[Akita Songs] A Collection of Gem-Like Local Tunes Filled with Love for Hometowns

Our FutureFujita Yūmin, Watanabe Jun’ya

Theme song of the National Cultural Festival Akita 2014 “Our Future” MV

This is a song that became the theme song for the National Cultural Festival Akita 2014.

The clear vocals by Akita radio DJ Yuumin Fujita and singer-songwriter Junya Watanabe make it a really nice track.

As expected from people who work with their voices, they have great voices.

Chaotic Donpan-bushiTomokawa Kazuki

Kazuki Tomokawa – Midare Donpan-bushi

This is a song in which Kazuki Tomokawa reconstructs the beloved Akita folk tune “Donpan-bushi” from his own unique perspective.

Included on the album “The Days When I Held a Thousand Cranes in My Mouth,” released in August 1978, the piece brilliantly fuses the fervor of a festival with an avant-garde tension.

While preserving the Akita dialect as is, it sonically renders the bodily sway of intoxicated revelers and the atmosphere of communal gatherings, layering urban loneliness over indigenous rhythms in a striking expression.

It may feel shocking at first, but it’s a must-listen for anyone who wants to enjoy folk music from a fresh angle.

Zenzenzense – RADWIMPS (cover)nakagawaseitaro

[Tried singing in Akita dialect] Zenzenzense - RADWIMPS (cover)

This is an Akita dialect cover of the smash hit song “Zenzenzense” by RADWIMPS.

While it doesn’t have the same impact as the Frozen Akita-dialect version, the abundance of voiced consonants makes it hard to understand what’s being said without a translation, which I think is impressive.

Akita dialect needs a translation!

Goushaku! Super God Neiger ~Look, you guys!~Chōjin Neigā

Chojin Neiger: “GO-SEKI! Chojin Neiger ~Look, It’s You Guys~” Song: Ichiro Mizuki

This is the theme song of Akita’s local hero, Chojin Neiger.

It has that reliably classic hero-song vibe, so you can listen with ease.

Both Neiger himself and the track are of high quality.

I didn’t know the motorcycle was modeled after a hatahata (sailfin sandfish).

Waiting4U ~ I’ll let you fluff meMOFU MOFU☆DOGS

Japan’s first!? Akita Inu idol group “MOFU MOFU☆DOGS” releases a music video! New song MV created by stitching together Akita dog voices: “Waiting4U ~I’ll Let You Fluff Me~”

The vocals sounding a bit too dog-like is a drawback, but the overall quality is high.

I can tell you were very serious about it.

I’d like to hear vocals that sound a bit more human.

I feel you went for buzz over the music itself.

Sorry—harsh words because it’s so close.

OdateS.H.O.T

S.H.O.T “Ōdate”

The song “Odate,” with lyrics full of love for Odate, impressively samples OWL-E’s “Hachirogata.” S.H.O.T is a hip-hop singer from Odate City in Akita Prefecture, and in this track he advocates returning to his hometown.

Be sure to check out his other songs too.

Butter Mochi Songzerodate

Song of Butter Mochi (Zerodate / Kitaakita City, Akita Prefecture)

The laid-back local song “Butter Mochi no Uta” is simple and catchy—as you’d expect from a PR jingle, it really sticks in your head.

Just like the song, butter mochi is truly addictive and delicious, so I hope you’ll try it.

If you go to Akita, you can find it being sold pretty much everywhere.