The Iichiko commercial song. A popular jingle.
Speaking of the TV commercials for Iichiko, the barley shochu from Oita Prefecture, they’ve been on the air for many years.
The cool, subdued narration set against footage from around the world has earned a devoted following.
The music used in Iichiko’s commercials has drawn attention alongside the visuals as well, featuring a variety of songs—primarily by Billy BanBan and Fuyumi Sakamoto, among others.
In this article, we’ll introduce all the songs that have been featured in Iichiko’s commercials so far!
They’re all tracks that really tug at the heartstrings and invite a touch of nostalgia, so take this opportunity to give them another listen!
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iichiko’s commercial songs: Popular commercial songs (11–20)
Love is like a prayer.Sakamoto Fuyumi
The 2012 “Hita/Taio Gold Mine” commercial features Koji Matoba dressed as a samurai.
He climbs through a rocky area meant to evoke the inside of a gold mine.
At the top of the rocks, he finds the brilliantly shining iichiko Hita Zenkoji.
The direction makes it feel as if he has discovered gold inside the Taio Gold Mine.
The background music, “Ai wa Inori no You da ne” (“Love Is Like a Prayer”), is a track from the 2012 album Ai Shiteru… LOVE SONGS III.
The lyrics are by the venerable Goro Matsui, and the composition is by Susumu Sugawara of Billy BanBan.
A Billy BanBan version of the song is also used in an iichiko commercial, so it’s fun to compare the two.
Flor de LuaAmalia Rodrigues
This is the first installment of the memorable iichiko commercial series, aired in 1986.
It doesn’t feature the now-familiar, beautifully shot overseas location footage, and the narration isn’t by Hidenari Kawakita—the art director who created the iichiko commercials—but by a professional voice actor, giving it a different atmosphere from today’s spots.
The BGM, “Flor de Lua,” is sung by Amália Rodrigues, the Portuguese diva who rose to fame as the Queen of Fado.
She shone brightest from the 1940s to the 1970s, the golden age of fado, and even after her passing continues to influence many singers, including Mariza.
Night OutLiQWYD
This commercial introduces the appeal of iichiko NEO, an authentic shochu from the iichiko brand made for highballs, through the story of two sisters.
It shows the sisters working out, and conveys that even at such times, iichiko NEO lets you enjoy a highball with zero carbs.
The song that further highlights the sisters’ relaxed everyday life is “Night Out.” Built on a beat with a dance-music feel and layered with brass-like tones, the overlapping sounds create a sense of both sparkle and lightness.
Love is like a prayer.biriibanban
The 2012 version of the commercial is the “Texas Cowboy” edition set in Texas.
It strikingly and stylishly portrays cowboys herding cattle with a wild flair.
The background music is “Love Is Like a Prayer,” also well-known from Fuyumi Sakamoto’s rendition.
While lyricist Goro Matsui uses words that are easy for anyone to understand, as mentioned at the outset, the song conveys a grand worldview that goes beyond a simple love song.
Billy BanBan’s version is characteristically refined with a restrained touch, and it’s fun to compare it with Sakamoto’s vocal version to hear the differences!
IT’S NICE TO BE WITH YOUSugawara Susumu
The commercial titled “Wales,” aired in 1992, features a man playing rugby on the Welsh landscape in the United Kingdom.
The camera follows the rugby ball as it soars through the air and bounces along the ground, creating footage that feels just like an actual rugby match.
The CM’s background music is a solo piece by Susumu Sugawara, the vocalist of Billy BanBan.
His gentle voice blends beautifully with the calm, reflective atmosphere.
Radetzky MarchJohann Strauss I. (Vater)
This commercial features “Napoleon of Downtown,” the catchphrase and character for iichiko, who introduces tasty snacks that pair well with iichiko highballs.
Because the highball is clean and refreshing, the focus is on bold, punchy snacks, conveying the desire for viewers to enjoy that pairing.
The background music that further highlights the world where this ‘Napoleon’ is speaking is the Radetzky March, a classic at ceremonies.
From the very beginning, the composition conveys a lively atmosphere, and its bright tone naturally brings out positive feelings.
Iichiko’s commercial songs: Popular commercial songs (21–30)
FantasticoZiv Moran
Focusing on iichiko’s catchphrase, “The Napoleon of Downtown,” this commercial features Napoleon introducing a way to enjoy it even more deliciously.
He gently suggests that before drinking iichiko, close your eyes and slowly savor the aroma to bring out a richer taste.
The background music, which evokes the era when such a Napoleon might have lived, is Ziv Moran’s “Fantastico.” With its strongly acoustic feel, the lightness of the sound conveys a hint of folk-music atmosphere, further highlighting the sense of fun.