Songs of Summer from the Showa Era: A comprehensive introduction, from nostalgic Japanese hits to timeless favorites still popular today
Summer is packed with fun events like seaside drives, camping, and all-you-can-eat buffets.
And to make summer even more exciting, the right BGM is essential, isn’t it? If you’re struggling with your summer playlist, why not try some classic Japanese hits from the Showa era? In this article, we introduce a variety of “summer songs” mainly from the 1960s to the 1980s—ranging from Showa pop and Group Sounds to New Music, city pop, idol tunes, and rock bands.
For some, it’ll be a nostalgic trip; for younger listeners, a fresh discovery.
Enjoy!
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Summer Songs of the Showa Era | A comprehensive introduction to everything from nostalgic Japanese hits to timeless favorites (41–50)
Love Letter on the Seashoresawada kenji
It’s a classic song that conjures up the scene of a late-summer beach and the aching emotion of parting from a loved one.
The restrained, ballad-like melody heightens the sense of heartbreak.
With lyrics that weave in exotic resort towns like Amalfi and Nice, it feels like a scene from a film.
The literary gesture of a whistle as a final declaration of love shakes the listener’s heart with bittersweet poignancy.
Conveying the protagonist’s helpless longing through Kenji Sawada’s delicate yet powerful vocals, this track was released in May 1981 as his 33rd single.
Chosen as the summer campaign song for Max Factor, it reached No.
8 on the Oricon charts.
The B-side, “Bye-Bye Jealousy,” was later included on the album S/T/R/I/P/P/E/R.
When you feel sentimental about a summer romance that has passed, this song is sure to stay close to your heart.
Crazed FruitIshihara Yūjirō
There’s a film written from an original story and script by Shintaro Ishihara that, upon its July 1956 release, became a social phenomenon.
Its theme song is sung by the film’s star, Yujiro Ishihara, and the work portrays the precarious yet passionate love affairs of young people set against a sun-sparkling summer seaside.
The lyrics suggest the luscious sweetness of ripened fruit and the ruinous tension brought on by a deceitful love, all carried by Masaru Sato’s dramatic melody and Yujiro’s rich, velvety low voice, gripping the listener’s heart.
After the movie’s release, the song was issued as a single coupled with “Ore wa Matteru ze” (“I’m Waiting”), and was later included on the classic album Yujiro Ishihara Cinema: A Collection of Unforgettable Movie Theme Songs.
It’s recommended for those who want to feel the heat of the Taiyozoku generation of the time, or for nights when you want to sink into the Showa-era mood-kayō atmosphere.
The sun is crying.ishida ayumi
While centered on the motif of the sun, this classic vividly conveys a certain bittersweet emotion.
For Ayumi Ishida, it was her first single after moving to Columbia Records, released in June 1968.
Jun Hashimoto’s richly expressive lyrics are fused with Kyohei Tsutsumi’s sound, which boldly incorporates a GS-style rhythm and the then-innovative harpsichord, allowing Ishida’s emotional yet cool vocals to truly blossom.
Peaking at No.
18 on the Oricon chart, the track laid the groundwork for her subsequent big hits, and it’s no exaggeration to call it a song that symbolizes summer in the Showa era.
I highly recommend it to anyone looking for slightly wistful background music for a summer drive, or to those who want to experience the sophisticated pop of the time.
Southern WindNakamori Akina
It’s a song with a charming tropical vibe and Akina Nakamori’s crystal-clear vocals that leave a strong impression.
Released in April 1984, it topped the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart for three consecutive weeks and also held the No.
1 spot on the TV music show “The Best Ten” for two weeks.
The lyrics, depicting a solo trip to a tropical resort, reflect Japan’s social backdrop at the time and symbolize a woman freely enjoying romance.
They portray a sense of liberation, fleeting encounters, and the dangerous temptations that lurk within, offering listeners an escape into the extraordinary.
With its refreshing sound that makes you forget the summer heat, it’s perfect for a seaside drive—you’ll find yourself wanting to roll down the window and feel the sea breeze.
Morning of the PegasusIgarashi Hiroaki
The clear tones of the acoustic guitar and piano are striking, and just hearing the intro gives you a refreshing, cleansing feeling, doesn’t it? This is the song that brought Hiroaki Igarashi, hailing from Hokkaido, wider recognition, and it perfectly captures the breezy atmosphere of the early 1980s.
The lyrics, which sing of setting off toward a future full of dreams and hope, carry a gentle warmth that gives listeners an encouraging nudge.
Released as a single in 1980 and included on his debut album NORTHERN LIGHTS – Hokuto Shichisei, this work stands as a representative piece from Igarashi’s early career.
It was also aired on NHK’s Minna no Uta, which likely helped it become widely beloved.
It’s the kind of song that can give you a refreshing boost when taking a new step forward or on a morning when you’re feeling a bit low.
It may even make some listeners’ hearts ache with nostalgia as they remember summers from back then.