[Spring Songs Born in the Showa Era] A Curated Selection of Kayōkyoku That Colored the Times and Timeless Classics Still Sung Today

When the first reports of cherry blossoms start to arrive, is there a melody you find yourself humming without thinking?Spring is a season of meetings and partings, and also the time when many masterpieces were born.In the Shōwa era, songs that colored spring were delivered without cease—from the lyrical prewar pieces, to the energetic kayōkyoku of the high-growth years, and on to dazzling pops.Nostalgic spring songs from Shōwa continue to resonate in many hearts across generations even today.In this article, we introduce a wide range of springtime songs born in the Shōwa period, from kayōkyoku that capture the spirit of their times to timeless gems still sung today.Please enjoy them as you picture the scenes from back then!

Playlist

[Spring Songs Born in the Showa Era] A Curated Selection of Kayōkyoku That Colored the Times and Timeless Classics Still Sung Today
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Song of SpringWatanabe Mitsuko		A famous spring song from the early Showa era, sung by Mitsuko Watanabe
2	Little Red in Early SpringYano Akiko		Akiko Yano’s classic spring technopop song
3	Early Spring HarborMinami Saori		A masterpiece by Saori Minami depicting the spring seaside
4	Full of memoriesH₂O		H2O 1983 hit song
5	Come, springhappiiendo		The famous song at the beginning of Happy End’s debut album
6	Cherry Blossom March PromenadeInoue Yosui		Introduction to Yosui Inoue’s classic song “Haru no Sanpomichi” (Spring Stroll)
7	Whisper of Young Leavestenchi mari		A classic spring song of Showa-era idol kayō released in 1973
8	Samba of SpringMisora Hibari		Misora Hibari's Samba-Rhythm Spring Kayō
9	Premonition of Spring -I’ve been mellow-Minami Saori		A spring classic by Saori Minami, also used in a Shiseido commercial
10	Spring in its gentle gloryTayama Masamitsu		Masamitsu Tayama’s debut song. A folk song that depicts spring scenery.
11	Dreaming SeasonItō Tsukasa		A hidden gem from 1982 that depicts the loves of spring
12	Nineteen SpringsTabata Yoshio		A smash hit song—an Okinawan folk tune covered by Yoshio Tabata
13	Aizen BridgeYamaguchi Momoe		A famous song depicting Momoe Yamaguchi’s marriage
14	A net with a sighMinamino Yoko		A spring song by Yoko Minamino, a big hit that ranked No. 1 for two consecutive weeks
15	tricolor violetSakurada Junko		A song that entrusts a faint first love to tricolored violets
16	Spring sceneryMinamino Yoko		A youth love song that portrays a romance swayed between advancing to the next stage of education and taking a gap year to retake exams
17	When the violets bloomTakarazuka Shōjo Kageki Tsukigumi		History and background of When the Violets Bloom
18	poppy flowerAgunesu Chan		Fortune-telling about love with poppy flowers, a memorable classic song
19	Smiling Backkyandīzu		Spring songs of parting and memories, timeless melodies that touch the heart
20	Lips NetworkOkada Yukiko		The charm of Yukiko Okada’s classic song “Red Sweet Pea”
21	The city is a spring breezeNakano Tadaharu		A song of Western jazz Japanized by the spring breeze
22	Flowers of the trifoliate orangeSakushi: Kitahara Hakushū / Sakkyoku: Yamada Kōsaku		The changing seasons in the famous works by Hakushū and Kōsaku
23	spring thundersadamasashi		An adult kayōkyoku song that layers farewells with spring storms
24	Green breezesakushi: shimizu katsura / sakkyoku: kusakawa shin		A Shōwa-era children's song depicting the arrival of spring and children's play
25	spring breeze, spring rainYamaguchi Yoshiko		Showa ballads sung by Yamaguchi Yoshiko
26	Pleasant spring breezedikku mine		A sprightly spring jazz song, a masterpiece performance from early Showa era
27	Spring somewhereSakushi: Momota Sōji / Sakkyoku: Kusakawa Shin		Introduction to a children's song that sings of the arrival of spring
28	Spring breeze blowing at nightsayo fukuko		Theme song of the Takarazuka Moon Troupe’s 1941 (Showa 16) performance
29	Plum blossoms in the spring breezeShinbashi Kiyozo		A popular song from the early Showa era themed around plum blossoms and the spring breeze
30	Flower Towndōyō		The children’s song that represents spring after the war, “Hana no Machi” (Flower Town)
31	Edo is a spring breezeTakada Kōkichi		A fusion of Japanese and Western styles with an Edo-period aesthetic
32	Hate and the spring breezeFujimoto Nisankichi		A Showa-era (early) jazz school song that dreams of the spring breeze
33	Tulipdōyō		The History and Charm of Children’s Songs Depicting Spring Flowers
34	First loveMurashita Kōzō		Kozo Murashita “First Love” A Spring Classic
35	See, spring has come.ushirogami hikaretai		A spring-like pop song by Ushirogami Hikaretai
36	Cotton MoodAnri		The Colon Cotton commercial jingle
37	Forbidden Rouge MagicImawano Kiyoshiro, Sakamoto Ryuichi		A collaborative song by Kiyoshiro Imawano and Ryuichi Sakamoto
38	Mysterious Peach PieTakeuchi Mariya		Mariya Takeuchi’s hit song “Peach Pie”
39	It was spring, wasn’t it?yoshida takurou		The Appeal of Takuro Yoshida’s Spring Love Songs
40	Spring La! La! La!Ishino Mako		A Showa-era idol song by Mako Ishino themed around spring
41	Premonition of Spring – I’ve been mellowMinami Saori		Saori Minami’s “Haruno Yokan” is a masterpiece brimming with transparency.
42	Azusa No. 2karyūdō		Scenes of urban love and parting in a classic spring song
43	Color · White BlendNagayama Miho		Miho Nakayama’s debut song at age 15 becomes a big hit
44	Hee, hee, hee, hee,EPO		EPO’s upbeat songs have continued to be loved for nearly forty years.
45	A Good Day to Set Out on a JourneyYamaguchi Momoe		A classic song from the Showa era, a JNR campaign song. A poignant story of departure.
46	You are more beautiful than a rose.Fuse Akira		Akira Fuse’s masterpiece, an emotion-filled classic about a reunion.
47	See you.o nyanko kurabu		Onyanko Club’s cheerful graduation song
48	Northern SpringSen Masao		Masao Sen’s “Hokugoku no Haru” is a classic song that evokes nostalgia for one’s hometown.
49	spring thunderfuki no tō		Fuki no Tou’s “Shunrai” is a masterpiece that depicts parting and spring.
50	A snap in yellow-green (moegi)anzenchitai		A masterpiece by Anzen Chitai, with a crystal-clear melody that heralds the arrival of spring
51	Come, SpringKawai Naoko		A lively song by Naoko Kawai about springtime love
52	spring hazeIwasaki Hiromi		Hiromi Iwasaki’s “Haru Oboro” expresses the poignancy of love
53	Words of FarewellKaientai		Graduation song. In fact, it’s a song about heartbreak.
54	My heart is stop-motionKuwae Tomoko		Tomoko Kuwae’s magnum opus that captures the feelings of springtime love with a refreshing melody
55	Temptation of the Spring BreezeKoizumi Kyoko		Kyoko Koizumi’s early 1983 classic song
56	When the cherry blossoms bloomWatanabe Misato		Misato Watanabe’s classic that depicts a springtime send-off
57	dandelionŌta Hiromi		The poignancy of unrequited love expressed by dandelions
58	Beautiful SpringKayama Yūzō		A classic hit by Yuzo Kayama that depicts a springtime romance.
59	cherry blossom frontKoyanagi Rumiko		An inspiring classic by Rumiko Koyanagi themed around spring
60	Mischief of the spring breezeYamaguchi Momoe		The feelings of a woman searching for a lover in the spring breeze
61	Spring-colored airmailMatsumoto Noriko		Noriko Matsumoto's Spring-Colored Airmail
62	The arrival of springKoyanagi Rumiko		Rumiko Koyanagi’s spring classic: the warmth of love and family
63	The last spring breakMatsutōya Yumi		Depicting the heartrending feelings of a girl on the verge of parting
64	A Letter Waiting for Springyoshida takurou		A masterpiece that sings about the feelings of two people in a long-distance relationship
65	Even though it’s springKashiwabara Yoshie		Kashiwabara Yoshie's signature song despite it being spring
66	Graduation -GRADUATION-Kikuchi Momoko		Momoko Kikuchi’s “Sotsugyo” is still cherished today as a classic spring song.
67	To my distant loverSaijō Hideki		Hideo Saijo of the city: a classic song about love from his hometown
68	The country where cherry blossoms bloomOSK Nihon Kagekidan		A classic themed around Showa-era cherry blossoms, still beloved today
69	Song of Seeing Spring OffNoguchi Goro		Goro Noguchi’s ballad that sings of springtime farewells
70	The Apple SongNamiki Michiko		A classic song that sings of postwar hope: Blue Skies and Love
71	spring’s dry windIzumiya Shigeru		Shigeru Izumiya’s masterpiece that gives you the strength to live
72	Maiden’s SpringAwaya Noriko		Noriko Awaya’s song from 1934 of the Showa era
73	Harusaki KobeniYano Akiko		Akiko Yano YMO-produced techno kayō song
74	Graduation PhotoArai Yumi		A song of youthful bittersweetness and memories
75	Graduationsaitou yuki		Yuki Saito’s debut song, a graduation song
76	Cape ErimoMori Shinichi		A fusion masterpiece composed by Takuro Yoshida and sung by Shinichi Mori
77	hometownshouka		A song that symbolizes the Japanese spirit, expressing feelings for one’s hometown
78	Red Sweet PeaMatsuda Seiko		Seiko Matsuda’s classic song of spring 1982
79	Happy HinamatsuriKawamura Junko		Junko Kawamura's classic song about Hinamatsuri (Doll Festival)
80	Elegy of SpringShōji Shirō		A classic song that sings of lost love from the early Showa era and the fleeting nature of spring
81	Let yourself go with the flow of timeTeresa Ten		Teresa Teng’s classic that portrays deep love
82	A Hazy Moonlit Nightshouka		An old Japanese song that depicts a spring evening
83	Lingering Snowiruka		A cover song of Kaguya-hime by Iruka becomes a big hit
84	the first strong spring windkyandīzu		A spring-like song by Candies
85	Northern SpringSen Masao		Masao Sen’s 1977 smash-hit enka song