Kayokyoku

Kayokyoku is a Japanese music genre, which served as the prevailing style of mainstream pop in Japan from the 1950s until the 1980s, when it was supplanted by J-Pop. The term "kayokyoku" literally translates to "pop song" and it's characterized by its melodious tunes and fusion of Western musical elements with traditional Japanese music. The genre often encompasses a wide emotional range, from sweet ballads to more upbeat numbers, reflecting the versatility of its artists, such as Off Course's harmonious folk-pop, Yosui Inoue's lyrical depth, and Pink Lady's catchy disco-influenced beats. Featuring poetic lyrics and clear, expressive vocals, kayokyoku laid the foundation for contemporary Japanese pop, becoming a bridge between the old and new in Japan's rich musical tapestry.

Top Sub-Genres
Idol Kayo
Latest Kayokyoku Release
undefined album image
Fly By Day feat. JU!iE
Single - Released July 23, 2025
Top Artists Spotify Logo
Anri
Teresa Teng
Mariya Takeuchi
Seiko Matsuda
Akina Nakamori
Every Little Thing
Top Playlists
The Sound of Modern Enka 115 Kayokyoku artists
The Sound of Techno Kayō 44 Kayokyoku artists
The Sound of Classic Anime 31 Kayokyoku artists
The Sound of Japanese Blues 19 Kayokyoku artists
The Sound of J-Acoustic 12 Kayokyoku artists
The Sound of Japanese Vocal Jazz 9 Kayokyoku artists

RecentMusic users are tracking 457 Kayokyoku artists for new releases, and have access to the full timeline of 9,416 releases .

Join them and feed your new music addiction, and add the Kayokyoku artists you love!

Get Started Browse Arists
  1. July 23, 2025
  2. July 9
  3. July 9
  4. July 9
  5. July 2
  6. July 2
    undefined album image
    TAIYOU
    11 tracks
  7. July 2
  8. June 25
  9. June 18
  10. June 18
  11. June 18
  12. June 18
  13. June 18
  14. June 18
  15. June 11
  16. June 6
  17. June 6
  18. June 4
  19. June 4
  20. June 4
  21. June 4
  22. June 4
  23. June 4
  24. June 4
  25. May 30
  26. May 28
  27. May 28
  28. May 28
  29. May 23
  30. May 23
  31. May 21
  32. May 21
  33. May 21
  34. May 21
  35. May 20
  36. May 14
  37. May 14
  38. May 14
  39. May 14
  40. May 14