Youthful songs recommended as theme songs and openings for cultural and school festivals
Music that makes school culture festivals even more special.
It can boost excitement as BGM for stage performances, as a theme song, or as an opening track.
In this article, we’ve picked recommended Japanese songs and J-pop perfect for culture festivals and school festivals.
From tracks that refresh your mood, to songs overflowing with youthfulness, to tunes that capture the momentum of a great start—there’s plenty to choose from! Create unforgettable memories with a colorful soundtrack to match.
[Cultural Festivals / School Festivals] Youthful songs recommended as theme songs and openings (1–10)
The calling voiceNEW!Vaundy
Vaundy is a singer-songwriter whose multifaceted talent—self-producing everything from lyrics, composition, and arrangement to video direction—captivates a wide range of listeners.
Released digitally in December 2025, “Yobigoe” (The Call) was written as the theme song for NHK General’s “Vaundy 18-sai Matsuri.” Created with the premise of performing together with 1,000 eighteen-year-olds, the song’s greatest appeal lies in the overwhelming sense of scale and anthemic exhilaration born when the voices layer in chorus.
By deliberately crafting a melody that is challenging to sing well, the piece expresses the value and responsibility of committing to something “for real.” It’s a high-energy, power-charging track we recommend to students who want to join forces with their peers to make a big stage—like a school festival or cultural festival opening—a success.
FateNEW!Ofisharu Higedan Dism
Official HIGE DANDism is a band that has gained popularity for their piercingly high-toned vocals and classic, mainstream pop sound.
This song they perform is an energetic number where piano and brass tones layer together and gradually build in intensity.
It stands by the conflicts and anxieties you face before a big challenge, singing as if to powerfully push you forward.
Released as a single in July 2019 and included on the masterpiece album “Traveler,” it was also selected that year as the “ABC Summer High School Baseball Support Song” and the theme for the TV program “Netto Koshien.” It’s perfect as opening BGM for cultural and school festivals, or for brass band performances.
A highly recommended track that fires up the heart and colors a page of youth.
sunflowerNEW!Yūsuke
This is a classic whose gentle whistling in the intro warms the listener’s heart.
Released in March 2009 as the solo debut single by Yusuke, who is also active as a TV personality and actor, the song was used as a theme for a Fuji TV program and became a big hit, ranking 8th on that year’s Oricon annual chart.
The lyrics, written by Yusuke himself, express gratitude to those around him and a forward-looking resolve to move on after parting.
Its light, hip-hop-influenced beat and subtly nostalgic melody are a perfect match.
Make it the theme song for your school festival with friends, and it’s sure to fill the venue with a sense of unity.
-ness; typicality; the quality/essence of being [X] (as in “X-ness” or “X-like character”)NEW!Ofisharu Higedan Dism
![-ness; typicality; the quality/essence of being [X] (as in “X-ness” or “X-like character”)NEW!Ofisharu Higedan Dism](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/keOnleW2eak/sddefault.jpg)
A high-energy number by the hugely popular piano-pop band Official HIGE DANDism.
It’s a coming-of-age song that reexamines what it means to be yourself and portrays a strong will to move forward despite inner conflict.
The exhilarating rock sound is incredibly cool—perfect for amping up excitement at school festivals! Released as a single in August 2025, this track was written as the theme song for the feature anime Hyaku-Emu, which premiered in September of the same year.
Don’t you think its fiery message—where the music and the original work’s worldview resonate—speaks to everyone? Make it your pick to kick off your school’s cultural or campus festival with full power!
Blue ShowerNEW!M!LK
Recommended for anyone looking for a youthful song with a sparkling, refreshing vibe that heralds the start of summer—perfect for kicking off a school festival.
It’s a single released in May 2024 by M!LK, a group born from the artist collective belonging to Stardust Promotion.
Chosen as the commercial song for the body care brand “SEA BREEZE,” it also drew attention for featuring member Hayato Sano.
The bright guitar tones and chorus with a sing-along feel resonate pleasantly, delivering an irresistible sense of speed like dashing into the wind.
Its message, which affirms even moments of discouragement and gives you the courage to move forward, is truly stirring.
This is a number you’ll definitely want to pick for situations where you want to go all out and hype things up with your cherished classmates.
All of the YouthNEW!Fujifaburikku
A coming-of-age song by Fuji Fabric that beautifully captures the wistfulness and beauty felt at summer’s end.
Released as a single in November 2007, it featured numerous tie-ins, including serving as the opening theme for the music program “Oto Moe!”.
The lyrics, which depict the regret and lingering attachment to passing time, along with the anxiety and hope that accompany change, strike a powerful chord with listeners.
Its lyrical melody and resonant words are sure to make a moving opener for school and cultural festivals.
An imperishable masterpiece that students who cherish their passing days should definitely hear.
Teenager ForeverNEW!King Gnu
King Gnu is a four-piece band that fuses alternative spirituality with pop sensibilities.
First released digitally in December 2019 and included on their third album, CEREMONY, the track also became widely known as the song featured in Sony’s fully wireless earbuds WF-1000XM3 commercial.
Its message—embracing your unfinished self and the impulse to keep moving forward—is sure to resonate deeply with young people in the thick of their youth.
The exhilarating, fast-paced rock sound is perfect for whipping up a frenzy as the opener to a school or campus festival.
It’s a recommended number both for students eager to showcase an energetic band performance and for anyone seeking BGM that will instantly elevate the excitement in the venue.