[Nostalgic Songs] A collection of tear-jerking Japanese tracks recommended for men in their 70s
What kind of music is a “tearjerker” for you?
Maybe it’s a song that brings to mind the scenery of your hometown, or a tune that your family or a past lover used to love—there are probably many pieces that come to mind.
In this article, we’ve put together a selection of tear-jerking Japanese songs with the theme “Recommended for men in their 70s.”
We’ve focused mainly on hit songs from the 1960s and 1970s.
We’re introducing nothing but timeless masterpieces that touch the heart.
Please take your time and listen while reminiscing about those days.
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[Nostalgic Songs] A Compilation of Tear-Jerking Japanese Tracks Recommended for Men in Their 70s (11–20)
The river flows.Miki Nakasone
Miki Nakasone is a singer born in 1944 from Tokyo.
Known for the song “Kawa wa Nagareru” (“The River Flows”), her music was loved by many throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
Released in 1961, the song was a major hit.
Its lyrics portray lost dreams and hopes, and people searching for life’s meaning, weaving together various facets and emotions of life through the metaphor of a flowing river.
In particular, it resonates deeply with those who feel nostalgic for their hometown or who stand at life’s turning points.
Please take your time to savor Nakasone’s gentle voice and the profound meaning of the lyrics.
Look up at the stars in the nightKyu Sakamoto
Kyu Sakamoto, born in 1941, was a versatile actor and TV personality, and his achievements as a singer are immeasurable.
His signature song “Ue o Muite Arukō” (often known in English as “Sukiyaki”)—literally “Look Up at the Night Sky”—was released in 1963 and won the Japan Record Award for Composition.
Set against the backdrop of postwar Japan, the song carries a message of finding small happiness by looking up at the stars in the night sky.
Its gentle melody and lyrics that seek hope amid life’s hardships continue to inspire many people today.
Highly recommended for those who want to revisit fond memories of the past.
I look up as I walkKyu Sakamoto
Kyu Sakamoto’s signature song “Ue o Muite Arukō,” released in 1961, has been cherished not only in Japan but around the world.
The song symbolizes the strength and hope to keep moving forward while facing hardships.
For those who were young during the period of rapid economic growth—now in their seventies—it evokes nostalgia while also offering renewed courage.
Sakamoto’s gentle yet powerful voice will move you deeply.
Woman of NagasakiKasuga Hachirō
Hachiro Kasuga was an enka singer from Fukushima Prefecture, born in 1924.
His signature song “Nagasaki no Onna” was released in 1963 and portrays a heartrending love set against the backdrop of postwar Nagasaki.
Listening to it evokes the city’s scenery and the melancholy of a lost love.
Kasuga’s warm yet powerful voice further enhances the song’s emotional depth.
It’s a classic I’d recommend to people of all ages when they want to reflect on partings in life or indulge in nostalgia.
When the Acacia Rain StopsSachiko Nishida
Sachiko Nishida is one of the quintessential singers of the Showa era, known for her husky voice and decadent allure.
Her signature song, “When the Acacia Rain Stops,” released in 1960, reflects the backdrop of the U.
S.
-Japan Security Treaty protests and resonated widely with many young people.
The song portrays herself standing in despair under the acacia rain, infused with a deep emotional yearning for the rain to cease and for a new beginning to arrive.
Intertwined with the social climate of the time, it still strikes a chord even today.
Listening to it while recalling one’s hometown or past memories can make it even more moving.
This is goodbye today.Yoichi Sugawara
Yoichi Sugawara is a singer known for his soul-stirring voice.
His signature song, “Kyo de Owakare” (“We Part Today”), was released in 1967 and became widely beloved after winning the Japan Record Award in 1970.
Rei Nakanishi’s delicate lyrics and Akira Ui’s beautiful melody blend seamlessly to vividly portray the aching emotions of two people at the moment of parting.
The essence of the piece lies in how Sugawara’s richly expressive vocals powerfully convey a depth of sorrow and love beyond words.
As you listen, it offers a moving experience, as if you were watching a film.
[Nostalgic Songs] A Collection of Tear-Jerking Japanese Tracks Recommended for Men in Their 70s (21–30)
Sad SakeHibari Misora
Sad Sake, released in 1966 by Hibari Misora—the songstress who illuminated the Showa-era pop scene—is a deeply emotional piece that portrays entrusting the pain of heartbreak to alcohol.
At the time of its release, it sold over 1.
45 million copies and has continued to be cherished as one of her signature songs.
Misora’s distinctive, deeply expressive voice strikes listeners to the core and leaves an unforgettable impression.
Moreover, the emotional expression she displays when performing this song allows listeners to share in its sorrow, evoking profound empathy.
Please take the time to listen closely.