[2026] Masterpieces that sing of Hokkaido: the heart of a beloved homeland passed down in song
Hokkaido, a land surrounded by grand, beautiful, and sometimes harsh nature, has often been featured as the setting in songs—especially kayōkyoku and enka—from the Showa era to the present day.
Artists and bands from Hokkaido sometimes write songs about their own hometown, and there are countless masterpieces themed around the northern land.
This time, we’ll introduce a selection of songs connected to Hokkaido, regardless of genre or era.
From famous hits to hidden gems, give them a listen while picturing the scenery of Hokkaido!
- [Folk and Children's Songs of Hokkaido] Songs of Hokkaido that continue to be loved across generations
- [Local Songs] Recommended tracks packed with Japan’s nationwide classics and hometown pride
- A roundup of regional enka songs: classic hits that feature places from all across Japan in their lyrics.
- [Hometown Songs] A curated selection of popular Japanese tracks that fill your heart with nostalgia
- [Song of Osaka] A selection of passionate, warm-hearted Osaka tunes
- [Songs of Aomori] A collection of local songs depicting the grandeur of nature and the warmth of its people.
- Chiba Songs: A comprehensive introduction, from famous tunes filled with hometown love to local theme songs
- [2026] Enka Spring Songs to Savor: A Collection of Classic Enka That Evokes the Japanese Spring
- [Japanese School Anthems] A Hot Topic at Koshien! From Beautiful Anthems to Unique Ones, All Introduced at Once
- Winter songs you'll want to listen to in the cold season! Recommended for the yutori generation
- [For Seniors] Heartwarming Winter Classics: A Cozy Moment with Nostalgic Kayōkyoku and Traditional Songs
- A classic song that sings of Nagasaki: the enduring heart of our hometown
- [2026] A Collection of Classic Enka Songs Depicting Winter Scenery
[2026] Masterpieces that sing of Hokkaido: The enduring heart of our homeland (11–20)
WakkanaiGalileo Galilei
This nostalgia-filled rock number themed around Wakkanai, Hokkaido is a work that can be called the origin of Galileo Galilei’s musical style.
Carried by a gentle melody, the song sings of longing for one’s hometown and is included on the album Parade, released in February 2011.
Parade debuted at No.
5 on the Oricon chart, helping to bring wider recognition to their music.
Its refreshingly delicate arrangements and tracks incorporating elements of indie rock and chillwave beautifully capture the atmosphere of the northern land.
It’s a song that resonates deeply with those living away from home or anyone who feels a sense of nostalgia for a cherished place.
Wakkanai BluesHara Mitsuru to Shaneru Faibu
Released in July 1971, this song is set in Wakkanai, the northernmost city in Hokkaido, and vividly portrays the grandeur of nature and the lives of its people.
Performed by Mitsuru Hara and Chanel Five, it’s a heartwarming piece where melodic choral work and band sound blend beautifully.
As their debut single, it carved out a unique presence in the music scene of the time.
Also included on the acclaimed album “Chanel Five in Sapporo,” the track masterfully expresses the landscapes of Japan’s northern frontier through music.
Embracing the scenic vistas of Wakkanai and the rhythms of everyday life, it’s recommended for those who want to reflect on Hokkaido’s majestic nature and local culture.
It also makes for a comfortable driving tune—perfect as BGM for a trip through Hokkaido.
I like Sapporo.Mori Yuji to Sazan Kurosu
A masterpiece that beautifully encapsulates the charm and sentiment of Sapporo.
The refined lyrics and graceful melody portray the city’s atmosphere and the richly textured transitions of the four seasons.
It’s a mood kayō song steeped in melancholy, characteristic of Yuji Mori and Southern Cross, and it resonates deeply with listeners.
Released as a single in 1981, it was also used as the theme song for the Sapporo Snow Festival.
Beloved as a cheer song for Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, it has become a piece rooted in the community.
It’s a gem you’ll want to hear on a calm winter’s day, and one I highly recommend both to those nostalgic for Sapporo’s cityscape and to those who have yet to visit.
Distant StarShimokawa Mikuni
A song that deeply resonates with longing for one’s hometown, captured by Mikuni Shimokawa—who hails from Shinhidaka, Hidaka District in Hokkaido—on her November 2004 album, “Kimi no Uta.” Carried by gentle acoustic guitar and piano, this beautiful ballad tenderly paints scenes of the northern land, like the flow of the Shizunai River and fields of corn.
Her calm yet powerful vocals quietly convey parting with the past and a resolve to start anew, stirring the listener’s heart.
The album “Kimi no Uta,” which includes this track, is highly acclaimed as a masterpiece that showcases the depth of her musicality.
It’s a song to be heard on a quiet, nostalgic night, as you reflect on the indelible memories of your hometown.
Sapporo ElegyTakeshima Hiroshi
Set in the northern city of Sapporo, this melancholic mood kayō ballad—richly portraying a heartrending love story—was released as a single by Hiroshi Takeshima in October 2004.
It beautifully overlays the solemn atmosphere of Sapporo’s streets with the emotions of a man pursuing the lingering traces of a past romance.
With lyrics by Kyosuke Kuni and composition by Hiroyuki Nakagawa, its exquisite melody is deeply moving.
Peaking at No.
44 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart, the song captured the hearts of many enka fans and remains a popular work that represents the early phase of Takeshima’s career.
Evoking the clear, wintry air of Sapporo and weaving delicate vocals with poignant longing, this track is especially recommended for snowy seasons or quiet nights spent thinking of someone dear.
Hakodate Main LineYamakawa Yutaka
Set against the Ishikari Plain of Hokkaido, Yutaka Yamakawa’s debut song vividly portrays parting and travel-worn sentiment, captivating listeners with a moving melody that fuses elements of enka and kayōkyoku.
From a quietly flowing introduction to a steadily rising climax, the arrangement beautifully conveys both the grandeur of Japan’s northern lands and the ache of a bittersweet love.
Released in February 1981, the song reached No.
41 on the Oricon Weekly Chart and led to Yamakawa receiving the New Artist Award at the 23rd Japan Record Awards.
Celebrated as a timeless classic, it was performed again at the 54th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen in 2003, allowing many to relive its emotional impact.
Interweaving Hokkaido’s evocative scenery with a tale of heartbreak, this work—paired with a soul-stirring vocal—is a recommended choice for karaoke when you want to share memories.
[2026] Masterpieces that sing of Hokkaido: The enduring heart of our homeland (21–30)
freezing pointTamaki Kōji
Hailing from Asahikawa, Hokkaido, Koji Tamaki—active both as the vocalist of Anzen Chitai and as a solo artist—released his third single, “Hyoten,” in 1989.
The song was used as the theme for the TV drama adaptation of Ayako Miura’s novel Hyoten.
Its quiet melody, like droplets falling from icicles, matches the scenery of the Foreign Tree Species Forest in Asahikawa, the story’s setting, and its simple yet profound lyrics capture the novel’s worldview.
It’s a perfect song for Hokkaido’s piercing, biting cold.
