Popular Japanese songs among men in their 60s: recommended masterpieces and classic tracks
We’d like to ask men in their 60s: What’s your favorite Japanese song?
“Those songs you listened to all the time in your youth,” “the ones you still sing at karaoke”—all sorts of tracks probably come to mind.
In this article, we researched and compiled songs that are popular among people in their 60s.
We’ve selected a wide range, from timeless classics to tracks that have enjoyed a recent revival.
If you love music or just want to check out popular tunes, be sure to take a look!
It might just fill you with nostalgia!
Popular Japanese songs among men in their 60s: Recommended classics and standard tracks (1–10)
youNEW!yashiki takajin
“Anta,” a signature song from Takajin Yashiki’s Victor years.
Released as a single in May 1984, it is also included on the album “Catch Me.” This ballad, written in Kansai dialect, pushes the other person forward while unable to fully hide a lingering loneliness, and its deep tenderness hits you right in the heart.
It’s said to overlap with his own real-life experiences; there’s even a story that he would break down in tears whenever he sang it, leading him to keep it off the setlist for many years.
Blending elements of New Music and enka with exquisite balance, the melody—where city neon and everyday life seem to coexist—slips gently into the hearts of grown-ups.
Whether or not it had any tie-ins, it drew immense empathy, especially in his hometown of Osaka.
It’s a perfect listen for nights when you carry complex feelings, quietly stepping back while thinking of someone dear.
Kanda Riverkaguya hime
It’s a classic that captured the hearts of young people in the Showa era.
Released in September 1973, it achieved an astonishing 1.6 million sales.
The lyrics portray the daily life of a young couple who are poor but happy.
You can picture nostalgic scenes like their promise to go to the public bath together and the curry rice she cooks.
It beautifully conveys the views on love and the feel of everyday life among students at the time, and it warms the heart every time you listen.
For those in their 60s, it’s surely a treasured song that revives memories of their youth.
Wine Red Heartanzenchitai
Known as one of Anzen Chitai’s signature songs, this work is a poignant ballad themed around mature romance.
Lyrics symbolizing crystalline eyes and burning passion resonate deeply with listeners.
Released in 1983, it became the band’s first major hit and greatly boosted their popularity.
It was also featured in a Suntory Akadama Punch commercial and used as a TV drama opening theme, earning broad support across generations.
A gem of a track woven from Koji Tamaki’s beautiful vocals and lyrics penned by Yosui Inoue.
Why not listen to it while thinking of someone dear to you?
Love is a mirageGam
A gem of a love song by the folk duo Gam, beginning with delicate scenic imagery.
It’s a masterpiece in which aching emotions are beautifully sublimated, letting you feel the pain of heartbreak.
It won the Excellence Award at the Yamaha Popular Song Contest in 1980 and reached No.
3 on the Oricon weekly chart in 1981.
Covered by many artists, including Reiko Shiraha and Akina Nakamori, it remains a timeless classic that touches the universal strings of the heart.
With its gentle vocals and lyrics that seep into the soul, why not sing it yourself with thoughts of someone dear to you?
Until we meet againOzaki Kiyohiko
Released in 1971 by Kiyohiko Ozaki, this song was originally written in 1969 as a candidate for an air conditioner commercial jingle, with different lyrics and sung by a different vocalist.
After making the rounds, it eventually ended up being performed by Ozaki.
The arrangement, which evokes the Black music of the time, is really cool.
Our JourneyNakamura Masatoshi
Masatoshi Nakamura’s signature work, steeped in nostalgic memories of sunlight filtering through the trees.
Kei Ogura spun a beautiful tale tracing dreams and adventures, layered with a clear, transparent singing voice.
Released in October 1975, this song was used as the theme for a drama of the same name and peaked at No.
2 on the Oricon chart.
It stayed on the charts for 45 weeks and achieved a brilliant 870,000 copies sold.
This piece feels as if the memories of youth are your own story.
Sing it leisurely at karaoke, and you’ll be immersed in a gemlike melody that resonates across time and in lyrics that gently illuminate life’s journey.
A perfect song for calm, companionable moments with friends.
Blue Light Yokohamaishida ayumi
A signature song by Ayumi Ishida that became a major hit in December 1968.
Its elegant, sophisticated melody and lyrics themed around the blue lights that color Yokohama’s nightscape blend beautifully.
The city’s stunning harbor night view overlaps with a fleeting love reflected within it, creating a unique atmosphere.
Written by lyricist Jun Hashimoto, who was influenced by Cannes in France and Picasso’s paintings, the piece brought a fresh breeze to Japanese popular music at the time.
It set an astonishing record by surpassing one million copies in ten days and won the Composition Award at the Japan Record Awards.
Beloved in South Korea as well, it has long been a karaoke staple.
With its relaxed tempo and singable style, it’s a song you’ll want to perform from the heart while picturing the enchanting night views of the port city.