Recommended love songs for people in their 80s: A collection of classic love songs that colored the Showa era

The City of Love, SapporoYujiro Ishihara

Sapporo, City of Love: Yujiro Ishihara

A song by Yujiro Ishihara that gently sings of a woman discovering her first love, set against the iconic scenery of Sapporo.

The depictions of Sapporo—such as the Clock Tower and rows of acacia trees—beautifully intertwine with a pure form of love, leaving listeners deeply moved.

Beloved by many since its release in May 1972, it has sold a total of about 650,000 copies.

The reason it has been cherished for so long likely lies in the lyrical world where memorable places and recollections of romance intersect so beautifully.

When you want to fondly look back on a place dear to your heart, why not slowly immerse yourself in those memories, accompanied by Ishihara’s soulful voice that resonates within?

a red handkerchiefYujiro Ishihara

Red Handkerchief: Yujiro Ishihara

Set against the backdrop of a northern spring, this song tells the story of a bittersweet farewell in love.

Carried by a gentle, lyrical melody, Yujiro Ishihara’s rich vocals vividly portray the lingering feelings of heartbreak.

Released by Teichiku Records in October 1962, the track is also included on the album “Yujiro Ishihara Original 6.” In January 1964, it was used as the theme song for a film of the same name starring Ishihara, captivating the hearts of many alongside the movie.

Even today, it remains a beloved classic that everyone can hum along to and is very popular at karaoke.

With its heartfelt lyrics and approachable melody, it’s the perfect song for singing together and having fun.

Tokyo CachitoFrank Nagai

Tokyo Cachito — Frank Nagai

It’s a classic of mood kayō that has continued to be loved as a Showa-era masterpiece.

Set against the backdrop of nights in Akasaka, the song portrays the bittersweetness of adult love with an urban sensibility.

Frank Nagai’s alluring low voice richly conveys the feelings of a man troubled by love.

Released in October 1960, the single featured “Arcade Blues” on the B-side.

As a leading presence in the mood kayō boom of the time, it was cherished by many.

It’s a song I’d recommend as a fun karaoke pick to sing with friends, along with fond memories.

IzakayaHiroshi Itsuki

Izakaya – Hiroshi Itsuki x Nana Kinomi [1982] #Izakaya #HiroshiItsuki #NanaKinomi

Set in an izakaya, this song delicately portrays the subtle emotions of lonely men and women.

Yu Aku’s woven lyrics and Katsuo Ono’s soul-stirring melody blend beautifully, evoking a mature worldview steeped in the atmosphere of the Showa era.

The distinctive voices of Hiroshi Itsuki and Nana Kinomi gently envelop a scene where loneliness and warmth intertwine.

Released in October 1982, this work has continued to be loved as one of Hiroshi Itsuki’s signature songs.

A new duet version with Fuyumi Sakamoto was produced in October 2017.

With lyrics that touch on the nuances of life and a familiar, accessible melody, it’s a wonderful choice for everyone to enjoy singing at karaoke.

Snow CountryIkuzo Yoshi

Snow Country by Ikuzo Yoshi

A masterpiece that sings of hope shining through the bitter cold, its bittersweet sense of life’s melancholy resonates deeply.

Yoshikazu Ikuzō’s vocals, tinged with sorrow yet brimming with strength, seep into the depths of the heart.

Released in 1986, it won the Gold Prize at the Japan Record Awards.

That same year, it appeared on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen and topped the Oricon charts—a work cherished by many.

Masterfully intertwining northern landscapes with the stirrings of love, this song was also used in regional tourism promotions and winter campaigns.

For many, it remains a treasured song of memories.

Why not spend a quiet moment listening to its heartwarming voice?

Traveler of the NorthYujiro Ishihara

Northern Traveler - Yujiro Ishihara

He sings a melancholic song about lost love set in the northern country with Yujiro Ishihara’s distinctive low voice.

As it follows a man searching for his beloved while traveling through Hokkaido cities like Kushiro, Hakodate, and Otaru, it conveys his heartbreaking emotions.

It was also used as an insert song in the drama “Seibu Keisatsu” and was released in August 1987.

For Yujiro Ishihara, it became his first and only single to reach No.

1 on the Oricon charts, topping the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart as well.

As you recall days gone by, try singing it gently and with feeling.

The Apple SongMichiko Namiki

The Apple Song | With Lyrics | One Hundred Selected Japanese Songs | Bringing my lips close to a red apple

This piece is characterized by a gentle tone, as if singing up toward the blue sky.

Its story, which feels like entrusting one’s feelings for a beloved person to a red apple, resonates deeply in the heart.

Born in the turmoil of the postwar period, the work carries hopes, affection, and a longing for a peaceful life.

Michiko Namiki’s warm voice heals and encourages listeners through music.

Released in January 1946, the song is widely known as the theme for the film “Soyokaze,” and it continues to shine with undimmed charm today.

It is a song that lets hearts connect when sung together and invites lively reminiscences, creating a truly lovely time.

Why not hum it with older adults, enjoying the gentle warmth of a spring day?