Popular Showa-era songs you can use in Instagram Stories
There are moments when you really feel the passage of time—like when old songs become revival hits through social media or get highly praised by younger generations.
So this time, we’re introducing a selection of popular Showa-era songs that are perfect for Instagram Stories!
Even among older tracks, there are countless masterpieces still loved today—covered by contemporary artists or used in commercials.
We’ve gathered songs that have regained the spotlight mainly through social media, so be sure to check them out!
I’d be thrilled if you used the songs I introduce in your own Instagram Stories.
Let’s get started!
- Showa-era songs that are popular on Instagram Reels
- Catchy Showa-era commercial jingles. Introducing famous songs recently featured in commercials, too!
- A Showa-era song that had a revival hit on YouTube Shorts
- Popular Heisei-era songs you can use on Instagram Stories
- A song that makes your Instagram Reels look stylish.
- Revival hits driven by social media! Classic Showa-era songs popular with Gen Z
- Including global hits! 80s songs popular on TikTok
- [Heisei Songs] Classic hits from the Heisei era that are popular on Instagram Reels
- A love song that's very popular on Instagram Reels
- Recommended spring songs on Instagram Reels
- Hit songs of the Reiwa era I want to recommend on Instagram Stories
- Showa-era songs that went viral on TikTok / revival hit songs
- [Classic Showa Kayō Hits] The captivating Showa-era pop songs beloved even by younger generations
Popular Showa-era songs you can use for Instagram Stories (1–10)
I can’t put it into wordsOff Course
This song, which beautifully expresses feelings that are hard to put into words, is also very popular on Instagram.
Kazumasa Oda’s delicate voice and each of his phrases resonate deeply in the heart.
Released in February 1982, the track is also included on the album “over.” In 1999, Oda re-recorded it for a Meiji Life Insurance commercial, and it has since been loved across generations.
It’s the perfect song when you want to convey the complex emotions felt in love or at life’s turning points.
Try using it in your Instagram Stories—it’s sure to touch your followers’ hearts as well.
4:00 AMOhnuki Taeko
This song is themed around the stillness and introspection before dawn.
It delicately captures the quiet atmosphere of 4 a.m., imbued with the protagonist’s inner turmoil and desire for a fresh start.
Included on the album “MIGNONNE,” released in September 1978, it is one of Taeko Onuki’s signature works, beloved by many fans.
The beautiful arrangement by Ryuichi Sakamoto is also a highlight.
It’s perfect for night owls or anyone standing at a crossroads in life.
Use it in your Instagram story late at night to create a calm mood.
Be sure to listen while feeling the quiet of the night.
Blue Coral ReefMatsuda Seiko
With a refreshing sound that evokes the summer sea and lyrics depicting the stirrings of first love, this song leaves a lasting impression.
Released in July 1980 as Seiko Matsuda’s second single, it became a major hit.
It was also featured in a commercial for Glico’s Yo-Del ice cream, etching itself into the hearts of many.
Set on a tropical beach, the track conveys the pure feelings of a girl in love, bringing listeners both a sense of freshness and a touch of bittersweet emotion.
Using it in your Instagram Stories can create a summery, youthful mood.
Try pairing it with photos of the ocean or beach, or a cherished shot with your partner, to complement your bright summer memories.
Popular Showa-era songs you can use for Instagram Stories (11–20)
Plastic LoveTakeuchi Mariya
Known as an iconic song representing Japanese city pop of the 1980s, this piece captivates with Mariya Takeuchi’s delicate vocals and sophisticated sound.
The lyrics portray the feelings of a woman wounded by past love, vividly depicting a protagonist living amid loneliness and self-deception.
Featured on the 1984 album “VARIETY,” the song saw modest sales at the time, but its popularity has surged overseas in recent years.
An unofficial video uploaded to YouTube in July 2017 has garnered over 24 million views, enchanting music fans around the world.
It’s a recommended track for those who want to savor bittersweet romance and an urban vibe.
It’s also a popular Showa-era song on Instagram Stories.
Last Summer WhisperAnri
It’s a classic that captures the bittersweet feelings of love at summer’s end.
Anri’s clear, translucent voice gently wraps the story of a romance fading with the changing seasons.
Included on the 1982 album “Heaven Beach,” this song remains beloved as a quintessential piece of city pop.
With Toshiki Kadomatsu’s sophisticated lyrics and beautiful melody, it resonates deeply with listeners.
It’s perfect for when you want to look back on summer memories—and it’s sure to create a nostalgic mood if you use it in your Instagram Stories.
Season in the sunTUBE
A song that brilliantly captures the feeling of summer and a refreshing first love is gaining attention again on social media.
Known as one of TUBE’s signature tracks, it was released in April 1986 and was also used in a Kirin Beer commercial.
It features an urban vibe that evokes the Shonan coast and a distinctive chord progression.
The lyrics convey the bittersweetness and tenderness of a summer romance, expressing a wish to stop time and make that moment last forever.
It’s a perfect pick for reminiscing about summer memories and youthful days on Instagram Stories.
Highly recommended for anyone looking to enjoy the summer season.
I knew it—I love you.yashiki takajin
Sung in the Kansai dialect, this song has a charm that resonates with listeners.
The lyrics, which vividly portray the complex emotions of a woman unable to move on from a broken heart, are striking, and Takajin Yashiki’s emotionally rich vocals enhance its appeal.
Released in September 1986, the track was also included on the album “For You ~Yappa Sukiyanen~,” and it became one of Yashiki Takajin’s signature songs.
Since May 2014, it has been used as the departure melody at Osaka Station on the Osaka Loop Line, making it a well-loved, community-rooted tune.
With its catchy phrases and melody, using it in an Instagram Story can create a heartwarming atmosphere tinged with nostalgia.