Songs to Listen to During Golden Week [Drive BGM and Relaxing Day-Off Tunes]

REALITY SHOWŌhara Sakurako

REALITY SHOW

“REALITY SHOW” is a track by female singer-songwriter Sakurako Ohara.

It portrays a plan-free day off, and the interplay between bass and drums is particularly intriguing.

The song has a quirky, offbeat feel that makes it especially engaging.

It’s the kind of piece you’ll want to put on when you have a bit of extra time during Golden Week.

It also carries a stylish, Western pop vibe, with an interesting development in the latter half that keeps you hooked from start to finish.

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I love itŌhara Sakurako

Sakurako Ohara – I Love You (Music Video Short ver.)

It was released in 2016 as Sakurako Ohara’s fifth solo single.

The song was featured in the commercial for Colopl’s “White Cat Project” and reached No.

5 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.

It’s a cute track you’ll want to savor slowly, soaking in your “I really like you” feelings for someone special.

Easy★RiderOkuda Tamio

Tamio Okuda “Easy★Rider” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

“Iijuu” is showbiz slang meaning 30; in this song it probably refers to being 30 years old or being in your thirties.

It’s a distinctive turn of phrase, isn’t it? It also plays on Easy Rider, the landmark ’70s road movie by Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper, showing Okuda’s playful spirit here as well.

The lyrics, with a “let’s keep it fun and not get old even in our thirties” vibe, are perfect for a Golden Week drive.

It’s truly a must-have track for the slightly grown-up crowd in their thirties to forties.

travelingUtada Hikaru

Hikaru Utada – traveling

A big hit by Hikaru Utada, who’s always ahead of the curve in Japan’s pop scene.

I remember 2001—the year this song took off—as the moment the Koizumi administration began, when the whole country felt a bit restless with expectation.

The lyrics, which can be taken as comparing love to “a trip for lovers,” reflect the very spirit world of the artist, Hikaru Utada.

True to its title, “traveling” is the perfect song for a Golden Week getaway.

Be sure to download it to your smartphone as BGM for your journey.

The music video, with its near-futuristic vibe, is outstanding too—check it out if you have time!

Happinessarashi

Happiness Arashi, KomaHan ver.

In Arashi’s music video, the five members are warmly close, playfully enjoying themselves in various places, which leaves a strong impression.

This song was also chosen as the theme for the drama “Yamada Taro Monogatari,” starring members Kazunari Ninomiya and Sho Sakurai, making it familiar to many listeners.

There’s a phrase in the song where they all sing in unison, and if you heard it while out and about, you might find yourself singing along before you know it.

It’s a track that seems to capture that giddy, going-out mood—perfect as background music.

Chuo FreewayMatsutōya Yumi

Yumi Matsutoya – Chuo Freeway (Yumi Arai The Concert with old Friends)

It started out as an ordinary track on the album The 14th Moon, but its lyrics became a hot topic, and before anyone knew it, it became one of Yumi Matsutoya’s signature songs.

For a non-single to be loved by so many people is truly the ultimate honor for an artist.

Since Yuming’s family home is in Hachioji, we can infer that “Chuo Freeway” likely refers to the Chuo Expressway.

Many of you may have chances to drive on the highway during Golden Week, and this is the perfect song to have your hands on the wheel with.

And of course, don’t forget to check out the racecourse and the beer factory mentioned in the song!

scale (as of a fish or reptile)Hata Motohiro

[HD] Motohiro Hata / Uroko

Released in 2007 as Motohiro Hata’s second single.

Written and composed by Motohiro Hata, it was used as the image song for NTV’s summer documentary “Teijisei: 1461 Days of Memories.” Its refreshing vocals and melody make it a perfect song for Golden Week.