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.
- [Karaoke] Duet songs for men and women. A roundup of popular and classic tracks.
- A love song you can sing as a duet. From Showa-era kayōkyoku to the latest J-pop!
- [Karaoke] Duet Song Rankings [2025]
- Classic Showa-era songs that are easy to sing at karaoke
- Compilation of enka duet songs. Introducing popular kayōkyoku hits as well!
- When you can’t decide what to sing at karaoke: Easy-to-sing classic hits from the Showa era
- [Duet Songs] A roundup of recommended tracks perfect for two women to sing together!
- [Harmony Songs for Duets] Songs that feel great to harmonize
- A roundup of duet songs sung by men—classic tracks renowned for their compelling harmonies and call-and-response.
- [Spotlight Again] A roundup of popular and classic Showa-era hits trending now [2025]
- Cool songs from the Showa era. Masterpieces from Showa that shine with sensuality, passion, and rugged charm.
- [2025] A Collection of Classic Enka and Kayōkyoku Duets by Women
- Timeless classics everyone knows! Wedding songs born in the Showa era
Nostalgic duet songs (21–30)
Naniwa Love DrizzleChiaki Oka / Harumi Miyako
“Naniwa Koi Shigure” is a duet that seems to portray a love story between a domineering husband and a long-suffering woman.
The pairing of Chiaki Oka’s husky, powerful male vocals with Harumi Miyako’s firm and strong female vocals is excellent.
This is exactly what a duet between two enka singers should sound like!
Two People's Love IslandYuko Ishikawa & Chage
Here is the collaboration song between Mr.
Chage and Ms.
Yuko Ishikawa—both highly talented artists, yet neither had a hit where they took the lead vocal.
Initially, Mr.
Chage composed the song in a key comfortable for himself without envisioning a male-female duet, so it seems they struggled quite a bit later to adjust the key.
Still, he compensates for it with wonderful high notes.
It’s a classic that conveys a lively, joyful atmosphere.
Azusa No. 2hunter
This is a signature song by a male duo from the Showa era.
I love folk songs from this period! In “Azusa No.
2,” the A and B sections are relatively quiet, but once the chorus hits and the harmonies come in, it suddenly soars! It’s incredibly cool and feels so good to sing! The harmony is basically a third below, but since the main melody’s chorus sits around G4 and has that belting quality, the harmony should come in firmly so it doesn’t get overshadowed.
When entering the chorus, listen carefully to the backing track and breathe together so you both come in at the same time! The unison at the end of the chorus after all that harmonizing is wonderful, too.
It might be a somewhat wistful song, but when the harmonies lock in, it’ll give you goosebumps—so definitely find a partner and give it a try!
North AirportYin Shuying Katsura, Keisuke Hama
Released in 1987, “Kita Kūkō” (North Airport) is a duet by Keisuke Hama and Eun Joo Kang.
Its melancholy melody highlights the chill of the northern country, giving it that quintessential Showa-era feel.
Since its release, it has been very popular for karaoke and is so well-known that many consider it the go-to duet for mature men and women.
IzakayaHiroshi Itsuki / Nana Kinomi
This famous duet song ranked second in copyright royalties distributed during the Heisei era.
Released in 1982, it depicts a conversation between a man and a woman who happen to end up sitting next to each other at an izakaya.
Many listeners can probably relate to this kind of situation that could easily happen over drinks.
With almost no difficult harmony parts, its easygoing singability may be part of its appeal.
So tonight...Daishirō Masuiyama & Katsue Sawada
The classic song “Dakara Konya wa…” by Taishiro Masuiyama and Katsue Sawada.
Released in March 1979, it peaked at No.
48 on the Oricon chart and became a popular duet.
This work is an emotionally rich enka ballad that sings of deep love between a man and a woman.
It is known as one of Masuiyama’s signature songs, as he drew attention not only as a singer but also for his career as a sumo wrestler.
It also gained buzz as a brother–sister duo, and it has long been loved in karaoke and snack bars.
With its gentle atmosphere and melodic style, it’s perfect for singing with someone special.
Be sure to try performing it as a duet with someone.
Two People in OsakaHarumi Miyako / Masashi Miyazaki
This song, sung by the grand dame of enka, Harumi Miyako, was originally a duet with Masashi Miyazaki.
The lyrics are by Osamu Yoshioka, also known for Sayuri Ishikawa’s smash hit “Amagi-goe,” and they vividly portray a parting scene between two adults.
Since it’s a track centered on Harumi Miyako, it begins from the woman’s perspective, making it a reassuring choice even for men who aren’t very familiar with the song.