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 (171–180)

Racing into the NightYOASOBI

YOASOBI “Racing into the Night” Official Music Video

Racing into the NightYOASOBI

YOASOBI’s “Yoru ni Kakeru” is also extremely popular as background music for dance.

Released as a single in December 2019, it dominated virtually every chart in 2020 and has become such a classic that it seems like there’s no one who hasn’t heard it.

YouTube is full of kids’ dance videos to the song, which shows just how popular it is.

There are routines at various levels from elementary to high school, so be sure to try a dance performance at your school’s sports day or festival!

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In the Blueikimonogakari

Ikimonogakari “In the Blue” (Mitsuya Cider theme song) Music Video

In the Blueikimonogakari

A refreshing pop tune themed around the explosion of youth and emotion.

Released by Ikimono-gakari in March 2024, the song was also featured in a Mitsuya Cider commercial.

The recurring lyric “We are the drama” carries the message that life itself is one grand drama.

Singing about the importance of friendship and believing in yourself, this track truly colors a page of youth.

With its up-tempo melody and uplifting lyrics, it’s perfect as an entrance song for sports days and school athletic festivals—sure to lift everyone’s spirits.

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POKÉDANCEnanahira

[Official] “POKÉDANCE” Dance Practice by ENHYPEN — featuring partner Pokémon from past generations dancing

POKÉDANCEnanahira

A lively, upbeat tune blending pop and dance music has been born.

Created to celebrate Pokémon Day in February 2024, it was released alongside an adorable animated music video where partner Pokémon from each region dance with their Trainers.

The lyrics, themed around friendship and everyday joys, warmly embrace the listener’s heart.

Though short, its catchy melody and charming vocals make it perfect for energizing school sports days and athletic festivals.

It’s also great for practicing dance—a song that brings smiles to everyone.

Highly recommended not only for elementary school sports days, but also for anyone who wants to enjoy dancing with friends!

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changemiwa

miwa chAngE + mp3

changemiwa

It’s a great recommendation as entrance/exit music for inter-club competitions.

miwa is popular among junior and senior high school students, and this song has both driving, fast-paced sections and slower, more conversational parts.

In both, her piercingly clear voice fits perfectly and slips right into your ears, making it a very pleasant listen.

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Smileyuzu

Yuzu Smile

Smileyuzu

Yuzu’s “Smile” was composed with the theme of making it more familiar and approachable for children.

With a tempo that feels like walking along, march-like backing reminiscent of a fife-and-drum corps, and children’s voices, it’s packed with adorable elements! The heartwarming lyrics are soothing.

It’s a popular song in elementary schools for events like sports days, welcome ceremonies for new students, and farewell assemblies for sixth graders.

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Carefully selected J-pop to hype up sports days and athletic festivals! Also great as entrance songs (181–190)

[Dance ONE Project ’20] “Mela!” Dance Demonstration (Tomioka High School)

Ryokuoushoku Shakai “Mela!” [Dance ONE ’20] High School Reference Video <Osaka: Tomioka High School | Choreographer akane>

[Dance ONE Project '20] “Mela!” Dance Demonstration (Tomioka High School)

If you want to dance something cool, how about perfectly copying a routine from a famous high school dance team? The Tomioka High School Dance Club in Osaka, which shot to fame with their “Bubble Dance,” performs ‘Mela!’ with outstanding choreography and a breathtaking performance.

Top-level dance will definitely feel difficult, but if you can pull it off, it’s incredibly cool, right? If you want to nail it and look awesome at your middle or high school sports festival, you should definitely train hard and show it off!

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I can only face forwardAKB48

[MV full] We Only Look Forward / AKB48 [Official]

I can only face forwardAKB48

When it comes to songs that further energize a student-centered sports day, AKB48’s 2014 release “Mae Shika Mukanee” stands out.

Paired with a driving, high-speed band sound, it sings out positive emotions.

Showcasing the group’s rich choral work and choreography, it’s also recommended if you’re looking for a cheer song for a large group.

It’s a rock number that paints a picture of a fiery heart and gives you a reason to look ahead even when you feel like giving up or losing heart.

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