Unrequited love songs from the Showa era. Those nostalgic classics.
In this article, we introduce unrequited love songs from the Showa era.
If you spent your youth around the time these were released, you’ll likely find many nostalgic tracks.
You might even rediscover a song you listened to when you were in love and feel those forgotten emotions return.
Some are love songs that portray impossible romances and heartbreak, but if you’re looking for Showa-era unrequited love songs, be sure to give these a listen.
No matter your generation, if you’ve experienced love, you’re sure to find at least one song you can relate to.
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Unrequited Love Songs of the Showa Era: Those Nostalgic Classics (21–30)
Returning RiverGodai Natsuko
The debut song “Modorigawa” from Natsuko Godai’s 1987 re-debut under this name.
Through steady promotional efforts, the track became a major hit.
It portrays the painful reality that, when the time for parting comes to two people caught up in a dangerous love, no matter how hard they try, it’s difficult to go on living together.
Godai’s deeply emotive vocals further accentuate the longing and lingering regrets depicted in the lyrics.
Please give it a listen—a tragic love story that embodies the very essence of enka: wanting to be together, yet being unable to be.
As time goes bysawada kenji
Among the masterpieces of the Showa era, this work shines with a special brilliance—a gemlike ballad that portrays the love between a man and a woman as it changes with the passage of time.
Kenji Sawada’s sultry vocals strike a perfect balance between heartache and hope.
Released in August 1975, it topped the Oricon weekly chart for five consecutive weeks.
It was also used as an insert song for the TBS drama “Akuma no Youna Aitsu,” leaving a lasting impression on many hearts.
It’s a recommended track for healing the pain of heartbreak or reminiscing about precious memories with someone dear.
Truly, a Showa classic that resonates across generations.
Morning of the PegasusIgarashi Hiroaki
Hiroaki Igarashi, who skillfully commands high tones and falsetto to move listeners’ hearts.
This work is his third single, released by CBS/Sony in November 1980.
It was also featured as the commercial song for Meiji Seika’s “Meiji Chocolate,” reaching No.
3 on the Oricon charts the following year.
Celebrated as a New Music classic, it continues to be loved by many.
The lyrics delicately portray the brilliance and bittersweetness of youth, praising the beauty of platonic relationships and friendship, and evoking the profound depth of human connections beyond romance.
This song, which sings of the joy of welcoming a new morning, is the perfect number for moments when you want to look ahead and move forward, or when you want to feel the bond with someone dear.
One thing I want to ask youSHISHAMO
It’s an adorable unrequited-love song that captures feelings for someone whose name you don’t even know.
Released by SHISHAMO in June 2025, it stands out not only for the music but also because vocalist Asako Miyazaki plays the heroine in the music video.
The lyrics distill a pure desire to know everything about the other person, and together with the warm musical tone, it’s sure to make your heart flutter.
If you’re in the midst of a crush right now, you might find it incredibly relatable.
If I can see you in my dreamsOhtaki Eiichi
A classic by Eiichi Ohtaki, distinguished by its wistful melody and heart-wrenching lyrics.
The bittersweet feelings of longing for someone far away are conveyed through a gentle, intimate vocal delivery.
First released in 1976, the song has since been covered by many artists and continues to be loved across generations as a masterpiece in the history of Japanese pop.
It’s a recommended track for healing the pain of heartbreak or for reaffirming your feelings for someone special.
You are more beautiful than a rose.Fuse Akira
Akira Fuse’s signature song, which over the years has become a classic everyone can hum.
It vividly portrays a man’s emotions as he’s astonished by how a woman he hasn’t seen in a long time has changed, yet is captivated by her beauty.
The sophisticated sound crafted by Godiego’s Mickey Yoshino blends perfectly with Fuse’s powerful yet delicate vocals to create a superb track.
Released in January 1979, it was used in a Kanebo Cosmetics commercial.
It reached No.
8 on the Oricon weekly chart at the time and led to four appearances on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
This gem of a love song is recommended for those who want to feel the joy of a heart-stirring reunion with the arrival of spring, or who wish to bask in memories with someone special.
My heart is stop-motionKuwae Tomoko
A heartfelt work by Tomoko Kuwae that gently envelops the thrill of unexpected encounters and new love.
Its light, refreshing melody beautifully captures the budding feelings that arrive with spring.
The way a heart, after a long winter, gradually unravels in the warm sunlight is especially memorable.
Released in January 1979, it reached No.
12 on the Oricon weekly chart and was also used in a commercial for Pola’s Vario cosmetics.
In the same year, it earned the Best New Artist Award at the 21st Japan Record Awards and was included on her debut album, Born Free.
A perfect song for anyone feeling the stirrings of romance or eagerly awaiting the arrival of spring.