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 energize your sports day and athletic festival! Also great as entrance songs (131–140)

IlluminationB’z

B’z / Illumination

IlluminationB'z

This heartwarming theme song for NHK’s morning drama series Omusubi blends hopeful lyrics with a memorable melody.

It warmly portrays bonds with those close to us and the joys of life, turning dreams and hopes found beneath the lingering evening sky into a beautiful piece that shines like illuminations.

Released by B’z in October 2024, this ambitious work marks their first contribution to a morning drama theme, featuring a gentle sound that stands apart from their previous hard rock style.

It’s a perfect song for when you want to cherish the small happinesses of everyday life or move toward your dreams together with friends.

It also resonates as a support song that balances tenderness with strength, making it great for school sports days and cheering scenes.

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Soldier, run.B’z

B'z / Soldier, Run

Soldier, run.B'z

B’z, a world-renowned rock duo representing Japan.

This song, which served as the support anthem for Japan’s national rugby team, was released in May 2019.

It kicks off with a heavy, rallying “Ei, ei, oh!” chant, and its lyrics express the will and determination of men pushing relentlessly toward a farther, ultimate goal, overcoming each win and loss along the way.

It’s sure to give a powerful push to players striving to move forward.

It’s an ideal track for marquee school sports day events like the cavalry battle and the relay.

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CathartistRADWIMPS

RADWIMPS – Catharsist [Official Music Video]

CathartistRADWIMPS

An uplifting anthem themed around the drive to better oneself and the bond with teammates, this song overflows with the powerful message that only RADWIMPS can deliver.

Released in June 2018, it was written as the theme song for Fuji TV’s soccer-related programs during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.

It is also included on the album ANTI ANTI GENERATION and reached No.

5 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.

As a track that pushes people to give their all toward their goals, it’s a perfect choice for use at school sports days and athletic festivals.

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Critical HitRADWIMPS

RADWIMPS – A Masterstroke [Official Music Video]

Critical HitRADWIMPS

This is a rock anthem packed with a grand message that resonates with young people, included by RADWIMPS in their December 2013 album “X to O to Tsumi to.” Riding on powerful guitar riffs and driving drum rhythms, it portrays the struggles and growth of a protagonist trying to find their own path in the midst of youth.

Its uncompromising alternative sound is brimming with energy, making it perfect for opening or closing ceremonies at school sports days.

The music video was filmed at Ageo Municipal Baseball Stadium in Saitama Prefecture and features a massive scale with 1,500 extras.

This work strongly supports students in the thick of their youth and those standing at life’s crossroads.

It’s the perfect song when you need the courage to take a new step forward.

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FRIENDS!!!imase

【imase】FRIENDS!!!（MV）

FRIENDS!!!imase

Set to a light, breezy melody, this heartwarming coming-of-age song celebrates the importance of friendship.

A groovy rhythm and the gentle vocals of imase, an artist from Gifu Prefecture, weave an exquisite harmony that carefully depicts reunions with friends, the subtle distances between hearts, and the feelings toward an unchanging bond.

Released in February 2025 as the theme song for the collaboration project “Everyone’s Concert” by the live communication app Pococha and Yamaha Corporation, the piece also features a special video with over 120 performers, proposing new ways to forge connections through music.

It’s perfect not only as BGM for school sports festivals and athletic meets, but also as a track to brighten any playlist capturing pages of youth spent with friends.

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A victorious smile with youUkasukaji

Ukasukazy “A Victorious Smile With You” Music Video

A victorious smile with youUkasukaji

A fusion sound of J-pop and hip-hop overflowing with youthful passion and sportsmanship.

Created by Ukasuka-G, the duo of Kazutoshi Sakurai from Mr.Children and GAKU-MC, this piece sings of the bonds between friends and the courage to take on challenges.

Its powerful message—conveying the resolve to face towering obstacles and the trust in your teammates—resonates deeply.

Released in May 2014 as a lead single from the album AMIGO, it was adopted as an official support song by the Japan Football Association and featured in various tie-ins, including Kirin’s “Japan Linking Arms” commercial song.

It’s a reliable track not only for school sports days and athletic festivals, but also for any moment when you want to strengthen teamwork or strive toward a goal together with your friends.

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Stand Out Fit InONE OK ROCK

ONE OK ROCK: Stand Out Fit In [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

Stand Out Fit InONE OK ROCK

This is a highly message-driven song that powerfully sings about the importance of staying true to yourself.

Included on the album “Eye of the Storm,” it features a polished sound that embraces pop rock and electropop with a global market in mind.

It’s a track that, with every listen, draws out the potential hidden in your heart, and its refreshingly exhilarating ONE OK ROCK–style melody is deeply stirring.

Released in November 2018, it was also used as the theme song for the global campaign “Go, Vantage Point.” by the world-renowned automaker Honda.

With a tempo and dynamism perfectly suited to group gymnastics performances, along with a message that encourages students’ individuality and growth, it’s an ideal choice for BGM at school sports days and athletic festivals.

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