[2026] Masterpieces themed on Ehime: from local songs to municipal anthems
Ehime Prefecture brims with hometown pride.
Blessed with the beautiful Seto Inland Sea, Mount Takanawa—the highest in Japan—and a mild climate, this land is home to countless wonderful songs.
From municipal anthems every local can hum to regional tunes that extol Ehime’s charms, the variety is truly abundant! In this article, we’ll take our time introducing a selection of gem-like pieces that express Ehime’s nature, culture, and everyday life through music.
Whether you’re from Ehime or visiting as a tourist, you’re sure to rediscover the prefecture’s allure through these songs.
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[2026] Masterpieces themed around Ehime: Introducing everything from local songs to municipal anthems (21–30)
Matsuyama ShigureJōnouchi Sanae
This is a soothing local song from Ehime Prefecture with Sanae Jōnouchi’s calm atmosphere.
When it comes to Ehime, the first place that comes to mind is Matsuyama—a charming city with a castle and hot springs.
Sanae Jōnouchi is a skilled enka singer, but she actually debuted as a member of the Onyanko Club, where her membership number was 17.
Niihama City Songshōnen shōjo gasshōdan
This is the city song of Niihama, for which a promotion project was carried out in 2013 so that it would become familiar to citizens and be passed on to the next generation.
However, it has quite a bit of history—it was established in 1947—and I feel the wording is somewhat hard to understand.
The very beginning of the lyrics uses the word “reirō,” which I looked up and found means clear and beautiful like a jewel, shining; it might be expressing the beauty of Iyo, but it’s a bit difficult, isn’t it?
[2026] Masterpieces themed on Ehime: Introducing everything from local songs to municipal anthems (31–40)
Song of EhimeBONNY JACKS
This piece was created in 1973 at the same time as the new prefectural emblem, during the commemorative ceremony for the inauguration of Ehime Prefectural Government.
However, unlike Nagano Prefecture’s song, it’s doubtful that most residents can actually sing it.
It seems the former governor of Ehime and the successor who took office afterward did not get along, leading to the emblem being redesigned.
The song narrowly avoided being abolished, but it’s unclear whether it has truly taken root among the residents in this situation.
Iyo ManzaiTonosama Kingusu
It’s one of the traditional performing arts practiced around Matsuyama in Ehime Prefecture, read as Iyomanzai.
The song expresses, in lyrics, the lively dancing accompanied by singing, shamisen, and drums.
Representative pieces include “Matsu-zukushi” and “Osome Hisamatsu,” which are also mentioned in the lyrics.
There’s a version by Kaori Kozai and, though a bit older, one by Tonosama Kings—both songs are full of festive spirit.
Matsuyama Love TourTsuyama Sayuri
This song, set against the backdrop of the singer’s hometown, gently expresses a bittersweet first love.
It differs somewhat from the typical image of enka, conveying the feelings of a girl’s heartbreak that could happen anywhere.
The date spots in Matsuyama come across as well-known tourist locations, revealing a clear affection for the local area.
Sayuri Tsuyama, a native of Matsuyama, is actively working, having also produced support songs for events like the Ehime Marathon.
Uwajima OndoKagajō Miyuki, Ichimonji Tatsuya
No matter which region’s bon odori song you listen to, they all sound fun, don’t they? Uwajima Ondo is the song played during the Uwajima Ushi-Oni Festival, held every year from July 22 to 24.
A gigantic ushi-oni (ox-demon) appears, and the festival is packed with events like parades and dances by local residents.
Although bullfighting isn’t very familiar in Japan, Uwajima has its own bullring, and on July 24 a bullfighting tournament is held as part of the Warei Grand Festival.
“Uwajima Ondo” sings about scenes from the town.
Come on over to Matsuyamaehime kenichi
It’s an irresistible song for people who love Matsuyama City in Ehime Prefecture.
After all, the singer—whose stage name, I believe, is Ehime Kenichi—bears the name “Ehime” itself.
Come to think of it, Ehime includes the pilgrimage route covering temples 40 through 65 of the Shikoku 88-temple circuit.
The song captures that kind of atmosphere.
This track is the B-side of “Furusato ga Ichiban” (“Hometown Is the Best”).
For some reason, judging from the title, I assumed the A-side would be a local song about Ehime Prefecture, but it wasn’t.