A Showa-era duet song. A timeless karaoke/snack-bar classic!
Do you like duet songs?
Some of you may have sung together with friends or even other customers at karaoke or in a snack bar.
Singing your favorite song solo is certainly fun, but duet songs—where two people weave harmonies—have a unique charm all their own.
In this article, we’ve gathered classic Showa-era duet songs that just about everyone has heard at least once.
Even if you’ve never tried a duet, take this chance to learn one and try singing it with a friend.
- [Karaoke] Duet songs for men and women. A roundup of popular and classic tracks.
- A love song you can sing as a duet. From Showa-era kayōkyoku to the latest J-pop!
- [Karaoke] Duet Song Rankings [2026]
- [Songs from the Showa Era] Introducing classic tracks that are easy to sing at karaoke.
- Compilation of enka duet songs. Introducing popular kayōkyoku hits as well!
- When you can’t decide what to sing at karaoke: Easy-to-sing classic hits from the Showa era
- [Duet Songs] A roundup of recommended tracks perfect for two women to sing together!
- [Harmony Songs for Duets] Songs that feel great to harmonize
- A roundup of duet songs sung by men—classic tracks renowned for their compelling harmonies and call-and-response.
- [Revisited] A roundup of popular and classic Showa-era songs that are trending now [2026]
- Cool songs from the Showa era. Masterpieces from Showa that shine with sensuality, passion, and rugged charm.
- 【2026】A Collection of Masterpieces: Enka and Kayōkyoku Duets by Two Women
- Recommended love songs for people in their 90s: A collection of classic Shōwa-era romance songs
Nostalgic duet songs (11–20)
Michinoku ShigureToba Ichirō / Murakami Sachiko
This is an enka duet song that portrays the heartrending love between a man and a woman against the richly atmospheric scenery of the Tohoku region.
Released in September 1985, the piece beautifully blends Mr.
Ichiro Toba’s powerful vocals with Ms.
Sachiko Murakami’s delicate voice, expressing with deep emotion the wavering feelings of the couple as the seasons shift from autumn to winter.
In the chorus, their voices overlap exquisitely, resonating deeply with listeners.
Why not try singing it together with someone special at karaoke or in a snack bar?
White is the color of lovers.Bettsi & Kurisu
A folk song whose appeal lies in its heartfelt, pure harmonies.
Beginning with an acoustic guitar intro, its gentle melody tells a love story painted through the colors of nature—flowers, the sky, and sunsets—leaving a lingering resonance.
The clear harmonies woven by Betsy & Chris’s pristine voices evoke a nostalgic feeling that makes anyone want to hum along.
Released by Nippon Columbia in October 1969, the single became a major hit, ranking 11th on the 1970 Oricon year-end chart.
It has been covered by various artists, and in 2001 it was featured as an insert song in the film Crayon Shin-chan: The Storm Called: The Adult Empire Strikes Back, bringing it renewed attention.
Angels of the CityHoriuchi Takao / Katsura Ginshu
I like how “City Angels” feels more like a regular pop/enkā-style song than a typical duet.
I picture a man and woman living in the city, loving each other while soaked in the loneliness of urban life.
The collaboration between Takao Horiuchi’s sweet, gentle male vocals and Ginshi Kajura’s husky, sultry female vocals is wonderful.
Two People’s Love IslandIshikawa Yuko & Chage
Here is the collaboration song between Mr.
Chage and Ms.
Yuko Ishikawa—both highly talented artists, yet neither had a hit where they took the lead vocal.
Initially, Mr.
Chage composed the song in a key comfortable for himself without envisioning a male-female duet, so it seems they struggled quite a bit later to adjust the key.
Still, he compensates for it with wonderful high notes.
It’s a classic that conveys a lively, joyful atmosphere.
Tokyo Meguri-ai (Tokyo Serendipitous Encounters/Love by Chance in Tokyo)Ishikawa Sayuri / Kotokaze
This is a duet released in August 1984 by the unusual pairing of Sayuri Ishikawa, known as a treasure of the enka world, and Masanori Kotonofuji (formerly the sumo wrestler Kotonofuji) after his transition from professional sumo.
The story portrays lovers who reunite in Tokyo after being apart and reaffirm their love, expressed through Rei Nakanishi’s emotionally rich lyrics and Shosuke Ichikawa’s wistful melody.
The work received the Planning Award at the 26th Japan Record Awards and was also performed at the 35th NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen that same year.
It’s a perfect song to sing in sync with a duet partner at karaoke or in a snack bar.
Naniwa Love DrizzleOka Chiaki / Miyako Harumi
“Naniwa Koi Shigure” is a duet that seems to portray a love story between a domineering husband and a long-suffering woman.
The pairing of Chiaki Oka’s husky, powerful male vocals with Harumi Miyako’s firm and strong female vocals is excellent.
This is exactly what a duet between two enka singers should sound like!
Nostalgic duet songs (21–30)
elder sister and younger brotherAsaoka Ruriko / Hamada Mitsuo
A timeless Showa-era classic where Ruriko Asaoka’s soft, embracing vocals and Mitsuo Hamada’s gentle yet powerful voice weave a pleasant harmony.
The lyrics richly portray the caring bond between an older sister and her younger brother, perfectly matched with a calm, emotive melody to create a gem of a song.
Released in July 1965, this track is also included on Ruriko Asaoka’s album “Golden★Best,” and is known as the second duet by her and Mitsuo Hamada.
It’s recommended for those who want to feel the warmth of Showa-era family love, or for anyone who wishes to sing together with someone while sharing a heartfelt, comforting mood.