[For Seniors in Their 80s] Recommended Summer Songs: From Enka and School Songs to Folk Songs
In this article, we introduce recommended summer songs for people in their 80s! When it comes to summer songs, pieces that depict the sea and the sun are a given, but love songs that express passionate romance are also popular.
This time, among those classic summer tunes, we’ve picked a wide range of nostalgic songs that will be familiar to people in their 80s—from Showa-era hits and kayōkyoku to even shōka and folk songs.
Some of these tracks are loved across generations, so use this article as a guide to enjoy listening to and singing summer songs together with people in their 80s!
- Lively songs recommended for people in their 80s: A collection of nostalgic enka and kayōkyoku
- Recommended youth songs for people in their 80s: A collection of nostalgic classics
- Recommended summer songs for people in their 70s: A collection of nostalgic summer tunes [2025]
- Recommended summer songs for people in their 90s: A collection of Showa-era summer tracks [2025]
- [Karaoke] Recommended Songs for Men in Their 80s: A Collection of Showa-Era Classics You’ll Want to Belt Out
- Recommended love songs for people in their 90s: A collection of classic Shōwa-era romance songs
- Energizing songs recommended for men in their 80s: A collection of nostalgic tracks that give you strength
- Recommended Christmas songs for people in their 70s: A collection of classic winter hits from the Showa era
- A collection of cheerful, uplifting songs recommended for women in their 80s—fun, bright tunes to sing along to
- For seniors: Recommended youthful songs for people in their 90s. A collection of classic Showa-era hits.
- Lively songs recommended for people in their 90s—fun songs for everyone to listen to and sing together.
- Recommended love songs for people in their 80s: A collection of classic love songs that colored the Showa era
- Songs that get women in their 80s excited: A roundup of tracks also great for karaoke
[For Seniors in Their 80s] Recommended Summer Songs: From Enka and Traditional School Songs to Folk Songs (21–30)
Aoba Castle Love SongMuneyuki Sato
A lyric song that poetically celebrates the beautiful scenery of Sendai City in Miyagi Prefecture.
Known as the City of Trees, Sendai’s natural beauty and tender feelings of love are artfully interwoven into the lyrics, and Muneyuki Sato’s clear, transparent voice resonates deeply.
Released as his debut in May 1978, the song reached No.
3 on the Oricon charts and ranked 31st on the year-end chart, making it a popular hit.
It has become a representative song of Sendai, even being used as the departure melody at JR Senseki Line’s Sendai Station.
With its gentle melody and evocative lyrics, this piece is perfect for leisurely enjoyment while reminiscing.
It’s a wonderful song that can evoke fond memories and invite older listeners to hum along.
Sugarcane fieldLyrics and Music: Naohiko Terashima
This is an anti-war song imbued with a deep wish for peace, overlaying memories of the Battle of Okinawa with the sound of sugarcane swaying in the wind.
It was conceived when Naohiko Terashima visited Okinawa in 1964 and was told about the remains of the war dead at Mabuni Hill.
Premiered in 1967, it became widely beloved after Naomi Chiaki sang it on NHK’s music program “Minna no Uta” in 1975.
Told from the perspective of a girl who lost her father in the war, the song features the symbolic sound “zawawa” repeated 66 times, resonating deeply with listeners.
It’s a recommended piece for those who have experienced war or for moments when you want to reflect on peace.
[For Seniors in Their 80s] Recommended Summer Songs: From Enka and Shoka to Folk Songs (31–40)
Summer MemoriesLyrics: Akiko Ema / Music: Yoshinao Nakata
This is a beloved song that weaves nostalgic memories set in Oze.
Written by Shoko Ema with music by Yoshinao Nakada, it is a beautiful Japanese art song that delicately portrays scenes of nature and brings us the dreams and hopes lost after the war.
Since its first broadcast on NHK Radio in June 1949, its gentle melody and heartwarming lyrics have left a deep impression on many listeners.
It was sung by Ichiro Fujiyama in 1954 and featured on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” in 1962, making it cherished across generations.
Rooted in Japan’s musical culture for many years, it was selected in 2006 for the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ “100 Best Japanese Songs.” Humming its melody, imbued with love for abundant nature, brings nostalgic landscapes to mind.
Shall we bask together in the pleasant memories of summer?
The Sun of the DowntownChieko Baisho
This song is filled with the nostalgic charm of Showa-era downtown life, featuring a warm, gentle voice that tenderly embraces everyday people’s lives.
Its lyrics portray those who face forward and live like the shining sun, while the melody—tinged with a wistfulness reminiscent of Russian folk songs—resonates deeply.
Released in 1962 as Chieko Baisho’s debut single, it won the New Artist Award at the 4th Japan Record Awards the following year.
A film of the same title was also produced, directed by Yoji Yamada and starring Baisho.
It is recommended for older listeners who feel fond nostalgia for the warm, humane atmosphere of the downtown districts, so different from the upscale Yamanote area.
We hope everyone will take their time to enjoy the song together, letting it spark lively conversations about memories from days gone by.
Flamenco of the StarsTeruhiko Saigō
This song, set to a passionate flamenco rhythm, expresses the tender feelings of young love.
Released in 1966, it gained wide support alongside Teruhiko Saigō’s powerful vocals.
It attracted attention as an innovative attempt to incorporate flamenco elements into Japanese kayōkyoku.
As one of his signature songs, it has been included in numerous music albums.
In recent years, it has also become familiar as an insert song on the variety show “Can I Charge My Battery? Tetsurō Degawa’s Journey.” Well known among seniors, this piece is one that can be enjoyed with a sense of nostalgia.
With its warm vocals and captivating melody, it will keep you smiling even on hot summer days.
The season the sun gave usBlue triangular ruler
With its warm sound and heartwarming message about cherishing bonds with friends, this song shines as a theme for a coming-of-age drama.
Featuring the gentle tone characteristic of folk music, it resonates deeply alongside precious memories.
Released in February 1972, it is known as the theme song for the Nippon TV drama “Tobidase! Seishun” and stands as a signature work of Aoi Sankaku Jōgi.
It was later included in music textbooks and has become widely beloved as a school choral piece.
It’s a song that naturally brings smiles when everyone sings along together, sure to revive nostalgic memories.
It’s also perfect for summer recreation or for enjoying while doing exercises.
summer vacationTakuro Yoshida
This is a classic song by Takuro Yoshida, written with a gentle, bittersweet melody that traces summer memories in Kagoshima and Hiroshima.
Included on the 1971 live album “Yoshida Takuro On Stage Tomodachi,” the piece vividly paints scenes of a summer vacation that anyone might find nostalgic.
Childhood memories and moments with a cherished teacher are woven together with heartwarming lyrics.
A studio version was released on the 1972 album “Genki Desu.
,” and the song has continued to be beloved by the artist and fans alike.
Inviting listeners to look back tenderly on summers from their youth, it’s a tune you can hum together with older generations, sparking wonderful conversations about treasured memories.