Showa-era songs that went viral on TikTok / revival hit songs
Showa-era masterpieces are suddenly popular and gaining attention on TikTok as “emoi” (emotionally moving).
Thanks to the spread of social media, people who didn’t experience these hits when they first came out can approach them with a different sensibility—and a fresh feeling.
I’d like to introduce some Showa songs that went viral after being used in TikTok dance videos, as well as tracks being highlighted as must-listen songs right now.
It’s a reminder that true classics get rediscovered and continue to spread over time.
Whether you’re from that generation or not, please give them all a listen!
- [Revisited] A roundup of popular and classic Showa-era songs that are trending now [2026]
- Nostalgic yet new! Songs that made a comeback and became revival hits on TikTok
- Revival hits driven by social media! Classic Showa-era songs popular with Gen Z
- Showa-era nostalgic songs: Popular ranking
- Popular songs on TikTok
- Popular Showa-era pop. Timeless hit songs.
- [Classic Showa Kayō Hits] The captivating Showa-era pop songs beloved even by younger generations
- Nothing but iconic hits that defined an era! 2000s classics popular on TikTok
- Evokes the charm of the good old days. Showa-era inspirational songs that are still loved today.
- A Showa-era song that had a revival hit on YouTube Shorts
- So nostalgic it feels new? Showa retro classics that colored Japan’s period of rapid economic growth
- Pick up the songs that went viral on social media! Reiwa-era dance numbers
- Showa-era love songs: A roundup of timeless love songs cherished across generations
Showa-Era Songs That Went Viral on TikTok: Revival Hit Songs (21–30)
The Day the Seagulls FlewWatanabe Machiko
Set in a port town, this gem of a ballad poignantly portrays the pain of heartbreak.
Against the glittering morning seascape, the singer overlays her feelings for a departing lover onto a single seagull, creating a moving masterpiece.
Released in April 1978, it became one of Machiko Watanabe’s signature songs, peaking at No.
5 on the Oricon charts.
The track won numerous music awards and drew attention to her as a rising talent among female singers.
In 2007, it was adopted as a Chiba Lotte Marines cheer song, with a special stadium version also released.
A performance by Japan’s dance team Avantgardey, featuring their unique choreography, garnered significant buzz and boosted the song’s recognition among younger audiences.
It’s a recommended listen for anyone who can relate to a woman quietly accepting the pain of lost love, or for those who wish to revisit youthful memories alongside the scenery of a harbor town.
In conclusion
We introduced classic Showa-era hits that are trending on TikTok.
These songs are drawing a lot of attention, with background stories behind their success and new official videos being released on platforms like YouTube.
Many of the tracks sound surprisingly fresh when you listen to them now.
Be sure to find your favorites and check out other songs by those artists too!