A roundup of classic Showa-era kayō songs: a comprehensive introduction to timeless tracks loved across generations.
Songs released in the Showa era—what we call Showa kayokyoku—are truly full of timeless masterpieces!
If you’re an adult born in the Showa period, you probably know just how wildly popular Showa kayokyoku was with the entire nation back then.
Meanwhile, even for younger people born in the Heisei era and later, there are still plenty of Showa kayokyoku songs you hear all the time today, and I’m sure many of you can sing quite a few of them without looking at the lyrics.
In this article, we’ll introduce a whole lineup of Showa kayokyoku classics that have continued to be loved across generations.
Take this opportunity to listen again with fresh ears and immerse yourself fully in the world of kayokyoku.
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Compilation of Showa-era Kayōkyoku masterpieces: A comprehensive showcase of timeless songs loved across generations (21–30)
era; age; time; periodNakajima Miyuki
This song, known as an iconic masterpiece of the Showa era, is loved across generations for its lyrics that lead from deep sorrow to hope.
With the gentle message, “There were times like that, too,” it softly tells us that hardships will one day pass.
Released in 1975, it won the Grand Prix at a contest hosted by Yamaha.
In 2007, it was selected as one of the “100 Japanese Songs,” and in 2010 it was used as the ending theme for the Fuji TV drama Our Family’s History.
When you lose your way in life, listening to this song will surely give you the courage to look forward.
Wrapped in Miyuki Nakajima’s warm voice, let yourself feel the message that stays close to your heart.
TOKIOsawada kenji
One of Kenji Sawada’s signature songs with a devoted fanbase.
It carries an urban vibe that makes Tokyo’s cityscape spring to mind just by listening.
Featured on the 1979 album “TOKIO,” this track has become so popular that many artists have covered it.
It was also used as the commercial song for the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation’s Toei Oedo Line full-line opening.
Sawada’s distinctive vocals pair perfectly with the sound that captures the bustle of the city.
It’s a song not only for those living in the metropolis but also one that people in the countryside should hear.
A long nightMatsuyama Chiharu
A smash hit released in 1981.
One of Chiharu Matsuyama’s signature songs, this classic Showa-era ballad straightforwardly conveys the “ache of a man’s heart.” The overall vocal range spans D3 to D5, and it’s a song most people can handle if they sing the talk-like phrasing in the verses and release fully in the chorus for contrast.
However, since the chorus jumps up into higher notes, be careful not to strain your throat.
Like Matsuyama himself, keeping your eyebrows raised while singing makes the high notes much easier to hit—highly recommended! When you project your voice, don’t hesitate—use instant power and send it far.
When the mandarins ripenAimi Yoko
Released in August 1973, this song has a bit of a nursery-rhyme feel.
It evokes a sense of the seasons as you look out from terraced fields of mandarin oranges to the boats floating on the sea.
I personally liked the song very much, but it didn’t quite become a hit.
Aimi Ayako’s clear, high voice is also one of its charms.
First loveMurashita Kōzō
It’s Kozo Murashita’s biggest hit, a masterpiece whose lyrics are very easy to understand, come across straightforwardly, and are deeply relatable.
Although it ranked on music shows at the time, he didn’t appear on them because he was hospitalized with hepatitis.
Fall in LoveKobayashi Akiko
Akiko Kobayashi was originally more of a songwriter or a provider of songs than a singer-songwriter.
This piece was also composed for someone else, but after that person retired, she had Reiko Yukawa write the lyrics and ended up singing it herself.
It was also the theme song for a popular TV drama at the time and became a massive hit, ranking third on Oricon’s year-end chart.
Parting at 22kaze
It was a big hit that ranked 7th on the 1975 Oricon year-end chart, and it’s also the biggest hit by the group Kaze, which Shozo Ise formed after the breakup of Kaguyahime.
When it comes to Shozo Ise, most people strongly associate him with “Nagori Yuki,” but this song was also a major hit.