Lively songs recommended for people in their 80s: A collection of nostalgic enka and kayōkyoku

Some of you may have opportunities to enjoy music with people in their 80s among your family or acquaintances but feel at a loss because you don’t know which songs are popular.

In this article, we’ll focus on songs that are especially exciting among those familiar to people in their 80s.

We’ve selected mainly Showa-era kayōkyoku and enka, with an emphasis on up-tempo and cheerful tunes.

Please use this article as a reference and enjoy music together with people in their 80s to create a wonderful time.

Playlist

Lively songs recommended for people in their 80s: A collection of nostalgic enka and kayōkyoku
	Title	Playlist	One point
1	Lingering Snowdolphin		Summary (20 characters): A representative song by Iruka depicting a farewell in spring snow. Released in 1975, peaked at No. 4 on Oricon.
2	Festival MamboHibari Misora		A classic Showa-era song characterized by the excitement of festivals and the rhythm of mambo. It is still loved by many people today.
3	A street corner where stars fallToshi Itō and Happy & Blue		The Showa-era classic 'Hoshifuru Machikado' is a poignant mood kayō song released in 1977, with adult romance as its theme.
4	March of 365 StepsKiyoko Suizenji		Summary (20 characters): “365-Step March” is a beloved national song that conveys the importance of small daily efforts.
5	Ah, there are tears in life.Kotaro Satomi, Tadashi Yokouchi		Summary (20 characters): Theme song of 'Mito Komon' released in 1973. A Showa-era classic that sings of life's joy and hope.
6	Chanchiki OdesaHaruo Minami		A debut song by Haruo Minami that sings of the nostalgia of people who left their hometowns, and a massive hit with 2.2 million copies sold.
7	The third-year affairHiroshi & Kībō		Summary (20 characters): A 1982 Showa classic. A humorous duet between a man and a woman unfolds around infidelity.
8	12th graderKazuo Funaki		Kazuo Funaki’s debut single “High School Senior” is a classic that portrays the youth of high school students on the verge of graduation.
9	Kiyoshi’s Zundoko SongKiyoshi Hikawa		Summary (20 characters): Hikawa Kiyoshi’s 2002 hit song is loved by people of all ages for its bright rhythm and familiarity.
10	Ginza Kan-kan GirlHideko Takamine		Ginza Kankan Musume is a classic released in 1949 and a symbol of postwar reconstruction, featuring Hideko Takamine’s captivating vocals.
11	I’m going to Tokyo.Ikuzo Yoshi		A 1984 smash hit with cheerful Tsugaru dialect lyrics depicting a country youth dreaming of Tokyo.
12	festivalSaburō Kitajima		Summary: A classic song released in 1984 themed around festivals. Through Kitajima’s passionate singing, it expresses a man’s way of life and gratitude toward nature.
13	Hello from countries around the worldHaruo Minami		Haruo Minami’s theme song for the 1970 Osaka Expo. Sold over 3 million copies. It sings of friendship and hope.
14	youthKoichi Morita and Top Gallant		Summary (20 characters): Koichi Morita & Top Gallant’s “Seishun Jidai” is a smash hit famed for nostalgic, bittersweet lyrics.
15	Otomi-sanKasuga Hachirō		Summary (20 characters): Hachiro Kasuga’s “Otomi-san” is a Showa-era classic inspired by kabuki, loved across generations.
16	Tokyo Boogie-WoogieShizuko Kasagi		A classic released in 1948. Shizuko Kasagi’s powerful vocals and boogie rhythm brought hope to postwar Japan.
17	Scorpio womanKenichi Mikawa		20-character summary: Kenichi Mikawa’s 1972 smash hit “Woman of Scorpio” expresses a Scorpio woman’s love and anger.
18	childhood friendDuke Aces		Summary (20 characters): “Osananajimi” is a masterpiece that portrays the joys and struggles of life and remains beloved by many.
19	North TavernTakashi Hosokawa		Takashi Hosokawa’s “Kita Sakaba” is a classic released in 1982. It’s an enka song that depicts a fateful encounter in a northern tavern.
20	I’m falling in love with you againFuyumi Sakamoto		A 2009 release by Fuyumi Sakamoto. A profound love story that portrays a renewed affection for a long-time partner.
21	Because the moon is so very blueTsutoko Sugawara		Todoko Sugawara's 'Because the Moon Is So Blue' is a classic released in 1955 and was a huge hit, selling over one million copies.
22	Beach of MemoriesThe Wild Ones		20-character summary: The Wild Ones’ 1966 debut song. Its 12-string guitar tone evokes summer memories and heartbreak.
23	Pineapple PrincessMidori Tashiro		Summary (20 characters): Introduction to a lively, tropical song featuring the bright tones of the ukulele.
24	Tankō-bushi (Coal Miner’s Song)folk song		A folk song from the Chikuho region, it’s a Bon dance classic born from coal mine labor and is still loved across generations today.
25	The Longed-For Hawaii RouteHaruo Oka		Summary (20 characters): Haruo Oka’s “Akogare no Hawaii Koro” is a 1948 smash hit and a classic that captured postwar Japan’s heart.
26	Playback Part 2Momoe Yamaguchi		Let’s dance to Showa-era classics and relive nostalgic memories.
27	Dream PlayTomio Umezawa		Umezawa Tomio’s debut single. Released in 1982, it reached No. 8 on the Oricon chart and sold over 500,000 copies.
28	Soran Bushifolk song		A folk song sung by fishermen in Hokkaido, cherished across generations
29	Crimson SunHibari Misora		Hibari Misora’s summer love song. Portraying passion and transience, it became a hit selling over 1.4 million copies.
30	18 Years Old Under the SunNana Kinomi		Summary (20 characters): A signature 1963 hit by Nana Kinomi; a bright, youth-themed pop song that evokes nostalgia.
31	Season of LovePinky and the Killers		A classic bossa nova standard for summer
32	That girl and IYukio Hashi		Summary (20 characters): Yuko Hashi’s 1965 smash hit. Vividly conveys summer scenes and the excitement of the swim dance.
33	I hope you are keeping well in the summer heat.Candies		Summary (20 characters): A 1977 single by Candies. A refreshing classic that depicts summer scenes with a summer-greeting theme.
34	Forever with youYuzo Kayama		Summary (20 characters): A love song by Yuzo Kayama themed on eternal love. A 3-million-selling hit.
35	Ozasiki Song		In the year of the Tokyo Olympics, a smash-hit song became popular.
36	Hawaiian Airlines flightKiyoshi Uzumi		Nostalgia for the tropics, Utsumi Kiyoshi’s classic song
37	Sinbad on the ShorePink Lady		Pink Lady’s classic summer hit released in 1977. Disco-style, it sold 1.45 million copies and is loved across generations.
38	Kiyoshi’s Soran BushiKiyoshi Hikawa		Arrangement of a Hokkaido folk song, a famous hit by Kiyoshi Hikawa
39	Northern SpringMasao Sen		“Kitaguni no Haru” is a beloved classic around the world that portrays the feelings of longing for one’s hometown and family.
40	The two are young.Dick Mine		The classic duet by Dick Mine and Reiko Hoshi
41	Aoba Castle Love SongMuneyuki Sato		A masterpiece by Muneyuki Sato, a famous song that colors Sendai
42	Flamenco of the StarsTeruhiko Saigō		Teruhiko Saigō’s flamenco-style classic
43	Traveler,Yuzo Kayama		An anthem cheering on travelers who look ahead while remembering their hometown. A masterpiece in which Yuzo Kayama’s clear, transparent voice deeply resonates with the heart.
44	Brother ShipsIchiro Toba		Summary (20 characters): A classic enka depicting the bond of fisherman brothers. Toba Ichiro’s deep, rugged vocals are compelling.
45	Kawachi Ondo		Kawachi Ondo is a thriving folk song style from Osaka.
46	Waltz of StarlightMasao Sen		Masao Sen's classic 'Hoshikage no Waltz,' a song that sings of the melancholy of parting
47	Traveler of the NorthYujiro Ishihara		A melancholic masterpiece that sings of love in the northern land
48	Tokyo Ondofolk song		A quintessential Bon Odori song representing Japan, born in 1933 (Showa 8). It sings of famous spots in Tokyo and is light, lively, and approachable.
49	Ozasiki SongKazuko Matsuo, Mahina Stars		Kazuko Matsuo’s classic song—a heartrending love ballad set in Kyoto
50	Tokyo RhapsodyIchiro Fujiyama		A classic song from the Showa era: Ichiro Fujiyama’s “Tokyo.”
51	At the Rainy TavernDick Mine		A 1954 classic expressing heartbreak and loneliness in jazz, a Showa-era staple covered by many.
52	The pier where that girl is cryingMichiya Mihashi		Summary (20 characters): A 1955 smash hit depicting love and scenery in a port town. Mitsuya Mihashi’s beautiful singing voice is memorable.
53	IzakayaHiroshi Itsuki		A masterpiece that portrays the loneliness of an izakaya, resonating deep in the heart
54	Tokyo CachitoFrank Nagai		Summary (20 characters): A Showa-era classic by Nagai Frank. Set against the nights of Akasaka, it portrays the bittersweetness of adult love with an urban touch.
55	Ah, Ueno StationHachirō Izawa		A classic song that sings of Ueno Station and longing for one’s hometown
56	Hanjirō of the Hakone Eight RiKiyoshi Hikawa		A moving classic that captures the allure of enka
57	YosakuSaburō Kitajima		Summary: Saburō Kitajima’s “Yosaku,” released in 1978, is a long-running hit that portrays spousal cooperation and the value of labor—universal themes.
58	Like a flower that blooms in the fieldDa Capo		A classic springtime song that conveys the importance of living naturally
59	Life is like a Naniwa-bushi (a melodramatic ballad).Takashi Hosokawa		A masterpiece with a rōkyoku motif, expressing the subtleties of life
60	I wanted to see you.Haruo Oka		A 1955 release by Haruo Oka. A signature song of the sailor (madrosu) genre, it became a classic that gave hope to postwar Japan.
61	Life is full of ups and downs.Chiyoko Shimakura		An enka song by Chiyoko Shimakura. It gently sings of the joys and sorrows of life, moving many people.
62	school daysPeggy Hayama		Peggy Hayama is fully Japanese, and her stage name came about from a friend’s remark. Her hit song “Gakusei Jidai” (“Student Days”) was also retitled at her suggestion.
63	Tokyo Olympic OndoHaruo Minami		The Tokyo Olympic Ondo is a symbol of the Games.
64	A Love Game Between a Man and a WomanMika Hino / Shiro Aoi		Takeda Pharmaceutical’s commercial song becomes a hit duet classic
65	a bright red sunHibari Misora		Hibari Misora's 'Bright Red Sun' was a huge hit, selling 1.4 million copies.
66	The Highland Train GoesAtsurō Okamoto		The travel sentiment of a highland train, a song that resonates in the heart
67	My GiftOf course		A famous song by Kazumasa Oda that makes you feel the arrival of spring
68	Cotton MoodAnri		Relive nostalgic memories with classic spring songs
69	tricolor violetJunko Sakurada		Summary (20 characters): Junko Sakurada’s 1974 release. Gracefully depicts spring scenes and first love, reaching No. 10 on the Oricon chart.
70	spring’s dry windShigeru Izumiya		Summary (20 characters): Shigeru Izumiya’s “Light and Shadow” is a folk song depicting conflict with society and a classic covered by many artists.
71	TouchHiromi Iwasaki		Yoshimi Iwasaki’s “Touch” was released in March 1985. Its clear, airy vocals and bittersweet melody are captivating, and it’s also beloved as a cheer song for high school baseball.
72	A Love Story in GinzaYujiro Ishihara · Junko Makimura		Summary (20 characters): Released in 1961. A blockbuster duet song depicting a poignant romance between a man and a woman set in Ginza.
73	Apple SongMichiko Namiki		A classic from 1946 that pines for a beloved apple. It was the first big hit after the war and evokes nostalgic memories for older generations.
74	If you’re happy and you know it, clap your handsKyu Sakamoto		A heartwarming classic imbued with peace and friendship
75	Cotton HandkerchiefHiromi Ohta		A bittersweet song about long-distance love, nostalgic memories
76	A Letter Waiting for SpringTakuro Yoshida		Heartfelt exchanges through letters and songs of memories
77	What a nice bath.The Drifters		A nostalgic Showa-era melody with the Onsen Ondo
78	Like the flow of a riverHibari Misora		A masterpiece that sings of Hibari Misora’s life
79	Words of FarewellKaientai		“Okuru Kotoba” is a song of springtime farewells and bonds.
80	Blue MountainsIchiro Fujiyama		“Blue Mountain Range” is a classic Showa-era song that expresses sentiments about life and the times, and it has been loved by a wide range of generations since its release in 1949.
81	Yokohama TwilightHiroshi Itsuki		Summary (20 characters): A Showa-era classic about the sorrow of lost love.Translation: Hiroshi Itsuki’s “Yokohama Tasogare” is a Showa-era classic that expresses the poignancy of heartbreak.