A Showa-era duet song. A timeless karaoke/snack-bar classic!
Do you like duet songs?
Some of you may have sung together with friends or even other customers at karaoke or in a snack bar.
Singing your favorite song solo is certainly fun, but duet songs—where two people weave harmonies—have a unique charm all their own.
In this article, we’ve gathered classic Showa-era duet songs that just about everyone has heard at least once.
Even if you’ve never tried a duet, take this chance to learn one and try singing it with a friend.
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- [Duet Songs] A roundup of recommended tracks perfect for two women to sing together!
- [Harmony Songs for Duets] Songs that feel great to harmonize
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Duet classics (1–10)
Maybe PART 2Sachiko Kobayashi & Katsuhiko Miki
When it comes to classic hits by a legendary Showa-era duo, this is the one! “Moshikashite PART II,” the duet by Sachiko Kobayashi and Katsuhiko Miki, became a hot topic.
The lyrics delicately portray a psychological battle between a man and a woman—for example, the man explains, “She’s a work colleague”—leaving a strong impression.
Released in July 1984, the song peaked at No.
11 on the Oricon charts and sold about 300,000 copies.
Its simple yet memorable melody and the duo’s exquisite harmony are its main charms.
It’s perfect for singing at karaoke or in a snack bar.
It’s fun to split parts between a man and a woman, but it’s also a classic you can fully enjoy solo.
Be sure to try singing it with someone!
Breakup in the fifth yearHiroshi & Kībō
This is a song by Hiroshi & Kii-bo that depicts a breakup between a man and a woman with a light, upbeat rhythm.
Released in March 1983, it was created as a sequel to their previous duet song, which enjoyed explosive popularity.
With its memorable phrases, the piece portrays the feelings of a couple who choose to part ways after five years together.
While both put on a brave face, their unresolved emotions are beautifully conveyed through the perfectly synchronized harmonies of Hiroshi and Kii-bo.
Let’s recreate the heartfelt lyrics and lively melody with beautiful harmony!
Women live for loveHiroshi Miura and the Honey Six
A mood kayō song by Hiroshi Miura and Honey Six that sings of love and longing.
Released in 1981, “Women Live for Love” also gained popularity as the theme song for the TBS daytime drama “Journey of Love.” The lyrics, portraying a woman’s inner feelings and conflicts, resonate deeply, and together with the gentle melody, they strike a chord in the heart.
The piece was written and composed by the eldest son, Mr.
Hiroshi Miura, and features the tight-knit harmonies characteristic of siblings.
If you sing it as a duet, its heartwarming harmony is sure to help you create wonderful memories.
Nostalgic duet songs (11–20)
Michinoku ShigureIchiro Toba / Sachiko Murakami
This is an enka duet song that portrays the heartrending love between a man and a woman against the richly atmospheric scenery of the Tohoku region.
Released in September 1985, the piece beautifully blends Mr.
Ichiro Toba’s powerful vocals with Ms.
Sachiko Murakami’s delicate voice, expressing with deep emotion the wavering feelings of the couple as the seasons shift from autumn to winter.
In the chorus, their voices overlap exquisitely, resonating deeply with listeners.
Why not try singing it together with someone special at karaoke or in a snack bar?
Spring LoversAkira Yamamoto / Junko Sakurada
Akira Yamamoto and Junko Sakurada’s “Spring Lovers” is a refreshing love song.
It was included as the B-side to Akira Yamamoto’s 1975 single “I Want to Steal You Away.” The song was born from a project in the magazine Heibon in 1974 that recruited a new singer to debut as a duet partner with Junko Sakurada.
Akira Yamamoto was promoted alongside Yuma Kusakawa and Ryu Kano as the “New New Big Three,” but they failed to gain strong popularity and did not leave their mark on entertainment history like the original “Big Three” or the “New Big Three.”
Tokyo Meguri-ai (Tokyo Serendipitous Encounters/Love by Chance in Tokyo)Sayuri Ishikawa / Koto Kaze
This is a duet released in August 1984 by the unusual pairing of Sayuri Ishikawa, known as a treasure of the enka world, and Masanori Kotonofuji (formerly the sumo wrestler Kotonofuji) after his transition from professional sumo.
The story portrays lovers who reunite in Tokyo after being apart and reaffirm their love, expressed through Rei Nakanishi’s emotionally rich lyrics and Shosuke Ichikawa’s wistful melody.
The work received the Planning Award at the 26th Japan Record Awards and was also performed at the 35th NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen that same year.
It’s a perfect song to sing in sync with a duet partner at karaoke or in a snack bar.
White is the color of lovers.Betsy & Chris
A folk song whose appeal lies in its heartfelt, pure harmonies.
Beginning with an acoustic guitar intro, its gentle melody tells a love story painted through the colors of nature—flowers, the sky, and sunsets—leaving a lingering resonance.
The clear harmonies woven by Betsy & Chris’s pristine voices evoke a nostalgic feeling that makes anyone want to hum along.
Released by Nippon Columbia in October 1969, the single became a major hit, ranking 11th on the 1970 Oricon year-end chart.
It has been covered by various artists, and in 2001 it was featured as an insert song in the film Crayon Shin-chan: The Storm Called: The Adult Empire Strikes Back, bringing it renewed attention.