’m wrapped in kindnessArai Yumi		A Showa-era classic, captivating with its delicate melody and emotional expression
17	Let’s Do the ‘Strawberry Statement’ Once Morebanban		A famous song by Yumi Matsutoya that portrays the youth of Showa-era young people
18	It’s a sad color, isn’t it?Ueda Masaki		A heartbreak song in Osaka dialect becomes a big hit
19	youyashiki takajin		The appeal of Takajin Yashiki’s classic song “Anta”
20	Red Sweet PeaMatsuda Seiko		Seiko Matsuda’s poignant spring love ballad
21	The Scent of CyclamenFuse Akira		The cyclamen love story is a big hit
22	Twilight, My LoveOhashi Junko		A Showa-Era Classic: Summer Love and Winter Farewell
23	Sonnet of the Clownsadamasashi		Masashi Sada’s signature songs and film theme songs
24	youKozaka Akiko		Akiko Kosaka’s signature debut single
25	Goodbye to sorrowanzenchitai		The ninth single by Anzen Chitai
26	Song of the Yoito-makeMiwA Akihiro		Akihiro Miwa’s fourth single, “Yoitomake”
27	Sake, Tears, Men, and WomenKawashima Eigo		A signature song by Eigo Kawashima, covered by many artists.
28	Lapis-Lazuli EarthMatsuda Seiko		Seiko Matsuda’s signature song depicting the beauty of the Earth
29	Asakusa KidBīto Takeshi		Takeshi Kitano’s poignant song of dreams and reality
30	atonementTeresa Ten		Teresa Teng’s signature song won two crowns in 1984
31	Love is overŌyō Fifi		The 18th single that became Ouyang Feifei’s signature song
32	In Search of Love and DeathAoyama Kazuko		A message of love from a woman who died of a rare disease
33	Ah, in Muntinlupa the night deepensWatanabe Hamako		A song released with lyrics from a soldier on the battlefield
34	stationTakeuchi Mariya		Mariya Takeuchi’s signature heartbreak song
35	spring thunderfuki no tō		A Showa-era classic that sings of cherry blossoms and farewell
36	A woman born in OsakaBORO		A song of Osaka. A long-form piece about a love story.
37	Withered Susuki Grass of the Shōwa Erasakura to ichirō		The classic hit by Sakura and Ichirō, “Showa Withered Susuki (Silvergrass).”
38	Let yourself go with the flow of timeTeresa Ten		Teresa Teng’s classic that portrays deep love
39	Elegy of SpringShōji Shirō		A classic song from early Showa about lost love
40	Orphan Hachishimazaki yuri		The heartwarming theme song of Orphaned Bee Hutch
41	Fall in LoveKobayashi Akiko		Forbidden love, a heart-stirring classic
42	Song of Hakushon Daimaoshimazaki yuri		A comical tale emerging from the Demon King’s magic jar
43	That wonderful love once moreKatō Kazuhiko, Kitayama Osamu		An earnest longing for lost love and youth
44	Listening to OliviaAnri		Anri’s classic ballad that heals the pain of heartbreak
45	Cape TourYamamoto Kōtarō to Uīkuendo		A famous song that depicts the poignant romance of a journey, by Kotaro Yamamoto.