A classic Japanese folk song passed down through generations of acoustic performances
A special feature on Japanese folk songs.
Folk music originally began as arrangements of traditional songs and spread in the United States.
From around the 1960s, it was also embraced in Japan, and, reflecting the times, songs with strong anti-war and anti-government messages were delivered.
Entering the 1970s, it became especially popular with more accessible, mainstream themes and reached a peak of commercial success.
Although Japanese folk has evolved to incorporate various elements, it retains an acoustic allure and a wistful mood, with lyrics that stand out and resonate.
By all means, take your time and immerse yourself in Japanese folk music!
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- [Snow Songs] Classic winter tunes themed around snow. Snow songs that touch the heart.
- Masterpieces that sing of the stars. Star songs that resonate in the heart, best heard beneath the night sky.
- Classic Japanese songs about Earth: songs that include the word “Earth” in their lyrics
- Folk songs you’ll want to sing at karaoke: classic and popular tunes everyone can enjoy
- [Japanese Folk and Regional Songs] A Collection of Beloved Masterpieces from Across Japan, Brimming with Local Pride
- The soul’s cry woven into Japanese elegies: unraveling supreme masterpieces that resonate with the heart.
- I want to perform Vocaloid songs with an acoustic guitar! A collection of recommended tracks for beginners
- Nostalgic Children’s Songs, Folk Songs, and Nursery Rhymes: The Heart of Japan Passed Down Through Song
- [Night Songs] Classic masterpieces themed around the night. J-POP you’ll want to listen to at nighttime.
- A classic song about Oita. The enduring spirit of our hometown [2025]
Classic Japanese folk songs passed down through solo performances (21–30)
Beach of MemoriesThe Wild Ones
Released in 1966 as The Wild Ones’ debut single, it became a massive hit, selling over one million copies.
It’s a refreshing song that evokes the image of the seashore and is also popular for karaoke.
A classic that has been covered by many artists, both male and female.
Street Corner of BetrayalKai Band
It was released in 1975 as Kai Band’s second single.
After their debut, this song became their first to enter the Top 10, and its sales gradually increased after release, resulting in a long-running hit.
With this song, they won the Excellent New Artist Award at the 8th Japan Cable Awards.
Classic Japanese folk song masterpieces passed down through live singing with guitar (31–40)
Full of memoriesH₂O
The folk duo H2O, formed by two former classmates from junior high school, sang this song.
It became a big hit as the ending theme of the TV anime Miyuki, based on the original work by Mitsuru Adachi, who wrote numerous youth romance manga.
Sanya BluesNobuyasu Okabayashi
Released in 1968, this song hurled a sense of helpless anger and questioning at society, and Nobuyasu Okabayashi was suddenly hailed as the “God of Folk.” However, burdened by that label, he found himself troubled and set out on a path of searching and experimentation.
Strawberry Statement, Once Againbang bang
It was released in 1975 as Banban’s fifth single.
The lyrics and music were written by Yumi Matsutoya, who has said she composed the song while imagining memories of walking from Aoyama Gakuin University to Shibuya Station with her then-boyfriend, a student at Aoyama Gakuin.
It topped the Oricon chart for six weeks and became a major hit.
Salvia flowerMotomaro
A single released in 1972 by Motomaro, a group formed by female college students.
The song was also released around the same time by the same group, and this version by Motomaro is said to have been the biggest hit.
However, since the members were not originally aiming to go professional, they stayed out of the spotlight afterward and disbanded.
Heart patternYosui Inoue
Alongside Takuro Yoshida, Yosui Inoue became one of the quintessential Japanese folk singers of the 1970s.
Despite being regarded almost as a byword for folk music, he himself has said that he liked bands such as the Beatles.