Moving Japanese songs recommended for men in their 60s

This is a playlist packed with moving Japanese songs—J-pop, kayōkyoku, and Japanese rock—that we recommend for gentlemen in their 60s, the so-called “around sixty” generation.

It’s full of masterpieces where you can savor dramatic melodies and lyrics that express poignant, heartfelt emotions.

Playlist

Moving Japanese songs recommended for men in their 60s
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Sake, Tears, Men, and WomenKawashima Eigo		A song by Eigo Kawashima about the sorrow of a man
2	Door of LifeTakeuchi Mariya		A soul-stirring masterpiece that makes you reflect on life's milestones
3	I can’t put it into wordsofukōsu		Off Course “Kotoba ni Dekinai”
4	While listening to a distant train whistleArisu		Alice's signature song, lyrics by Shinji Tanimura, music by Takao Horiuchi
5	era; age; time; periodNakajima Miyuki		Miyuki Nakajima’s masterpiece of despair and hope
6	Stella with Blue Eyes, Summer 1962…Yanagi Jōji & Rainīuddo		George Yanagi, one of Japan’s foremost blues rock singers
7	I wonder if it will be sunny tomorrow.Kuwata Keisuke		Keisuke Kuwata’s classic: a rousing anthem that sings of hope in life
8	As time goes bysawada kenji		Award-winning songs among Kenji Sawada's signature hits
9	MelodyTamaki Kōji		Koji Tamaki’s masterpiece, covered by many singers
10	CheersNagabuchi Tsuyoshi		A cheer song celebrating a friend's wedding
11	Until we meet againOzaki Kiyohiko		Kiyohiko Ozaki’s 1971 smash hit song
12	SAY YESCHAGE and ASKA		CHAGE and ASKA's smash hit song
13	I don’t have an umbrella.Inoue Yosui		I want to see my lover even if I get wet in the rain
14	A Good Day to Set Out on a JourneyYamaguchi Momoe		Momoe Yamaguchi’s Farewell Song
15	Lullaby of the Holy MothersIwasaki Hiromi		Hiromi Iwasaki’s mega-hit song, a timeless classic that heals the heart
16	In the Great Sky and on the Vast EarthMatsuyama Chiharu		It has been passed down and sung as a standard song by Chiharu Matsuyama.
17	MotherMori Shinichi		Shinichi Mori’s classic song that sings of love and gratitude for his mother
18	Love is overŌyō Fifi		A famous song by Ouyang Feifei that sings of the sadness of parting
19	That wonderful love once moreZa Fōku Kurusedāzu		A classic folk song from 1971
20	SubaruTanimura Shinji		A smash hit that became Shinji Tanimura’s signature song
21	Oh! ClaudiaSazan Ōrusutāzu		A bittersweet ballad by Southern All Stars
22	The world calls it love.Sambomasutā		Sambomaster’s 2005 hit song
23	Love will winKAN		KAN is from Fukuoka and had a huge hit with 'Ai wa Katsu' ('Love Will Win').
24	SHAKESMAP		SMAP “SHAKE” brimming with dynamism
25	TRAIN TRAINTHE BLUE HEARTS		The Blue Hearts were a punk band active in the late 1980s.
26	The Love Song I Wrotechūrippu		Tulip Love Love Song
27	BoyhoodInoue Yosui		Inoue Yosui’s signature long-running hit
28	A Ballad Dedicated to My MotherKaientai		A song that Tetsuya Takeda dedicated to his mother
29	escapadeAsō Yōko		Yoko Aso debuted with “Tohikō” and won a newcomer award
30	Sunset SongKondō Masahiko		Masahiko Kondo’s classic song “Yuyake no Uta” (Sunset Song)
31	My chest hurts.Yūkadan		Yuka-dan, the leading band of the Osaka blues scene
32	Goodbyeofukōsu		Off Course’s pure love ballad, poignantly expressing the end of a romance
33	Please, God!Za Tenputāzu		The Tempters’ famous song, Koigokoro and Inori
34	A world without youZa Bībāzu		The Beavers’ heartbreak rock song
35	blue eyesJakkī Yoshikawa to Burū Komettsu		A classic masterpiece from the dawn of the Group Sounds era depicting a bittersweet love in the northern country
36	The lights of Sakhalin do not go outZa Jenoba		The debut song of The Genova, a Russian-folk-style ballad
37	Wine Red Heartanzenchitai		A love song portraying mature romance that revives forbidden memories
38	Tracks of HopeSazan Ōrusutāzu		Singing of memories and hope in a classic by Southern All Stars
39	For me to be myselfOzaki Yutaka		A classic song that celebrates the importance of living true to yourself
40	Friendanzenchitai		A masterpiece depicting romance by Anzen Chitai
41	Stars on EarthNakajima Miyuki		A musical piece of respect and inspiration for the unnamed people
42	Banzai ~ So glad I loved you ~Urufuruzu		A rock song by Ulfuls that sings about love
43	Like tonight’s moonElefanto Kashimashi		A masterpiece that sings of loneliness and passion for the future
44	ForeverGosuperāzu		A masterpiece that sings of an eternal bond with a loved one
45	TSUNAMISazan Ōrusutāzu		A representative song by Southern All Stars with a heartbreak theme
46	White LoversKuwata Keisuke		Introduction to Keisuke Kuwata’s winter ballad songs
47	Runnerbakufū suranpu		A classic by Bakufu Slump portrays youth and the bonds of friendship
48	Bridge of Gloryyuzu		An anthem that cheers you on to overcome hardships and seize hope
49	homeKiyama Yusaku		A song by Yusaku Kiyama that celebrates parental love and the joys of raising children
50	countrysideTamaki Kōji		Koji Tamaki’s gem of a masterpiece, gently advising on the journey of life
51	Let’s become a familyFukuyama Masaharu		A famous song themed around Masaharu Fukuyama’s marriage
52	loadTHE toraburyū		THE Toraidar’s signature song, a classic that depicts the journey of life
53	Tokyoyashiki takajin		An enka ballad that sings of love and heartbreak in Kansai dialect
54	Fortune Cookie in LoveAKB48		AKB48’s 2013 release, a song with Rino Sashihara as center
55	GOBUMP OF CHICKEN		About the song GO by BUMP OF CHICKEN
56	Ah, when it’s time to do it, you’ve got to do it.CRAZY KEN BAND		Songs by Crazy Ken Band that give you courage
57	Full of memoriesH₂O		A nostalgic classic that depicts memories of youth
58	You only live onceLittle Glee Monster		An inspiring message from Little Glee Monster
59	My Past Life, Many Lifetimes AgoRADWIMPS		RADWIMPS had a massive hit with the theme song for Your Name.
60	Slow BalladRC sakuseshon		RC Succession releases Slow Ballad
61	RPGSEKAI NO OWARI		SEKAI NO OWARI's "RPG" is a song with a positive message
62	A ship riding the windSalyu		The single of the ship riding on the salut wind
63	Flower SongTOKIO		TOKIO Friendship Cheering Song
64	Let’s give it a tryWANIMA		WANIMA’s powerful message of support
65	Thank youikimonogakari		Ikimono-gakari has produced many hit songs.
66	Kanda Riverkaguya hime		Kaguya-hime's lyrical single
67	Spirit Boat (Shoro Nagashi)sadamasashi		A single released by Grape in 1974
68	Gather the Windhappiiendo		Included in Happy End’s classic album “Kazemachi Roman”
69	I knew it—I love you.yashiki takajin		Takajin Yashiki’s signature songs were big hits in Kansai
70	Full-Power BoySukima Suichi		Sukima Switch broke through with “Zenryoku Shonen.”
71	Let yourself go with the flow of timeTeresa Ten		A classic by Teresa Teng, a tearful song
72	It’s a sad color, isn’t it?Ueda Masaki		A single released in 1982 that became Masaki Ueda’s signature song
73	SaraiKayama Yūzō		Sarai is the theme song of 24-Hour Television.
74	Sea, That LoveKayama Yūzō		Yuzo Kayama’s signature songs themed around the sea
75	Let’s get married.yoshida takurou		Takuro Yoshida’s Marriage Love Song
76	I look up as I walkSakamoto Kyu		Kyu Sakamoto’s world-famous song Sukiyaki
77	Farewell, my loverSakai Masaaki		Masakazu Sakai 1971 solo debut signature song
78	A Bouquet for YouUtada Hikaru		Hikaru Utada’s signature song “Hanataba o Kimi ni”
79	With a fiery heartKobayashi Akira		Akira Kobayashi’s song became a huge hit as a commercial jingle.
80	Falling in LoveKobayashi Akiko		Akiko Kobayashi’s debut song, which served as the theme for a romance drama.
81	Until we meet againOzaki Kiyohiko		A single released in 1971 by Kiyohiko Ozaki
82	TOMORROWMayo Okamoto		Mayo Okamoto scores a huge hit with TOMORROW
83	SUNHoshino Gen		Gen Hoshino gains popularity through his multifaceted activities
84	Sweet MemoryMatsuda Seiko		Seiko Matsuda’s single released in August 1983. A ballad-style song.
85	Sugarcane fieldMoriyama Ryoko		A sad song set during the Battle of Okinawa
86	Our FailureMorita Doji		Morita Dōji’s single becomes a TV drama theme song
87	Feeling refreshedMoritaka Chisato		Chisato Moritaka’s Instrument Performance and Refreshed Mood
88	Being young is wonderful.Maki Michiru		Michiru Maki debuted with “Wakai tte Subarashii” (Being Young Is Wonderful)
89	At all times.Makihara Noriyuki		Makihara Noriyuki’s uplifting classic “Donna Toki mo”
90	As time goes bysawada kenji		Kenji Sawada’s single released in August 1975
91	Wild BoyKawashima Eigo		Singer from Osaka who died at 48
92	Another SaturdayHamada Shogo		Shogo Hamada’s representative ballad from 1985
93	Love RadiantMisora Hibari		Hibari Misora’s signature song “Ai Sansan”
94	Tomorrow will surely be a good day.Takahashi Yuu		Takahashi Yu’s 2015 single. A positive message
95	Full of memoriesH₂O		H2O classic songs, anime theme songs
96	Night Flightchiaki naomi		Introduction to Naomi Chiaki's Vocal Prowess and Signature Songs
97	Beach of MemoriesZa Wairudowanzu		The Wild Ones’ smash hit
98	A rose has bloomed.Maiku Maki		Mike Maki’s solo debut song became a big hit
99	mountains and riversItsuki Hiroshi		Hiroshi Itsuki Life Singing Songs
100	Northern SpringSen Masao		A warm song about longing for one’s hometown becomes a big hit
101	Oh, sake!Yoshi Ikuzo		Yoshi Ikuzo’s signature song from 1988
102	Cotton HandkerchiefŌta Hiromi		A song that expresses a lover's earnest feelings
103	Thank you… much appreciatedKoganezawa Shōji		Shoji Koganezawa’s feelings of gratitude
104	Beyond the GoodbyeYamaguchi Momoe		The profound lyrics of Momoe Yamaguchi are wonderful.
105	You are more beautiful than a rose.Fuse Akira		A classic song showcasing Akira Fuse’s beautiful vocal ability
106	Cape ErimoMori Shinichi		A big hit song released by Shinichi Mori in 1974
107	Cape ErimoMori Shinichi		Introducing the charm of Shinichi Mori’s signature song “Erimo Misaki”
108	Blue sky blueSaijō Hideki		Hideki Saijo wins the Japan Record Award Gold Prize
109	MyselfNagabuchi Tsuyoshi		Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi’s rousing, masculine classic
110	As many times as you likeDREAMS COME TRUE		DREAMS COME TRUE, moving forward even if we fail
111	scarecrowsadamasashi		A caring song for the scarecrow brothers in the snow
112	Aoba Castle Love Songsatou muneyuki		It was supported as a representative local song of Sendai City.
113	contrailArai Yumi		Arai Yumi's song chosen as a movie theme song
114	applausechiaki naomi		A poignant song about thinking of one’s lover
115	loveMatsuyama Chiharu		Chiharu Matsuyama’s signature song depicting mature love
116	Words of FarewellKaientai		Graduation-ceremony staple songs, smash hits
117	Time, stop.Yazawa Eikichi		A single released by Eikichi Yazawa in 1978
118	Shadows of Youthchūrippu		A representative ballad song by Tulip