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.
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- [Songs from the Showa Era] Introducing classic tracks that are easy to sing at karaoke.
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- 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]
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- 【2026】A Collection of Masterpieces: Enka and Kayōkyoku Duets by Two Women
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Nostalgic duet songs (31–40)
The one I still love even after we’ve broken upRosu Indiosu & Shiruvia
A duet song that portrays the love between a man and a woman who were once lovers.
It’s a wonderful track that makes you feel that former lovers are unforgettable even after they part, and that they remain someone you’ll always love.
The dandy, masculine vocals of Los Indios and the graceful, feminine voice of Silvia are a perfect match.
It’s a duet you’ll want to keep listening to forever.
That’s a tearjerker.Ishihara Yūjirō & Kawanaka Miyuki
Known as one of the great duets that color the golden age of Showa-era hits, “Nakaseroze” tells a poignant story of a heartbreaking goodbye, woven by the captivating voices of Yujiro Ishihara and Miyuki Kawanaka.
Released in September 1995, the song drew attention as a collaboration between two major stars.
Ishihara’s warm, low voice and Kawanaka’s gentle, expressive singing blend beautifully, resulting in a performance that resonates deeply with listeners.
Depicting the sorrow of love and parting, it’s a track that especially evokes nostalgia for fans of Showa-era kayōkyoku.
A gem of a song that makes you want to sing it with someone special at karaoke or in a cozy snack bar.
Always keep your dreamsHashi Yukio / Yoshinaga Sayuri
This is a duet by Yukio Hashi and Sayuri Yoshinaga.
The film Always Dream, which used this song as its main theme, was produced and released in the wake of the song’s success, reflecting its high popularity.
In 2013, it was also featured as an insert song in the NHK morning drama Amachan, and it continues to be loved across generations.
The gentle atmosphere of the music and the positive vocals—like a man and woman smiling as they sing facing each other—are particularly memorable.
Try duetting to it while relaxing and enjoying the cheerful mood!
Anemone flaccida (nirinsō; literally “two-flowered anemone”)Gen Tetsuya/Kawanaka Miyuki
This duet is a kayōkyoku song that falls under so-called enka, with a cool, old-school vibe.
Compared to Tetsuya Gen, Miyuki Kawanaka’s voice has a stronger kobushi (ornamental vibrato), giving it a powerful, resilient feminine core.
The lyrics are perfect for a duet sung by a loving married couple, just as the title suggests.
If you’re a close, affectionate pair, why not give it a try?
red glassAi George, Chinami Shima
Sing the first verse by a man and the second by a woman, then have both sing together in the third verse.
Alternating duets are lovely, but songs like this one—unfolding as if to portray the disconnect between a man and a woman—also have a special charm.
The tempo is neither too fast nor too slow, so it’s not too hard to learn.
Give it a try!
Nostalgic duet songs (41–50)
A Letter from CanadaHirao Masaaki / Hatanaka Yoko
Here is the duet song by Masaaki Hirao and Yoko Hatanaka, released in 1978.
He held auditions among students from the Masaaki Hirao Music School, which he founded, and chose Yoko Hatanaka to perform the duet with him.
For her, this song was her debut single.
Because it features many harmony sections, it might be relatively difficult as a karaoke song.
elegyTakakura Ken & Yashiro Aki
This work is a duet song woven by a legendary actor of the Showa era and the queen of enka.
Its melancholy melody and lyrics that convey deep emotion are striking, resulting in a piece that showcases both performers’ unique personalities.
Ken Takakura’s rugged baritone and Aki Yashiro’s powerful vocals blend beautifully, creating a song that truly resonates.
Released in June 1990, it became a major topic on music shows and in the media at the time.
The lyrics, depicting the pain and loneliness of men and women scarred by the past, struck a chord with many and have been loved for years.
It’s a recommended track for those who feel the solitude of life or wish to connect heart-to-heart with someone.