[Hometown Songs] A curated selection of popular Japanese tracks that fill your heart with nostalgia

I love this town.mucchī

Tsu City Song “I Love This Town” — Tsu City, Mie Prefecture

A gentle melody that evokes the sea breeze of Ise and the Suzuka mountain range spreads warmly in the heart.

Centered on encounters and mutual support, this civic song straightforwardly weaves pride in daily life and hope for the future.

Its simple, warm wording that unites the spirit of a city after consolidation is also part of its charm.

It was designated as the civic song of Tsu City in February 2009.

Available in the original male vocal version, a female vocal arrangement, and various formats such as choral and wind ensemble; in May 2009, choral and wind ensemble versions were recorded live at a concert in the Mie Prefectural Cultural Center.

The song is also used for the city’s disaster administration radio system, school chimes, the time signal at City Hall and Ast Tsu, and as telephone hold music.

For school and workday mornings, family drives, and trips to and from festivals.

This work gently accompanies those moments when you pause and want to feel the everyday warmth rooted in Mie.

Song of YokkaichiIto Hideshi

Song of Yokkaichi — Hideshi Ito (Yokkaichi City, Mie Prefecture)

A rustic folk song that feels like filling your lungs with Mie’s air.

It gently reflects the breath of the city and the presence of sea and mountains, awakening memories of home.

The song weaves in place names and scenes of everyday life, wrapping the heart of homecoming in the soft resonance of acoustics.

The vocals are intimate, as if speaking to you, and the chorus opens brightly like a horizon.

Its arrangement shines even in a simple voice-and-guitar performance, and it’s incredibly easy to hum along to.

Included on the 2007 album “Let’s Go Home (Uchi e Kaerō).” Hideshi Ito’s 2003 “Grandfather’s Clock – ZuZu Version” reached No.

17 on the Oricon overall chart and sold over 200,000 copies, and this work stands out in that lineage of “local-themed series.” Perfect for road trips, drives home, or evening strolls.

Highly recommended!

ROOTSMEGARYU

MEGARYU / ROOTS

MEGARYU is a reggae duo that gained popularity for lyrics with powerful, uplifting messages.

Their first single “ROOTS,” also included on their third full album Jet Stream, is a comfortable track where a gentle melody rides on an off-beat rhythm, contrasted with soulful rap.

The lyrics, which portray an unchanging love for one’s hometown even as time passes, may remind you of the precious place we tend to forget in our busy days.

True to its title, it’s a heartwarming number that lets you face your roots.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Northern SpringSen Masao

Spring in the Northern Country / Masao Sen (with lyrics)

Kitaguni no Haru (Spring in the Northern Country) is a lovely song whose lyrics depict a man living in the city receiving a package from his hometown and reminiscing about his family and an old romance.

Released in 1977 by enka singer Masao Sen, its nostalgic atmosphere drew attention and ultimately led to a massive hit, selling over three million copies.

The lyrics feature the protagonist opening his heart as he yearns for the northern region, and people from Tohoku in particular may find it especially relatable.

Incidentally, the song’s success earned Masao Sen a spot in the 28th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

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Yuuki

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Nostalgic JonkaraHosokawa Takashi

Nostalgic Jonkara

Takashi Hosokawa’s “Bokyō Jongara” is striking for its powerful Tsugaru shamisen sound.

Released in 1985 as Hosokawa’s 27th single, the lyrics, which express the feelings of a protagonist whose hometown is in the Tsugaru region, really resonate.

It’s also a song where you can fully enjoy Hosokawa’s high-toned, captivating vocals.

He performed it five times on the year-end NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen, and even closed the show in its 46th edition in 1995.

It’s a familiar piece for people from Aomori Prefecture, so why not listen to it while thinking of your hometown?

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Hamada Takuya

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Home of My DreamsIzuta Hiroyuki

JRA commercial: Ken Takakura, Nae Yûki

Hiroyuki Izuta, often called the Paul McCartney of Japan, is a musician born in 1959 from Chiba Prefecture.

“Yume no Furusato” is a song he was personally asked to perform by Makoto Sugi for the JRA, and it was released as a single in April 1992 with lyrics that differ from the commercial version.

Country SongYamashita Ayumu

Only people from the countryside will understand these lyrics! 'Inaka no Uta – Ayumu Yamashita'

This is a warm, nostalgic song that deeply resonates with people living away from their hometowns.

Ayumu Yamashita’s gentle voice vividly evokes rural scenery and the warmth of its people.

Since its release in July 2015, it has generated significant buzz on social media, surpassing 2 million views on Facebook and being retweeted over 80,000 times on Twitter.

The lyrics, themed around relatable “country life” moments, have drawn widespread empathy, bringing both laughter and tears.

This work can truly be called a song that becomes a spiritual hometown, soothing the hearts of those who miss where they came from amid their busy days.