Lovely commercial jingle

[Nostalgic Commercials] A compilation of commercials that aired in the Showa era

[Nostalgic Commercials] A compilation of commercials that aired in the Showa era

Last updated:2025/7/7

[Nostalgic Commercials] A compilation of commercials that aired in the Showa era

Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICKeisuke Hane
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. After working at a music studio and in wedding sound engineering, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with various instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in middle school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on personal music activities and professional experience, produces daily articles, including song introductions, features on music festivals around Japan, and live reports. Enjoys a wide range of music, from domestic and international rock to, more recently, a broad spectrum of J-pop.
A Vocaloid producer who is also a music writerWakachan Araki
I started playing guitar in middle school and focused on band activities during my student years. I’ve been a hobbyist Vocaloid producer for over 15 years. After entering the workforce, I gained experience in various roles, including event sound engineering and videography/photography. As a writer, I’ve contributed introduction articles for music and manga websites, and in 2022 I had the opportunity to write the bonus liner notes for IA SUPER BEST. My specialties are Japanese rock, Vocaloid, and manga.

TV commercials vary by era, and when you see them again after a long time, many of them feel nostalgic, don’t they?

In particular, from the 1970s to the 1980s—the latter part of the Showa era—many distinctive commercials were aired.

Catchphrases used in those ads were chosen as buzzwords, and songs featured in them became huge hits, making quite the splash in various ways.

In this article, we’ll introduce a whole collection of those nostalgic commercials from the Showa period.

They range widely from spots with a completely different flavor than today’s commercials to ones that have become enduring classics even now, so please take your time and enjoy.

[Nostalgic Commercials] Compilation of Commercials Aired in the Showa Era (1–10)

Japan Coca-Cola I feel Coke

Coca-Cola 1987 Coca-Cola Commercial ~ I feel Coke 87 Chikuzen Sato .flv

Among Showa-era commercials, the 1987 Coca-Cola ad is especially acclaimed as a masterpiece in the advertising world.

Its nostalgia-filled footage, packed with the atmosphere of the time, will likely bring memories flooding back at a single glance.

The background song “I feel Coke 87” is also a timeless classic among commercial jingles, and it drew attention again in 2023 when a cover version of the song was featured in a new commercial.

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Japanese National Railways 'A Good Day to Set Out' Campaign

1978 Commercial: Japanese National Railways - 'A Fine Day to Set Out' Campaign

This is a TV commercial from the Japan National Railways’ “A Good Day to Set Out” campaign, broadcast in 1978.

Multiple JNR trains appear, making it a delightful video for railway enthusiasts.

The background music is another highlight: the song ‘Good Day to Set Out’ was created specifically for this commercial.

After its release, it became one of Momoe Yamaguchi’s signature songs and has continued to be cherished as a classic of the Showa-era pop canon.

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Hitachi, Tree of Hitachi

Hitachi Ltd. Commercials: The Complete “Tree of Hitachi” Series

It’s not a product commercial, but a corporate/group ad.

If I say the commercial with the big tree, you probably know which one I mean.

You can always see it at the end of “The World’s Mysteries.” That tree is a monkeypod located in Moanalua Gardens on Oahu, Hawaii.

It’s 25 meters tall and an impressive 40 meters wide.

Some of you might say, “I’ve seen it in Hawaii.” The phrase “Everyone gathers, everyone contributes, and we take on something new” has remained unchanged for a long time.

It’s a commercial jingle that even kids can’t help but sing.

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Meiji Suginoko Village

1987 Takenoko no Sato and Kinoko no Yama in Suginoko Village

Kinoko no Yama and Takenoko no Sato are still on the market today, but if you were born in the Showa era, you might remember there was another snack in the family.

That was Suginoko Mura.

This is a commercial for Suginoko Mura that aired in 1987, and many of you may have felt nostalgic watching it, thinking, “Oh right, there was a snack like that!”

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Bunmeido Castella

Nostalgic commercial: Bunmeido Castella, 'Bunmeido Puppet Theater'

This is a commercial from Bunmeido of Nagasaki, memorable for its catchy original jingle: “Castella is number one, the telephone is number two, the 3 o’clock snack is Bunmeido.” Many people probably still remember this ad, including the song.

In fact, “the telephone is number two” referred to their phone number at the time, and it’s said that even now the head office—and some branches and factories—still use phone numbers that end in 2.

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Fujifilm Fujicolor N100 Let's capture the New Year

[Showa-era Commercial · 1970] Let’s Capture the New Year

The long-beloved Fuji Color staple commercial series “Let’s Photograph the New Year” dates back to 1966, when it first began airing.

From 1978, Kiki Kirin was cast in the commercials, and many people likely remember the Fuji Color ads in which she appeared.

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Yoshinoya: “Tomorrow will be a home run.”

Showa era, Yoshinoya commercial: 'You did it, Dad! Tomorrow will be a home run.'

This commercial showcases Yoshinoya’s history and dedication through song, set against the cherished catchphrase “Fast! Tasty! Cheap!” It ends with a scene of bringing a treat home for a child, and the line “You did it, Dad—tomorrow I’ll hit a home run” highlights the joy of getting to eat Yoshinoya.

With even a young baseball player delighted, the ad conveys a sense of supporting energy and vitality.

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