Lovely nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs

[Showa Era] A roundup of nostalgic folk song classics and popular tracks you’ll want to sing at karaoke

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and have been contributing to music magazines and web media for over 15 years. Although Western music is my main field, I always strive to stay curious with the motto, “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in a band, where I was a bassist responsible for songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve performed on include bass, guitar, and piano. I resumed piano lessons after turning 40 and have been continuing ever since!

What kind of image do you have of the music genre known as “folk songs”? Perhaps many of you picture Showa-era singers with an acoustic guitar in hand, singing lyrics like private diaries of everyday life—and at times delivering political messages.

In Japan, folk songs became a booming trend from the 1960s to the 1970s, and countless classic tracks that made music history were born as the style evolved.

In this article, we’ve curated a wide selection of nostalgic Japanese folk song classics that you’ll definitely want to try singing at karaoke.

Whether you experienced them in real time or you’re a younger listener who loves Showa-era music, be sure to check them out!

[Showa] A roundup of nostalgic folk song classics and popular tracks you’ll want to sing at karaoke (21–30)

Travel LodgeTakuro Yoshida

TABI NO YADO by Takuro Yoshida

Inn of the Journey Yoshida Takuro

Takuro Yoshida’s songs can be pretty hard to sing at karaoke, but if we’re talking masterpieces, this one definitely belongs on the list, doesn’t it? I’ve heard one theory that the song’s theme is a honeymoon.

If he really moved from “Let’s Get Married” to “Honeymoon,” then it just proves how amazing Takuro Yoshida is! It’s folk music, but the lyrics are very literary.

Takuro’s style is known for having a few extra syllables, but the more you sing his songs, the more you understand him.

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Please understand.Akira Inaba

Akira Inaba “Please Understand”

Please understand, Akira Inaba.

It’s an adult folk song—a breakup ballad and a masterpiece in which Akira Inaba poignantly sings of a woman’s feelings.

Within the simple lyrics saying “Please understand,” you can clearly sense the heartache of not wanting to part yet having to say goodbye.

It’s a somewhat challenging song, but if you can sing it well, it shows considerable vocal skill.

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[Showa Era] A collection of nostalgic folk song masterpieces and popular karaoke picks (31–40)

Shiretoko Ryojo (Shiretoko Travel Sentiment)Tokiko Kato

Shiretoko Love – Tokiko Kato

Shiretoko Traveler’s Sentiment by Tokiko Kato

The original song is “Saraba Rausu yo,” which Hisaya Morishige wrote the lyrics and composed overnight as a thank-you to those who assisted during filming in Hokkaido.

It didn’t gain much popularity around 1960 (Showa 35), but later Chieko Baisho performed it on the NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen as “Okhotsk no Funauta.” The one who sang it as a folk song, however, was Tokiko Kato.

It’s said that whenever Morishige heard Kato sing it, he would remark, “She still hasn’t reached the level yet,” and never offered praise.

It’s a song that slowly and deeply evokes the harsh land of Hokkaido.

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brideNorihiko Hashida and Climax

The Bride (Norihiko Hashida and The Climax)

Norihiko Shida and The Climaks: Hanayome (The Bride)

It was a hit song that even took the No.

1 spot on the Oricon chart for two consecutive weeks at the time.

The tempo is good and it has a lively, upbeat feel, but it’s actually about what you might call an elopement.

The lead vocalist, Mie Fujisawa, sings in a surprisingly low key, making it an easy song to sing.

They also appeared on the NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen with this song; up to then, female vocalists were on the Red Team, but for some reason they appeared with the White Team.

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No one anymore.Alice

Now no one anymore, Alice, Alice

Now no one is Alice anymore.

Released in 1975, this song is a cover of a track originally released in 1969 by a group called Woody Woo.

Back when Alice was still just starting out, they performed in small concert halls.

It’s an energetic number that kicks off right from the chorus.

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Sanae-chanold well

Sanae-chan from the Old Well, 1972

Sanae-chan's old well

While Furuido had a devoted folk-song fanbase, the only song that became widely known was Sanae-chan.

Later, Reiichi Nakaido, Furuido’s vocalist, joined RC Succession, and Kiyoshiro Imawano also sang it.

It was a hit thanks to its unique lyrics, and it’s perfect for making parody versions.

If you’ve got a sense of humor, try singing a parody of this song.

The melody is very simple, so you can learn it quickly.

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DepartureChiharu Matsuyama

Chiharu Matsuyama / Tabidachi

Departure Chiharu Matsuyama

It was released on January 25, 1977.

This is Chiharu Matsuyama’s debut single.

It’s the song he performed in the regional qualifiers of the National Folk Music Festival.

This song gave Chiharu Matsuyama his big break.

Since it uses quite a high vocal range, it’s a good idea to lower the key when singing it at karaoke.

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