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 (41–50)

rainbowAqua Timez

Aqua Timez “Niji” Music Video (Theme song for the drama Gokusen Season 3)

rainbowAqua Timez

This is a smash hit by Aqua Timez, a rock band that has gained popularity for their powerful vocals that captivate many listeners and songs filled with a bright, uplifting spirit.

It conveys the message: Don’t be afraid to fail.

It’s the kind of song you’d want to listen to before a competition when you’re thinking, “If I win this…”

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KICKBACKYonezu Kenshi

Kenshi Yonezu – KICKBACK

KICKBACKYonezu Kenshi

KICK BACK rose to prominence after being selected as the opening theme for the anime Chainsaw Man.

Singer-songwriter Kenshi Yonezu released the track in 2022.

Its rapidly shifting key changes and high-velocity chorus mesh perfectly with the tense atmosphere of sports day events.

The passionate sound elevates activities that the entire student body tackles together.

It’s an energetic rock number powerful enough to blow away the anxieties and doubts of students ahead of sports day.

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We are!kitadani hiroshi

We Are Kitadani Hiroshi

We are!kitadani hiroshi

This is a signature song by Hiroshi Kitadani, an artist loved for his powerful vocals that resonate with listeners and for songs that express straightforward emotions.

It’s well known as the theme song for the anime ONE PIECE.

With lyrics about taking on challenges together with friends, it’s an up-tempo track that always gets the crowd excited at sports festivals.

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Samurai Heart (Some Like It Hot!!)SPYAIR

SPYAIR “Samurai Heart (Some Like It Hot!!)”

Samurai Heart (Some Like It Hot!!)SPYAIR

Its energetic tone really fires you up.

It’s a song by the rock band SPYAIR, which became a hot topic as the ending theme for the anime Gintama.

It’s an up-tempo number that expresses the resolve to live true to yourself.

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Make you happyNiziU

NiziU 『Make you happy』 M/V

Make you happyNiziU

The hugely popular group NiziU’s debut song, “Make you happy.” It reportedly won a total of 64 crowns across domestic music streaming sites for both singles and albums.

Its music video has surpassed 200 million views and continues to rack up even more! With its upbeat tempo and cute lyrics, it seems perfect for any occasion—like a march or cheer song for sports days and athletic festivals.

If you want to include the famous “jump rope dance,” creating an original routine would be great too.

It’s a truly recommended track that’s incredibly versatile for many uses with just one song!

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Taki no namida pin ku

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It’s okay.BLUE ENCOUNT

BLUE ENCOUNT “Daijoubu” Music Video (YouTube Ver.)

It's okay.BLUE ENCOUNT

With lyrics that hit straight to the heart, BLUE ENCOUNT’s “Daijoubu” pairs perfectly with youth.

Many of Blue En’s songs bring tears and reach straight for your heart, don’t they? This track is their fifth single, released in 2016.

True to the title “Daijoubu” (“It’s okay”), it’s a song that wholeheartedly affirms and cheers you on.

It’s a perfect fit as BGM for a sports day, giving you the motivation to look up, push forward, and aim higher.

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The enigma called the heartAdo

[Ado] The Enigma Called the Heart

The enigma called the heartAdo

“Kokoro to Iu Na no Fukakai” (The Enigma Called ‘Heart’) is a digital single released by Ado in 2022, and it’s also included on the album Kyogen released the same year.

Its high-energy chorus makes it perfect as background music for a school sports day.

The song was used as the theme for the Kansai TV/Fuji TV Monday 10 p.m.

drama Doctor White, with lyrics and composition by Mafumafu, an artist active mainly on Nico Nico Douga and YouTube.

As a track by Ado, who is especially popular among younger listeners, it’s sure to get the crowd pumped at any sports event!

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