RAG MusicJapanese Enka
Lovely enka

A classic enka song with a festival theme. A lively and bustling tune.

Among the masterpieces of enka, there are many songs themed around festivals.

Some are like local songs that literally sing about real festivals from various regions, while others portray a man’s way of life by overlapping it with the spirit of a festival.

In this article, I’ll introduce many classic enka songs with festival themes.

Every track is filled with the festivity and liveliness of a celebration.

As you listen, your spirits are sure to lift and your energy will well up.

A classic enka masterpiece with a festival theme. A lively, bustling song (11–20)

Festival SongToba Ichirō

The single released by Ichiro Toba in 1985 is “Matsuri Uta.” What the protagonist—who has left his hometown to live away, leaving friends and a lover behind—remembers are the “festival songs” sung at his hometown festival and the “sound of the drums.” The lyrics also convey the protagonist’s determination that he cannot return until he makes his mark.

The chorus incorporates festival-themed sounds, and Toba’s powerful vocals make a strong impression.

Nasushiobara appears in the lyrics, making it a song with deep ties for those living in Tochigi Prefecture.