Showa-era songs are now loved by the younger generation too.
Many people probably think they’re “cool,” don’t they?
No wonder—there were so many timeless hits by female stars radiating overwhelming charisma, like Momoe Yamaguchi and Akina Nakamori.
Beyond their outstanding vocal ability, you can’t help but be drawn to their astonishing allure.
From Showa kayō and enka to rock and city pop, and more.
This is a playlist featuring cool Showa-era tracks across genres!
- Cool songs from the Showa era. Masterpieces from Showa that shine with sensuality, passion, and rugged charm.
- Top 1980s Female Singer-Songwriters: Popular Songs Ranking [2026]
- [Nostalgic Hits] Smash Hits with the Showa Generation! Classic and Popular Songs Sung by Female Vocalists
- [Classic Showa Kayō Hits] The captivating Showa-era pop songs beloved even by younger generations
- [Revisited] A roundup of popular and classic Showa-era songs that are trending now [2026]
- Nostalgic yet fresh!? Classic masterpieces of Japanese rock from the 1970s and 1980s
- A classic Showa-era kayōkyoku song sung by a female vocalist. A nostalgic tune passed down through the years.
- Popular Showa-era pop. Timeless hit songs.
- Heart-touching, tear-jerking masterpieces from the Showa era
- An iconic song by a female artist that Gen Z can get hyped about with their peers
- When you can’t decide what to sing at karaoke: Easy-to-sing classic hits from the Showa era
- Timeless classics only! Showa-era hit songs perfect for acoustic sing-alongs
- Songs by Showa-era idols that you’ll want to listen to now, in the Reiwa era!
Get Electrified by Cool Showa-Era Tunes! Classic Showa Hits by Female Singers/Artists (1–10)
Mi Amore [Meu amor é… / My love is… ]Nakamori Akina
Back when everyone was distrustfully wondering, “Can an idol who doesn’t smile sweetly even sell?”, there was a woman who stuck to the path of being an idol with her cool, stylish aura.
She was always positioned as the polar opposite of Seiko Matsuda—yes, Akina Nakamori.
Mi Amore was released in 1985 and swept virtually every award that year, including the Japan Record Award.
“Mi Amore” is Spanish for “My lover is…”.
Its lyrics—“I drift through foreign lands searching for my lover; I’m like a traveler”—even evoke the Showa-era classic Ihōjin (The Stranger).
In the soaring chorus, Nakamori’s cool delivery revealed a glimpse of her as a true singer.
Playback Part 2Yamaguchi Momoe
When it comes to iconic and cool songs from the Showa era, you can’t leave out Momoe-chan—Momoe Yamaguchi.
Her expressions, the way she holds the microphone, her singing, her presence—every aspect is so perfectly polished it takes your breath away.
“Playback Part 2” was released on May 1, 1978, and won the Gold Prize at the 20th Japan Record Awards and the Broadcast Music Award at the 9th Japan Kayō Awards.
It has become one of Momoe’s signature numbers that still hasn’t lost its luster today.
The lines delivered by a cool woman, her allure, and the dramatic melody are so captivating that you’ll want to listen to it over and over again!
Midnight Door ~ Stay With MeMatsubara Miki
Here is Miki Matsubara’s debut single, released in 1979.
It has the vibe of stylish city pop, and since the 2020s it has gained strong popularity overseas—becoming a beloved staple in places like Seoul, Singapore, and Malaysia.
With Matsubara’s clear, pure vocals and this Japanese-born track that feels nostalgic yet effortlessly cool, you can sense both a freshness that makes it hard to believe it came out in the 1970s and an indescribable sense of nostalgia at the same time.
Sexy NightMihara Junko
Junko Mihara, known for her work as a legislator and more, began her career as an actress and singer.
She later ventured into various professions, including race car driver and entrepreneur, and is a woman with a strong sense of self.
In 1979, she appeared as a delinquent student in the popular TV show “Mr.
Kinpachi in Class 3B,” becoming an overnight sensation.
While the tsuppari (delinquent youth) subculture has now all but disappeared, it might actually look cool to young people today.
This song, released in 1980, is a stylish tune that blends rock ’n’ roll with Latin influences.
Plastic LoveTakeuchi Mariya
Known as a quintessential masterpiece of Japanese city pop, this song is included on the 1984 album “VARIETY.” Its smooth, sophisticated sound and lyrics depicting the complex emotions between lovers have captivated many listeners.
Mariya Takeuchi wrote and composed the song herself, with arrangements by Tatsuro Yamashita.
The fusion of their talents had a significant impact on Japan’s pop music scene.
In 2021, a 12-inch analog edition was reissued, allowing listeners to savor its magical allure with the warmth of vinyl.
The lyrics, portraying the emptiness of romance and surface-level relationships, vividly express the feelings of a lonely woman wandering the city at night.
Actress in the MirrorNakahara Meiko
This is one of Meiko Nakahara’s signature works and is also well known as the opening theme for the anime Kimagure Orange Road.
Included on her album Actress in the Mirror, released in March 1988, the track is characterized by its glittering synth-pop sound.
It skillfully portrays a woman’s emotions swaying between the realities and ideals of love, resonating deeply with listeners.
Celebrated as a city pop classic, it continues to be beloved by many fans, making it highly recommended for anyone interested in ’80s music.
Its appeal shines even more when listened to in an urban atmosphere—like during a nighttime drive.
Blue Light Yokohamaishida ayumi
This song, which romantically portrays the nightscape of Yokohama, is known as one of Ayumi Ishida’s signature works.
Released as a single in December 1968, it reached number one on the Oricon weekly chart and became a massive hit, selling over 1.5 million copies.
It was also the first work for which Kyohei Tsutsumi received a composition award.
The song is said to have been created with an image that overlaps the night views of the industrial zones in Yokohama and Kawasaki with the beauty of Cannes.
It appeared three times on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen, and it remains widely known even in South Korea, continuing to be loved as a classic that represents the Shōwa era.
It is also popular as a local song, and listening to it while strolling through the streets of Yokohama is highly recommended.