Showa-era masterpieces roundup: A must-listen collection of nostalgic oldies and hit songs

In the Showa era, countless masterpieces were created across genres, from pop kayokyoku to enka.

Many of them are still loved today, and we have plenty of chances to hear them.

In recent years, it’s not uncommon for Showa-era songs to experience a revival hit, and I think many younger listeners are also interested in these classics.

In this article, we’d like to reintroduce a generous selection of Showa masterpieces.

We’ve gathered many songs from various genres, so please take your time and give them a careful listen.

Playlist

Showa-era masterpieces roundup: A must-listen collection of nostalgic oldies and hit songs
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	applausechiaki naomi		Emotionally rich and one of Chiaki Naomi’s signature works
2	A Good Day to Set Out on a JourneyYamaguchi Momoe		Momoe Yamaguchi’s graduation theme song
3	Cotton HandkerchiefŌta Hiromi		A lyrically rich song about a long-distance relationship
4	Look up at the stars in the nightSakamoto Kyu		A Showa-era classic song that symbolizes young people's hope and hard work
5	Lingering Snowiruka		A classic song depicting a farewell in unseasonal snow
6	Do whatever the hell you want.sawada kenji		Kenji Sawada’s 1977 smash-hit heartbreak song
7	Tsugaru Strait – Winter SceneIshikawa Sayuri		Sayuri Ishikawa’s classic: feelings of hometown and departure
8	Please give me wingsakai tori		A classic from the Showa era, cherished for its hope and beauty
9	UFOpinku redii		A classic Showa-era song depicting a romance with an alien
10	A Member of the Fire BrigadeRATS&STAR		Masayuki Suzuki’s summer classic transcends time and continues to be loved
11	Boat SongYashiro Aki		Aki Yashiro's classic Showa-era ballads
12	youKozaka Akiko		Akiko Kosaka’s debut single becomes a big hit
13	Festival MamboMisora Hibari		Hibari Misora Showa Era Hit Song Festival Theme
14	You Are the One Who Rings That BellWada Akiko		Finding strength in the classic Showa-era songs of Akiko Wada
15	Sake, Tears, Men, and WomenKawashima Eigo		Eggo Kawashima's signature hit
16	The Scent of CyclamenFuse Akira		A classic Showa-era song made a hit by Akira Fuse
17	Red Sweet PeaMatsuda Seiko		Seiko Matsuda’s signature spring love ballad
18	Until we meet againOzaki Kiyohiko		A classic song from the Showa era: a positive track about an adult breakup.
19	Azusa No. 2karyūdō		A lover heading to Shinshu on the Limited Express Azusa
20	Ruby RingTerao Akira		Atsushi Terao’s classic heartbreak song, “Ruby.”
21	Snow CountryYoshi Ikuzo		A signature song by Yoshi Ikuzo, which gained popularity for its comical lyrics.
22	The Ten CommandmentsNakamori Akina		Redefined an era with cool vocals
23	Love me to the bone.Jō Takuya		A breakout hit that made its name with “Love You to the Bone.”
24	Twilight feels lonely.N.S.P		A lyrical river song by a folk band from Iwate Prefecture
25	The Drunkard Has ReturnedThe Folk Crusaders		A parody-style debut single by a folk duo
26	It was rainy again in Nagasaki today.Uchiyamada Hiroshi to Cool Five		Kiyoshi Maekawa’s local-themed song becomes a hit
27	spring hazeIwasaki Hiromi		Hiromi Iwasaki’s spring love break-up song
28	Night fog, thank you again tonightIshihara Yūjirō		Yujiro Ishihara’s signature song, Secret Love in the Night Fog
29	Otaru no hito yoTsuruoka Masayoshi to Tokyo Romanchika		A massive hit representing local-themed songs
30	Strings of TearsTonosama Kingusu		A signature song by Tonomachi Kings released in 1973
31	Anko Camellia is the flower of loveMiyako Harumi		Harumi Miyako’s breakthrough work won the Newcomer Award
32	I’m appearing under my former name.Kobayashi Akira		The poignancy of a nightlife woman who keeps waiting under her stage name
33	The arrival of springKoyanagi Rumiko		A popular song by Rumiko Koyanagi that heralds the arrival of spring
34	Sōemonchō Bluesheiwa katsuji to daakuhosu		A hit song selling over 2 million was born in Sakai City in 1972 (Showa 47)
35	Broken-winged angelNakamura Ayumi		A song that comforts the heart from Ayumi Nakamura’s breakout work
36	Let there be good weather tomorrow.Nakajima Miyuki		Miyuki Nakajima’s masterpiece that empathizes with a pessimistic heart
37	clownNakajima Miyuki		Miyuki Nakajima’s classic waltz. A protagonist hiding the sorrow of a broken heart.
38	TemptationNakajima Miyuki		Miyuki Nakajima’s classic song that portrays the anguish of a forbidden love
39	Meeting at ShuishiyingOkanoteiichi		A classic song that sings of soldiers’ reconciliation and longing for peace
40	Song of the Greater East Asia Decisive Battlekaigun gungakutai		A nationally popular concert band march from wartime
41	Don’t look back.hanī naitsu		Emeron National Campaign Commercial Song
42	I’m praying for you.Satoi Ito to Happī & Burū		Depicting a woman's heart with straightforward feelings of love
43	Purple TownYagami Junko		Junko Yagami’s classic song depicting loneliness and love
44	I miss you so muchSono Mari		Mari Sono Shōwa 41 old footage popularity
45	The Flower Girl of TokyoHaruo Oka		A 1946 classic that portrayed hope in postwar Tokyo
46	North AirportKatsura Ginshuku, Hama Keisuke		A duet song about a man and woman departing from Sapporo Airport
47	Maiden’s SpringAwaya Noriko		Noriko Awaya’s song from 1934 of the Showa era
48	The Day the Seagulls FlewWatanabe Machiko		A Machiko Watanabe classic depicting heartbreak in a port town
49	Romantic Flightkome kome CLUB		Kome Kome Club’s exhilarating adventure song
50	Yakuza ElegyWakayama Tomisaburō		The Aesthetic Sense of the Yakuza and the Heroization of the Showa Era
51	If I’m wrapped in kindnessArai Yumi (gen: Matsutoya Yumi)		Yumi Matsutoya’s classic songs are loved across generations.
52	I’ll wait.amin		A Shōwa-era love song that gently sings of unrequited love
53	My good friendKamayatsu Hiroshi		Hiroshi Kamayatsu Showa 50 song
54	windhashida norihiko to shuuberutsu		Shida Norihiko Natural Elegy
55	Children Who Don’t Know WarJirōzu		Anti-war songs from the Vietnam War era
56	Let yourself go with the flow of timeTeresa Ten		Many of Teresa Teng’s classic songs have been covered by many artists.
57	The Never-Ending SongTHE BLUE HEARTS		A Song Where Misfits Come Out Ahead
58	The one I still love even after we’ve broken upRosu Indiosu & Shirubia		A massive breakup hit featuring Silvia
59	Melancholy TrainMitsubishi Michiya		One of Michiya Mihashi’s signature songs, a poignant tune themed around a farewell on a train.
60	foreignerKUBOTA Saki		Saki Kubota's debut song was a big hit
61	My loverGorin Mayumi		Mayumi Itsuwa’s biggest hit is born
62	Forever with youKayama Yūzō		A famous love song by Yuzo Kayama
63	Brotherly Code of HonorKitajima Saburō		The Bond of Sworn Brotherhood and the Aesthetics of Manhood
64	Fortune-telling for womenMinami Yuji to Furuseiruzu		Released in 1970. When I heard it was “Onna Uranai” (Woman’s Fortune-telling), this...
65	Oh, sake!Yoshi Ikuzo		Ikuzo Yoshi establishes his status as a bona fide singer with the Cable Music Award
66	It might make it in time.yoshida takurou		Let's break free together from an unfulfilling everyday life
67	In the pouring rainWada Akiko		Akiko Wada’s breakout work, expressing heartbreak through rain
68	I look up as I walkSakamoto Kyu		Kyu Sakamoto’s signature song, an upbeat anthem of hope
69	Such is a woman’s soliloquyMasuiyama Tashirō		Sumo wrestler Masuiyama's 1977 single major hit
70	Silhouette RomanceOhashi Junko		Image song for Sanrio’s romance novel label
71	dandelionŌta Hiromi		The poignancy of unrequited love expressed by dandelions
72	Swim! Taiyaki-kunShimon Masato		Japan's best-selling single CD song
73	Woman’s PathMiya Shirō		Shiro Miyako’s signature work, a smash hit that sold 1.5 million copies
74	Falling in LoveKobayashi Akiko		Singing about a poignant love for a married man
75	The Bride of SetoKoyanagi Rumiko		The resolve and loneliness of a woman marrying into life on a Seto Inland Sea island
76	MasqueradeShonentai		Shonentai’s debut single became a big hit.
77	SherryOzaki Yutaka		I feel a vitality in the candid confession of a man who protects delicacy.
78	Life is full of ups and downs.Shimakura Chiyoko		Chiyoko Shimakura’s 1987 smash hit song
79	road; way; path; street; route; Tao (in philosophy)Shiga Masaru		The era of paternal dignity and masculine aesthetics
80	The Old Man’s SeaMuraki Kenkichi		An unknown newcomer wins the Cable Music Awards
81	The Seasons of a Married CoupleMurata Hideo		The bond of a couple who nurture love even in poverty
82	Lament of ResentmentKaji Meiko		Expressing an actress’s grudge with powerful vocals
83	Across this wide fieldMoriyama Ryoko		A folk song that sings of the beauty of nature
84	Happy HinamatsuriKawamura Junko		A famous Japanese song that sings of springtime traditions. With a clear voice, it depicts the Peach Festival.
85	Spring, Summer, Autumn, WinterIzumiya Shigeru		Reflecting life's impermanence in the changing of the four seasons
86	My RevolutionWatanabe Misato		The courage to break out of your shell and spark a revolution within yourself
87	When the cherry blossoms bloomWatanabe Misato		A nostalgic singing voice like cherry blossoms
88	Black Cat TangoMinagawa Osamu		A smash hit song by Osamu Minagawa themed around a black cat
89	Nakanoshima BluesAkiniba Yutaka & Aronaitsu		A local song set on Nakanoshima, Hokkaido
90	Elegy of SpringShōji Shirō		A song that expresses lost love and the transience of spring
91	First Star BluesSugawara Bunta, Aikawa Kinya		A song of life lessons likened to a journey
92	Women live for love.Fuji Keiko		The spirit of a Showa-era woman who sings of selfless love
93	Backstreet TavernNishida Sachiko		A hidden gem that sings of a barmaid’s heart became their signature song
94	Everything is alright.RC sakuseshon		A song that gives courage to everyone who feels anxious
95	Withered Susuki Grass of the Shōwa Erasakura to ichirō		A classic song from the Showa era, a massive hit with 1.5 million copies sold
96	Spirit Boat (Shoro Nagashi)gureepu		Masashi Sada’s song of gratitude to his mother
97	Drifters’ Zundoko BushiZa Dorifutāzu		The Drifters won 2nd place in 1970.
98	Yearning for youFuranku Nagai		An old song was rearranged in 1961 and became a hit.
99	my husbandMifune Kazuko		The aesthetics and chivalry of a woman who endures hardship
100	I don’t have an umbrella.Inoue Yosui		Yosui’s umbrella song from 1972 is genius.
101	Northern SpringSen Masao		Masao Sen’s signature song that sings of a heartfelt longing for his hometown
102	celebratory sakeSakamoto Fuyumi		Fuyumi Sakamoto’s third single
103	Love-madnessOkumura Chiyo		Shockingly expressing the madness of love
104	Goodbye to sorrowanzenchitai		The timeless songs of Anzen Chitai are still being sung today.
105	Cape TourYamamoto Kōtarō & Uīkendo		Touring the promontories of our promised date alone
106	touch-me-not (balsam; Impatiens balsamina)Shimakura Chiyoko		A song that likens the fleeting yet beautiful pure love of a woman who works in the nightlife to a balsam flower.
107	draft (cold air seeping through gaps)Sugi Ryōtarō		Warmth and kindness for living like a human being
108	Song of ThanksSuizenji Kiyoko		A song that teaches the importance of gratitude
109	outdatedKawashima Eigo		Let's live with our feet firmly on the ground
110	brandy glassIshihara Yūjirō		Expressing melancholy and warmth with Yujiro Ishihara’s sweet voice
111	Like the flow of a riverMisora Hibari		Walk through life like the flow of a river
112	CheersNagabuchi Tsuyoshi		A classic song to celebrate a friend’s wedding
113	Isezakicho BluesAoe Mina		A song characterized by Mina Aoe’s husky voice
114	Fall in LoveKobayashi Akiko		Forbidden love, a heart-stirring classic
115	Kanda RiverMinami Kōsetsu & Kaguyahime		A representative song of the four-and-a-half tatami room genre released in 1973
116	Premonition of Spring – I’ve been mellowMinami Saori		A classic hit by Saori Minami that captures the freshness of spring
117	A snap in yellow-green (moegi)anzenchitai		Anzen Chitai’s classic spring debut song
118	TouchIwasaki Yoshimi		The opening song of Touch, used as a cheer song for high school baseball
119	Yanagase BluesMikawa Ken’ichi		A hit song that became a signature tune for Kenichi Mikawa
120	lieNakaijō Kiyoshi		A song released in 1974 with lyrics by Yoko Yamaguchi. Lyrics from a woman’s perspective that see through a man’s lies.
121	Beyond the GoodbyeYamaguchi Momoe		A Shōwa-era mega star who sums up their life in the final song before retirement
122	Love is overŌyō Fifi		A poignant ballad that sings of the end of an adult love
123	Graduationsaitou yuki		A singer’s debut song depicting graduation ceremonies and youth