[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 (21–30)
setting sunyoshida takurou
The song “Ochiba” (Fallen Leaves), created with lyricist Osami Okamoto, was released by folk singer Takuro Yoshida in 1989.
The lyrics depict the scene of an elderly man, who spends his days immersed in dice gambling—a man Okamoto met while wandering around Hokkaido—seeing Okamoto off as he boards a ferry from Tomakomai Port to Sendai Port.
Fans strongly embrace the sharp worldview that overlays the old man’s way of life with Okamoto’s own wandering.
It’s a track you’ll want to play as background music while casually traveling around Hokkaido.
Ballad of the Rainbow and SnowTo wa e mo wa
This is the theme song of the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics.
Its friendly, catchy tune has continued to be sung among the people of Hokkaido even after the Games ended.
Bunichiro Kawamura, who wrote the lyrics, was a poet, but since he wasn’t used to writing song lyrics, he reportedly revised them many times before completing the piece.
Capital, oh springtime
It is said that this dormitory song of Hokkaido University’s student dormitory, Keiteki Dormitory, was composed in the 1912 academic year.
The composer was Kenji Akagi and the lyricist was Yosuke Yokoyama, both of whom were students at the time.
At Keiteki Dormitory, dormitory songs had been composed repeatedly since 1907, and “Miyako zo Yayoi” is the sixth dormitory song.
Tsugaru Strait – Winter SceneIshikawa Sayuri
Sayuri Ishikawa’s enka masterpiece “Tsugaru Strait – Winter Scene.” Released in 1977 as her 15th single, it won prestigious music awards including the Vocal Performance Award at the 19th Japan Record Awards and the Grand Prix/Best Vocal Performance at the 6th FNS Music Festival.
The Tsugaru Strait lies between the southern tip of Hokkaido and Aomori Prefecture, connecting the Sea of Japan and the Pacific Ocean.
This song lyrically overlays the harsh winter scenery of the Tsugaru Strait with the image of crossing the strait to Hokkaido.
Immerse yourself in it with a longing for the northern lands.
Our path
“Our Road” was produced as part of the “One Hokkaido Project,” a joint campaign by six TV stations in Hokkaido to mark the 150th anniversary in 2018 of the region being named “Hokkaido.” The song is performed by 38 people with ties to Hokkaido, ranging from major stars like Maki Ohguro and Takashi Hosokawa to comedians such as Taka and Toshi and Yasumura (Tonikaku Akarui Yasumura).
Please listen while reflecting on the history that the land of Hokkaido has traveled.
The Wheat SongNakajima Miyuki
This is “Mugi no Uta” (The Song of Wheat), sung by Miyuki Nakajima, a female singer from Sapporo, Hokkaido.
Released in 2014 as her 44th single, the song served as the theme for the drama “Massan,” whose latter half is set in Yoichi, Hokkaido—also known for its whisky.
It’s a heartwarming piece that matches the drama’s world, which portrays the story of a married couple involved in whisky making.
As you listen, you can almost see a vast field of ripened wheat spreading out before your eyes.
Winds of the Future: Toward the Road AheadYuki Miku (Hatsune Miku)
When Crypton Future Media, headquartered in Sapporo, Hokkaido, solicited a new catchphrase as part of a tie-up project with Hokkaido, “Hokkaido: To the road beyond.” was selected.
The piece “Winds of the Future ~ To the Road Beyond” was adopted as the image song for that catchphrase.
The vocalist is Hatsune Miku, a Vocaloid artist produced by the company.
It portrays a grand vision of taking flight from the vast natural land of Hokkaido out into the world.