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!
Playlist
| Songs of Summer from the Showa Era: A comprehensive introduction, from nostalgic Japanese hits to timeless favorites still popular today | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1 | The hottest summer in the worldPRINCESS PRINCESS |  play_arrow | A legendary girls' band that epitomizes the Showa era… |
| 2 | A Tale of Two in Summer: Never-Ending SummerSugiyama Kiyotaka & Omega Tribe |  play_arrow | A song that lets you feel the breath of summer. Kiyotaka Sugiyama & … |
| 3 | Summer HeroineKawai Naoko |  play_arrow | Naoko Kawai’s classic songs that color the memories of summer |
| 4 | Season in the SunTUBE |  play_arrow | TUBE can be called a band that symbolizes summer. “Shi… |
| 5 | Love VacationZa Pīnattsu |  play_arrow | Harmonious chemistry unique to a twin duo... |
| 6 | Last Summer WhisperAnri |  play_arrow | It evokes a poignant scene at the end of summer… |
| 7 | SPARKLEYamashita Tatsuro |  play_arrow | This work, marked by its shimmering guitar cutting, leaves a strong impression... |
| 8 | Forever with youKayama Yūzō |  play_arrow | When it comes to summer songs, I think of tracks that evoke clear, sunny skies… |
| 9 | Crimson SunMisora Hibari |  play_arrow | Passion and ephemerality, a masterpiece by Hibari Misora |
| 10 | You are in full color.Ohtaki Eiichi |  play_arrow | A pioneering presence in the history of Japanese rock, and… |
| 11 | Season of LovePinkī to Kirāzu |  play_arrow | Set to a stylish bossa nova-inspired sound, love… |
| 12 | Summer LoveOzaki Kiyohiko |  play_arrow | Kiyohiko Ozaki’s si… released in 1987 |
| 13 | You guys are kiwi, papaya, and mango, aren’t you?Nakahara Meiko |  play_arrow | “You guys are Kiwi, Papaya, and Mango, aren’t you…?” |
| 14 | Chaco’s Seaside StorySazan Ōrusutāzu |  play_arrow | A classic summer song that sings of the blue sea and youthful days. Southern All Sta… |
| 15 | I hope you are keeping well in the summer heat.kyandīzu |  play_arrow | A three-member idol group active in the 1970s, ... |
| 16 | The Door to SummerMatsuda Seiko |  play_arrow | When it comes to Seiko Matsuda’s summer songs, “Natsu no Tobira” (“The Door into Summer”) is… |
| 17 | Heart-throbbing for you. — A Fickle Vacation —Yellow Magic Orchestra |  play_arrow | A pioneering figure of technobands in Japan... |
| 18 | Harmony at Summer’s EndInoue Yosui & Anzen Chitai |  play_arrow | Since its release in 1986, this song has... |
| 19 | A summer to rememberYamaguchi Momoe |  play_arrow | Known as a legendary singer in the Showa-era kayō (pop) genre… |
| 20 | Beach of MemoriesZa Wairudowanzu |  | A pioneering band of the Group Sounds scene... |
| 21 | Suddenly, SinbadSazan Ōrusutāzu |  play_arrow | This song, which evokes a refreshing summer breeze, is Sa-... |
| 22 | 50/50Nagayama Miho |  play_arrow | The exhilarating sound of the steelpan is striking, and it... |
| 23 | Deceived by a guy like HiroshiTakada Mizue |  | A sound that evokes a somehow nostalgic summer scene... |
| 24 | Time, stop.Yazawa Eikichi |  play_arrow | If you’re a fan of Eikichi Yazawa, then when it comes to summer songs… |
| 25 | Love Letter on the Seashoresawada kenji |  | On a late-summer beach, I linger over saying goodbye to the one I love… |
| 26 | Women Who Fall in Love in SummerOhnuki Taeko |  play_arrow | Taeko Onuki evokes the image of a summer night in the city… |
| 27 | Summer Dayofukōsu |  play_arrow | It's a classic song that poignantly sings of a summer day's romance. 1... |
| 28 | Stella with Blue Eyes, Summer 1962…Yanagi Joji |  play_arrow | The spellbinding work woven by George Yanagi & Rainy Wood, a cap… |
| 29 | Seaside BoundZa Taigāsu |  | A dazzling sun and a blue sea come vividly to mind—how thrilling... |
| 30 | Crazed FruitIshihara Yūjirō |  | Based on an original story and screenplay by Shintaro Ishihara, in 1956... |
| 31 | The sun is crying.ishida ayumi |  play_arrow | Although the sun is the motif, there's something somehow poignant about it... |
| 32 | Shinin’ On-kun is sad.rukku |  play_arrow | A rock band that was active from 1985 to 1988... |
| 33 | The Little MermaidNagayama Miho |  play_arrow | A bittersweet love story set on a summer beach... |
| 34 | Summer-colored DiaryHori Chiemi |  play_arrow | A refreshing depiction of youthful summer and budding romance. |
| 35 | Be my bride.Kayama Yūzō |  play_arrow | Yuzo Kayama, affectionately known by the nickname “Wakadaisho,” ... |
| 36 | Equator Girl: Dokki!Yamashita Kumiko |  play_arrow | Taking in new music and city pop... |
| 37 | Summer MissSakakibara Ikue |  play_arrow | As one of the “Fresh Trio of Girls,” Yukiko Shimizu... |
| 38 | Midsummer RainRebekka |  play_arrow | The languid air after a sudden evening shower, and the wet asphalt... |
| 39 | “Goodbye is an August lullaby.”Yoshikawa Koji |  play_arrow | Vividly capturing the end of summer in the ’80s… |
| 40 | Angel’s TemptationMayuzumi Jun |  play_arrow | …the many hit songs that vividly colored the summers of the Showa era |
| 41 | RIDE ON TIMEYamashita Tatsuro |  play_arrow | Pop and light, evoking the refreshing breeze of summer... |
| 42 | South Wind – SOUTH WIND –Ōta Hiromi |  play_arrow | What lets you savor the open, summery vibe is Hiroshi Ota... |
| 43 | BoyhoodInoue Yosui |  play_arrow | A song you can't leave out as a summer hit from the Showa era... |
| 44 | Morning of the PegasusIgarashi Hiroaki |  play_arrow | The clear sound of an acoustic guitar and a piano... |
| 45 | The Days of Rainbows and Sneakerschūrippu |  play_arrow | The band, known for a style that incorporates elements of Western music... |
| 46 | miragekurisutaru kingu |  play_arrow | Set against the midsummer sea, it’s a passionate love story... |
| 47 | A Member of the Fire BrigadeRATS&STAR |  play_arrow | When it comes to quintessential sights and sounds of summer in the Showa era, this song is indispensable... |
| 48 | Southern WindNakamori Akina |  play_arrow | A melody draped in the enchanting ambiance of the tropics, and in the mid… |
| 49 | Mr. Summertimesaakasu |  play_arrow | A duo of a man and a woman who debuted in 1978… |
| 50 | white parasolMatsuda Seiko |  play_arrow | A clear, translucent singing voice and refreshing summer scenery fill my heart... |
| 51 | Give Up on SummerNaoko Ken |  play_arrow | A classic song that portrays the poignant scenery at the end of summer. Ken Na... |
| 52 | A Midsummer Night’s DreamNoguchi Goro |  play_arrow | Goro Noguchi’s three ... released in 1978 |
| 53 | Waltz of StarlightSen Masao |  play_arrow | It is also said to reflect the historical background... |
| 54 | Ah, summer vacation.TUBE |  | A quintessential TUBE piece that conveys the exhilaration of summer… |
| 55 | 17 years oldMinami Saori |  play_arrow | This song was released by Saori Minami in 1971... |
| 56 | The High-Class Mermaid of the ShoreKoizumi Kyoko |  play_arrow | Kyoko Koizumi released in 1984... |
| 57 | Blue Coral ReefMatsuda Seiko |  play_arrow | “Blue Coral Reef” was released by Seiko Matsuda in July 1980... |
| 58 | Two People’s Love IslandIshikawa Yuko & Chage |  play_arrow | Chage from Chage & Aska and the singer-song... |
| 59 | summer vacationyoshida takurou |  play_arrow | Brought folk rock to the Japanese music scene... |
| 60 | SUMMER DREAMTUBE |  play_arrow | “Ah, Summer Vacation” / “Season in the Sun…” |
| 61 | TouchIwasaki Yoshimi |  play_arrow | Released in 1985, the anime Touch… |
| 62 | Nancy of Summer ColorsHayami Yū |  play_arrow | A refreshing song that evokes the blue sea and the shining sun. |
| 63 | Dance, fish.Yamashita Tatsuro |  play_arrow | With a craftsman’s dedication to sound—earning the title “master of audio”—and a commitment that spans eras… |
| 64 | Sinbad on the Shorepinku redii |  play_arrow | A pop style that evokes a blue sky and a deep blue sea... |
| 65 | The Longed-For Hawaii RouteHaruo Oka |  play_arrow | This song, which sings of the postwar aspirations of the Japanese people. From the harbor… |
| 66 | Give Up on SummerSazan Ōrusutāzu |  play_arrow | And with a song by Southern All Stars in 1982... |