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.
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Youth songs perfect as theme songs and opening tracks for school festivals (11–20)
Beloved daysyangusukinii
A single coming-of-age song adds depth to high school friendships.
Young Skinny’s music depicts the lies and contradictions hidden in everyday life, yet it overflows with the kindness of trying to understand one another anyway.
The message is one of unconditional love—being able to embrace even the parts of your friends you don’t like.
The track is included on their major 1st EP, “If We Could Find Happiness in Anything,” released in September 2023, and it also served as a tie-in song for Ezaki Glico.
It’s sure to resonate with anyone in the midst of their youth.
It will color your ordinary moments and shine on the school festival stage, too! Be sure to sing along to this song with your friends and celebrate your youth.
GONGSixTONES
A powerful rock number that belts out the resolve to face adversity and the bonds with comrades, bursting from a fierce siren-like guitar riff into a blistering, fast-paced beat! The vocal relay makes full use of SixTONES’ distinctive vocal timbres, and the lyrics—depicting an unyielding will to never give up—are truly stirring.
Released as a double A-side single in July 2024, it was featured as an insert song in the NTV Sunday drama “ACMA:GAME.” It’s a highly recommended cheer song that will give you a push during moments when you unite with your teammates toward a goal—whether in practice, matches, or preparing for a school festival.
As expected, the strongest!HONEY WORKS
Nicknamed “Haniwa,” the creator unit HoneyWorks’s song ‘Yappa Saikyo!’ is a pop track that captures the feeling of youth.
Since it was originally written for the Commercial High School Food Grand Prix 2019, it’s perfect for high school culture festivals and school festivals.
With lyrics that strengthen bonds with friends, it’s a fitting choice for an event that will become a lifelong memory.
Sugar Song and Bitter StepUNISON SQUARE GARDEN
The three-piece rock band with guitar, bass, and drums, UNISON SQUARE GARDEN, delivers a catchy rock tune, “Sugar Song to Bitter Step,” written as the ending theme for the anime Blood Blockade Battlefront.
It’s so poppy that just hearing it makes your body want to start dancing, and its refreshing melody even feels a bit cute—but if you listen closely to the lyrics, there’s a touch of bitterness too…
Ah! So that’s why it’s sugar and bitter!
Opening DeclarationNovelbright
Featuring a powerful guitar sound and catchy melodies, this uplifting message song is filled with determination to chase your dreams and hope for the future.
It was chosen as the theme for Sukkiri’s nationwide high school dance team support project and gained strong support, especially among younger generations.
It’s a surefire track to energize any cultural or school festival, capturing the hearts of everyone standing on the stage of youth.
A view I’ve never seen beforeSuda Masaki
“A View I’ve Never Seen,” one of the early signature songs by the hugely popular actor Masaki Suda and a favorite among young people, is perfect as an opening song for school and cultural festivals.
With its high-energy, rock-tinged sound, it will kick off the festival in a vibrant way.
Its positive and refreshing vibe also makes it an excellent fit for dance performances or as BGM for opening videos.
[School Culture Festivals] Youthful songs perfect for theme music and openings (21–30)
IchibanboshiSnow Man
Snow Man is a male idol group that shines across a wide range of fields, from stage productions to variety shows.
“Ichibanboshi,” included on their 2022 release “Brother Beat,” is a perfect song for school cultural festivals where each student takes center stage.
Its warm melody line, highlighted by moving strings, leaves a strong impression.
The heartfelt, part-by-part vocals are sure to give you courage.
Why not listen to this medium-tempo number that will brighten the atmosphere of the whole school?
