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 (31–40)
I loved you, loved you, I ended up falling so in love.Miyoko Tashiro & Hiroshi Wada and The Mahina Stars
“I Loved You, Loved You, Loved You So Much” is a very straightforward love song.
Miyoko Tashiro’s warm, gentle image further sparks the excitement of loving someone.
Though it’s an adult song, it’s a fun tune for people of all ages to sing.
If someone starts singing it, it seems like everyone there would get into it together.
Blue MountainsIchiro Fujiyama / Mitsue Nara
A beloved classic that captured the hearts of the Japanese people after the war was sung by Ichiro Fujiyama and Mitsue Nara.
Released in 1949, this song was born as a movie theme and has continued to be cherished by many ever since.
Its lyrics, expressing a yearning for the Blue Mountains and hope for a new life, beautifully reflect the sentiments of the Japanese people at the time.
Fujiyama’s dignified vocals and Nara’s warm harmonies resonate deeply with listeners.
It has remained loved across generations, even receiving special performances at the 1979 and 1989 Kohaku Uta Gassen.
Why not sing it together with someone dear to you, along with fond memories?
Lovestruck MidosujiTakeshi Emoto & Machiko Irie
One of the quintessential duet songs of the Showa era, this classic vividly evokes the scenery of Osaka.
Released in 1978 by Takeshi Emoto and Machiko Irie, it portrays a bittersweet love set along Midosuji in a light drizzle.
It drew attention as a rare case of former professional baseball player Emoto also succeeding as a singer.
With its gentle melody and emotionally rich lyrics, it’s irresistible for fans of Showa-era kayokyoku.
It’s the kind of song you’ll want to sing with someone special at karaoke or in a cozy snack bar.
Men and women, no matter how old they are.Ryotaro Sugi & Yuri Murata
Known as a duet by Ryotaro Sugi and Yuri Murata, this piece is a beloved classic that resonates with the hearts of the mature generation.
Its lyrics, which focus on relationships and emotions between men and women that remain unchanged with age, are particularly relatable for listeners with rich life experience.
Released in March 1996, it carries the essence of Showa-era kayokyoku while conveying a message that still speaks to the present day.
Cherished for many years as a karaoke and bar staple, it’s a song that fully showcases the appeal of a duet sung by two people.
With a calm yet warm vocal tone and lyrics that feel close to the heart, its charm lies in the gentle comfort it offers.
The Night Wind of the JourneyNoboru Kirishima, Miss Columbia
Released in 1938, this popular song was also the theme for the Shochiku film “Aizen Katsura,” and it reportedly sold over 800,000 copies—an astonishing hit for the time.
Many younger people have probably heard its opening phrase, haven’t they? The arrangement, sound, and vocals—all scream Showa-era kayōkyoku!!! Or rather, it feels unmistakably prewar!!! Even so, in 2020, it might be fun to sing this at karaoke on purpose.
That said, as you’d expect from singers of that era, their vocal technique and delivery strongly reflect formal vocal training, so singing it exactly like the original can be quite a challenge.
If you’re confident, definitely give it a try!
Nostalgic duet songs (41–50)
The Apple Murder CaseHiromi Go / Kiki Kirin
Many people have probably seen the video of Hiromi Go and Kiki Kirin singing along with a unique dance.
The song is upbeat and so fun that it makes you want to start dancing.
Be sure to pay attention to the witty lyrics written by hit songwriter Yu Aku.
Whether you already know the song or not, listening to it will put you in a good mood, so it’s worth keeping in mind—you can use it in all kinds of situations, like party entertainment or wedding receptions!
That’s a tearjerker.Yujiro Ishihara & Miyuki Kawanaka
Known as one of the great duets that color the golden age of Showa-era hits, “Nakaseroze” tells a poignant story of a heartbreaking goodbye, woven by the captivating voices of Yujiro Ishihara and Miyuki Kawanaka.
Released in September 1995, the song drew attention as a collaboration between two major stars.
Ishihara’s warm, low voice and Kawanaka’s gentle, expressive singing blend beautifully, resulting in a performance that resonates deeply with listeners.
Depicting the sorrow of love and parting, it’s a track that especially evokes nostalgia for fans of Showa-era kayōkyoku.
A gem of a song that makes you want to sing it with someone special at karaoke or in a cozy snack bar.