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 liven up sports days and athletic festivals! Also great as entrance songs (1–10)

SignalWANIMA

WANIMA “Signal” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

SignalWANIMA

It’s an uplifting WANIMA anthem that vividly portrays the drive to move toward the future and the down-to-earth struggles we all face.

While carrying anxiety about the unknown, it captures young people’s determination to walk their own path, powered by a dynamic rock sound.

Featured on the album “Everybody!!,” the song was also used in a Lotte Ice “Sō” commercial.

In a special NHK program, the band performed with 1,000 eighteen-year-olds, and the moving stage left a lasting impression on many viewers.

It’s a perfect track for relays and theme songs at school sports days and festivals—one that unites the entire venue.

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StaRtMrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs. GREEN APPLE – StaRt

StaRtMrs. GREEN APPLE

This track is packed with a catchy melody and an uplifting message.

The refreshing pop-rock sound and dynamic, well-defined rhythm feel great, and it’s sure to encourage you every time you listen! Even when things don’t go well, it carries a powerful cheer: it’s okay to go back to basics and make a fresh start.

Featured on Mrs.

GREEN APPLE’s major-label debut mini-album “Variety,” the song was also used in commercials for Kao Merit and as the theme for Fuji TV’s “Cho Hamaru! Bakusho Chara Parade.” It’s a perfect choice for moments when new challenges begin, such as opening ceremonies or athlete entrances at school sports days.

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hundreds of millions of light-yearsOmoinotake

Hundreds of Millions of Light-Years / Omoinotake [Osaka Toin High School Brass Band]

hundreds of millions of light-yearsOmoinotake

A gem of a mid-tempo tune from Omoinotake that sings of a powerful feeling transcending time and distance.

Riding on a melodious horn section and an exhilarating groove, it passionately declares a love that will never fade.

Released in February 2024 as the theme song for the TBS Tuesday drama “Eye Love You,” this track was also chosen as the entry march for the 97th National High School Baseball Championship.

It’s a perfect fit both for a dignified procession and for a gentle, supportive exit scene.

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Carefully selected J-pop to energize sports days and athletic festivals! Also great as entrance songs (11–20)

ultramarineYOASOBI

YOASOBI “Gunjou” Official Music Video

ultramarineYOASOBI

It’s a powerful song that gives you the courage to move forward toward your dreams and goals.

Produced by YOASOBI in September 2020, it was featured as the commercial song for Bourbon’s Alfort Mini Chocolate.

In 2021, it was selected as the theme song for Nippon TV’s high school dance club support project, Dance ONE Project ’21, and it was also performed at the NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen in December of the same year.

Depicting a protagonist who, despite their struggles, finds their own path, this piece is a perfect fit for group gymnastics and dance, where mutual trust comes together to create something as one.

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breakthroughSUPER BEAVER

SUPER BEAVER “Toppakō” MV (TV anime Haikyu!! TO THE TOP, 2nd cour opening theme)

breakthroughSUPER BEAVER

With powerful vocals and a fiery band sound, this song expresses the strength of taking on challenges.

The lyrics, which call for facing things head-on and living with all your might, pierce the listener’s heart.

Released in October 2020, it was chosen as the opening theme for the second cour of the anime Haikyu!! TO THE TOP.

Showcasing SUPER BEAVER’s signature robust sound and strong message, it’s a recommended track to hype up entrance scenes at school sports days and athletic festivals.

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Kimisidai TrainONE OK ROCK

Kimisidai Train

Kimisidai TrainONE OK ROCK

A powerful track packed with a fiery message about self-improvement and moving forward.

It speaks plainly about the importance of building on past experiences to step into the future, delivering a heartfelt message alongside an emotional sound.

Featured on ONE OK ROCK’s October 2011 album “Zankyō Reference,” this song is sure to give a strong push to participants facing challenges at school sports days and athletic festivals.

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New Treasure IslandSakanakushon

Shin Takarajima / Sakanaction SIT Band - Sapporo International Information High School Wind Ensemble

New Treasure IslandSakanakushon

This is a lively song brimming with children’s excitement for unknown adventures.

Created by Sakanaction, it was produced in September 2015 as the theme song for the film “Bakuman.” Its retro synthesizer sound and upbeat rhythm are striking, and the production that evokes the late 1980s to early 1990s makes you feel as if you’ve slipped back in time.

Giving you the courage to take a bold step into the future, this track is perfect for a school sports day entrance scene or a dance number! It will fill the venue with a bright mood and put smiles on everyone’s faces.

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