[Hiroshima Songs] The Heart of Our Hometown Passed Down in Song | A Curated Selection of Timeless Classics Loved Across Generations

Onomichi ChannelMizumori Kaori

BKMBB001 Onomichi Waterway Kaori Mizumori (2000) Ver3L FC HD

This is a song released in 2000 by Kaori Mizumori, known as the “Queen of Local Songs.” The Onomichi Strait, which serves as the setting, is the part of the Seto Inland Sea nestled between Onomichi City and Mukaishima.

It has long functioned as a major commercial port on the Seto Inland Sea route.

How about enjoying this song while taking in the area’s picturesque scenery?

Apollo (Hiroshima dialect ver.)Porunogurafiti

Pornograffitti Apollo Hiroshima dialect ver.

A song that radiates pride and love, sung in the Hiroshima dialect.

The local-version debut single by Porno Graffitti, released in September 1999, gained instant attention when it was used as the ending theme for the TBS program “Koko ga Hen da yo Nihonjin.” Its poetic imagery intertwines the grand dream of a moon landing with the stirrings of romance, made even more approachable by the warmth of Hiroshima-ben.

It’s the perfect track for anyone seeking a sense of nostalgia and hope for the future, or for those who want to experience the charm of Hiroshima through music.

Come on over.TEE & HIPPY

TEE & HIPPY “Kinsaiya” Music Video

A song by TEE and HIPPY whose title features a warm Hiroshima dialect word meaning “welcome.” Hailing from Hiroshima, the two artists pour deep affection for their hometown into this dialect-rich duet, bringing listeners a sense of calm and conveying the comforting embrace of Hiroshima through its language.

Released in March 2017 as a track on HIPPY’s album “HomeBase ~Arigatou~,” it was also chosen as the ending theme for NHK Hiroshima’s program “Hiroshima Katasumi Shokudo.” It’s a beloved anthem brimming with hometown pride that stirs nostalgia in those living away from Hiroshima and inspires others to want to visit.

Song of the AogiriSakushi Sakkyoku: Morimitsu Nanairo

Song of the Chinese Parasol Tree — Morimitsu Nanairo

A gem of a song, woven as a prayer for peace, inspired by the image of the Aogiri tree that survived the atomic bombing and resonated in a young heart.

Written and composed by Nanairo Morimitsu when she was in second grade, this piece won the Grand Prix out of 915 entries in the “Songs of Hiroshima” competition hosted by Hiroshima City in 2001.

It is deeply moving that it was the only entry created by a child at the time.

Set to a gentle melody and a simple structure, it quietly yet powerfully expresses the rebirth of the bombed Aogiri and a wish for world peace.

Highly recommended for those who want to feel a deep love for their hometown and hope for the future, and for everyone who wishes to pass on the importance of peace to the next generation.

Message — kotodute —Porunogurafiti

Message — Kotodute (oral message)

A gem of a song woven from prayers for peace born in Hiroshima.

Created in April 2025 as the theme song for NHK Hiroshima Broadcasting Station’s “80 Years Since the Atomic Bombing Project,” this track by Hiroshima-born PornoGraffitti grew out of conversations with hibakusha survivors.

At its heart lives the motif of the “First Tram,” the streetcar that resumed operation just three days after the atomic bombing.

Set to a gentle rock sound, the song celebrates the power of words and the importance of human connection, and was chosen as the ending theme for the NHK documentary Connect: Messages to the Future.

Infused with the spirit of Hiroshima, it resonates with all who carry love for their hometown and a wish for peace.

Hiroshima DriveOkuda Tamio

Hiroshima Drive

A vividly painted piece brimming with Hiroshima flavor that brings hometown scenery to life.

The lyrics overflow with Tamio Okuda’s love for his hometown, featuring one iconic Hiroshima spot after another, such as Mazda Stadium and the Hacchobori intersection.

Released digitally in October 2018, this track was created as a Hiroshima-dialect parody version of “Tokyo Drive,” with fellow Unicorn members from the same hometown joining in with rhythmic call-and-response.

The blend of the local dialect and a warm melody stirs a deep sense of nostalgia, making it a treasured song that offers comfort—not only to those from Hiroshima, but to anyone living away from their hometown.

In the country where Hiroshima isSakushi sakkyoku: Yamamoto Satoshi

Chorus in the country where Hiroshima is

This work confronts the painful history of the atomic bombing and gives powerful voice to a deep longing for peace.

Written and composed by Satoshi Yamamoto in 1983 while he was in college, it may be a simple folk-style piece, but its straightforward message moves many listeners.

The warm tone of the acoustic guitar and Yamamoto’s sincere vocals combine to leave a profound impression.

Widely sung at peace-themed events and gatherings across the country, as well as used in school music materials, it was also performed at the 4th Sumida River Folk Festival in 2014.

Filled with love for one’s hometown and a prayer for peace, this is a song I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone who wants to learn about Hiroshima’s history or pass on the importance of peace to the next generation.