Songs with titles that start with “Ha.” Lots that evoke the seasons!

Hakata Love StoryIssetsu Tarō

Ichifuji Taro: Hakata Love Story

A heartfelt enka number by Issetsu Tarō, whose voice—tempered by rōkyoku storytelling—resonates deep in the chest.

Released in 1993, this mature, richly flavored song portrays the warm exchange of hearts between a man who makes his living as a nagashi singer in Nakasu, Hakata, and the woman who quietly supports him.

Told in the evocative Hakata dialect, it weaves together the aching nostalgia of a festival night and the stirring determination of a protagonist who rises again, bolstered by the words of the one he loves.

It’s the kind of song that makes your chest tighten.

Why not listen when you’re thinking of your hometown or someone dear to you, and need a little courage to take a step toward tomorrow?

H-A-K-A-T-A dialectMomokazu Kazuhiro

H-A-K-A-T-A dialect

A gritty yet exhilarating Hakata-dialect rock that bursts with hometown pride.

This piece by Kazuhiro Momo is a track included on the October 2021 album “OVERHEAT 49.” Its biggest draw is the world of lyrics written entirely in pure Hakata-ben—expressions you don’t hear much anymore.

The unvarnished, locals-only word choices radiate the steadfast spirit of Fukuoka rockers who refuse to chase trends.

For anyone striving far from home, listening might bring back days spent with hometown friends and spark the energy to face tomorrow.

No reply needed.Arai Yumi

No Need To Reply / Henji Wa Iranai

This is the memorable debut single by Yumi Arai, known as Yuming, who would go on to lead the later J-POP scene.

Produced by Hiroshi Kamayatsu, with illustrious musicians like Yukihiro Takahashi participating, it’s an astonishingly polished track for a debut.

Its light, American rock-style sound pairs perfectly with her urbane, slightly cool vocals.

The lyrics, in which she senses the end of a romance and draws the curtain herself by saying “I don’t need an answer,” also feel like a brave front masking held-back loneliness.

That precocious sensibility may well have been the glimmer of the talent that would later give rise to countless masterpieces.

HAJIMARINENE

NENE – HAJIMARI (Official Audio)

It’s an aggressive track that feels like a flare signaling the very beginning, driven by a fierce determination to protect the purity of hip-hop culture! Released by NENE in June 2025, the song was created as a response to the controversy surrounding the preceding track “OWARI,” and it sparked major buzz.

Riding an old-school beat, the relentless, straightforward lyrics deliver a scathing critique of commercialism and declare her own resolve.

If you need a surge of strength to face something head-on, listen to this—there’s no doubt it will ignite your fighting spirit!

First lovematsumura kanau

First Love – Kanau Matsumura [Official Music Video]

This is a song by Kanau Matsumura that’s packed with the sweet-and-sour feelings and frustrations of thinking about someone you like—the full spectrum of first love.

Released in June 2025, it’s a track that could be called the essence of his artistry.

The growing feelings for someone you can only meet in your dreams, the bittersweet longing that makes you take the long way home—listeners may find these emotions overlap with their own experiences.

When you like someone but can’t see them, even small things can make you anxious.

This gentle voice might softly stay by the side of that wavering heart.

The Slope in AugustFischer’s

[MV] Slope in August / Fischer's

This is a superb track that turns that sparkling rush—like sprinting up a hill with your friends on a summer morning—into sound.

The lyrics beautifully capture the pure excitement of childhood, thrilled for the adventure that’s about to begin, alongside a faint, sudden nostalgia, and they grip the listener’s heart without letting go.

Released in August 2018, the song was included the following year on the album “New Challengers.” It’s also a treat that you can sing it on JOYSOUND with the official video.

There’s a playful anecdote, very much in their style, about how the title was decided through interactions with viewers.

Put it on during a summer drive or camping trip, and it will color your best memories in vivid hues.

The Young Boss of HawaiiKayama Yūzō

Young Boss of Hawaii (Original Movie Version) / Yuzo Kayama

Just hearing the lively guitar in the intro instantly conjures up the blue seas of Hawaii—the mark of a classic brimming with a tropical vibe! Written for a film series starring Yuzo Kayama, the movie was released in August 1963.

Its bright, hopeful melody calls to mind a young man cutting swiftly through the waves on a yacht.

It also served as the theme song for the series’ first film shot on location overseas, and you can feel those once-dreamed-of landscapes coming through the music.

It’s perfect for lifting your spirits, and also for sharing fond memories of fun summer days with your family.