Wonderful school festival / cultural festival

Youthful songs recommended as theme songs and openings for cultural and school festivals

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.

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.

[School Culture Festivals] Youthful songs perfect for theme music and openings (71–80)

Start to shine and run forwardSambomasutā

Sambomaster / Starting to Shine and Run - MUSIC VIDEO

Start to shine and run forwardSambomasutā

It’s the theme song of the 2018 youth drama Cheer☆Dan starring Tao Tsuchiya.

Sambomaster’s energizing, powerful vocals, lyrics that seem to reflect youth, and the exhilarating, fast-paced melody make it perfect as an opening song for a school or cultural festival, don’t you think?

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Youth and youth and youthaimyon

Aimyon – Youth and Youth and Youth [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

Youth and youth and youthaimyon

Singer-songwriter Aimyon, who has gained popularity with nostalgic songs that captivate not only the younger generation but also longtime music fans.

“Youth and Youth and Youth,” included as the B-side to her third single “You Don’t Listen to Rock,” features an arrangement that moves from a lyrical, strings-forward opening into a breezy shuffle-beat ensemble—so satisfying to the ear.

The lyrics, which evoke romance in one’s school days, seem perfect for amping up that quintessential student event: the school festival.

With its gentle vocals and delicate sound that lingers, it’s a great pick for background music.

Raise the rankinglower

Hoshino Takashi

Report a problem

HarukaYOASOBI

YOASOBI 'Haruka' Official Music Video

HarukaYOASOBI

A moving work from YOASOBI—known for their gentle, warm vocals and story-rich songs—that poignantly depicts parting from a loved one.

From the unique perspective of a moon prince who has become a mug and watches over a girl through half her life, the song tenderly weaves themes of family and friendship bonds, the joy of growth, and the sorrow of farewell.

Released in December 2020, the piece was featured as the image song for “Art Aquarium Exhibition 2021: Hakata—Festival of Goldfish” and in a Takara Tomy commercial.

Its warm narrative carried by a simple melody will be there to comfort you when you want to look back on memories with your companions, or when you need courage before saying goodbye to someone important.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

flash[Alexandros]

[Alexandros] – Flash (MV) Theme Song of Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway's Flash

flash[Alexandros]

With its exhilarating guitar riffs, this powerful song is imbued with a strong will to face the future.

Created as the theme song for the film Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway, [Alexandros] released this work in May 2021.

The protagonist’s journey of overcoming past fears to become a new self resonates perfectly with the band’s fresh start as they officially welcomed Ibu Riad as a member.

The grand music video shot in a factory drew significant attention, and by May 2023 the song surpassed 100 million streams.

It has become a work loved by a wide audience beyond Gundam fans.

If performed on a school festival stage, it would likely envelop the entire venue in an overwhelming sense of unity.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

HappinessAI

AI – Happiness

HappinessAI

Although this song is loved as a Christmas tune, it’s of course popular outside the holiday season too! Its sparkling, festive sound is perfect for kicking off a school culture festival.

Don’t you think the chorus, with its theme of smiles, is just right for such an event? It’s a great pick to start a festival filled with everyone’s smiles.

It’s fun to sing together, and the strong, easy-to-follow beat makes it great for dancing as well.

It’s also recommended as BGM for the opening movie.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Liberated zoneASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION

ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION 'Liberated Zone'

Liberated zoneASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION

Liberated Zone by ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION is a song that voices the cry of a parched soul in the back alleys of freedom.

Against a backdrop of loneliness and alienation in modern society, it paints a strong desire for liberation.

Included on the single Dororo/Liberated Zone, it also became the official support song for Fujieda MYFC.

Its melodious, powerful band sound feels like a push to break free from a sense of stagnation.

Give it a listen when you want to blow away the murky feelings trapped in everyday life—it’s sure to resonate with teens and twenty-somethings in the midst of their youth.

It’s also a perfect track to close out a live set!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

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.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem