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Songs to Listen to During Golden Week [Drive BGM and Relaxing Day-Off Tunes]
Golden Week, the long holiday spanning from the end of April to the beginning of May.
Many of you probably look forward to it every year, don’t you?
It’s a valuable time to refresh—going on trips or taking a slightly longer drive than usual.
However, going out means travel time, and during the holidays the roads get terribly congested…
So in this article, we’ll introduce a selection of songs perfect for Golden Week to keep you company on your drive.
They work great as BGM while traveling, and there are also tracks that let you relax and soak up the holiday mood—so be sure to check them out!
Songs to Listen to During Golden Week [Driving BGM and Relaxing Day-Off Tunes] (1–10)
melodramanatori & imase
A gem of a driving song where wistfulness and warmth coexist.
The retro-pop number woven by the gentle vocals of Natori and imase beautifully captures a nostalgic worldview.
Created to commemorate Nissan Motor’s 90th anniversary, the piece portrays the loneliness after a farewell—symbolized by the empty passenger seat—and the lingering attachment to the time spent together.
Released on August 30, 2024, it also drew attention as the theme song for Nissan’s 90th anniversary film, “NISSAN LOVE STORY.” It’s a heartwarming track that accompanies late-night drives while gazing at the city lights, or quiet moments when you want to linger in memories.
Week EndHoshino Gen
A pop tune by Gen Hoshino that captures the sense of freedom and release of the weekend.
With its shimmering horn section and groove-laden sound, it naturally draws listeners onto the dance floor.
Included on the album “YELLOW DANCER,” released in December 2015, it was also used as the theme song for Fuji TV’s Mezamashi Doyobi starting in October of the same year.
While depicting emotions that shift with the changing seasons, it gently reminds us of the importance of stepping out of the everyday to express our true selves.
It’s a perfect track to brighten your mood during a long-weekend drive or a day out.
Walking with youNovelbright
A track included on Novelbright’s first mini album, “SKYWALK,” this song expresses a strong wish to walk forward together toward the future.
Centered on the theme of love, it movingly portrays the desire to cherish the bond with a loved one and the future you share, and it was also used as an insert song in AbemaTV’s drama “Koisuru Weekend Homestay 2020 Spring.” Yudai Takenaka’s clear, transparent vocals pair exquisitely with the heartfelt lyrics, gently conveying the happiness of being together and feelings of gratitude.
Since its release in October 2018, the song has warmed the hearts of many; it’s perfect not only as driving BGM but also for spending a peaceful day with someone special.
Driver’s HighL’Arc〜en〜Ciel
Did you watch the episode of the super-popular comedy talk show “Ame Talk!” that featured “Comedians Who Love L’Arc~en~Ciel”? If you’re a L’Arc fan, you absolutely have to see it, and if you’re not, I’m sure it’ll turn you into one.
The perfect song to listen to on a Golden Week drive is L’Arc’s “Driver’s High.” The lyrics, brimming with youthful energy and a sense of the future—like “Let’s keep on driving no matter where”—are fantastic, making it ideal for a lively road trip with friends.
The chorus will make you want to belt it out at the top of your lungs.
Even if the song’s groove gets you going, please be careful not to speed!
InfernoMrs. GREEN APPLE
A rock number that unleashes the intensity of blazing flames, with exhilarating guitar sounds and overwhelming vocals! Released in July 2019 as the opening theme for the anime Fire Force, this track is loved as one of Mrs.
GREEN APPLE’s signature songs.
Its lyrics—resonating with those who, despite anxiety and restlessness, wish to keep moving forward—are perfectly matched with its energetic sound.
Put it on your speakers during a long drive, and you’ll feel a refreshing rush that makes the travel time something to look forward to.
Kaiju no Hanabuta (Monster’s Flower Song)Vaundy
A signature song by Vaundy that portrays reclaiming lost dreams and passion through a cherished tune filled with nostalgic memories.
Widely known as the theme for Maruha Nichiro’s WILDish series commercials, it became a massive hit, surpassing 300 million streams in March 2023.
Its appeal lies in a unique sound that fuses rock, hip-hop, and R&B, along with lyrics that strike a chord.
The exhilarating melody and powerful rhythm are sure to elevate your mood on a drive, and on a leisurely day off, it will remind you of the pure feelings you once had.
DriveWANIMA
Riding on a high-velocity, exhilarating sound, this gem of a rock number sings of the strength and resolve to keep moving forward.
The track WANIMA created portrays an attitude of accepting past failures and setbacks while using them as fuel to sprint into the future.
With straightforward feelings and down-to-earth words, the lyrics stand by those wrestling with doubt and anxiety, giving them a gentle push forward.
Released in May 2018, the song was written as the theme for the film OVER DRIVE, which opened in June of the same year, marking the band’s first movie tie-in.
It’s the perfect track for long drives, for times when you need to fire yourself up, or when you’re about to take a new step forward.