Wonderful school festival / cultural festival

[Culture and School Festival Songs] A curated selection of popular and hit songs to brighten up your venues and events!

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.

Among the many events in school life, the culture festival is one of the most memorable!

At culture festivals, there are countless moments where music plays a crucial role—whether it’s background music at the venue, songs for band performances, or tracks for dance numbers.

In this article, we’ll introduce songs that are guaranteed to hype up the culture festival, aimed at those running the event as committee members and those performing on stage.

With these picks, your festival production is sure to shine!

If you’re in the middle of choosing songs, be sure to use this as a reference.

[Culture Festival & School Festival Songs] A curated selection of popular tunes and hit songs to brighten up venues and events! (141–150)

to youMONGOL800

To You by MONGOL800

to youMONGOL800

A youth punk song with a familiar melody everyone knows and simple lyrics that hit home! Released to the world in September 2001 on the album “MESSAGE” by Okinawa-born indie band MONGOL800, the track became a defining hit of its time after being featured in a laundry detergent commercial.

It has been used in many contexts, including the final scene of the 2008 film “Utahamå♪” and as the opening theme of the 2012 drama “Late Blooming Sunflower: My Life, Renewed.” Beloved as a staple for band practice, it’s a perfect pick for cultural festivals and school festival live shows.

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DarlingMrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs. GREEN APPLE "Darling" Official Music Video

DarlingMrs. GREEN APPLE

An uplifting anthem that gently stays by your side and gives you a push forward, dedicated to everyone who feels anxiety and uncertainty in their youth.

Mrs.

GREEN APPLE’s signature emotional, catchy melody and strongly affirmative lyrics that boost self-esteem will resonate in your heart.

Released in January 2025, this song was written for NHK General’s special program “Mrs.

GREEN APPLE 18 Festival,” and featured a special performance with 1,000 members of the 18-year-old generation.

It’s a track to listen to when you feel like you’re losing your sense of self or want a chance to face your true self.

Sing it with your friends on a school festival stage, and it will surely become an unforgettable memory.

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Take a pictureNiziU

NiziU 2nd Single『Take a picture』 Dance Performance Video

Take a pictureNiziU

J-pop with an uplifting melody and exhilarating dance beat! This bright and energetic track captures the feeling of wanting to preserve memories with someone special in photos.

It sings about the value of being in love and those youthful, radiant moments, naturally bringing smiles to listeners’ faces.

Released in April 2021, NiziU’s song topped the Oricon Weekly Single Ranking and became a massive hit, selling 317,000 copies in its first week.

Perfect for dance performances at school and cultural festivals! Paired with its catchy choreography, it’s sure to bring the whole venue together in excitement.

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GOD_iNumber_i

Number_i – GOD_i (Official Music Video)

GOD_iNumber_i

A track that shines with refined synchronized dance and a fresh musical edge! It’s an ambitious work produced by Number_i member Yuta Kishi.

The poignant top line and the hook’s driving beat make for an impressive sound, balanced by a powerful message of hope and moving forward.

Released digitally in January 2025, this song encapsulates their bold musical vision.

Add it to a cultural or school festival dance performance and it’s sure to bring the crowd together.

Why not captivate the audience with seamless group choreography only a team like theirs can deliver?

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We areONE OK ROCK

ONE OK ROCK: We Are [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

We areONE OK ROCK

An empowering anthem that stands by the anxieties and struggles of young people, powerfully singing the importance of living true to yourself! Taka from ONE OK ROCK delivers an emotionally rich vocal performance, and the fusion with the emotive melody creates a soul-stirring sound that leaves a lasting impression.

Featured on the album “Ambitions” and released in January 2017, this track was chosen as NHK’s soccer theme song and deeply moved many viewers.

It’s a warm song that supports and encourages not only students in the midst of their youth, but also those who feel unable to face societal pressures and surrounding prejudice, and those on the verge of losing their sense of self.

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No doubtOfisharu Higedan Dism

Official HIGE DANDism – No Doubt [Official Video]

No doubtOfisharu Higedan Dism

An especially memorable track with lyrics that cast a sharp eye on society, chosen as the theme song for Fuji TV’s Monday 9 p.m.

drama “Confidence Man JP.” It sounds an alarm about today’s world, where information spreads instantly, and delivers a powerful message about the importance of discerning the truth in an age full of deceit.

Released in April 2018 as Official HIGE DANDism’s major-label debut, the song became a massive hit, surpassing 300 million streams on Billboard Japan’s Streaming Songs chart.

Its punchy sound and powerful melody are sure to energize any school festival live stage.

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hundreds of millions of light-yearsOmoinotake

Omoinotake | Hundreds of Millions of Light-Years [Official Music Video]

hundreds of millions of light-yearsOmoinotake

Omoinotake’s youth-affirming anthem delivers indescribably precious feelings alongside a grand sound.

Serving as the theme song for the TBS Tuesday drama “Eye Love You” and selected as the entrance march for the 97th National High School Baseball Tournament, the track was released in February 2024 and is also included on their major second album, “Pieces.” Its bright, refreshing melody contrasted with bittersweet lyrics makes for a moving listen.

For your school festival karaoke contest, why not share its uplifting, relatable message in your own voice with the audience?

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