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
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	The hottest summer in the worldPRINCESS PRINCESS		Princess Princess's representative summer song, "The Hottest Summer in the World"
2	Season in the SunTUBE		A quintessential TUBE summer song with a refreshing sound
3	A Tale of Two in Summer: Never-Ending SummerSugiyama Kiyotaka & Omega Tribe		Kiyotaka Sugiyama’s summer love song is a big hit
4	Summer HeroineKawai Naoko		Naoko Kawai’s classic songs that color the memories of summer
5	Chaco’s Seaside StorySazan Ōrusutāzu		A classic by Southern that refreshingly sings of summer love
6	SPARKLEYamashita Tatsuro		Tatsuro Yamashita’s classic summer anthem
7	Forever with youKayama Yūzō		A summer dusk love song of Yuzo Kayama’s “Kimi to Itsumademo”
8	Love VacationZa Pīnattsu		Peanuts’ Love Vacation Song
9	Last Summer WhisperAnri		A classic song that sings of Anri’s summer memories
10	Crimson SunMisora Hibari		Passion and ephemerality, a masterpiece by Hibari Misora
11	You are in full color.Ohtaki Eiichi		Eiichi Ohtaki’s summer classic “Kimi wa Tennenshoku” (You Are Natural Color)
12	Summer LoveOzaki Kiyohiko		Kiyohiko Ozaki's summery romantic pop
13	You guys are kiwi, papaya, and mango, aren’t you?Nakahara Meiko		The theme song for summer cosmetics released by Meiko Nakahara in 1984
14	I hope you are keeping well in the summer heat.kyandīzu		Candies’ summer classic—memories before their breakup
15	The Door to SummerMatsuda Seiko		Seiko Matsuda’s “Natsu no Tobira” is a refreshing summer classic.
16	Season of LovePinkī to Kirāzu		The Appeal of Pinky and the Killers’ Debut Song
17	Heart-throbbing for you. — A Fickle Vacation —Yellow Magic Orchestra		YMO’s 1983 summer song “Kimi ni Mune Kyun”
18	Harmony at Summer’s EndInoue Yosui & Anzen Chitai		Summer masterpieces by Anzen Chitai and Yosui Inoue
19	A summer to rememberYamaguchi Momoe		Momoe Yamaguchi’s summer love song
20	Beach of MemoriesZa Wairudowanzu		The Wild Ones’ debut single “Memories of the Seashore”
21	Time, stop.Yazawa Eikichi		Eikichi Yazawa’s classic song capturing a man’s bittersweet summer feelings
22	Suddenly, SinbadSazan Ōrusutāzu		Depicting youth and summer in Southern All Stars’ debut song
23	50/50Nagayama Miho		Miho Nakayama’s 1987 summer love song
24	Deceived by a guy like HiroshiTakada Mizue		Mizue Takada’s nostalgic summer classic
25	Summer-colored DiaryHori Chiemi		A refreshing depiction of youthful summer and budding romance.
26	Women Who Fall in Love in SummerOhnuki Taeko		Taeko Ohnuki’s cosmopolitan love song
27	Summer Dayofukōsu		A classic ballad about summer love
28	Be my bride.Kayama Yūzō		A signature song by Yūzō Kayama with a memorable ukulele
29	Equator Girl: Dokki!Yamashita Kumiko		Kumiko Yamashita’s 1982 hit song “Equator Girl Dokki”
30	Summer MissSakakibara Ikue		Ikue Sakakibara’s Summer Love Song
31	RIDE ON TIMEYamashita Tatsuro		Tatsuro Yamashita’s refreshing summer songs, perfect as driving BGM
32	Shinin’ On-kun is sad.rukku		LOOK's signature song, the sandy beach at night where we reminisce
33	The Little MermaidNagayama Miho		A summer beach love story and Miho Nakayama’s crystalline voice
34	South Wind – SOUTH WIND –Ōta Hiromi		Refreshing vibes with Hiromi Ohta’s summer songs
35	BoyhoodInoue Yosui		Inoue Yosui's Shonen Jidai is a Showa-era hit song
36	Midsummer RainRebekka		A wistful, weightless song that paints a scene of summer rain
37	“Goodbye is an August lullaby.”Yoshikawa Koji		The bittersweetness of Kōji Kikkawa’s summers in the ’80s
38	Stella with Blue Eyes, Summer 1962…Yanagi Joji		A classic ballad by George Yanagi that depicts memories of summers past
39	Angel’s TemptationMayuzumi Jun		Jun Mayuzumi's summer hit songs are hugely popular
40	Seaside BoundZa Taigāsu		The Tigers’ summer love song is a big hit
41	Love Letter on the Seashoresawada kenji		Kenji Sawada’s sentimental classic depicting a summer farewell
42	Crazed FruitIshihara Yūjirō		Theme songs from Yujiro Ishihara’s films, classic hits of the Showa era
43	The sun is crying.ishida ayumi		Introducing the classic song released in 1968 by Ayumi Ishida
44	Southern WindNakamori Akina		Akina Nakamori’s tropical resort love song
45	Morning of the PegasusIgarashi Hiroaki		Igarashi Hiroaki’s signature song, a refreshing anthem of hope
46	The Days of Rainbows and Sneakerschūrippu		Introduction to Tulip’s Summer Heartbreak Songs
47	Waltz of StarlightSen Masao		An enka love song that sings of the sorrow of parting
48	Ah, summer vacation.TUBE		That uplifting feeling from TUBE’s signature summer song
49	miragekurisutaru kingu		Crystal King's summer love song
50	A Member of the Fire BrigadeRATS&STAR		Rats & Star's summer smash hit
51	17 years oldMinami Saori		The summer love song of Saori Minami’s debut
52	The High-Class Mermaid of the ShoreKoizumi Kyoko		Introduction to Kyoko Koizumi’s 1984 release
53	Blue Coral ReefMatsuda Seiko		Seiko Matsuda’s signature summer song “Blue Coral Reef”
54	Two People’s Love IslandIshikawa Yuko & Chage		The duet song by Chage & Aska and Yuko Ishikawa
55	summer vacationyoshida takurou		A folk rock piece depicting Takuro Yoshida’s summer memories
56	SUMMER DREAMTUBE		Summer Dream, TUBE’s classic summer hit
57	Mr. Summertimesaakasu		Mr. Summertime of Circus
58	TouchIwasaki Yoshimi		A song that portrays youthful romance as the theme song of Touch
59	Nancy of Summer ColorsHayami Yū		A refreshing classic that depicts a summer romance
60	white parasolMatsuda Seiko		Expresses the bittersweetness of summer love in one of Seiko Matsuda’s signature songs
61	Give Up on SummerNaoko Ken		A masterpiece that portrays the end of summer. Naoko Ken’s wistful vocals capture the essence of youth.
62	A Midsummer Night’s DreamNoguchi Goro		Goro Noguchi’s 1978 single “Midsummer Night’s Dream”
63	Dance, fish.Yamashita Tatsuro		A refreshing city pop song by Tatsuro Yamashita
64	Sinbad on the Shorepinku redii		Pink Lady's summer love song
65	The Longed-For Hawaii RouteHaruo Oka		A song of longing for postwar Japanese setting off to Hawaii
66	Give Up on SummerSazan Ōrusutāzu		Southern All Stars’ summer love song