[Songs of Fukushima] Thinking of my hometown | A heartwarming collection of classic songs celebrating the beautiful “Fukushima”

Your hand and my handiroha

Don't be defeated by the Great East Japan Earthquake! Fukushima cheering song Iroha's 'Your Hand and My Hand'

This is a heartwarming recovery support song by Iroha, singing of hope and bonds to overcome the tragedy of the Great East Japan Earthquake.

Set to gentle accompaniment of acoustic guitar and piano, the tender harmonies of two male vocalists strike a deep chord.

Self-released in 2011, the work was born as a “Fukushima Support Song,” wishing for the prefecture’s recovery.

Amid the confusion and sorrow of the disaster, Zenji created it with the desire to use music to encourage people, even if only a little.

Recorded at “Studio Iyashine no Mori” in Shiga Prefecture, it became a gem of a ballad that conveys the importance of supporting one another.

Let’s Build a Rainbow ~Fukushima Version~ippan shadan hōjin miyagi bikki no kai

Reconstruction support song “Let’s Build a Rainbow ~Fukushima Version~”

This is a heartwarming ballad filled with wishes and hope for the reconstruction of Tohoku.

Lyrics woven with place names from the Hamadori region of Fukushima evoke nostalgia, while a forward-looking melody resonates with quiet strength at a gentle tempo.

Released in March 2013 as a song to support recovery, it carries the message to children who left their hometowns after the disaster: “Never forget your pride in where you come from.” It’s a piece we hope you’ll listen to when you think of your hometown, when you think of family living far away, and when you want to hold hope for a brighter future in your heart.

Wonderful FukushimaSakushi: Reiwa Ichirou / Sakkyoku: Koseki Yuji

"Wonderful Fukushima" Song: Michio Ozora

This heartwarming local song pairs a melody by Yuji Koseki, a composer from Fukushima City, with modern lyrics.

The words, woven with landmarks such as the Abukuma River, Iizaka Onsen, and the Azuma mountain range, express a deep love for the homeland.

Released in 2021, the song emerged amid renewed attention following the NHK morning drama “Yell,” in which the Koseki couple served as models.

It is a hometown anthem filled with affection, meant for Fukushima residents working toward recovery from the earthquake disaster, people from Fukushima living far away, and anyone who wants to experience the beauty and charm of Fukushima.

Fukushima SmileManami

[Official] Fukushima Egao / MANAMI

This is a warm, heartfelt song by MANAMI, filled with the desire to bring love and smiles to Fukushima.

Since the earthquake and tsunami, there has been a strong wish to restore the smiles that have diminished, which is expressed through melodies that touch the heart and uplifting lyrics.

The track is the title song of the album “Fukushima Egao,” released in December 2018, and it was used as the theme song for KFB Fukushima Broadcasting’s information program “Yojidesu” from April 2017 to September 2019.

It’s a perfect song not only for people living in Fukushima Prefecture, but also for those who have left their hometowns, and for anyone who can relate to the feeling of cherishing important people and places.

Michinoku Folk SongFuji Keiko

Michinoku Kouta Keiko Fuji

Keiko Fuji’s “Michinoku Kouta” is memorable for her sultry singing voice.

It celebrates the six prefectures of Tohoku, including Fukushima, and is loved as a local Tohoku song.

Fukushima Prefecture appears last, as the sixth.

Incidentally, Keiko Fuji was born in Iwate Prefecture.

Her feelings for the familiar Tohoku region may be reflected in this work.

Tangled HairMisora Hibari

[Collab Video] Midare-gami / Hibari Misora cover by Shin & Bansou-ya Tablature

Midaregami was Hibari Misora’s comeback work after a long recuperation.

It’s a song set at the Shioyasaki Lighthouse in the Taira Usuiso district of Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture.

Near the lighthouse stand a memorial monument with Misora’s portrait and a monument engraved with the song’s lyrics.

This celebrated piece gently sings of the lighthouse’s far-reaching beam—meant to protect the safety of those at sea—as a light of hope for living.

Song of the Red AkabekoSuzuki Michi

Michi Suzuki [Song of the Akabeko] 2010 Version Anime Short PV ~Song of Akabeko~

It is a traditional toy from the Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture.

In the Tohoku area, beko means “cow,” and the red color is believed to ward off evil.

Its endearing face nods up and down when touched, and it is well known as a souvenir from Aizu.

“The Song of the Red Beko” is one of the songs in the Aizu song series by Michi Suzuki, a native of Aizu.