Songs of Iwate: The Heart of Our Hometown Passed Down in Song | A Collection of Classics to Enjoy While Thinking of Iwate
With melodies that resonate in the heart, Iwate’s beautiful scenery unfolds before your eyes…
The culture rooted in this land and the lives of its people have become countless beloved songs that are still sung today.
The timeless history of the World Heritage site Hiraizumi, the mystical folklore of Tono, and the warm feelings of the people who live in the region.
The stories woven into each song are like a single painting capturing Iwate’s landscapes through the changing seasons.
In this article, we introduce gems of classic songs brimming with love for Iwate.
Why not let these songs stir your thoughts toward Iwate?
- Folk songs, children's songs, and nursery rhymes of Iwate: the heart of the hometown passed down through song
- Songs of Iwate: The Heart of Our Hometown Passed Down in Song | A Collection of Classics to Enjoy While Thinking of Iwate
- Bands, artists, and singers from Iwate Prefecture
- [Local Songs] Recommended tracks packed with Japan’s nationwide classics and hometown pride
- [Akita Songs] A Collection of Gem-Like Local Tunes Filled with Love for Hometowns
- [Songs of Aomori] A collection of local songs depicting the grandeur of nature and the warmth of its people.
- [Yamagata Songs] Beloved local tunes and classic tracks celebrating majestic nature and hometown pride
- Beautiful Folk Songs Passed Down in Miyagi Prefecture: A Collection of Masterpieces that Play the Heart of the Hometown
- A Collection of Moving Shakuhachi Masterpieces | Beautiful Japanese Melodies That Stir the Heart
- [2026] Masterpieces Themed on Ibaraki: From Local Songs to Municipal Anthems
- Miyagi Songs: Popular tracks that celebrate famous sights and specialties, and timeless pieces filled with love for home
- [People・Songs・Heart] A Collection of Miyuki Kawanaka’s Easy-to-Sing Songs [2026]
- [Folk Songs of Yamagata] The Heart of Our Hometown Passed Down in Song: Feelings Woven into Nostalgic Melodies
[Songs of Iwate] The Heart of Our Hometown Passed Down in Song | A Collection of Classics to Listen to While Thinking of Iwate (31–40)
Hanamaki UjōFujimoto Haneyuki
When it comes to hot springs in Iwate Prefecture, the first that comes to mind is Hanamaki Onsen.
You can just picture the rising steam and the inns lined up along the hot spring town.
The original song is by Hiroshi Kadokawa, known as a hidden gem of enka.
Kadokawa is widely praised for his vocal ability, and back in the Showa era there were TV shows where not only comedians but also singers impersonated other singers.
The impressions of Masako Mori and Hiroshi Kadokawa were top-notch.
Woman of HanamakiChiba Genta
Miyazawa Kenji was from what is now Hanamaki City, and the lyrics even quote “Ame ni mo Makezu” and “Night on the Galactic Railroad.” While it sings of a love story that never comes together in Hanamaki, it also does a thorough job of promotion, including in the title.
Chiba himself is from Miyagi Prefecture, and it’s said that “Hanamaki no Onna” was his first attempt at a softer image.
He usually performs powerful enka with folk-song elements.
Morioka RomanceYuko Kinoshita
It says “romance,” but it doesn’t feel like a love song—rather, it strongly evokes feelings for one’s hometown.
The mention of “Rakan-sama” refers to the Five Hundred Arhats at Hōon-ji Temple in Morioka City, a series of statues each with very expressive faces, known as a spiritual power spot.
The song also fully captures the beauty of Morioka in other ways.
The wind does not cease.Fukuda Kouhei
This is a song that could only come from Kohei Fukuda, who is both a folk singer and an enka singer from Iwate Prefecture.
It seems to liken the wind blowing from Mount Iwate, full of masculine spirit, to life itself, and it must be because Kohei Fukuda has continued to devote himself, just like this song, honing his skills as a folk singer.
Travel Sentiments of HiraizumiRumiko Hayama
Hiraizumi, which is registered as a World Heritage site, has a lot of songs about it, doesn’t it? This song also mentions Tsukimizaka, and compared to “Michinoku Hiraizumi,” it sings about more specific World Heritage locations.
Since an English version has even been released, they may indeed be targeting foreign tourists.
It feels a bit lonely that, in contrast to the shining Golden Hall, the song portrays a woman waiting for the one she loves.
[Songs of Iwate] The Heart of Our Hometown Passed Down in Song | A Collection of Classics to Listen to While Thinking of Iwate (41–50)
Kitakami Station of FarewellsInoue Hiroshi
It’s a song released in 1962, set at Kitakami Station in Iwate Prefecture, and in a way it feels like a prologue to Hiromi Ota’s later hit “Cotton Handkerchief.” Hiroshi Inoue was originally a rockabilly singer and was hugely popular among young women.
He had a sweet voice.
Nambu wind chimeNariye Shōhei
Speaking of Iwate, Nanbu senbei and Nanbu ironware are well-known.
Though they are traditional items from ancient times, their excellent heat retention and dignified, weighty presence continue to be loved even today.
Nanbu wind chimes likewise evoke the feeling of summer in Iwate, and their tone truly stands apart.
When the sound of a wind chime is likened to tears, you can understand the feeling of longing for one’s hometown.