[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!

Playlist

[2026] Masterpieces that sing of Hokkaido: the heart of a beloved homeland passed down in song
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	LAT.43°N 〜forty-three degrees north latitude〜DREAMS COME TRUE		DREAMS COME TRUE songs connected to Hokkaido
2	From the North Country: From the Distant Landsadamasashi		Masashi Sada’s classic song that evokes Hokkaido
3	In the Great Sky and on the Vast EarthMatsuyama Chiharu		Chiharu Matsuyama’s songs set in Hokkaido
4	Supernova Express 2016GLAY		GLAY announces the image song for the launch of the Hokkaido Shinkansen
5	an insanely cute galŌishi Masayoshi		MasaYoshi Oishi’s Song Expressing the Charms of Hokkaido
6	Shiretoko Ryojo (Shiretoko Travel Sentiment)Morishige Hisaya		A song composed by Hisaya Morishige set in Shiretoko
7	Cape ErimoMori Shinichi		Introduction to Shinichi Mori’s signature song “Erimo Misaki”
8	I long for Southern HokkaidoKoyama Yudai		An enka song longing for one’s hometown, singing of the atmosphere of Southern Hokkaido
9	North TavernHosokawa Takashi		Takashi Hosokawa's 'Kita Sakaba' is a masterpiece
10	Long, Long Ago (Home Song)Hokkaidō		Home Song of the People of Hokkaido
11	Radiant with Light (March)Hokkaidō		The Hokkaido residents’ song established for the Hokkaido Centennial.
12	Hokkai Bayashi (Hokkaido Residents’ Folk Dance)Hokkaidō		Introducing the Hokkaido folk dance song “Hokkai Bayashi”
13	North AirportKatsura Ginshuku, Hama Keisuke		A Hokkaido-set farewell-and-reunion duet
14	Ishikari ElegyKitahara Mirei		A classic enka song by Mirei Kitahara themed around herring fishing
15	Today’s soupOizumi Yo with STARDUST REVUE		A warm song depicting winter in Hokkaido
16	Hokkaido for Twokantorī musume.		A country song that expresses the nature and nostalgia of Hokkaido
17	WakkanaiGalileo Galilei		A nostalgic rock set in Wakkanai
18	Wakkanai BluesHara Mitsuru to Shaneru Faibu		A song that portrays Hokkaido’s nature and way of life, set in Wakkanai
19	Woman of HakodateKitajima Saburō		A masterpiece enka by Saburo Kitajima, depicting the scenery of a port town.
20	Hakodate Main LineYamakawa Yutaka		Yutaka Yamakawa’s debut song, a classic depicting parting and the wistful emotion of travel
21	I like Sapporo.Mori Yuji to Sazan Kurosu		A 1981 classic that captures the charm of Sapporo
22	Tsugaru Strait – Winter SceneIshikawa Sayuri		Introduction to Sayuri Ishikawa’s Famous Enka Songs
23	freezing pointTamaki Kōji		Koji Tamaki’s classic with a gentle, quiet melody
24	Distant StarShimokawa Mikuni		A beautiful ballad that depicts longing for one’s hometown
25	Sapporo ElegyTakeshima Hiroshi		Hiroshi Takeshima’s wistful love song set in Sapporo
26	Ballad of the Rainbow and SnowTo wa e mo wa		The theme song of the Sapporo Olympics is loved
27	setting sunyoshida takurou		Takuro Yoshida expresses wandering and life through Osami Okamoto’s lyrics
28	The City of Love, SapporoIshihara Yūjirō		Yujiro Ishihara’s Sapporo Olympics cheer song
29	Cape SoyaDa Kāpo		An anthem overflowing with local love for Cape Soya
30	The Wheat SongNakajima Miyuki		Miyuki Nakajima’s “Mugi no Uta” is the theme song of Massan.
31	Winds of the Future: Toward the Road AheadYuki Miku (Hatsune Miku)		Hatsune Miku Hokkaido Image Song
32	The End of the JourneyAoki Kiyoshi		A classic song that sings of Hokkaido’s nature and life
33	Our path		A collaborative project song commemorating Hokkaido’s 150th anniversary
34	Capital, oh springtime		Dormitory Song of Hokkaido University’s Keiteki Dormitory, composed in 1912
35	Misty Lake MashuFuse Akira		A tourist song singing of the mystique of Lake Mashu
36	Travel Sentiments of Iwaobetsusatou muneyuki		A ballad singing of Shiretoko’s cold
37	Hokkaido Shararakantorī musume.		A refreshing driving song by Country Musume themed around Hokkaido.
38	Night of IomanteItō Hisao		A local song that sings about the scenery of Lake Mashu
39	Soran-bushi (from “Northward,” Four Japanese Folk Songs for Mixed Chorus and Piano)Matsushita Kou		Kō Matsushita gives a contemporary arrangement to Hokkaido folk songs
40	Cape TachimachiMori Masako		A local song set at Cape Tachimachi in Hakodate
41	Otaru no hito yoTsuruoka Masayoshi to Tokyo Romanchika		Masayoshi Tsuruoka’s local song
42	Lake FurenYamauchi Keisuke		Enka by Keisuke Yamauchi singing of the natural beauty of Lake Furen
43	Abashiri PrisonTakakura Ken		Representative song set in Hokkaido by Ken Takakura
44	Cape of Human KindnessTonneruzu		Tunnels’ broken-heart support song
45	The Northern LandKitajima Saburō		A powerful song that likens Hokkaido’s nature to life
46	First Love TrainHikawa Kiyoshi		An enka song in which Kiyoshi Hikawa searches for his first love in Hokkaido
47	White RoadGLAY		GLAY’s image song for Hakodate
48	Northern Sea VerseHonma Aine		A song about the lives of fishermen in Hokkaido
49	The Legend of the Crimson Lily of the ValleyLovelyz		Duo Lovelyz’s local song for Lake Shikotsu
50	White City SapporoAn Ruisu		A 1971 song by Ann Lewis. A winter piece that sings about the snowy scenery of Sapporo.
51	To the northFour Seasons		Theme song of a game set in Hokkaido, the voice actors' harmonies resonate in the heart
52	Hakodate Night ViewMori Konomi		An enka ballad themed around the night view of Hakodate
53	Night in KushiroMikawa Ken’ichi		A musical piece themed on Nusamai Bridge on the Kushiro River
54	Ah, SusukinoSumairēji		The last love-themed single before S/mileage’s name change
55	Sōran Migratory BirdsKomadori Shimai		Fusion of Hokkaido's scenery and folk songs
56	Traveler of the NorthIshihara Yūjirō		Love in the northern land, a melancholy masterpiece, the soul of Yujiro
57	Fighters’ AnthemUesugi Shudai		Official cheer song of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham
58	Melancholy SapporoMatsuzaka Keiko & Hama Keisuke		A duet love song by Keiko Matsuzaka and Keisuke Hama
59	Becoming a Thousand WindsAkiyama Masashi		Adaptation into a Japanese song of “A Thousand Winds”