Wonderful sports day / athletic festival

From classics to fan favorites! A catalog of music and BGM to liven up your sports day

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.
Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICHane Keisuke
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. After working in a music studio and handling wedding sound, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with a variety of instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in junior high school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on my own musical activities and the experience gained through my work, I produce daily articles, including various song introductions, features on music festivals around the country, and live reports. In music, I enjoy not only rock from Japan and abroad but, lately, a wide range of J-pop as well.

Many people struggle with choosing songs for sports day, don’t they?

Here, we introduce perfect tracks for each scene—from classic staples ideal for sports day to upbeat J-pop and Western hits that get everyone excited!

Well-known songs can hype up the crowd, but using the same ones every year can get old…

We’ve curated a selection of tracks to solve that problem.

You’ll find refreshing tunes that make you want to start running and motivational anthems that give you courage.

Use this article as a guide to make your sports day even more fun and exciting!

Anison (1–10)

Become a flowerRyokushokushakai

Ryokuoushoku Shakai “Become a Flower” Official Video / Ryokuoushoku Shakai – Be a Flower

Become a flowerRyokushokushakai

This is a song by Ryokuoushoku Shakai that was chosen as the opening theme for the TV anime “The Apothecary Diaries.” The song conveys the importance of living true to yourself, singing about embracing the genuine beauty within.

It’s a highly message-driven track with a catchy melody and addictive sound that will have your body moving before you know it.

It’s sure to bring a lively, festive atmosphere to any sports festival or field day!

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peace signYonezu Kenshi

“My Hero Academia” × Kenshi Yonezu “Peace Sign” Special Music Video

peace signYonezu Kenshi

Rather than pumping you up right from the start, this brisk yet stoic track gradually lifts your spirits.

The lyrics—“Raise your peace sign, you’re a hero”—are a perfect cheer for athletes aiming for victory.

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Anison (11–20)

We are ninjas, indeed.Fukuda Sho

[Expression Play] We Are Ninjas, You Know / Sho Fukuda [Childcare/Kindergarten/Parenting/Ninja/Play Song/Children’s Song]

We are ninjas, indeed.Fukuda Sho

Perfect for the adorable vibe of infants, too! Presenting “We Are Little Ninjas.” At sports days and festivals, you can catch the cool performances of the preschool classes, but many people also look forward to the adorable moments from the infant classes, right? This time, let’s transform into ninjas with “We Are Little Ninjas,” a piece that even infant classes can try.

Its gentle melody and soft choreography are just right for the little ones.

Give it a try in your program!

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Classic (11–20)

When it comes to background music for sports days, many people probably associate it strongly with classical pieces.

Classic tracks are especially fitting for running events like sprints and relays, as well as team competitions like ball tosses and giant ball rolling.

You may often think, “I recognize this tune, but I don’t know its title,” so try finding pieces for your events from the selections introduced below.

Reference article: [Sports Day BGM] A selection of classic tunes that liven up the venue

Classic (1–10)

March “Beyond the K-Point”Takahashi Shinya

March “Beyond the K-Point” — Composer: Shinya Takahashi; Performance: Tokyo Ryusei Wind Orchestra; Conductor: Takao Hatakeda

March “Beyond the K-Point”Takahashi Shinya

A passionate and powerful wind band march adds vibrant color to any sports day.

Composed by Shinya Takahashi in 1999 as a set piece for the All Japan Band Competition, this work is named after the K-point in ski jumping.

Its charm lies in a bright, lively melody interwoven with modern harmonies that create a rich, resonant sound.

You can enjoy a commanding performance of this piece on the album “All Japan Band Competition: Reference Performances of Set Pieces 1997–1999,” recorded by the Osaka Municipal Symphonic Band (now the Osaka Shion Wind Orchestra) as a reference rendition.

From scenes of vigorous marching to the opening of the ceremony, this is a piece that shines in every moment of a sports day.

Just listening to it straightens your posture and gives you a refreshing urge to step forward—perfectly suited to the spirit of the event.

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Galop of the ClownsDmitri Kabalevsky

Galop of the Clowns

Galop of the ClownsDmitri Kabalevsky

This is a piece from the suite The Comedians by the Russian composer Kabalevsky.

The second piece, “Galop,” is often used at Japanese school sports festivals.

Its brisk tempo makes you feel hurried—“Faster, faster!” The suite consists of ten numbers: it begins with a Prologue, the second piece is the Galop, continues through No.

9, and concludes with an Epilogue.

Premiered in 1940, it’s a relatively recent suite.

The galloping, horse-like character of the Galop stirs everyone’s competitive spirit and really livens things up!

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