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)
A Love Story in GinzaYujiro Ishihara / Junko Makimura
Released in 1961, this song portrays the glittering streets of Ginza alongside a poignant love story between a man and a woman.
The duet by Yujiro Ishihara and Junko Makimura beautifully captures the subtle differences in their emotions, with vocals that resonate deeply with listeners.
Featured as an insert song in the film “Kaze-o-Yobu Otoko: From Town to Town” and followed by a film of the same title the next year, it became a major hit.
As an emblem of Ginza, a monument to the song was erected in 1990.
Blending a man’s powerful feelings with a woman’s sultry sentiments, this emotionally rich piece is perfect for moments when you want to talk about love or look back on cherished memories.
red glassAi George, Chinami Shima
Sing the first verse by a man and the second by a woman, then have both sing together in the third verse.
Alternating duets are lovely, but songs like this one—unfolding as if to portray the disconnect between a man and a woman—also have a special charm.
The tempo is neither too fast nor too slow, so it’s not too hard to learn.
Give it a try!
Nostalgic duet songs (31–40)
The one I still love even after we’ve broken upLos Indios & Sylvia
A duet song that portrays the love between a man and a woman who were once lovers.
It’s a wonderful track that makes you feel that former lovers are unforgettable even after they part, and that they remain someone you’ll always love.
The dandy, masculine vocals of Los Indios and the graceful, feminine voice of Silvia are a perfect match.
It’s a duet you’ll want to keep listening to forever.
You can go ahead and forget — the end of loveTomoko Ogawa / Shinji Tanimura
It’s a duet version of “Forget Me If You Like,” a track from Tanimura’s album Embrace -SATIN ROSE-, and it’s said to capture in song the world of Tanimura’s favorite TV drama, To Friday Wives.
It’s a piece that leaves you with a moving feeling, as if you’ve just finished watching a drama rather than listening to a song.
There’s a bit of staging where Tanimura slips his hand into Ogawa’s neckline, but let’s refrain from doing that during karaoke.
Ozasiki SongHiroshi Wada and the Mahina Stars, Kazuko Matsuo
Hiroshi Wada, a steel guitarist, leads the mood-kayō group Hiroshi Wada and Mahina Stars.
They’ve produced many classic songs, but when it comes to their most popular duet number, it has to be “Ozashiki Kouta,” doesn’t it? Unlike contemporary pop music, this song comes from an era when the enka flavor still lingered strongly, making it the kind of tune that naturally soothes the hearts of Japanese listeners.
Its melody is exceptionally easy to sing, so give it a try at a snack bar or karaoke.
Always keep your dreamsYukio Hashi / Sayuri Yoshinaga
This is a duet by Yukio Hashi and Sayuri Yoshinaga.
The film Always Dream, which used this song as its main theme, was produced and released in the wake of the song’s success, reflecting its high popularity.
In 2013, it was also featured as an insert song in the NHK morning drama Amachan, and it continues to be loved across generations.
The gentle atmosphere of the music and the positive vocals—like a man and woman smiling as they sing facing each other—are particularly memorable.
Try duetting to it while relaxing and enjoying the cheerful mood!
Tokyo Night ClubFrank Nagai, Kazuko Matsuo
A duet song by Frank Nagai and Kazuko Matsuo.
A staple of duet numbers whose many covers by various artists attest to its enduring popularity.
It’s not only a classic duet, but also a standard in mood kayō (romantic mood music).
As the title suggests, the lyrics portray the exchanges between a man and a woman in the glitzy night of the big city.
Another charm is that the vocals proceed in call-and-response, drawing you into the song’s world as if you’re listening to a conversation.