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 sports days and athletic festivals! Also great as entrance songs (181–190)

Kaiju no Hanabuta (Monster’s Flower Song)Vaundy

Monster’s Flower Song / Vaundy: MUSIC VIDEO

Kaiju no Hanabuta (Monster's Flower Song)Vaundy

Kaiju no Hana Uta by Vaundy: 'Flag & Easy Dance'—A simple arranged dance you can perform at presentations or kids’ recitals!

An upbeat tune with energetic lyrics and a heart-pounding melody.

Released by Vaundy in May 2020, this track was crafted with live performances in mind and has become an iconic anthem for the live scene that emerged from the COVID-19 era.

It was also featured in Maruha Nichiro’s WILDish series commercials.

Built on a rock-driven sound with a fast tempo, the song’s call-and-response structure makes it a blast, igniting huge excitement at concerts.

Use it as an entrance song for school sports days, and it’s sure to boost participants’ motivation.

Add a flag dance performance, and it will hype things up even more.

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Runnerbakufū suranpu

[MV] Sunplaza Nakano-kun “Runner (Heisei 30 Ver.)” [Full ver.]

Runnerbakufū suranpu

When it comes to running events, this song is a surefire hit.

It’s “Runner,” the smash hit by the rock band Bakufu Slump.

It was released in 1984 as their 12th single.

This hugely popular song is used as a cheer song across various sports.

Once you hear the chorus, you can’t help but sing along.

It’s probably the perfect choice to get everyone at the venue involved and pumped up.

You could even make a parody version and turn it into your group’s original song.

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rainbowFukuyama Masaharu

Masaharu Fukuyama – Rainbow (Full ver.)

rainbowFukuyama Masaharu

A song that gives you the courage to keep looking ahead and moving forward with dreams and hopes in your heart.

Released by Masaharu Fukuyama in August 2003, this track became a big hit as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama WATER BOYS.

Fukuyama himself wrote, composed, and arranged the song—his first time handling the arrangement as well.

It’s a masterpiece created over more than a year of production.

The distinctive sound effects and guitar work are also noteworthy.

The lyrics, which sing of strong will, love, and hope, resonate deeply and are perfect for athletes’ entrance scenes.

Played at school sports days or athletic festivals, it brings everyone together and lifts the excitement!

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The Zero Sense10-FEET

10-FEET – The Zero Sense (Ending Theme Song of the Film 'THE FIRST SLAM DUNK')

The Zero Sense10-FEET

10-FEET is a three-piece rock band that has fused a loud rock sound with reggae and hip-hop influences, carving out a unique appeal since their debut.

Their 22nd single, The First Sense, released as a digital-only track, is a rock tune written as the ending theme for the animated film THE FIRST SLAM DUNK.

Its dramatic song structure and catchy chorus melody will get you pumped up even if you haven’t seen the movie.

It’s a modern, high-energy track that’s perfect for amping up competitive events like school sports days and athletic festivals.

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Hoshino Takashi

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loveHoshino Gen

Gen Hoshino – Koi (Official Video)

loveHoshino Gen

It was chosen as the theme song for the TBS drama “We Married as a Job!” (Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu).

The banter between Yui Aragaki and Gen Hoshino was so entertaining, wasn’t it? Although the song was released in 2016, it doesn’t feel dated at all.

Its bright melody seems perfect for any scene at a school sports day.

How about using it as background music for events everyone gets excited about, like the ball toss or ball rolling? And if you use it for the cheer battle, it would be great to have everyone dance the “Koi Dance.” I bet the rival team will join in too!

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Taki no namida pin ku

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Fortune Cookie in LoveAKB48

[MV full] Koi Suru Fortune Cookie / AKB48 [Official]

Fortune Cookie in LoveAKB48

AKB48 is a girls’ group that has continued to lead the idol scene in J-pop across generations.

Their 32nd major single, “Koi Suru Fortune Cookie,” is also known as the song in which Rino Sashihara—who has thrived as a variety show queen—served as center for the first time during her time in AKB48.

The dance that goes with its catchy lyrics and melody is sure to be fun for everyone to do together at sports days and school festivals.

With simple choreography that lets both teachers and students get excited together, it’s a pop tune that became a massive hit.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Dokimeki Diaryasmi feat. Chinozo

Dokimeki Diary – asmi feat. Chinozo (Official Music Video)

Dokimeki Diaryasmi feat. Chinozo

A track packed with excitement and anticipation for a new you.

asmi’s gentle vocals and Chinozo’s catchy sound blend beautifully.

Released in May 2023, this song was also used as the opening theme for the TV anime Pokémon.

The lyrics, which depict small everyday discoveries and shifting emotions, resonate with listeners.

It’s perfect as an entrance song for sports days and athletic festivals, too! It’s an energetic tune that makes you feel like everyone can take the first step toward a new adventure together.

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