Wonderful sports day / athletic festival

Carefully selected J-pop to liven up sports days and athletic festivals! Also great as entrance songs.

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
Accompanist / Piano Instructoryuri
Accompanist pianist × piano instructor × web writer. I began piano lessons at age four and, inspired by my piano teacher, decided to pursue music. I went on to specialized music programs in high school and university, where I discovered the appeal of accompanying instrumentalists and singers. Currently, alongside teaching piano, I work mainly in my home region of Aichi as an accompanist for flute, voice, choir, and more. Through lessons, my students often introduce me to trending songs, and my hobby is trying anything on the piano—Japanese and Western pop, commercial jingles, and beyond. Since 2021, I’ve also been active as a web writer, covering music and a variety of other genres.

Music is essential for staging a successful sports day or school athletics festival.

You might find yourself thinking, “I want to pick songs that will hype up this once-a-year sports celebration!” or “What tracks will boost participants’ motivation and get the audience excited too?”

In this article, we’ve gathered the perfect songs for background music and entrance scenes at sports days and athletics festivals.

From tracks that fire you up to songs that gently encourage, you’ll find plenty of pieces that work in all kinds of moments.

Let moving music set the stage for an unforgettable event.

Carefully selected J-pop to hype up your sports day/field day! Also great as entrance songs (81–90)

Wake up!AAA

AAA / 「Wake up!」Music Video

Wake up!AAA

AAA announced that they would go on hiatus as of 2020.

It’s really sad, but let’s draw strength by reminiscing about their old songs.

While AAA members have been broadening their horizons with solo activities, when they come together, the collective power they unleash is undeniable.

“Wake up!” was also used as the opening theme for the anime ONE PIECE.

It’s a song that gives you the courage to push forward.

Even if your heart is pounding while waiting for your turn at a sports festival or athletic meet, listening to this track should help ease those nerves.

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CharacterRyokushokushakai

Ryokuoushoku Shakai 'Character' Official Video / Ryokuoushoku Shakai – Character

CharacterRyokushokushakai

Ryu Matsuyama’s “Character” is perfect for a school sports day with its poppy, fast-paced sound.

The song is included on the 2022 album Actor and reached No.

7 on Oricon’s Digital Singles chart during its pre-release.

It was also used in a commercial for Morinaga’s in Jelly.

The lyrics carry the message that “each person can shine,” which makes it an ideal fit for a sports day.

It seems suited to any scene—entrance marches, sprints, relays, and more.

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Odoru Pompoko RinE-girls

E-girls / Odoru Ponpokorin

Odoru Pompoko RinE-girls

I can still remember the rush I felt when I first heard B.B.

Queens’ Odoru Pompokolin.

Everyone was like, “What is this?”—and yet the next moment we were already humming the chorus.

As popular artists like E-girls and Momoiro Clover Z have continued to sing it, the song seems to have gained more weight over time.

With E-girls delivering solid dance performances, it seems perfect for junior high or high school cheer battles! In any case, it’s a surefire track to hype up any scene at a sports festival.

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Taki no namida pin ku

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SUPREMACYHatsuboshi Gakuen

Hatsuboshi Academy “SUPREMACY” Lyric Video (HATSUBOSHI GAKUEN – SUPREMACY)

SUPREMACYHatsuboshi Gakuen

Hatsuboshi Academy, which debuted in the idol training game “Gakuen Idolmaster.” Released as a class song by Year 1, Class 1, this number features an irresistible aggressive rock sound with hints of traditional Japanese melodies.

Its lyrics, which sing of an unwavering focus on the very top and a thirst for absolute victory, ignite the listener’s fighting spirit.

The track was unveiled in August as the official song for the real-world event “Class Showdown: Hatsuboshi Grand Sports Festival,” to be held in September 2025, and is included on the compilation CD “Class Showdown: Hatsuboshi Grand Sports Festival SONG COLLECTION.” Put it on when you need to fire yourself up, and it will give you the courage to take that final step.

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Rock The World[Alexandros]

[Alexandros] – Rock The World (MV)

Rock The World[Alexandros]

[Alexandros], known for producing numerous anime theme songs and game theme tracks, is a rock band popular among children as well.

Their 2022 single “Rock The World” is a refreshing, up-tempo song that’s perfect for school sports days.

It was used as the theme song for the anime “Goodbye, DonGlees!” and reached No.

3 on the Oricon Singles Chart.

The lyrics, which convey that becoming a little stronger can be the trigger to break out of your shell, are also a perfect fit for kids enjoying a sports festival.

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360°miwa

miwa 『360°』Short Ver.

360°miwa

This song, whose bright tone lifts your spirits, is by miwa, a singer-songwriter from Kanagawa Prefecture.

It was released in 2015 as her 17th single.

It’s a motivational song filled with the message of believing in your own potential.

It was chosen as the theme song for the film Doraemon: Nobita and the Space Heroes.

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Carefully selected J‑Pop to amp up your sports day and athletic festival! Also great as entrance songs (91–100)

MORNIING SUNEXILE B HAPPY

EXILE B HAPPY / MORNING SUN (Music Video)

MORNIING SUNEXILE B HAPPY

[Sports Day Dance] MORNING SUN / EXILE B HAPPY (Easy Choreography Video)

Like refreshing morning light pouring in, EXILE B HAPPY’s song brightens the heart.

It was released digitally first in January 2024, followed by a CD release in May of the same year.

This pop song carries a positive message, themed around everyday happiness and a forward-looking start.

The lyrics, set to a bright and catchy melody, celebrate the beginning of a new day and will have you humming along before you know it! Whether you’re facing a challenge or feeling anxious, listening to this track is sure to lift your spirits.

It would also be perfect as an entrance song for a sports day or athletic festival, boosting participants’ energy and creating a fun atmosphere!

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