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Lovely nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs

[Songs of Aomori] A collection of local songs depicting the grandeur of nature and the warmth of its people.

The fertile fields and the Tsugaru Plain stretching serenely, the majestic Hakkoda Mountains, and the grand Sea of Japan.

Songs born from Aomori’s nature-rich land are loved not only by its residents but by many people far and wide.

In this article, we introduce captivating pieces woven with Aomori’s scenery and sentiment—from local songs cherished by the community, to popular ballads set in Aomori, to hometown tunes by artists hailing from the prefecture.

Please enjoy them while reflecting on the land of Aomori and the hometown that resides in each of our hearts.

[Aomori Songs] A collection of local tunes depicting majestic nature and the warmth of its people (21–30)

Ringo OiwakeEGO-WRAPPIN’

EGO-WRAPPIN' Ringo Oiwake 2013 LIVE_Ebisu
Ringo OiwakeEGO-WRAPPIN'

A smash hit by Hibari Misora released in May 1952.

EGO-WRAPPIN’ gave it a modern arrangement and performed it at live shows.

In 2016, it was broadcast on NHK BS Premium, bringing it back into the spotlight, and it continues to captivate many people as a timeless local-themed song.

Tsuntsun TsugaruHayashi Asami

Asami Hayashi - Tsuntsun Tsugaru
Tsuntsun TsugaruHayashi Asami

Ayumi Hayashi’s debut single, released in March 1996 (Heisei 8).

Although Hayashi Asami is an enka singer from Rokkasho Village, she drew attention for wearing outfits like a pop singer and was dubbed an “endo-l” (enka idol).

While it is enka, the song is bright and refreshing, fitting for a young newcomer, and it won various new artist awards.

Cape Tappiyoshida takurou & kamayatsu hiroshi

"Cape Tappi" Hiroshi Kamayatsu & Takuro Yoshida
Cape Tappiyoshida takurou & kamayatsu hiroshi

The B-side of the single “Cynthia” by the duo of Takuro Yoshida and Hiroshi Kamayatsu, released in July 1974.

It’s known as a local-themed song from the heyday of folk music.

You can sense their attention to detail in choosing to say “Tappi-zaki” rather than “Tappi-misaki.”

Cape TappiShimakura Chiyoko

A single by Chiyoko Shimakura released in 1971 (Showa 46).

By then an established singer, Shimakura gives voice to a lonely woman’s heart, using Cape Tappi as the motif.

She performed this song at the 15th NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen.

It is one of the most representative songs about Cape Tappi.

From Apple VillageMitsubishi Michiya

Released in 1956 (Showa 31), this was a hit song by Michiya Mihashi.

Hailing from Hokkaido, Mihashi released many local-themed songs about the northeastern Tohoku region.

Among them, this was his best-selling track.

In the postwar era, there were many big hits related to apples—such as Michiko Namiki’s “Ringo no Uta” and Hibari Misora’s “Ringo Oiwake”—and it seems there was a special attachment to Aomori, the apple-producing region.

Come back.Matsumura Kazuko

Come Back Home - Kazuko Matsumura 1981 [Stereo]
Come back.Matsumura Kazuko

Kazuko Matsumura’s debut single, released in April 1980 (Showa 55).

It’s a song that longs for one’s hometown, with lyrics sprinkled with words like “apple” and “Mt.

Iwaki.” Her impactful performance singing while holding a Tsugaru shamisen made a striking impression, turning the release into a major hit and a spectacular debut.

Chiekko YosareKishi Chieko

Enka song “Chie-kko Yosare / Chieko Kishi” Sung by: Shamisen & Shakuhachi Girl
Chiekko YosareKishi Chieko

A song released in 1985 by Chieko Kishi, a folk singer from Tsugaru.

It’s an upbeat number that channels the spirit and pride of people from Tsugaru.

Her energetic style of singing while dashing around the stage became known as “shaking folk” and drew attention, and her friendly banter in the Tsugaru dialect was well received.

She went on to appear in the Kōhaku Uta Gassen in 1988.