RAG MusicAthletics
Wonderful sports day / athletic festival

[Friendship Song] Music to hype up sports days and athletic festivals

I think there are very many students who look forward to school sports days and athletic festivals.

On those days, you’ll have fun and smile, throw yourself into heated competitions, and even be moved to tears—truly a day packed with youthful memories.

At such a memorable sports day, you might also grow closer through practice and events, or deepen your friendships even more, don’t you think?

With that in mind, this article will introduce lots of recommended songs for a sports day with the theme of friendship!

I hope you find wonderful tracks to color your special day.

[Friendship Songs] Tracks to Hype Up Sports Day and Athletic Festivals (11–20)

Critical HitRADWIMPS

RADWIMPS – A Masterstroke [Official Music Video]
Critical HitRADWIMPS

A rousing anthem that fills you with positivity and the courage to take on new challenges.

Featured on RADWIMPS’ December 2013 album “X to O to Tsumi to,” this song questions how we face our true feelings and the choices we make in life.

It gives soulful voice—over a powerful, hard-hitting rock sound—to the inner conflict between social success and what you truly want to do, using the metaphor of a baseball game.

The exhilarating guitar riffs, rhythmic drums, and piercing, forceful melody will inspire you to push your limits.

The music video, shot in a ballpark with 1,500 extras, is also a must-see.

It’s the perfect track when you want to give your all with your teammates at a sports day, or when you’re ready to step up and face a crucial challenge.

winding roadNovelbright

Novelbright – Winding Road [Official Music Video]
winding roadNovelbright

This song portrays growth and hope along the winding roads of life.

It serves as the theme for TV Tokyo’s Drama 9 series “Courtroom Dragon,” which tells the story of a protagonist who transitions from professional shogi player to lawyer, and it will be released in January 2025.

The lyrics were written by Novelbright’s vocalist, Yudai Takenaka, with composition by Takenaka and guitarist Kaito Yamada.

The track features grand melodies and a refreshing sound.

In the music video, directed by actor Hiroshi Tamaki, the band performs amid forests and vast natural landscapes, creating a striking impression.

It’s a song that gives courage to look ahead—perfect for young people unsure of their path and friends striving in new environments.

It’s also ideal for building excitement ahead of school sports festivals and athletic meets.

Kono Yubi Tomareyosugala

Yosugala – Kono Yubi Tomare
Kono Yubi Tomareyosugala

A song about human connections and bonds, this new piece from yosugala is set for release in March 2025.

It weaves gentle compassion into its melody, expressing the desire to find a small light in someone facing hardship and to stay by their side.

The sound, crafted by members of the band AliA, delivers an emotionally stirring resonance.

The song was first unveiled at a solo concert held at LINE CUBE SHIBUYA on February 8, enveloping the audience in a warm sense of awe.

As an ambitious follow-up to the albums “YOMOSUGARA” and “YOMOSUGARA 2,” it has garnered strong support from many fans.

It’s a reliable companion for moments when you want to deepen bonds with teammates at school sports festivals or field days, or when you want to encourage someone important to you.

A victorious smile with youUkasukaji

Ukasukazy “A Victorious Smile With You” Music Video
A victorious smile with youUkasukaji

Ukasuka-G’s song, carrying a powerful message about friendship, is a youthful cheer anthem that captures the spirit of teammates moving forward with pride held close to their hearts.

Cherishing the bonds forged through wholehearted competition, it portrays the strength of comrades overcoming challenges and their smiles, set to an uplifting, positive sound.

Released on May 20, 2014, the track is a digital-only single from TOY’S FACTORY and has been loved across a wide range of scenes, including as the Japan national soccer team’s support song and in Kirin’s “Nihonjuu ga Kata o Kumu” TV commercial.

As a song that fires up the hearts of those striving in team sports and club activities, it’s also a perfect staple to energize school sports festivals.

Bond.haji→

Kizuna by Hajime, a singer-songwriter from Miyagi Prefecture.

It’s a catchy rap-reggae track.

The lyrics really resonate—you can’t help but nod along and think, “Yep, I totally get that.” It feels like it could even be a moving ballad if you slowed it down.

With its bright, bouncy rhythm, it’s perfect for sports days and athletic festivals, and the lyrics make it a great encouragement song.

Try using it for events that bring the whole class together.

It’s a number with an awesome rap-reggae vibe.

Kizuna, which suits junior high and high school festivals, has a slightly mature, cool feel.

lilacMrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs. GREEN APPLE “Lilac” Official Music Video
lilacMrs. GREEN APPLE

An uplifting song that delicately captures the sparkle and bitterness of youth has emerged from Mrs.

GREEN APPLE.

This piece expresses the fragility of life and the passage of time, cherishing memories while conveying the anticipation of new encounters.

It’s a gem that traces the wavering hearts of young people—where light and shadow intertwine—set to a buoyant melody.

Featured on the album “Unity,” the track has served as the opening theme for the TV Tokyo anime “Oblivion Battery” since April 2024.

A bold work from Mrs.

GREEN APPLE following their return to activity and winner of the 66th Japan Record Awards, it’s sure to resonate in scenes that deepen friendships at school sports days and athletic festivals.

Highly recommended for those who value the bonds they share with their companions.

[Friendship Songs] Tracks to Energize Sports Days and Athletic Festivals (21–30)

Precious thingsroodo obu mejyaa

Released in 2002, Road of Major’s indie debut single is a quintessential youth punk anthem themed around friendship and bonds.

It delivers universal themes—meeting and parting with friends, supporting one another—through an energetic sound.

Remarkably, as an indie release, the song spent 19 consecutive weeks in the Oricon Top 10 and sold over 900,000 copies in total.

It’s also included on the album “ROAD OF MAJOR” and the best-of compilation “GOLDEN ROAD ~BEST~.” This track is perfect for anyone who has dear friends they’re connected to at heart, even when apart.

Listen to it during graduation season or at the start of a new chapter in life, and you’ll be reminded of the irreplaceable value of those connections.