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 (161–170)

Freak It! ft. Tokyo Ska Paradise OrchestraMAN WITH A MISSION

MAN WITH A MISSION – Freak It! ft. Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra

Freak It! ft. Tokyo Ska Paradise OrchestraMAN WITH A MISSION

A track that brilliantly fuses an energetic, uplifting ska sound with rock! Born from a powerful collaboration between MAN WITH A MISSION and Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, this song was released in February 2018 and saw extensive use across various media.

It was featured as the opening theme for TV Tokyo’s drama “MASKMEN” and as the official theme song for the Super Rugby team Sunwolves, generating significant buzz.

Its driving rhythm and powerful sound are sure to maximize your motivation during training.

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StarmineDa-iCE

Da-iCE / “Star Mine” Music Video

StarmineDa-iCE

Da-iCE has released a song themed around fireworks that color the summer night sky, depicting the brilliance of life and the spirit of challenge.

Filled with a forward-looking message of hope for the future and memorable Edo-style chants that evoke the lively atmosphere of festivals, the track stands out.

Written and composed by Taiki Kudo, with choreography by shoji of the male dance group s**t kingz, it was released as a digital-only single in August 2022 and later included on the album “SCENE,” released in May of the following year.

The song won the Excellence Award at the 64th Japan Record Awards and the MTV Breakthrough Song at MTV VMAJ 2022, making it an essential track for creating summer memories.

It’s perfect not only for fireworks festivals and traditional celebrations, but also as a hype song for dance and party performances.

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Carefully selected J-Pop to energize your sports day and athletic festival! Also great as entrance songs (171–180)

FateOfisharu Higedan Dism

Official HIGE DANDism – Fate [Official Video]

FateOfisharu Higedan Dism

Now a band boasting nationwide popularity, Official Hige Dandism released “Shukumei” in 2019.

It’s a song that cheers on the days spent preparing for sports day and encourages students on the big day itself.

The passionate band sound intertwined with the bright tones of a brass band resonates deeply.

Many will relate to lyrics that honestly express inner anxiety and doubt.

No matter what difficulties lie ahead, this song teaches the importance of forging ahead as yourself.

Be sure to play this number to make an already heated sports day even more exciting.

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I wish you lots of happinessnaniwa danshi

[Sachi Are] Naniwa Danshi 'Easy Dance & Flag' — Dance for sports day or at home! A dance for preschoolers and elementary school kids!

I wish you lots of happinessnaniwa danshi

Naniwa Danshi’s second single, released in 2022, is “Sachi Are.” It was selected as the theme song for Fuji TV’s morning information program “Mezamashi TV,” and it reached No.

1 on both the Oricon and Billboard single charts.

The fresh, morning-appropriate sound and the energetic, up-tempo beat make it heartwarming to watch kids dance along.

With simple choreography—like crossing a flag in front of the chest and spreading and waving the hands wide—it’s a great recommendation for lower elementary school students’ performances at sports day events.

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Bring it on, spring.non

[Official Music Video] Non – I’ll Stand to Face Spring

Bring it on, spring.non

A heartwarming rock number that sings of youthful passion and the courage to take a new step forward.

Non wrote the lyrics, crafting an energetic anthem that blows away the stifling feeling of everyday life.

With refreshing guitar tones and powerful drum beats, it’s a perfect song for spring—the season when life begins.

Released digitally in January 2025, the track finally saw an official audio release after being performed at a solo concert.

It gently supports new students brimming with anxiety and excitement, as well as anyone about to embark on a new chapter.

Non’s clear, translucent vocals and the song’s positive message truly resonate.

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Adolescent RhapsodySambomasutā

Sambomaster – Seishun Kyousoukyoku – Live

Adolescent RhapsodySambomasutā

When it comes to songs that amp up the excitement of a school sports day—students’ big moment—“Seishun Kyosokyoku” is a top pick.

Released in 2004 by the three-piece rock band Sambomaster, it sings of the determination and courage of people who overcome loneliness and anxiety to live alongside those they cherish.

Even when things don’t go smoothly, it can inspire pride in having worked together to make it to the big day.

With passionate band performance and Takashi Yamaguchi’s emotional vocals, it’s a powerful rock number.

Why not play it during a fiery, high-energy scene at your sports day?

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idolYOASOBI

YOASOBI "Idol" Official Music Video

idolYOASOBI

[Idol] YOASOBI 'Flag × Pom-pom × Easy Dance' — Theme song of Oshi no Ko — A dance you can do at sports festivals and performances! Second installment of the easy arranged dance!

YOASOBI’s song grabs your heart with a fiery performance and a powerful message.

Released digitally in April 2023 as the opening theme for the anime “OSHI NO KO,” it became a global hit.

The lyrics portray the inner struggles hidden behind an idol’s facade, vividly expressing the pain of pursuing perfection while concealing true love and vulnerability.

Set to an up-tempo 166 BPM track, ikura’s beautiful vocals elevate the song into something truly moving.

With its high recognition and popularity, it’s also perfect for flag dance routines—sure to hype up any sports day or school festival!

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